Thursday, August 23 2012

CURRENCY SWAP, TRINNIBERG TOP FOXWOODS KING’S BISHOP

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The connections might try to play down a budding rivalry, but there is little question Trinniberg vs. Currency Swap is one of the best confrontations in racing.

The two colts will meet for a third time Saturday in the Grade 1, $500,000 Foxwoods King’s Bishop, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds, and if the grudge match is anything like their first two meetings, the race should be a highlight of the Travers Day card.

TURF TALENT ABOUNDS IN GRADE 2 BALLSTON SPA PRESENTED BY JOSE CUERVO

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A deep field of eight fillies and mares, three Grade 1 winners among them, will square off Saturday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course for the 24th running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa presented by Jose Cuervo at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Zagora, who finished third in an attempt to defend her title in the Grade 1 Diana on July 28, will attempt to regain the winning thread in the Ballston Spa. A 5-year-old French-bred daughter of Green Tune, Zagora is 3-0-1 in five starts this year, including victories in the Grade 3 Endeavour and Grade 3 Hillsborough, both at Tampa Bay Downs, as well the Grade 3 Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, the mare’s most recent start before the Diana.

CONTESTED CONTESTING TEST

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Contested, a Grade 1 winner who was last in her most recent start, will attempt to regain winning form and earn her most lucrative victory to date when she competes in the 87th renewal of the Grade 1, $500,000 Test on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

The Test, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, is part of a card also featuring the Grade 1 Travers, Grade 1 Foxwoods King’s Bishop, and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa presented by Jose Cuervo. NBC will provide live coverage from 4 – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22 2012

GRADE 1, $1 MILLION TRAVERS DRAWS 11 EAGER 3-YEAR-OLDS

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Late Saturday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course, 11 emerging 3-year-olds will assemble for the 143rd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers, each one looking to position himself for a run at end-of-the-year honors with a victory in the 1 ¼-mile race.

Since the advent of naming divisional championships in 1936, 18 Travers winners have been named Champion 3-Year-Old Male, most recently Summer Bird in 2009. And with the stars of the spring now out of the picture, Saturday’s “Mid-Summer Derby” takes on new meaning.

CHAMPION HANSEN OUT OF TRAVERS

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Last year’s champion juvenile Hansen has been ruled out of consideration for this Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course.

“He had some inflammation in his left front leg this morning and is not running,” said trainer Mike Maker.

THE 12th ANNUAL TRAVERS CELEBRATION RETURNS TO CELEBRATE MID-SUMMER DERBY

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The 12th annual Travers Celebration – the premier evening affair at Saratoga Race Course – will return once again to celebrate the arrival of the 143rd edition of the Mid-Summer Derby on Thursday, August 23 from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

The official party of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers, the Travers Celebration supports the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the Times Union Hope Fund and its newest beneficiary, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Tuesday, August 21 2012

TURBULENT DESCENT HOPING FOR SMOOTH RETURN IN BALLERINA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Turbulent Descent returns to the scene of one of her most impressive victories when she makes her second start of the year in Friday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina at Saratoga Race Course.

A “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the seven-furlong Ballerina drew a field of seven for its 34th running, including multiple Grade 1 winner It’s Tricky, who is the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the Ballerina but is more likely to run in Sunday’s Grade 1, 1 1/8-mile Personal Ensign Invitational.

SARATOGA RACE COURSE NOTES: Monday, August 20, 2012

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Ian Wilkes declared Neck ‘n Neck ready for next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers after the Grade 2 Jim Dandy runner-up breezed five furlongs in 1:00.09 on Monday.

“He did it well in hand. He never extended himself,” said Wilkes. “He just floated around there, finished up down the lane good, galloped out good, pulled up happy, walked off the track happy. I’m happy.”

Monday, August 20 2012

STEPHANIE’S KITTEN CLAWS HER WAY TO VICTORY IN G2 WOODFORD RESERVE LAKE PLACID

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Confidently ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, even-money favorite Stephanie’s Kitten burst through an opening in deep stretch and powered to a half-length victory over Centre Court in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid at Saratoga Race Course.

Saving ground along the rail in third as Medolina led through an opening quarter-mile in 23.62 seconds, a half in 48.88 and three-quarters in 1:13.25, Stephanie’s Kitten was ready to pounce but had nowhere to go as the field of six 3-year-old turf fillies barreled down the lane. Patiently waiting behind horses, Velazquez finally spotted an opportunity inside the eighth pole and guided the Kitten’s Joy filly to the outside, where she kicked into high gear en route to the win.

SARATOGA RACE COURSE NOTES: Sunday, August 19, 2012

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was still aglow this morning on the heels of Questing’s dazzling nine-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Alabama, which earned the 3-year-old Godolphin filly a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 106.

“Since I’ve been training, that was one of the most impressive performances I’ve ever had,” said McLaughlin. “We won by 20 lengths in Dubai years ago with a horse named Key of Luck. Cigar ran 30 minutes later, we ran 1 ¼ miles on the dirt faster than Cigar did. That was the most impressive, or on the same level. It was like Questing went out in the morning and went 1 ¼ miles on her own.”

Sunday, August 19 2012

QUESTING SEIZES 3YO FILLY DIVISION LEAD WITH ALABAMA ROMP

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Questing, who as of June was eligible for the first allowance condition, took command of the 3-year-old filly division with a front-running tour de force Saturday in the 132nd running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama at Saratoga Race Course.

“She’s definitely the best 3-year-old filly in America on the dirt,” said her trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin.

POINT OF ENTRY DOMINANT IN SWORD DANCER (G1)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With equal parts flair and power, Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps’ homebred colt Point of Entry powered through the stretch Saturday and easily won the Grade 1, $600,000 Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga Race Course.

The victory in the 38th running of the 1 ½-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up solidified Point of Entry’s standing as one of the elite turf horses in the country.