Shorter is Better

- Made it through the storm without much trouble here in Queens. Of course, that's not the case in places like Greene County in upstate NY, in Vermont, and a host of other places. The death toll from Irene is now up to at least 40; so much for it being overhyped. Hope everyone out there is OK.

Shouldn't be a surprise these days that, between the two Grade 1 races for three-year olds at Saratoga on Saturday, the seven furlong race far outshone the one at a mile and a quarter. The Travers was the latest demonstration that today's young thoroughbreds are by and large simply not bred to handle the so-called 'classic' distances of ten furlongs and, occasionally, beyond. I'm still not a big Stay Thirsty ($6.80) fan. Think his recent prowess is due in large part to the weakness of his opponents. But he did get the job done again. And I must concede that it was a more eventful trip that one might deduce from the past performance line. He left from the nine hole along with Shackleford right at his outside flank, vied, though in a non-combative way, with that one for the lead around the turn, then prodded the Preakness winner along for a bit until Velazquez retreated with his mount to third. Then he launched another move into the far turn, put away Shackleford easily, and found himself in the lead turning for home.

Stay Thirsty had done a lot to that point, and was quite visibly ready to be taken as he came home with much urgency in a sluggish 26.29 seconds. However, there was nobody up to the task in this Grade 1 field; a wobbly Rattlesnake Bridge was the only who offered a believable threat. A Beyer of just 101, for ten furlongs in 2:03.03.

On the other hand, the King's Bishop was a scintillating race decided barely a split second before the wire, easily amongst the most exciting horse races of the year thus far, especially given the storyline and significance. Between all of the commotion of the last second upset result and Mike Repole's post-race babbling as to how many races Uncle Mo has left, I think perhaps it's been overlooked just how good Uncle Mo was. (In fact, Repole managed to make himself virtually the entire story for Joe Drape in the Times.) For one thing, Uncle Mo rated quite kindly for Johnny V, a good four lengths off the lead early. I know that sometimes you'll see a horse who usually leads at a route run differently in a sprint; and nobody expected Uncle Mo to run a 45 half. Nonetheless, it was a new experience which should serve him well in his 0, 2, or 5 races to come. He'd surely never had to circle around three leaders before, but looked like a pro doing so despite being easily out in the five path turning for home. He also ran a little extra ground moving over to the rail. Yet, in his first race since what we're told was a serious liver disease, he dug in for a final furlong in 12.39 seconds, earning a Beyer of 106. Didn't do too bad in the 'looking the other horse in the eye' category either. Should have been enough to win.

But Caleb's Posse ($13.80) was a shade better on this day. After he won the Amsterdam, I wrote that it was "a clinic on the concept of races falling apart, as Caleb's Posse was the only one running after the rest of the field stopped in the last furlong." I documented how he won easily despite slowing down markedly, and spoke brashly of betting against him in his next race (especially if he ran out of town as a big favorite), expressing skepticism at his 105 Beyer. Wrong...again. And the King's Bishop surely didn't fall apart. As noted in the race chart, Caleb's Posse was asked from the start. He had to run a 22.44 2nd quarter to stay in contact, ran 23.34 while swinging even a path wider than Uncle Mo, and closed resolutely in a solid 11.94. Heard a fair amount of speculation as to whose race was better, The Factor (104 Beyer for the Pat O'Brien) or Uncle Mo; but I thought Caleb's Posse was the best three-year old of the day. Doesn't mean he will be next time, but this time he was, in my opinion.

- A reader poses the question: Can Uncle Mo win the 3yo championship without winning a Grade 1 if he runs in and wins the Pennsylvania Derby, and then loses narrowly and valiantly to an older horse in the Breeders Cup Classic?

- Wanted to mention a show from last week...St Vincent (Annie Clark) was scheduled to play on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was very excited to be able to score tickets for that, said to be the first concert in that spectacular setting overlooking the park. So it was disappointing when it became apparent that it was going to rain. But then I was intrigued at the news that the show would be moved to the Temple of Dendur. Very ancient and spiritual sounding. Indeed, it was certainly unique for a rock show to take place in full view of a 2000+ old sphinx (who seemed to be quite enjoying himself), and it made for quite a memorable night. A few more photos below, and a link here to some that are actually good, as well as to the latest video from St. Vincent's upcoming Strange Mercies album.

(Not Bowery Ballroom.)