Morning in Saratoga

- Dragged myself (and the Head Chef) out of bed at 5:45 this morning to go to the barn area. I suspected that Highland Cat was about ready for a workout and didn’t want to be late. It’s another beautiful morning in Saratoga, and the weather has been kind here thus far. This place is too much; it’s like everyone here is connected in some way or another to the races. The parking lot at the Price Chopper looked like the owner’s lot with all the stickers on the cars. Last night we were out to dinner; a couple behind me were talking about their horse who is making her debut today (and also, as it turns out, conditioned by our trainer Billy Turner), a guy with a sales catalog sat beside us, and the waitress is the daughter of a prominent public handicapper.

I was right on about Highland Cat’s workout, though I almost missed it while talking to the guy from the Castle Village partnership. Billy Turner had his stopwatch in hand, and was purporting to time the work, which would require his being able to start the watch at the precise moment the colt passed the quarter pole about a quarter mile away, and catch him when he crosses the finish wire on the other side of the track. He got him in :49. The colt is progressing nicely, and here’s a photo. As you can see, he unfortunately has a human body growing down from his head, which may delay his debut, still hoped for by the end of the meet.



We had a nice off day yesterday. We set out early for the Clark Institute in Williamstown, MA. They currently have an exhibit of late paintings by Jacques-Louis David; it’s pretty awesome. It has all the elements that I like in art – history, politics, portraits, and that cool mythical shit like Cupid and Psyche. And these amazing paintings of Napoleon – he really did stick his hand in his shirt like that and he seemed like quite a horseman as well! Afterwards we wanted to just find a nice park and swimming spot to chill, and set off to a state park in Clarksburg. When we pulled in and asked where the pond is, the woman seemed slightly surprised. She told us it would be better to utilize the bathrooms in the camping area before we went there, and that there were a lot of “weeds” in the water, but there was a small swimming area.

When we arrived there, there was nobody there except us, in what was just an idyllic looking spot. As we started to set up, another car pulled up, and an older gentleman came our way. “What a waste.” Huh? “This park. I used to come here when I was up to here (held his hand out to about Pat Day’s height), but now the geese have taken over.” He proceeded to tell us not to go in the water because we’d be greeted by ankle-high piles of goose dung and that, indeed, the pond had been condemned. Oh. Well, thanks.

Well, no wonder there was no one here, we thought, the place is condemned! But still, man, it’s beautiful and it’s all ours. I looked back and the man and his car were suddenly gone. I thought maybe he was really the spirit of the pond trying to warn us from its evil spirits, or maybe just to scare everyone away in order to keep the place to himself. We were there for several hours, and only one other car pulled up, and he quickly pulled away. I could picture him muttering, “Fuck, how’d these New York assholes find our place?”

Anyway, it was pretty amazing, as you can see.



I pulled out my Form to handicap today’s card, and man, what a disappointment. It’s definitely a racing program more appropriate for Belmont, complete with the feature allowance with five betting entries. So we’re not going to spend the entire day there, probably show up for the late Pick 4. I wanted to pick The Queen’s Stamp in the 9th today but Dick Francis at Brisnet already did, damn. Randy Shulhofer has been sending out some sharp turf horses off layoffs, and Castellano rides.

- We walked over to the sale last night, what a scene. I love watching the spotters – the guys who watch for the bidders in the audience. They all have their own distinct style – some scream, some grunt, some yell, and they all have their little physical style as well. Here’s a picture taken during the bidding for Hip 16, a Forest Wildcat filly who’s a half to Songandaprayer; she went for $775K. Later on, a Fusaichi Pegasus colt sold for $2 million.

Monday Racing

Reader Ruben Bailey asked if I bet World Series to win; I mentioned her here not long before she won the third race at Saratoga on Monday. The answer, dear reader, is no. I was already reeling from being knocked out of all my Pick 3s using World Series in the middle leg after the second race. I didn’t use Dutrow’s Make My Dayjur, dropping suspiciously to 20 claimers from 40, and he won a lot like a 40 claimer racing against 20s and that despite a shaky start. It was only later I read somewhere that Dutrow hits at a high percentage with such drops; guess I could have seen that for myself on Formulator. I mean, he wins at a high percentage with everything these days, really, and as I’ve said, I’m starting to get really annoyed when losing to this guy. I need to keep my personal feelings about trainers out of my betting decisions.

When World Series opened at around 3-1, my strategy once again turned to Pick 3s, as I figured, correctly as it turned out, that her prices leading off multi-race wagers would be far more generous than indicated by the win pool, where she was punched down from her 10-1 morning line. Despite her hot connections of Jimmy Jerkins and Chantal Sutherland, she looked like she should be a lot closer to 10-1 than 3-1, so I really put any thought of betting her to win out of my head and concentrated on the Pick 3s. If I was paying more attention to the race at hand instead of the two to follow, I may have nailed the $40 exacta resulting from her win over favored money-burner Bredwinner. But nonetheless, I was moving on. As it turned out she drifted up to 6-1, a fair, if not generous price.

As for Sutherland, over the weekend, she showed her ability to save ground with closers and rally in the stretch. In this race, she expertly set a slow pace, getting to the half in 48.88 completely undaunted by persistent challenges throughout the race. When 3-5 favorite Bredwinner drew alongside and passed her in upper stretch, Durkin called that she had “taken command.” But Sutherland and World Series, having slowed the third quarter down to nearly :26, were able to fight back against the favorite, who shows an affinity for finishing second (all the more reason to have had the exacta). World Series is by A.P. Indy out of graded winner Ninth Inning (Meadowlake).

I hit the “all” button for the fourth, a 2 yo maiden affair, hoping for a bombshell. Bill Mott had Performing Diva, a Storm Cat firster and a half sister to Vision and Verve; her third dam is Bebopper, the dam of Hatchet Man and Stop the Music, so this is quite a well-bred animal. She was 5-1 morning line, but opened lower and just got absolutely hammered to as low as 2-1. It was starting to feel like one of those races whose result would be pre-ordained by the betting. She may even have been 9-5 when she butted Bailey in the head, ran off and was scratched. Bailey took off the rest of his mounts and may have broken his nose. Don’t worry, he’ll be back Wed or Thurs; I’d be in the hospital for a week. The Head Chef said that Performing Diva “lived up to her name.” The bettors settled on Jerkins’ Swap Fliparoo, the fastest of those who had started, and I was disappointed when she won at 9-5.

But I wasn’t let down for long. My hunch that the Pick 3’s with World Series would be worth playing was proven to be right; the prices seemed astronomical for a $14 winner with a 9-5 favorite. But unfortunately, when I went ‘all’ in the 4th, I got cheap in the 5th and didn’t have the winner amongst my 3 selections. Mountain Mambo ($13) is trained by Phil Serpe, who I’d noticed bubbling under with 6 thirds in ten starts here, and ridden by Javier Castellano, who I’ve mentioned what, a hundred times here as riding well on the grass? Looking back now, I can’t really say why I didn’t use him, except that I was being chintzy and looking to be selective in the race after using all 7 in the 4th. I think it’s fair to say that if I’d known that the Pick 3 would return $724 – for a 6-1 / 9-5 / 5-1 combo, I would have done differently. The payoff was around $200 more than the one I had with Memorable Melody, who went off at 7-1 and beat one horse, ugh. There’s no rhyme nor reason sometimes with those Pick 3 payoffs – you never know what they’ll be like until you see them on the monitor. The one with World Series in the middle – 5-2 / 6-1 / 9-5 paid $411! Jerkins’ filly was obviously bet with just purpose in mind – collecting the win bet on that race.

So I think I played the races right as far as which pool to bet, but obviously didn’t come through with the goods in what was a tough 5th race. In fact, it was a fascinating betting card, with two long priced winners that I’m kicking myself over. Congratulations if you had either Carlow ($28.20) in the 6th, or T.D. Vance ($35) in the G2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame; nice job. I wrote that I rarely play straight win bets, but both of these could have been such an occasion. They both displayed fine form out of town, and both had their regular jocks making the trip, yet they were both ignored by the crowd, including myself. For what, a few Beyer points and/or an unfamiliar rider? T.D. Vance came from Woodbine, the same track that produced Silver Charades on Sunday, along with jockey Todd Kabel. He’s trained by Graham Motion, another guy making the most with limited starters. T.D. Vance is by Rahy, from a Phipps female line – his second dam is Fantastic Find; his third dam is Blitey.

Man, I had the right idea in that race. This time, I wasn’t buying the betting on Jimmy Jerkins’ favored Reel Legend. There comes a point where a hot trainer starts getting plain overbet, and I didn’t think this horse had any business being a clear favorite - 2-1 - in the competitive-looking field. And High Limit got bet down to 3-1 in his grass debut, and as I’ve said, situations like this when a well-known dirt horse tries the turf for the first time and gets overbet is one of the surest ways to find overlays. Unfortunately, I didn’t go far enough in terms of longshots, settling instead on 6-1 Prince Rahy, who I thought was returning to his best distance, as well as Rey de Cafe, at 9-2. One can be right about a lot of things about a race; important things, like throwing out the top two choices, and still come up a loser. T.D. Vance was coming off two excellent efforts in non-graded stakes – he missed winning both of them by a nose – and the payoff was a huge overlay. Easy to say now.

I’ve informed the Head Chef that she must now cease and desist referring to me as “the big winner” after having a Pick 3 on Sunday. A losing Monday and a meal at Chez Sophie wipes the slate clean, and we’ll start again on Wednesday.

- Guilty verdicts for Lincoln Park and the two executives accused of concocting a bribe to the Rhode Island Speaker of the House.

Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 28 and Bucci and Potter are free on bond until then. Bucci faces up to 25 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine; Potter faces up to 20 years and a $1 million fine; Lincoln Park faces a maximum fine of $1.5 million. [Boston Herald]

Saratoga Sunday

- We made record time to Saratoga; barely over 3 hours. Not much traffic headed upstate on a Sunday morning and the roads were empty. So we arrived about an hour before post time. Before the races start, not only at Saratoga, but at any track, is the only time you can say that time is standing still at the races. “Wow, there’s still 35 minutes before the first race,” you may think, when the useless drivel of the "experts" analyzing the races finally ends. (I read Paul Moran moaning and complaining about something every day; I care who he likes in the races?) But once that bell rings to send them off in the opener, the rest of the day is frenetic, with seemingly never enough time between races to do everything you want – jeez, we have to go to the paddock again, already?

There weren’t nearly the 61,000 people announced as the crowd on an absolutely perfect weather day. Going in, we saw people leaving the track with their haul, the gaudy red T-shirts given away. My week got off to an inauspicious start in the first. I was actually right about beating 6-5 favorite No Theatrics; I tabbed 6-1 Grey Suitor on top, and was annoyed that I didn’t save with the exacta with Dutrow’s winner Approved By Dylan when it came back an outstanding $46. And I hate losing to that guy. Perhaps I was distracted by seeing that Purge was 3-5 at Monmouth and wanting to bet against him (he won easily).

Looking at the second, I wanted to bet against the favorite Happy Hunting, looking a bit like a money burner even after just 2 starts. There were first timers from Mott and Frankel. Mott had Fen, a Boundary colt out of a half to G1 winner Scan; but Ramon Dominguez was named instead of Bailey, who was preparing to split for Monmouth. Frankel had Admiralty Island, a $400K AP Indy yearling purchase. Fen was 6-1 morning line but went off 19-1; and Frankel’s colt was 4-1 ML and went off 9-1! Talk about dead on the board - these two were barely breathing! There was a British import from Eoin Hardy taking money, so I closed my eyes and bet two longshots to start off Pick 3’s. Eslan and Truer Than True were coming off a good second and third respectively in their last race, which was won by a hot number from the Dutrow barn. Eslan was 10-1 and Truer Than True 12-1, and wouldn’t you know the two battled head and head down the stretch, and I didn’t care which one would win! I didn’t even care about the objection by Elbar Coa, Elsan’s rider against Chantal Sutherland (who would ride another long-priced winner later in the day, and is definitely one to watch as we’ve mentioned before). I felt a little silly about not having something on the exacta, but I never imagined they would run 1-2.

In the third, I had singled First Samurai, a Frank Brothers 2 yo coming off a win at Churchill with the lowest last fig in a race with five horses who had each won their one and only race. I had read the chart comments for all the horses, and this was the only one who seemed to have won with something left. He was 3-1 morning line, the third choice, so I felt I had taken a shot. But when the betting opened, First Samurai was a close second choice to Moon’s Halo. As the betting proceeded, First Samurai steadily gained, and by post time had been pounded to even money.

I could not possibly, at that point, been more confident that I would go on to the third leg. I freely admit that I sometimes pay too much attention to the betting, but in this case, I truly felt that First Samurai was as much of a sure thing as I could ever see at a racetrack. There are certain races that to me, are virtually decided in the mutuel pool before the gates open, and this was one of them. Perhaps it’s just years of experience, but in a race like this, I can just tell that the outcome is being driven by knowledge and winks and nods that are not accessible to the public, and you just have to go along for the ride. In this case, I was lucky because I was already on board. If I had singled the 1 horse, who was 2-1 morning line, but the 7-2 third choice, I would have been making other bets to compensate.

First Samurai won with total ease (as Bailey stuck around to ride before splitting for Monmouth) and later someone mentioned that the word was out on him. But you knew that if you were watching. I had a couple in the 4th, including the winner Irish Princess, the 5th winner of the meet with limited starters for red-hot Jimmy Jerkins, and the Pick 3 returned a solid $226.

But I’m going to complain about my betting day anyway, because I liked Santana Strings, who won the G2 Amsterdam, paying $21.20, and didn’t capitalize at all. I generally don’t make straight win bets unless it’s really an overlay, and I’m long over kicking myself any time I like a winner and don’t cash. If I kept records like I’m supposed to, I’m sure that this practice has paid off for me in the long run. I liked Santana Strings enough to single him in the middle of the final Pick 3, but the first leg, the 8th, presented a dilemma. It seemed like a wide open betting race with several promising contenders, in particular an invader from Woodbine, Silver Charades. She’s a 3 yo daughter of Broad Brush out of a Turkoman mare, and her second dam is a half to multiple G1 turf winner Sunshine Forever. Here came the hot money again, pounding Silver Charades down to 6+5....even money....4-5, and this time I wasn’t buying it. Yes, she had imposing form, and had run third in a stakes against colts in her last.....what was I thinking?...but I just saw it as a competitive race and thought the betting was out of line. So I went against her altogehter, leaving her out. If you want to make money in these Pick 3's, you have to take stands, otherwise I find there's often little value. I bet 5 others, and was hopeful when she broke a bit slow and was widest of all going into the first turn. But she proved much the best, and now I had nothing going with Santana Strings.

So I used Santana Strings on top in exactas with Dutrow’s imposing favorite Silver Train, coming off his track record 6f at Belmont, as well as with Middle Earth, and not with Vicarage, who I didn’t like at all. As my pick started to gamely draw away in the stretch after setting a contested pace through :21.4 and :45, I was focusing on Silver Train running down Storm Surge to get me the money, and never saw 24-1 shot Social Probation come out of the clouds to nail me and leave me with nothing to show from liking a $21 horse in the day’s featured race. OUCH! I hadn’t bet doubles because I wasn’t thrilled with the 5 ½ turf claiming event (though I would have had the Pick 3 had I hit the 8th for a $131 payoff that I can’t get that upset about from a value standpoint - it would have cost me $30 to have it), and I walked out with kind of a bittersweet feeling. Nonetheless, it was a profitable day, so who am I to complain?

- Sutherland rides World Series, stretching out in the 3rd Monday for Jimmy Jerkins, watch.

- A lot of live music around here, the good mixed with the bad. Mostly bad I guess. We missed the Backstreet Boys last night, and won’t be around next week for the freebie in Albany with Grand Funk Railroad and Edgar Winter, damn!! Perhaps the saddest-looking one I've seen advertised is the Jefferson Starship, celebrating what is claimed to be the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Jefferson Airplane on 8/13/65, in Schenectady of all places. I don’t know what constituted the founding of the band on that date, maybe they scored some good pot that night. It’s hard to see this, thinking back to the incredible albums the band released at their peak, highlighted to me by Volunteers. This edition of the Starship is led by shameless Paul Kantner, and includes David Freiberg, an original member of Quicksilver Messenger Service, Tom Constanten, said in the ad to be an original Grateful Dead pianist, Prairie Prince, co-founder of the Tubes (!), and Chris Smith, bass and keyboards for the....Supremes!? THE Supremes? On hand will be Diana Mangano and Darby Gould, “performing the Grace Slick repetroire.” Oh man. Not on hand will be yours truly, even for the reasonable price of $65 ($100 for both sets, which gets you a soundboard recording of the show).

And We're Off!

- Even if gaited horses pulling guys in sulkies doesn’t float your boat, you just had to get a thrill from watching a 59 year-old driver who plies his trade at county fairs and minor-league tracks flashing his whip triumphantly as he cruised under the wire before over 30,000 at the Meadowlands to win the biggest race in harness racing. Not only did Roger Hammer confound those who felt that he should have turned the job over to a big-name driver, he faked everyone out by taking Vivid Photo off the pace instead of flashing his usual early speed. "I was like a politician," Hammer joked. "I fooled everybody and then I won." [NY Times]

"This horse never showed racing off the pace," Hammer admitted. "But I figured I could out-brush all of them. "I didn't know what the fractions were; I was only worried where Ron (Pierce, the driver of favorite Classic Photo) was. I've never used the whip on this horse, but the second time I tapped him I knew it was over. I knew he was a strong finisher."

Hammer, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, and his partner, Todd Schadel of Gratz, Pennsylvania, bought four horses together, each taking two to train and race. Hammer ended up with the son of SJ’s Photo, a $30,000 yearling purchase, was racing at the Pennsylvania fairs at two and remained away from the Meadowlands until the eliminations last week when he won his elimination in 1:53.2.

“I’ve made two-year-old payments for the Hambletonian many times over the last 30 years but this is the first one we paid up at three,” said Hammer. “I knew he was a fast horse. The decision to geld him was the best we made. Otherwise he would have been a $3,000 claimer. He would try to climb the walls of the stall.” [Meadowlands Press Release]

Actually, a peek at the bottom line of Vivid Photo’s pp lines shows that he has come off the pace before, but no one could expect the change of tactics at this time. Great job by CBS, with Gary Siebel, Caton Bredar, and Jay Privman; and they were first to interview Hammer with Siebel noting that many were waiting beside their broadcast booth to get their shot.

- I guess Nick Zito will think twice before he questions Jerry Bailey’s judgment in the future. It was reported he was “angry” at first when Bailey recommended that Noble Causeway be scratched last weekend during the Jim Dandy post parade, but the horse didn’t make it past the first turn in the allowance race yesterday.

"(Dominguez) said he warmed up good and broke sharp," Zito said. "Then, after a quarter of a mile, the horse started to act funny and stopped. Usually, after a horse breaks sharp, the horse will continue to run well. Once he was pulled up, he was fine. That's how he has been in the last two races.

"I have to send him to the clinic to see what is wrong with the horse. It has to be something internal." [Bloodhorse]

Ice Wynnd Fire took the money, and the race for Bobby Frankel as the 2-1 second choice. I liked the second and third place finishers Quadrant and Skakway, but the exacta will-pays were disappointing so I just watched instead. Quadrant ran a good second; he’s a half brother to Offlee Wild.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of Angel Cordero virtually willing Bold Forbes to the wire in the Belmont as I watched Gary Stevens do the same to get Commentator to hold off the late charge of Saint Liam in the Whitney. The rest of this Grade 1 field was far, far back; and the Grade 1 Test, won by Leave Me Alone was similarly non-competitive. Two winners and a second yesterday for Mott and Bailey.

I was unfortunately a late scratch from the Hambletonian yesterday due to a sour stomach and some common sense. It’s early Sunday morning, and we’re off shortly for a week at Saratoga. Speak to you later.

Notes - Aug 6

- Ellis Park announced an immediate 15% cut in purses, and no surprise that, in addition to bad weather, the ‘s’ word came up as an explanation for shorter fields..

"Our daily racing operation continues to face ever-growing pressure in the competition for horses with racetracks in other states that offer larger purses boosted by slot machine revenues," [general manager Paul Kuerzi] said in a prepared statement. [Courier-Journal]

- Ohio Derby winner Palladio arrived at Monmouth for the Haskell, and here’s a little piece of information you probably don’t need to know:

Skip Away was the last colt to complete the Ohio Derby-Haskell double, winning the races back-to-back in 1996. Four years earlier, Technology ran second in the Buckeye State before giving jockey Jerry Bailey his only Haskell victory to date. [Newark Star-Ledger]

Having bet him in the Belmont, I won’t be throwing good money after bad by betting on Chekhov in the Haskell, but add his trainer Patrick Biancone to the Monmouth Park fan club.

"Monmouth has something special," Biancone remarked. "The surface is really, really good and the people are exceptionally nice. I have been all around the world, but the management at Monmouth is, maybe, the nicest I have seen in my life." [Newark Star Ledger]

Bob Baffert has also expressed his affection for the track, and a win by Roman Ruler, which would be a rare Grade 1 win for him of late, would certainly endear it to him even more.

..His money totals have dropped every year since recording earnings of $16,361,034 in 2001. Baffert saddled the winners of 11 Grade I races in 2001, six in 2002, five in 2003 and just one last year.

He suffered a huge blow when Prince Ahmed bin Salman passed away on July 22, 2002 at the age of 43. The prince was the man behind The Thoroughbred Corporation, which campaigned 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given and 2002 3-year-old champion War Emblem — both Haskell winners.

"We're as good as the last good horse we've had," Baffert explained. "When I lost the prince, that was a blow. You get hot, you cool off. It's very streaky." [Asbury Park Press]

With a crowd of perhaps 45,000 expected despite the absence of Afleet Alex, Monmouth management is treating the big day as a tuneup for 2007, when it will host the Breeders Cup.

Saturday Morning Notes

- Two winners for trainer Stanley Hough at Saratoga yesterday, both 2 year olds, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned something about his propensity with those before. Maybe if I spent more time actually reading what I write, I would take advantage and cash some tickets. In the third, Sensation (Dixie Union) showed that he may be one, following up his 11 length win in the mud at Belmont with a handy 4 ½ length win over 4 others including the favorite, stakes placed Joint Effort. This intensely inbred colt (4x2 to Mr. Prospector, 3x4 to Northern Dancer) is out of a Mr. P mare and is a half to stakes placed I’ve Decided.

Then in the 4th, Hough struck on the turf with first timer Mystic Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus)($13.40) who I completely ignored in my preview of the race. This $300K yearling is out of a mare by Sri Pekan, and is a half to graded turf stakes winner Chattahoochee War, who recently ran second in the Virginia Derby on the grass. Guess I wasn’t really paying attention. Hough also ran second in the 9th race, so pay attention now.

Another offspring of Fusaichi Pegasus took the 5th, as Dale Romans sent out 3 yo filly Winged Wishes, who had made one prior start, that beint last November. Romans hits nearly 30% in the +180 days category, and this one was pounded to 4-5. She’s out of a Seattle Slew mare and is inbred 3x3 to Danzig.

Linda Rice continues to be live, sending out Second in Command, the winner in the 6th, a 5 ½ furlong turf claiming event that we’ll be seeing more of from new racing secretary PJ Campo.

The feature was the G2 Honorable Miss at 6 furlongs, and it was Steve Asmussen’s Forest Music with a surprisingly easy win, opening a clear lead in zippy fractions in a race that figured to be contentious up front and thereby aid favored Bank Audit, who was only able to close for a no-threat 3rd. As it turned out, Forest Music was Asmussen’s 3,000 career win. He had 11 entrants at 6 different tracks, and he was pleased that the milestone winner occurred at the Spa.

A few hours before the Honorable Miss, Asmussen's first starter of the day, Barton Creek, finished second in a maiden race for Louisiana-breds at Louisiana Downs. By "about that far," said Asmussen, holding his hands about a foot apart, indicating the margin of difference between a souvenir photo from Saratoga and Bossier City. [NY Daily News]

And another impressive winner in the 9th, as Reunited, a 3 yo filly by Dixie Union shipping from Churchill for Neil Howard, won her 3rd race in 4 starts, and she’s a neck from being undefeated.

- While some of his rivals prepare for the Whitney, Roses in May worked a bullet 5f in 59.97, preparing for a possible start in the Saratoga Breeders Cup on 8/21. Trainer Dale Romans may opt to skip that race, however, and give Roses in May only one prep before the Oct. 29 Breeders' Cup Classic. [NY Daily News]

Hambo-Haskell

- On Wednesday, for the first time in 82 racing days, the total handle for Saratoga failed to exceed $10 million; no surprise, given the two steeplechase races on a 9 race card. Paul Moran of Newsday, apparently not soothed by the clear Adirondack air, adds that a generally unbettable program brought the streak to a grinding halt. What did they expect when they decided to run 2 hurdles races like that. As far as I’m concerned, they might as well be racing giraffes. In addition, NYRA confirmed what was apparent just by looking at the attendance figures each day. Business was down sharply at the spring Belmont meet.

According to the NYRA, the decision to terminate simulcast agreements with 10 offshore rebate shops was a key factor in the decline in business, and the fact that there was no Triple Crown on the line this year in the Belmont Stakes won by Afleet Alex caused for the numbers to drop. "If you erase Belmont Stakes Day from the equation, we were down only 3.6% in attendance, 6.14% in on-track handle and 7.7% in total commingled handle," said NYRA Senior Vice President Bill Nader. "Additionally, field sizes declined as compared to the previous year, which is a problem that has plagued the entire industry this year." [NY Daily News]

- I'd love to bet the Hambletonian-Haskell double if for no other reason then to support an innovative and pretty cool wager. But as much as I look at the race, I can find no alternative to Hambo favorite Classic Photo, and I don't know that the double with he and any of the three logical contenders in the Haskell is gonna pay many bills. It’s true that his elimination win last week was a fifth slower than that of Vivid Photo, but Classic Photo's driver Ron Pierce says of the heat victory:

"It was a walk in the park"....and added: .."but (in the final) I'll have to watch out for Vivid Photo "We don't want him getting to the top and getting his way." ["NY Daily News]

Vivid Photo is quite a story; just a couple of months ago, he was racing for $3600 purses at Pocono Downs and $5000 at the Meadows. (Check back in a couple of years to see what the purses are for races like that after slots come to Pennsylvania). The Hambo elimination was his first real test for class, and he passed it with flying colors. In fact, he looks like the only pure speed trotter in the field. But for $1.5 million, the other drivers aren’t going to be content to sit behind, and I think the pace scenario will be more than sufficient for Classic Photo’s closing brush. From the 5 post, he should be able to sit midpack and glide past the field by midstretch for the Hambletonian win. Pierce said of this year’s huge purse: “The Hambletonian can go for $10, and it would still be the great race that it is. There’s something about it. It’s the race we all look forward to, and the race we want to win." [US Trotting Association]

- They’re still expecting a crowd of 40,000 for the Haskell, and I have to say that I’ve underrated Park Avenue Ball, associating him with his mediocre form earlier in the year. Honestly I hadn’t noticed his recent form and Beyers, and his big improvement in both cagtegories is the type of improvement I always like to see. He was good in the Long Branch, as Chris DeCarlo rode with confidence, sitting behing leader Shark, and moving up to the lead with absolute ease around the turn.

Sun King’s late addition adds an element of uncertainty to the race, though his win in the Leonard Richards doesn’t do anything for me as far as clarifying just how good this horse is (or not). He got the lead against 4 horses in his first try with blinkers on, including one who had raced the day before. and maintained his lead in the stretch under a “steady drive” in :31 4/5 for the last 2 1⁄2 furlongs. But his presence does open up the race from a betting standpoint.

“It makes it a great betting race," said Mike Dempsey, the racing secretary. "It makes it a wide-open race.

"Roman Ruler probably would've been 4-5 before. Now he's 9-5. This makes it more interesting for the bettors."

More interesting in a number of ways....Instead of having Roman Ruler and Park Avenue Ball simply sitting off a fast pace and waiting to slug it out in deep stretch to see whether the exacta pays $5.60 or $8.40, the race now has new dimensions. [Asbury Park Press]

Are you buying into Baffert’s hype of Roman Ruler? All his triple-digit efforts were around 1 turn, and although he won 1 of his 2 two-turners, that was with an 87 Beyer against 3 undistinguished runners (he was 1-20). But Baffert insists

"He's doing really well right now. He showed his brilliance last year and he's coming back to that form.
"The Dwyer race was fantastic off a layoff and he beat a really nice horse that came back and won [Flower Alley in the Jim Dandy, with a 112 Beyer]. He's doing better now than he was for that race, so we're really excited." [Daily Racing Form]

I’m going to take a look at the doubles at the Meadowlands tomorrow, hoping that Sun King gets enough money to make the Classic Photo – Park Avenue Ball double at least a little worthwhile.

The Whitney

- It was a rough day, trying to wrap up things at work before going away, and posting was not even an option. Fortunately, neither was betting on the races. I suppose that it would probably be wiser for me to just take a break tonight and tomorrow, just to get a little refreshed before a week in Saratoga, instead of going to the Meadowlands for 15 live harness races and simulcasting from Saratoga and Monmouth (a much smaller simulcasting menu than usual).

I thought Saint Liam was a lock in the Stephen Foster, but I can't quite say the same here, though I do still like him. The presence of Commentator (Distorted Humor) adds the uncertainty for me. We just don't know if he can go around two turns, as he came out of his only such effort injured. If he goes to the lead and freaks like he did at 7 furlongs at Belmont, then he'll be waving bye-bye. Even Zito has no idea how he'll do here.

"We are in no-man's land.....He's an amazing horse. Maybe he can't go that far, but I think he can. We'll find out. If not, we'll just re-group. Still, we really think he's a tremendous horse." [Bloodhorse]

Dutrow’s only expressed concern about Saint Liam is whether he’ll take to the Saratoga track. Otherwise, he says he’ll run a huge race. Saint Liam has not even been to the main track; you may remember that Dutrow gave the odd explanation that it was too long of a walk and that he could step on a rock. Of course, Dutrow wouldn’t be the one to have been making that decision the last 60 days, right?

If you want to take a shot against him, then perhaps you want to buy Pletcher’s assertion that Limehouse’s (Grand Slam) last was “a complete throwout.” He acted bad before the race and had a poor start, and was never in it. Jockey John Velazquez told the Albany Times-Union: "He just did not behave at all that day.....He wouldn't even let the assistant (trainer) put the tack on him, he was misbehaving the whole time. He was very unhappy." So were those who bet him at 6-5. They’ll get a better price here, and a return to his 112 Beyer in the Brooklyn puts him in contention (unless Commentator returns to his 121).

Swingforthefences (Boston Harbor) is an interesting and improving 4 yo for Richard Violette. He looks like a horse that burned out towards the end of his 3 yo year, in which he raced 9 times against some of the best in the division. After a long freshening, he had two excellent efforts at one turn, earning a 112 in the second. If you throw out his last in the slop, he could be close, and Mike Watchmaker, who selects him to upset, points out that he should be very comfortable with the added distance since all nine of his starts last year were around two turns.


Perhaps the most intriguing of the possible upsetters is Eurosilver (Unbridled’s Song). Bothered by physical problems, he’s been considered an underachiever since a string of spectacular wins at 2. Perhaps his sharp second to Saint Liam in the Stephen Foster signals his return to that form. He ducked in at the start and was dead last and then quite wide going into the first turn. He rallied wide again on the final turn and closed impressively, missing by just 2 3/4 and coming home in :12 1/5. He raced twice at Saratoga at age 2, running second to Silver Wagon in his debut, and then delivering a big 96 Beyer while winning his first race. If he takes to the track more so than does Saint Liam, who is 0-1 over the course, he could have a shot.

Baby Turf Races

- We’re seeing a lot of these 2yo races on the grass at Saratoga, and they’re proving to be popular; I’m not sure if we’re into the portion of the first condition book written by new racing secretary PJ Campo. Lakow was in the process of writing the first book when he was unceremoniously dumped, so I’m not sure as of exactly when these cards are being written by Campo. Campo talked about adding turf sprints and says that the first race of this kind will be run Aug. 7 for older fillies and mares running for a $35,000 claiming price.
[Bloodhorse]

Friday's race, a 1 1/16 miles drew enough for two divisions. The second race has first time starters from Mott/Bailey and Pletcher/Velazquez. Pletcher has the 5-2 ML favorite in Straight Run (Straight Man); he's also listed as the owner. On Wednesday, he had a first time winner on the dirt that shipped in from Monmouth. This one has been stabled at Delaware, and has been working there since May. He's out of a Full Out mare, and is a half to 3 6-figure earners including a horse named Regiment, a winner in England; though he checks in with a Tomlinson of just 250.

Mott's entry is Go Between (Point Given), out of a mare by French champ Caerleon; he has some British stakes winners in his pedigree. These two figure to get bet on their trainers' reputations and may be underlays, so take a look at West Coast, 8-1 morning line for the live George Weaver barn. He ran on the turf, in a mile race just 7 days ago, coming 5 wide and bidding for the lead in the stretch at Colonial, but weakening to 5th by 3 3/4. On July 11, Weaver shipped RC Indy from Delaware to Belmont off the same 1 week layoff and won in maiden 50s on the turf. Javier Castellano gets on board; he continues to ride well on the turf here, almost stealing Thursday's 6th on 9-1 Musical Native.

In the second division, the 4th, Weaver has a first timer, a $475K son of Pulpit, out of a Chief's Crown mare who's a half to 1993 Santa Anita Derby winner Personal Hope. Mott has Abbe's Chestnut (Horse Chestnut) a first timer starting from the outside 9 post; Gary Stevens rides, as Bailey jumps over to Harold James Bond's first timer Wooden (Woodman). He's out of a mare by American Chance, a son of Cure the Blues, who is by the recently deceased Stop the Music. Randy Shulhofer and Chantal Sutherland, a couple of names we've mentioned lately and specifically with turf horses, team up with 15-1 first timer Fly With the Wind (Fly So Free).

Once again, there's a horse with turf experience that may present decent value for the win here. Quarterflash stretches out from 6f on the turf for trainer Michael Brice, who had some success on the turf at Belmont with limited starters. He was well bet in his turf debut at 5-1, and the chart says he raced greenly on the inside and was going well late, and he finished an even 4th, as the winner (Pletcher first timer Baur Au Lac) came home in :12 1/5. He's by Tactical Cat, and the fact that he's out of a mare by Houston may indicate that he'll prefer the 6f. But he also has in his third dam's family Grade 1 winner Majesty's Prince, who won turf marathons like the Man O'War, Sword Dancer, and Rothmans Intl. Leading rider John Velazquez replaces the injured Bejarano.

Bellamy Road in the Travers?

- Well, I never got to today’s Saratoga card, partially because the rain yesterday created doubt as to the status of the turf racing and track condition. I find that to be one of the most frustrating aspects of handicapping; it’s just impossible to get track condition information in advance. To me, it should be the lead story of the day, at least in upstate New York in August. There should be billboards that always have the up-to-date conditions; the traffic signs on Route 87 should say “Traffic Conditions Normal – Track is Fast and Firm.” As it turns out, the track is fast and firm today, so you gotta wonder why that turf race was taken off so quickly yesterday resulting in a 4 horse field and turning it into an “all” race for the Pick 6, implementing that new rule for the first time.

Anyway, the Head Chef and I are both busy wrapping things up here before we leave for Saratoga Sunday morning, so it could be lighter posting for the next couple of days. I’m doing my best to keep up but I’m sure you can find someone else to pick losers for you at Saratoga, though perhaps not in as quite an entertaining way! I was hoping to get up there for the Whitney on Saturday, but it just doesn't work out, so I’ll have to console myself with my first trip to the Hambletonian in several years (because I’m usually at Saratoga for the Whitney). This year, the Whitney card also includes the Grade 1 Test Stakes.

Saint Liam will head the Whitney field, and trainer Richard Dutrow has one main concern.

"His only issues are his feet, so there is always a concern about his liking Saratoga. He hasn't trained over the main track because of the long walk from the barn and the possibility of stepping on a rock or something. But I don't see any reason why he shouldn't love it." [Bloodhorse]

Huh? Well, I guess they better be careful he doesn’t step on any rocks on his way to the track for the race. He’ll face Zito’s Commentator, coming off his spectacular 121 Beyer win at Belmont; though he failed miserably in his only test around 2 turns. Pletcher sends Limehouse and Pollard’s Vision. Zito will send Noble Causeway in a N2X allowance race, assuming Ramon Dominguez doesn’t bail during the post parade.

Zito also told the NY Post that Bellamy Road may possibly run in the Travers after all.

"We're going to have fun with this…George always tells me, 'leave your options open' and 'the horse comes first.' My job is to let them know how the horse is doing, then they can pick the races.”

"Let's just say Nick Zito is enjoying one of the best horses he's ever trained, maybe the best since Unbridled's Song. Right now, he's doing tremendous."

And he’s sending Sun King to the Haskell, which adds some needed intrigue to the race, which had figured (and perhaps still does) to be dominated by Roman Ruler, installed as the 9-5 ML favorite. Sun King is 5-2, followed by Park Avenue Ball at 3-1. Chekhov (6-1) and Golden Man (15-1) are also entered, and there’s no truth to the rumor that the latter may also try trotting in the Hambo on Saturday. If he did, you could bet him in both halves of the Hambo-Haskell double. Steve Haskin of Bloodhorse on Roman Ruler:

Judging from his performance in the Dwyer, in which he circled the field with a powerful move, and then out-battled a talented graded stakes winner the length of the stretch, there is no reason why he shouldn't improve off that effort. "He's better now than he was before the Dwyer," Baffert said.

More important was the way he settled back in last in the six-horse field, but always looked as if he were in complete control of the race. With the Dwyer under him, it is going to take an exceptional performance to knock him off on Sunday.

As for the $1.5 million Hambletonian, Jimmy Takter is still trying to figure out why Ken Warkentin broke stride in the elimination, and I imagine he’ll be thinking about that for the rest of his life. You really have to feel for the guy; he had brought the colt up the race in fantastic form, and you can sense the anguish in his words:

"We're not sure what happened to the horse…..We thought maybe he got scared [when] another driver waved his whip. We were completely shocked after the race. We though we had it won."
……
The colt came out of the elimination in fine shape, making the defeat that much harder to bear.

"He felt so good when I jogged him Monday," Takter said. "He still has a lot of races coming up that could be interesting. Hopefully, it's not over for him just because the Hambletonian is over for him." [Phillyburbs, via Albany Law School]

With Ken Warkentin out, Classic Photo has been installed as the 6-5 favorite from the number 5 post, and unless Vivid Photo, who ended up winning Ken Warkentin's heat, is the real deal (he did trot a fifth faster than Classic Photo's winning time), it’s hard to see him go down. Unless he breaks stride too.

The Hambo is part of a 15-race card that starts at 11:30 A.M., and also includes the Hambletonian Oaks with Pink Ribbons, about whom I posted the other day, an appearance by Meadowlands Pace winner Rocknroll Hanover in a division of the Oliver Wendall Holmes Pace, and the U.S. Pacing Championship. CBS will televise the Oaks and the Hambo from 2 to 3 PM. I don't recall if CBS has televised the race in recent years, but I recall watching Stan Bergstein cover and call the race for the network way back in the 70's, when it was run at the Du Quion State Fair in Illinois.

- John Kimmel, who sent out 2 yo My Interpretation to a maiden win on the turf on Wednesday, also took a 2 yo state-bred maiden grass affair today with Immersed in Gold (Seeking the Gold). Today in The Saratogian, he spoke about racing babies on the grass.

'Grass racing is a lot easier on a 2-year-old…. It's less taxing than a deep dirt track like the one we have here now. Horses don't have to deal with dirt being thrown back in their face, and the pace is more moderate. It's a good experience for a young horse.'

According to Dick Powell at Brisnet, My Interpretation's winning time of 1:42.83 was an excellent time for juvenile going two turns here on the turf and one of the five fastest times in the last 10 years. Immersed in Gold is a half brother to Stephen Got Even, and he was making his first lifetime start. It took him 1:46.73 to cover the same distance as his stablemate.

Notes - Aug 4

- Interesting article by Elsa Walsh in The New Yorker this week on Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Senator Reid is doing a great job holding the Democrats together in the face of a relentless and ruthlessly shameless majority; and he has some very interesting revelations about his conversation with Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. I imagine that the radical religious right will shudder when they read that Reid more than once compared Roberts to Justice David Souter.

I wasn’t aware that Reid was once the head of the Nevada Gaming Commission, and Ms. Walsh relates this interesting and harrowing story of his experience:

In July of 1978, a man named Jack Gordon, who was later married to LaToya Jackson, offered Reid twelve thousand dollars to approve two new, carnival-like gaming devices for casino use. Reid reported the attempted bribe to the F.B.I. and arranged a meeting with Gordon in his office. By agreement, F.B.I. agents burst in to arrest Gordon at the point where Reid asked, “Is this the money?” Although he was taking part in a sting, Reid was unable to control his temper; the videotape shows him getting up from his chair and saying, “You son of a bitch, you tried to bribe me!” and attempting to choke Gordon, before startled agents pulled him off. “I was so angry with him for thinking he could bribe me,” Reid said, explaining his theatrical outburst. Gordon was convicted in federal court in 1979 and sentenced to six months in prison.

One day in 1981, Landra Reid noticed that the family station wagon was not running properly, and she discovered a cable under the hood and “something” sticking out of the gas tank. Police found a device that would have exploded had it been correctly grounded. Reid always blamed Gordon for the bomb, and the incident frightened his family—by then there were five children, four sons and a daughter—so that for a year they started the car by remote control. Gordon died in April, at the age of sixty-six, and his connection to the bombing attempt was never proved. McCue, Reid’s chief of staff, says that the episode changed Reid. Whatever the issue, she says, his approach is always “No one is going to kill me over this.” [The New Yorker]

- NY Governor Pataki signed a bill to create an oversight board for NYRA. Big deal, really, considering that the organization has been under the microscope of a federal monitor since March 2004. More significantly, the bill officially accelerates the establishment of a committee to solicit proposals for the purchase of the NYRA franchise by Dec. 1. Originally this committee was scheduled to be established prior to July of 2006. [NY Daily News]

A fascinating and potentially divisive issue that is bubbling under the whole NY franchise situation, like the potential fight over access to Judge Roberts’ writings in the first Bush Administration, is the question of who owns the land on which the NY tracks sit. Charles Hayward made mention of this at the Saratoga Institute symposium the other day.

Either way, he said state officials would have to deal with NYRA. He said NYRA has "significant claim" to the land upon which the tracks sit. He said NYRA since 1955 has paid $440 million in property taxes to the local communities where the tracks are located. [Bloodhorse]

A while back I had written Bennett Liebman, who runs the Albany Law School Racing and Gaming Law program and probably knows about as much as anyone about this stuff, to try and get a clarification of the issues involved, and he responded thusly:

1. NYRA did own the land.

2. In 1983, when NYRA's franchise was extended, the State legislature, in effect, made the State the owner of the land. They made the franchise and NYRA's existence co-terminous. In short, under the 1983 legislation, if NYRA lost the franchise it would go out of existence. It's fairly clear that NYRA management in 1983 understood the situation. Thus, under the law, the State controls the land.

3. There are significant issues as to whether the State could constitutionally take NYRA's property without awarding NYRA compensation. This issue is further complicated by the fact that NYRA's status is so unique that it might not be owed any compensation if it was found to be a State entity.

Well, that really clears things up, eh? The point is that, according to Mr. Liebman, it is indeed the state that does control the land, but NYRA may (or may not) have a legitimate claim to compensation. But even if they do, if they lose the franchise they thus go out of existence. So who exactly is it that would then need to be compensated?

Wednesday Saratoga Notes

- The rains finally came today, a big one which turned the track to slop for the last three, including an off-the-turfer that scratched down to a field of 4, from an original field of 14 including AE's and MTO's, yuck. With the 2 steeplechase races, there wasn't much fast/firm action on track. The third was a 2 yo maiden race, and I was watching the betting pools online. Doc O Dynamite, trained by Steve Asmussen, got the early money, and Political Force, trained by Allan Jerkins got pounded late. At 5-2 was Pletcher/Velazquez with Philosopher King.

This time the early money prevailed. First time starter Doc O Dynamite, by the highly successful juvenile sire Successful Appeal, drifted up to 3-1, shot to the lead, fought off Pletcher's colt in a 21:3 1st quarter, drew out to a big lead while under a comfortable hold by Bailey and held off Political Force for a 2 1/4 length win. It's Asmussen's second first time 2yo winner in 2 tries this meet, with the other being Halo Humor ($8.80) on 7/29.

Pletcher's only other starter was in the 4th, the 2 yo filly state-bred turf affair I wrote about yesterday. His first timer Summer Palace was favored from the start, and went off 8-5. My pick Mohegan Sky was 5-1. I had written that I would use Summer Palace in the exactas, but the payoffs were anemic with her and Mohegan Sky. On the other hand, the payoffs with the three horse entry (3-1) were extremely generous, over $50 either way. So I bet the exacta both ways, and when Pletcher's horse checked sharply down the backstretch, it seemed I had a shot with Mohegan Sky sitting in 4th and two of the entrymates on top. But then I felt pretty crappy when I heard 8-1 Peg's Prayer whizzing by to get second to My Interpretation, part of the betting entry, with Castellano, riding well on the turf. Peg's Prayer is trained by Randy Shulhoefer, who scored with Captiva Bay on the grass on 7/28 with Castellano aboard.

The winner, My Interpretation, is, I believe, the first winner for her sire Freud, as I've mentioned, a full brother to Giant's Causeway standing at Lakland North in NY for $5,000. My Interpretation is out of a winning mare by Gold Alert (Mr. Prospector)and she's a half to a couple of stakes winners, Agnes Wing and Sea Span. For trainer John Kimmel, it's his first winner of the meet. Mike Hushion got his first win in the 6th.

Galloping Grocer got beat in the 8th at even money, and he's burned more money than Halliburton. Since his last win, which was back in October, he's gotten beat at 6-5 (against Rockport Harbor), .55-1, 6-5, and .85-1 (plus his losses in the Wood and Preakness).

Notes - Aug 3

- Only 7 “real” races at Saratoga today, since the first TWO were steeplechase races. And no 10th race to compensate as in the past! If I recall correctly, the same fate awaits me next Wednesday. You can be sure I’ll be studying the early double from Monmouth that day.

- The Lincoln Park bribery trial moved into the closing arguments today, as the defense rested on Tuesday. Two of the defendants, ex-Lincoln Park chief Daniel Bucci and the track itself did not even call witnesses. Ex-Wembley exec Nigel Potter testified in his own behalf, basically contending that he didn’t realize the intended payment was meant to be a bribe for House Speaker John Harwood. On cross-examination, the prosecution expressed disbelief at his contention that he didn’t know what the phrase “a wink is as good as a nod [not a nod from God in this case] to a blind man,” prominently marked on several faxes by Bucci, meant.

[Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee] Vilker asked: “Did you pick up the phone and say, `Dan, what are you trying to say?”

Potter said he did not.

Vilker asked Potter if he understood what a wink is. When Potter said that he did, Vilker asked if he understood a wink to be a gesture that people use to communicate something without having to articulate it.

Defense lawyers objected to the wording of that question, and it went unanswered. [Providence Journal]

Prosecutors pressed another defense witness on the issue of who the payment was really intended for – as a bonus for track general counsel Daniel MacKinnon as the defendants claim, or his partner, the Speaker of the House.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig N. Moore pointed to several faxes from the track's former general manager Daniel Bucci in which Bucci referred to the payments.

"It doesn't say Dan McKinnon," Moore said reading one fax.

"It says McKinnon & Harwood," replied the witness, Mark Elliott. Elliot is the current CEO and former chief financial officer of Wembley plc, at the time Lincoln Park's British parent company. [Providence Journal]

In the closing arguments today:

Calling the evidence "stunning" and "overwhelming," Moore urged jurors to convict all three defendants. "There is nothing complex or difficult about this case or the crime that was committed," he said.

Moore took jurors through a flurry of faxed messages in which Bucci and Potter discussed increased payments to McKinnon. Though they describe the money in writing as a performance bonus or a retainer, they actually meant it as a bribe, Moore said.

But Leonard O'Brien, Potter's lawyer, later said the government failed to prove that the money was a bribe to Harwood.

"Where is the evidence of that?" he asked. "Where is the proof beyond a reasonable doubt?" [Boston Globe]

- Richard Dutrow is back on the Saratoga grounds after his suspension, and he was asked if he took any role in the barn's operation while he was serving the suspension.

"I have to say no….The rules of me taking my suspension say you can't be involved in any part of the business. I have to leave it at that." [Albany Times-Union]

As they say, a wink is as good as a nod…..

Pat Day's Nod From God

- Noble Causeway was back on the track after his mysterious late scratch from the Jim Dandy on Saturday, and jockey Ramon Dominguez said he was "a little crabby" before getting going. He went a half mile in 49.65 with NYRA’s chief vet on hand to observe. Zito commented, "I thought he went beautiful - very fluid, very nice, very relaxed….A lot of horses, no matter what, they're stiff sometimes, to be honest with you.” [Daily Racing Form] He’s deciding between an allowance race at Saratoga this weekend and the West Virginia Derby on Aug 14. Sun King is also a possibility for the latter, though he’ll have to find a new rider with Rafael Bejarano shelved with a hairline ankle fracture.

With the Jim Dandy having been run this past weekend with only 5 horses after Noble Causeway’s scratch, and the Haskell coming up on Sunday, which other 3 yo’s will be around to contest the $750,000 race at Mountaineer remains to be seen. The Haskell may have a fair number of entrants after Afleet Alex’s defection, but it will be more quantity than quality. Monmouth’s GM Bob Kulina said "I believe the West Virginia race needs to be relocated and this year's a prime example of it….It's not good for racing to have (these purses) given away in a short time for the same 12-15 horses." One trainer who didn’t have a tough time deciding which race he’d send his horse Roman Ruler to is Bob Baffert: "I'd rather run at Monmouth Park than Saratoga…..Great fans, great race and they treat us nice. I'm glad they're getting the Breeders' Cup. They deserve it." [Asbury Park Press] Perhaps I’ll heckle Baffert about that remark if I see him next week. “Yo, Baffert, go back to Joisey if you like it so much!” He has a good sense of humor, right?

He also has a sharp horse in Roman Ruler, and he sounds quite confident. "My confidence is just as high with Roman Ruler as it was for War Emblem and Point Given….Physically, he is doing fantastic. He worked (Monday) and he looked great. He's ready." [Newark Star Ledger]

- Pat Day announced his retirement today. He had been on sabbatical alone in a cabin on the Kentucky River to think things over. His wife Sheila explained "He needs to know he's where God wants him to be."

This isn't the first time Day apparently was troubled about missing what he calls "the nod from God." However, he previously worked through his concerns without taking time off during an important part of the racing schedule.

Last summer Day rode only weekends and select weekdays at Saratoga, using the rest of the time to tour tracks to raise money for and awareness of the Race Track Chaplaincy program. He still finished in Saratoga's top 10 in wins.

"I remember a situation after he had just won the (1994) Preakness and Belmont on Tabasco Cat," Sheila Day said. "Talk about it being a height, and his question to me the week after that is, 'Am I doing enough for God? Am I where I need to be?' It's always been a priority, with whatever level he was in his career. That's been his main concern, and he's asked me that question for the last 20 years." [Louisville Courier-Journal]

Today, his agent Doc Danner said that “the Lord assured him it was time to move on and pursue a different direction in his life.” [Bloodhorse] No word on if Danner will collect his usual 10% from the Almighty.

- The city of Saratoga passed a resolution calling on the state to consult with them regarding the decision on the NYRA franchise. Mayor Michael Lenz said 'We need to be a major part of any consideration of the franchise.'

The eight areas of interest it highlights are property taxes, admissions taxes, building and planning approval, the 36-day racing season, involvement in franchise negotiations, selections of a the best franchisee (not just the highest bidder), continuance of the Oklahoma Training Track schedule, and alternative use of the track being subject to building and planning approvals. [Saratogian]

Well, I guess it makes sense that they want input on the process since they do host the highlight meeting of the racing season, but fat freaking chance of that happening. I mean, it also makes sense that the people of this country should have a say regarding its chickenhawk leaders having a legitimate reason to send other peoples’ kids into a war that has now cost over 1800 American lives, but welcome to reality Mayor Lenz. The decision will be made in a boardroom somewhere in Albany, and you likely will not be present.

Voters in Broward County in Florida gave their input when they approved slots, but that hasn’t yet spurred Governor Bush and the legislature to implement them. The Palm Beach Post (via Albany Law School Racing and Wagering Page) reports that Bush met with Senate Leader Tom Lee regarding the stalled initiative. "That sounds like a 2005 issue to me, not a 2006 issue," Bush said, suggesting that it might require a special session this year. However, they did not settle on a date. [Palm Beach Post]

Rice Time

- OK, time to put my money where my mouth is. I’ve been writing to watch this trainer and that trainer, but haven’t actually picked any horses by any of them. So, here we go – the 4th is a NY-bred 2yo filly maiden race on the turf, and Linda Rice, who I’ve been mentioned a few times and who has 2 wins and 3 thirds in five starts here, has first time starter Mohegan Sky. I don’t normally select races with first time starters in advance, preferring to see the betting, but if she wins and I don’t pick her, I’ll feel dumb.

I believe this is the first 2 yo turf race restricted to NY breds, and it’s brought out the Freuds; 4 entrants by the first-year sire and full brother to Giant’s Causeway. According to Equiline, Freud has yet to have a winner with 9 starters. Three of them are coupled for common ownership, and one of those, Interpretation, has the Mott/Bailey team. She’s had excuses in her two well-bet dirt races. Interpretation is out of a Cox’s Ridge mare and has Secretariat 4x3.

Pletcher has the uncoupled Freud, a first timer named Summer Palace, who sold for $300K to Peachtree in February. She’s another of those Pletcher first-timers we’ve noted that has been training at Saratoga since May. She has Grade 1 turf winner Mea Domina back in her third dam’s family. With Velasquez aboard, I gotta use this one on my tickets.

Mohegan Sky is by Straight Man, a second year sire by Saint Ballado, from the Halo line. She’s out of a dam by Seattle Dancer, the Nijinksy half-brother to Seattle Slew that sold for $13.1 million as a yearling; and that was in 1985. With inflation, that’s probably close to a billion dollars by now. Mohegan Sky also has Nijinsky in her sire’s pedigree, and is inbred to him 4x3. She’s a half-sister to Vous, who won a turf stakes at 2, and ran third in the G1 Very One on the grass earlier this year.

Rice sent out a first time 2 yo turf winner in Be A Believer at 6-1 the last week at Belmont, and she’s been live with virtually everything she’s put on the track since then. This filly worked 6f in 1:13 breezing around the dogs on the turf on Thursday and seems ready to roll in the 4th at Saratoga.

- So, as far as my picks for the first week at Saratoga, I had a pretty close second, and a $9.80 winner; then on Friday, I meant to say that I only liked Laurafina at 2-1 or more, so that one doesn’t count. Saturday I fell just short in the late double with Flower Alley and the three horses that ran a close 2-3-4 in the 10th, and Monday I had a 10-1 shot who had the lead midstretch. So, there were some minor moral victories amongst the one real one. I’ll try a few more days and if I don’t have another winner I’ll probably get embarrassed and stop.

Good Off Day for NYRA

- No racing at Saratoga on Tuesdays. I seem to remember a year that they tried seven day racing there. (I also, unfortunately, am old enough to remember when Sunday was the dark day.) But I find that as time goes on, I start to doubt the reality of my memories and wonder whether they were dreams. For example, I distinctly recall a time, it must have been in the mid/late 70s, that NYRA had this brilliant idea that people would travel by subway to Ozone Park in the middle of the summer to see live music and racing at the Big A. So come July, racing actually moved back to Aqueduct for four weeks until the four week Saratoga meet started, and they built a grassy backyard area with a concert stage to host the music. Does anyone else remember this? I’ve mentioned this on a couple of occasions to people my age who should remember, and they say, no, you’re mistaken, you’re thinking of the years when Belmont was being rebuilt.

The thing is, I wasn’t into racing when Belmont was being rebuilt - I don’t really recall anything about it being renovated and reopening. So I think that Aqueduct in July really happened, as did the 7-day racing at Saratoga. The time that they had naked dancers roaming around the Belmont grandstand must have been a dream.

But Tuesday was quite a day for NYRA and in fact, the sun may be shining a bit brighter for the embattled organization when racing resumes.. Our friends at Albany Law School conducted their 5th annual Saratoga Institute conference. One of the speakers was Neil Getnick, the federal monitor who has been overseeing NYRA’s attemps to avoid prosecution, and according to this report on the Bloodhorse site, he strongly indicated that his report would be favorable.

Getnick, appointed in March 2004 to keep an eye on NYRA for prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn, told reporters after his speech NYRA "has taken the opportunity since then to go about repairing itself and really has paid close attention to what we call the four pillars of good conduct: integrity, transparency, good governance, and social responsibility. I think NYRA has taken very specific steps to make itself into a good corporate citizen."

..He said NYRA has "become an industry leader" in dealing with racing integrity matters by shutting down connections to offshore rebate shops and taking what he said is the national lead in equine drug testing.

"Simply put, NYRA has unequivocally said 'yes' to racing integrity," Getnick said. On taking steps to boost wagering integrity, Getnick said NYRA has "an unmatched record of achievement."
......
When told he was leaving the strong impression that he would recommend an end to the NYRA prosecution, Getnick said: "I'm not speaking to our ultimate report. However, I think the NYRA record speaks for itself."

I can only imagine how ecstatic Charles Hayward and the rest of NYRA officials must be. Hayward was described as “beaming” when he quipped "I think it might be a good idea for Neil to come up and give his speech again.” Talk about feeling vindicated. And now they can focus on really important things like getting all the TVs in my favorite spots working before I get back. Oh, and stuff like Travers day too.

A little bit later, NYRA was reminded of the fight ahead to retain the racing franchise, which is certainly not guaranteed even with prosecution apparently being avoided. NYRA and Magna officials were both present at a later symposium, where Magna’s Jim McAlpine made their case to obtain the franchise, an initial volley, so to speak.

With top NYRA officials looking on, McAlpine said MEC is "not the devil," and could bring its for-profit mentality to New York to help the pari-mutuel industry. Peppering his sales pitch with a PowerPoint slide show depicting the company's holding, McAlpine said MEC doesn't need to control the franchise. "We'd be thrilled to do it on a partnership basis," he said.

McAlpine finished up with a video of the company's rebuilding of Gulfstream Park. He called it a project that "could serve as a role model" for New York racing. [Bloodhorse]

OK, stop right there. What we do not need here is gaudy entertainment centers with racinos and condos in Ozone Park, Queens or Elmont, L.I. OK, racinos, we need, unfortunately. But if they are even THINKING about this project as a "role model" for Saratoga, they're not going to make any friends here at all. You don't think they could be that clueless, do you? Hayward dismissed any idea of a partnership with Magna and suggested that the fact they would even suggest it indicates they don’t have the cash for the deal.

Hayward told reporters he would "strongly encourage" officials to also look at MEC's past. He didn't elaborate but said: "I think people should make up their own minds about Magna."

Two Year Olds and Pink Ribbons

- Henny Hughes is providing a lot of buzz at Saratoga after his win in the Sanford, and next up is the Hopeful, to be run on August 27, the day of the King’s Bishop as well as some 3yo race that Afleet Alex is not running in. As you may know, one of those Maktoum shieks with eight names purchased the colt for a reported $4.3 million after he won the Tremont by 15. A big win in the Hopeful would likely make him worth at least that much as a stallion prospect even if (especially if?) he never runs again.

Henny Hughes’ sire Hennessy won the Hopeful in 1995, and the former’s jockey Gary Stevens was also on board the dad for that race (for Lukas and Bob and Beverly Lewis). Hennessy raced 9 times as a 2 yo, which you rarely see with top horses these days, and missed by a neck to Unbridled’s Song in the BC Juvenile. He never raced at 3. Stevens compared the two:

"They were both very, very precocious colts, just very professional early on with a great stride and great disposition…..They can get a little bit on the fiery side, but for the most part, when it came game time, they were all business."

That was illustrated in the Saratoga Special, when Henny Hughes acted up in the paddock and it was difficult saddling him.
……
"I see a colt that's still developing and the sky's the limit with him.." [Albany Times-Union]

Henny Hughes is out of a stakes placed Meadowlake mare and a half to a bunch of minor winners. He’s a complete outcross through five generations. (Hennessy is also the sire of Pletcher’s recent impressive 2 yo filly winner India.)

- The top west coast juvenile prospect thus far, Baffert’s What A Song, worked out for the G2 Best Pal on Aug 14, flying six furlongs in 1:10.80.

- NYRA was expecting handle at the Saratoga meet to be off 5 to 10% due to their cutoff of rebate shops, but the first week showed a decline of just 3.19%; attendance was up around 2% despite a small crowd on Monday ("I think people thought it was going to pour here Monday, and it scared them away," [NYRA VP Bill] Nader said.) That could have been the case on opening day as well; many of those who did brave the threatening weather and come that day were then scared away by the long betting lines.

'We've had just minor bumps in between closing Belmont and opening Saratoga,' he said. 'This has happened in past years. We have had minor problems that were disappointing to us, but the good news is that by Thursday, we were up and running and it's been clear sailing from there on.' [Saratogian]

No excuse. NYRA has weeks/months to prepare for their signature meet, and the problems with the matrix screens and with TV monitors that weren’t even inspected until two days before the meeting were all preventable with just a little bit of planning and foresight.

- Business is also good at Evangeline Downs, and the track credits their large field sizes and, of course, the booming business at the casinos. (I still can’t believe that item last week that said that Woodbine gets 20,000 casino customers a day.)

Purse levels for allowance races now will start at $20,400, maiden special weight events will be worth $19,900, and bottom-level $3,500 claimers will run for $8,900, which are the highest levels in the 40-year history of Evangeline Downs, [Thoroughbred Times]

- Thanks to reader Jillian (hang in there!) for sending this link to NPR last week, regarding a filly trotter named Pink Ribbons, who is owned by two breast cancer patients.

Pink Ribbons was purchased for $10,000 primarily to help the two horse enthusiasts keep their spirits high while dealing with a common concern. However, the bay-colored horse, who races with two pink ribbons tied in her mane, has impacted their lives far more than they had imagined. She has quickly become known as a horse with a cause and a horse to be reckoned with. [Toledo Blade]

They donate 10% of the filly’s earnings to a facility that supports breast cancer patients, and hopefully, they’ll have a big check to send them in the near future. Since the NPR and Toledo Blade pieces were posted, Pink Ribbons qualified for the final of the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks by finishing third in an elimination heat last weekend. The Oaks final will take place on Hambo day at the Meadowlands this Saturday, and I'll certainly be rooting for Pink Ribbons.

Monday Night Notes - End of Week 1

- The turf course at Saratoga was downgraded to good by the end of the day, so I guess it must have rained at some point. I’m getting a little nervous about all the nice weather there so far with my trip scheduled for next week; it's only a matter of time before the weather turns unstable. Well, I don't want to wish bad weather on anyone else, so I'll just hope for the best. The first week wrapped up with a smallish crowd of 14,398, and with 11 wins for Todd Pletcher. His day started off bad in the 2nd, with his .35-1 favorite Mr. Sam I Am finishing out of the money altogether, creating some nice show prices. Then in the 6th, his 7-5 favorite Copyco finished 4th by 2 necks and a nose, with my pick Jesus Carboni, who was credited with the lead at the stretch call, close behind in 5th at 10-1. Not a terrible pick; I thought he could steal the race, but he couldn’t get the lead over 29-1 Jimmy the K, I hate when that happens.

So, in the 7th, maybe the bettors figured that Pletcher was all through, and they let his Indian Vale go off at 4.40 to 1. He won his debut at Monmouth at 3-1, but his Beyer didn’t compare favorably to those of favorite Disturbing, or second choice Pixie Stix. However, they were all trying 2 turns for the first time, so it seems in retrospect like a great price, and the horse ran off to win by 13 lengths, are you kidding me? As someone who admittedly probably pays too much attention to the tote board, I probably would have thought ‘oh, well, Pletcher-Velasquez, 4-1?’ concluded he wasn’t getting bet, and looked elsewhere. But then I would have been amongst many others who I imagine were wondering how you can let that go by, the way this guy is going. He had 6 winners the first week last year, and has nearly doubled that this year! Indian Vale is by A.P. Indy out of Marley Vale, who won the Test Stakes over this track. For Pletcher and Velasquez!

Richard Violette got his second first time winner (both NY-breds) and third winner overall in the last three days, with What’s Your Edge (Stormy Atlantic) ($10). He was a $150,000 2 yo in training purchase at Ocala this past March. Note that Linda Rice’s Metro Meteor ran a close second at 5.90 to 1, watch this barn.

Artie Schiller took the G2 Bernard Baruch. I seem to recall this stakes back in the day as being the Sunday after the Travers, and thus often a last chance to get even for a long weekend of betting (since only an addict would stay for the last race on those days facing a long drive back to the city). And I don’t seem to remember any happy Bernard Baruch stories to relate.

- Well, after indicating that they would indeed come east for the Haskell, Bruce Headley announced that Surf Cat is staying home, saying that the shipping arrangements from California became too complicated. Well, that really sucks. It would have been an intriguing matchup with Roman Ruler, kinda like the “old generation” of 3 yo’s against one of the late bloomers. Now we’re looking at names like Park Avenue Ball, Indy Storm, and Chekhov instead. You have to feel bad for Monmouth officials; the injury to Afleet Alex was a particularly cruel blow, far more so for the Jersey shore track than for Saratoga, where the Travers may get second billing to the anticipated match-up between Lost in the Fog, Bellamy Road, and perhaps Roman Ruler as well.

Biancone's Good Thing

- Baffert is psyched about Roman Ruler’s chances in the Haskell: “He's doing better than he ever has been in his life.." He worked 5f in :58 3/5 at Del Mar this morning. Also prepping for the race at Monmouth is Chekhov, coming off his second to Park Avenue Ball in the Long Branch, and trainer Patrick Biancone notes, "He was a late foal (May 19, 2002….He's still immature, but he's learning with every race and like I said he's progressing nicely." [Bloodhorse] Unfortuantely, Chekhov's connections chose to have him learn and progress in races like the Belmont Stakes.

Biancone is on a bit of a roll at Saratoga, with 3 winners in only 5 starters thus far, including his sensational 2 yo Henny Hughes, who earned a 105 Beyer for his win in the Saratoga Special. Afleet Alex got a 102 in winning the Sanford last summer. Today, Biancone won the 5th with 50-1 shot Stock Tip, who survived a claim of foul (though second place finisher Charmsil did not). This ironically named 3 yo filly (she’s out of a mare named Cookingwithmartha), was making her turf debut after a distant 8th on the dirt here last year in her only other start. She got, according to the chart, a ground saving trip from Chantal Sutherland, who will certainly attract more business if she keeps bringing in winners. She won the 10th yesterday with a rousing stretch rally on Square Dancing ($37.40). She's a hungry rider worth keeping tabs on if and when the quality of her mounts do improve.

Stock Tip is by Thunder Gulch out of the abovementioned mare by Majestic Light, and her third dam is Rosetta Stone, the dam of Upper Nile and filly turf champion De La Rose, so with some imagination and courage, one could have made a case for this bombshell, which capped a Pick 4 payoff of over $219,000 – as Tom Durkin said, “Have a nice day!” Or as Martha would say, "That's a VERY good thing!"

Odds and Ends - Aug 1

- Interesting situation with Noble Causeway on Saturday, as he was scratched while on the track warming up for the Jim Dandy when Jerry Bailey sensed something was wrong. "It felt to me that he was not extending himself…..I kept trying but he got no better. I felt that I could not let him run like that.”

Zito was angry at first because when Noble Causeway went back to the barn, he was not in any apparent discomfort and no one could find anything wrong with him.

But for a few moments on the racetrack Saturday, the colt just wasn't himself.

"I recommended that he be scratched," [acting track vet Dr. Anthony] Verderosa said. "The horse was moving somewhat stiff but he was not sore or lame. He was just not loosening up."
……..
Zito and Bailey chatted for 15 minutes Sunday, during which Zito showed the jockey Noble Causeway's training chart for the past two months. The colt did not miss a day, had free breezes over that time, and showed no ailments.
…..
"Jerry said to me, 'Nick, I'm sorry, but I could not make the horse run,' " Zito said. "He said he did not feel right and he did not want to take a chance. Obviously, it's a drag because it's news and it puts me in a funny position. I mean, the last thing my owners want is for any of their horses to get hurt. But they are upset." [Albany Times-Union]

Zito still hopes to have the colt ready for the Travers. Todd Pletcher will be going for his first Travers win with Flower Alley, his third Jim Dandy winner in a row. He figures to be a heavy favorite unless someone comes out of Sunday’s Haskell with a big performance and an inclination to run just three weeks later.

"Ah, I would love to win a Travers, it would be all right," Pletcher said. "I was kidding with Angel Cordero: I said, 'Man, you only won one Travers with all the races you won here,' and he said to me, 'Yeah, but you haven't won any.' [Albany Times-Union]

It was more than 5 legnths back to runner-up Reverberate, and another 6 to Andromeda’s Hero, but they are both likely to return for the Travers. It was another 23 back to King of Jazz, and 11 more to Mr. Congeniality, yuck.

As for the Haskell, it now looks like Surf Cat will make the trip east, as he is awaiting final shipping arrangements.

"Everyone of his races is good," [trainer Bruce] Headley said over the weekend from his Del Mar headquarters. "He ran a spectacular race in the Swaps. He came out great: stronger, wiser and more seasoned." [NY Daily News]

Zito is deciding amongst Sun King, Indy Storm and Pinpoint; High Limit is a possibility as is Golden Man.

- Nice to see the 6 yo gelding Perfect Drift get back on track with his first stakes win in almost 2 years in taking the G2 Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Saturday. He’s being aimed for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

- Pletcher’s winners continue to present decent betting value. Willard Straight paid $6.30 in the 4th on Sunday, despite the fact that he easily had the best last-out Beyer when he was necked by Mr. Light in the Poker Handicap. In making Mott’s Old Forester 4-5, perhaps the fans noted that he’d been beaten just a length by Kitten’s Joy iin his last. Even Ashado ($4.30) seems like a bit of an overlay in retrospect of her dominating 9 length win. Velasquez said that she seemed to relax a bit after passing Andujar. "She hesitated a little bit, and I said, 'No, Mommy, you're going to have to stay busy; these are the big girls.” [NY Times] Did you notice how hard Velasquez rode her out to the finish?

- First time 2 yo filly Halo Hunter took the money and the win in Sunday’s 5th for Steve Asmussen; Bailey rode the daughter of Distorted Humor. According to the Form, that sire was 19-99 with first time 2 yo’s coming into the race. Watch for another first-timer, the third place finisher Ex Caelis, who broke slow and was extremely wide on the turn before closing well for third for Lukas, who rarely wins with first timers these days; she went off at 16-1. She sold as a yearling for $470,000 and is by Fusaichi Pegasus, out of a Nijinsky half sister to stakes winner Fantastic Look (the dam of G1 Designed for Luck).

And I wouldn’t put too much into Lukas’ AP Arrow rallying for second on Saturday. Most of the main contenders, including the winner, Pletcher’s Desert Breeze, were trying 2 turns for the first time, and none of them seemed to like it - it took almost 39 seconds for them to get the last three furlongs.

NY-bred Mayo Post won again Sunday for Jimmy Jerkins; I had mentioned him last month when he came off a layoff after awful form (and a trainer switch from Leo O’Brien), got pounded to 5-1 and won off by 9. Yesterday, he was 4-5 and won by an easy 5.

- The defection of Afleet Alex from the Haskell was not the only bad break for New Jersey racing in the last week. On Saturday night, the Hambletonian lost a lot of its luster as Ken Warkentin shockingly broke stride in the stretch – he had dead aim on eventual winner Vivid Photo, and his elimination from the final deprives us of what would have been a compelling matchup with the easy second heat winner, and now Hambo favorite Classic Photo. What a bummer for trainer Jimmy Takter and driver David Miller.

“His whole life he’s been flawless,” Miller noted. “He’s never, ever done anything wrong and today for some reason he takes a bad step. I really believe he was going to go right by that horse. I didn’t do anything different than I’ve ever done with him, and he just took a bad step. I want to puke. I’m very, very disappointed.” [Meadowlands press release]

Vivid Photo’s heat was actually a fifth faster than Classic Photo’s. Vivid Photo won his 8th race in a row; he’s raced at small tracks like Pocono and Scioto Downs, and the Meadows, and was making his Meadowlands debut. Both “Photo” horses (Vivid Photo is a gelding) are by a $6500 sire named SJ's Photo; I imagine that will be going up.

Monday Blues Edition

- With no Saratoga for me until probably Sunday, I'll be observing the proceeding forlornly from the city this week. I wrote yesterday about Leo O’Brien’s winner at Saratoga yesterday, and then read in the NY Daily News that it was his first winner at Saratoga since Some Irish Legend won on Aug. 28, 2002 (and coincidentally, that horse was in the race too). I had written that he does well on the turf up there, but I obviously don’t sit and study Jim Mazur’s stuff and go more on my recollection of events. Time blurs however, and perhaps I did spend too much time in the official pot-smoking area. In my defense however, I had noticed O’Brien bubbling under at the Belmont meet, and perhaps he can regain some of his old form.

O’Brien should thank jockey Rafael Bejarano for helping him get off the Saratoga schneid. He saved ground all the way, sitting behind John Velasquez on heavy favorite Russian Sweetiepie, also hugging the hedge. But while Velasquez swung his mount out about halfway around the turn, Bejarano continued to save ground, didn’t move outside until they turned for home, and got up to beat the favorite by a driving neck. The little bit of extra saved ground could have made the difference; nice job by the rider.

- Also been mentioning George Weaver, and his 20-1 winner Secret Forest yesterday also benefited from an expert ride, this one from Ramon Dominguez. Asti was a totally legit 4-5 favorite in the 8th, having been competitive against stakes horses, but Dominguez got the jump and set the pace in 24:1 and 49:3, a :25.2 second quarter. When the favorite moved to challenge, Secret Forest had enough left to hold her off with quarters of 23:2 and 23:3 before the final eighth of 6 1/5 seconds.

- Weaver has an entry in today’s 6th; unfortunately for him and everyone else, so does Todd Pletcher, with an astounding TEN winners thus far, with the first week not even over! Last year he had six winners in the first week. We thought 35 for the meet was a lot? This guy is on pace to 60! Mott is the closest competitor with three. Weaver has two wins and three seconds in six starts. Pletcher sends Copyco, dropping back to 50K claimers, a class in which he won 2 back before faltering in allowance company last time (though he earned a field-high last Beyer). Also, John Velaszuez replaces Mike Luzzi, and the horse is 2 for 2 with the former, Pletcher’s main guy.

Listed at 8-1 morning line is Weaver’s Belknap County, also dropping from allowance company. Two back was a good second against cheaper; he’ll have to improve, but with Castellano on board and the barn this sharp, he must be considered despite his 1-15 lifetime record. Morning line favorite Poco Bueno ships in from Churchill, where he won for 40K two back; I’d be shocked if he actually goes off favored here. Sightseeing goes first off the claim for trainer Bradley Wallace, 2 for 58 this year. Crowd’s Delight should benefit from a rider switch from Jara to Ramon Dominguez, but he gets the outside 9 post after a series of races with good posts.

I’m going to take a shot with 12-1 morning line Jesus Carboni. He lost his first three races at Gulfstream by a combined 88 lengths at double digit odds; but in his 4th start he was suddenly bet to 8-1 despite losing his last by 43, and wired the field, though he was DQ’d to third. He promptly got his maiden win in his next race, rained off the turf. In his last, at Calder, he set the pace on a soft course, and tired to 8th. With the weather maps looking clear, let’s say the course is firmer today. He drops into claimers for trainer Ed Plesa Jr., picks up Edgar Prado, gets the one post, shortens up to a mile, and catches a field without much other early speed. So let’s try him on top, and save in the exactas with Belknap County and Copyco.

- Bad with the good – let’s make that the horrible with the good. Weaver may have a live barn now, but his start sprinter Saratoga County was tragically put down with a case of laminits. "He's my hero," Weaver said…." It's a shame. He deserved the good life that he earned as a stallion.” You look at this as well as Pico Central’s last place finish, and Roses In May’s slow progress in returning to the races, and you have to wonder how many trainers will take their shot at Dubai in the future.