Saratoga Notes

John Velazquez stole the state-bred William B Fasig Stakes with a first half in 48 2/5 on Exclusive Scheme ($52.50), more than two seconds quicker than the other, and far cheaper, races run on the inner turf course later in the day. After reaching the three quarters in 1:13 1/5, this four-year old daughter of the late Saarland, who died in disgrace shortly after being retired due to his shooting blanks at stud, sped home in splits of 22.90 and 5.87 and held off favored Chestoria. That's the way you win horse races, son! This may have been the first stakes winner for the sire, but without a Dead Stallion Register we can't be sure. The beaten favorite had a bit of traffic in the stretch, but the loquacious chart-caller currently on duty at the Spa noted that she lost little if any momentum. Just some great race riding by Johnny V.

Hot horse of the meet: First time starter Admiral Alex, 10-1 in the morning line, opened at 6-5, and drifted only slightly, going off as the 5-2 second choice in the nine furlong race. Three-year old son of Afleet Alex was restless in the gate and was caught 3-4 wide going into the first turn, 3 wide into the final one; but no problem. After taking over midstretch, Kent D at one point cocked the whip, but saw it was unneeded after taking a peek back. OK, he gave him a tap anyway, but hand rode him to the wire. The veteran Leon Blusiewicz was listed as the trainer, and it was his first and only starter of the year according to the Form. Some interesting bloodlines too; Admiral Alex is inbred 4x4 to Nureyev; he's a half to the good turf horse Woodlander, and this is the distaff family of the Belmont winner Go And Go, the Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle, 2000 Guineas winner Refuse to Bend, and the multiple graded stakes winner Twilight Agenda. So definitely some turf and distance pedigree here.

Caberneigh ($7.80) won the fifth for trainer Thomas Proctor, and this barn is now three-for-six at the meeting (he was also a close pace-compromised third with You Go West Girl in the first). The son of E Dubai was taken for the optional 50K claiming tag by owner/trainer Merrill Scherer

Sixth race winner Settle for Medal, 6-1 morning line after a bad start in his debut, paid a whopping $45.20! Not bad for a colt whose half-sister, Mani Bhavan, won the Spinaway and Adirondack over the same track in 2008.

Funny, after the Times published a column by Joe Drape on Saturday entitled 3-Year-Olds Can Inject Life Into a Dull Season, one might think they'd devote more than three short lines in an AP summary to the Jim Dandy on Sunday. I guess Drape must be at Monmouth along with the far stronger lineup for the Haskell. Who knows - A Little Warm ($10.20) shows the kind of improving form that could make him, along with Trappe Shot after he wins the Haskell today, one of those three-year olds referred to in the Times story referenced above. "To achieve a race like this is overwhelming, it's bigger than life," said trainer Anthony Dutrow. Jeez, what will he say if he goes on to win the Travers? This is a son of Stormin Fever, out of Minidar, a stakes winning Alydar mare whose a half to the graded stakes winning Colonial Minstrel; and this is the distaff family of the ill-fated champion Saint Liam (they have the same third dam).

- Free music at Prospect Park in Brooklyn last night, and wow, what a show by Sonic Youth. When I saw them earlier this year, they were touring in support of The Eternal, their latest album, and played songs nearly exclusively from that record. But on Saturday, they played all older stuff - practically all of their classic Daydream Nation, plus songs from Evol (Expressway to Yr Skull, Shadow of a Doubt), Sister (Catholic Block, Stereo Sanctity, White Cross) and even Shaking Hell from their very first album, Confusion is Sex - and they just ripped and roared through every one.

Lincoln Center's free Out of Doors series is underway, and on Wednesday, we saw the eclectic string quartet Ethel. They brought along some friends too, including Argentina's enchanting Juana Molina, as well as the immortal Tom Verlaine. With the latter, the ensemble performed a stunning version of the Television classic Prove It that nearly had me in tears, as unexpectedly sublime and ravishing as it was. Wow.

Also greatly enjoyed Canada's Chad Vangaalen at the Seaport (for free, of course) on Friday night. Was not previously too familiar with his music, but y'know, that's the beauty of these free shows. You don't have to be all that picky, and you never know what you'll find. This evening, as many of you will be preparing for the Haskell, which I'll have to watch on tape, we'll be back off to Lincoln Center for a totally bizarro bill of the multi-talented Melvin Van Peebles, New York Doll David Johansen (yes, Looney himself!), and Sandra Bernhard! Don't ask me. Time Out New York described the bill as "three New York loudmouths," and that's good enough for me! Best of luck no matter what you have planned, and have a great day!