Thursday, July 26, 2007

The Bobble King of Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY, July 26, 2007--

Dear Diary,

Some giveaway promotions are better than others. And know that Saratoga Race Course is the King of Giveaways venue.

"Remember, you can picnic anywhere if you just had one of these coolers. And you can carry it in one of those tote bags over there.

Tired? No problem. Have a seat in one of our lawn chairs, drinking a cold one from these cooler mugs. Rain? No worries. Keep dry with one of these here umbrellas.

Funny, look like awnings, right?

Sure, it gets chilly some nights in the Adirondack foothills. Got you covered with a stadium blanket.

Are bears attracted to the color red?

But, really, who doesn’t love a good bobble-head every once in a while?

The latest version, first handled out today, could have been bought on E-Bay last week. That might be a record.

The Jerry Bailey edition was first. He was the King back then, having ridden more winners at Saratoga than any other human, living or dead.

Then there was the Johnny V, the Todd, and others. Have to say, with apologies to legendary racing people so honored, my favorite is the Sam The Bugler. Being king is a state of mind, Sam knows that.

But today was the day that Angel Cordero Jr., the King of Saratoga past, present and future, was celebrated in pop-culture iconese.

Until Bailey, the smartest horse-backer we’ve ever seen, came along, no one was better than Angel. No one. He remained without peer as a race rider, the very best ever at riding more than one horse at a time. You try it sometime.

Hel-lo-o-o-o-o-o Genuine Risk!

The once and future king won 14 Saratoga titles, a record of 11 straight, one that will last longer than Woody’s five Belmonts. And there were those 7,057 lifetime victories, too.

There might be a couple of handsful of riders in the same class as Cordero, but his is the bobbled head to be treasured. That mold never has been duplicated. Nor ever will it be again.

First Race: The first up and over of the meet went to a true overlay, Footlights. The seven year old mare, making her third off an extended layoff, often a harbinger of improvement, had enough back class in her history to rate a puncher’s chance. Prepped on the flat at Colonial after a promising return in an overnight stakes prior, the 6-1 early line choice drifted to 22-1, and Xavier Aizpuru timed her late run perfectly to get up in the last two strides. Good job byh trainer and former steeplechase rider, Roger Horgan.

Second Race: Experience the difference for these special-weight fillies. Twisted Tale had placed gamely in her debut and got it done here while on the engine for Team Asmussen/Bridgmohan. It appeared at the sixteenth pole that newcomer Forest Trial would run her down but the favorite held sway as Shug McGaughey filly finished a tad greenly. Forest Wildcat filly won’t be a maiden long; bet back.

Third Race: Pat Kelly began where he left off last year, having his best Spa in several seasons. Precise Lady, taking advantage of her 7-furlong conditioning and hot pace, circled widest from last of seven and ran them all down late at 16-1, as the beat of longshots roll on at the young meet. Kent Desormeaux struck the face of the drifting place finisher, Stolen Star, with a right-handed whip but replays indicated it apparently was inadvertent. Think he deserved the benefit on that one.

Fourth Race: Another well timed late run gets it done on turf as Garrett Gomez made the last run with Christophe Clement’s Queen’s Full, the third winner out of the second race on June 23rd. Can you say key race? Meanwhile, runner-up Star Dixie might have been best, circling up four wide on far turn, momentum carrying her even wider into the lane. She finished well beneath JJ Castellano but was no match for the late power of the Clement filly; makes amends soon, note. Favorite Stage Dream, third, was without excuse after stalking a moderate pace comfortably throughout.

Fifth Race: This meet has public handicappers talking to themselves. Though none resemble Warren Spahn, Whitey Ford or Sandy Koufax, many of my colleagues are pitching shutouts. Gave up my day job just in time. Castellano doubles, taking Pay Attention down the center of the track for a 10-1 score. Post 12 at nine furlongs? No problem. Favorite Berry Bound set controlled pace and settled for place; Drizzly finished well too late for third after getting smart tote action; follow.

Sixth Race: Cleveland Johnson? Doesn’t he show up only when someone’s on suspension? Anyway, Johnson almost gets it done with Al Sheetahn at 71-1, who led every step until the final one. It took extraordinary race ride from Ramon Dominguez, who weaved Giant Storm through stretch traffic to get up in last jump. Win gave Stanley Hough his second in two days. Think I detect a trend here.

Seventh Race: Winner? Truly Blushed. Trainer? Scott Lake. Odds? 14-1. Any more questions?

The G2 Sanford: Pletcher picked an opportune spot to get off the duck. Ready’s Image took his second straight stakes, drawing off impressively in fast time to win by open lengths. And he’s still learning how to run. “He carried his head a little high when we got to the leader and I had to get after him a little,” said Johnny Velazquez. “It’s encouraging, he has a world of talent and is still learning,” Pletcher warned. Meanwhile, Tale Of Ekati put in a fine, wide late run for place, holding off The Roundhouse who came from last and just missing placing. Interesting prospects, both Pletcher runners. But the horse to watch out of the Sanford is Sok Sok, virtually eliminated when slammed hard between horses leaving the gate, after which he finished willingly for fourth and clearly deserves another chance; follow closely.

Ninth Race: Well timed and strong late run from Follow My Dreams, getting it done for Colum O’Brien by overhauling a stubborn Tishmeister, the controlled pacesetter. Glamour Star saved ground to no avail. She was hemmed in upper stretch, but Michael Matz filly really didn’t fire like she should. Pletcher’s Storm Dixie lost too much ground throughout, losing any chance; follow.

Bias Report: Dirt; fast, played honestly. Turf; firm, all winners off pace, except 5-½ furlong sprint.

Pick Six Report: It was hit. Again. Who the hell keeps doing that?


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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Successful Spa Opener Dampened by First Race Spill

Saratoga Springs, NY, July 25--

Dear Diary,

Wouldn’t you know it? Before you can watch the horses run, you first have to get by the dogs and ponies.

Maybe you thought the racing would take the NYRA/Albany nonsense off the front page?

Think again.

It’s seems that in the interests of “integrity,” Governor Eliot Spitzer gave up his box at Saratoga Race Course and suggested that the members of the State Racing and Wagering Board do the same.

Spitzer doesn’t want people to think that a box at the track would color his decision on which entity should become the next franchise holder.

Of course, that won’t be the case. Because either it’s already a done deal or he still remains clueless.

The SRWB? Now that’s a good decision. Why would you want the agency that rules on racing in the Empire State to watch an actual horse race? The governor probably doesn’t know that these boxes go to the organizations, not to individuals that would benefit in perpetuity.

As for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, this probably was a blessing. He goes to the races once every three years whether he wants to or not.

Saratoga County will keep their box, as will the Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Valerie Keehn. Good to know some people have their priorities, and perspective, straight.

And so will Senate majority leader Joseph Bruno, who represents Saratoga County and has two boxes that he pays for. Retail, boxes go from $4,500 to $6,700 for the season.

Want to know the real upset here? Eliot Spitzer’s political vendetta has turned Joe Bruno into a sympathetic figure.

Bruno later had some fun at Spitzer's expense in a press conference at the track before the races began.

But, no sir, dear diary, that ain’t easy.

First Race: The air came out of the balloon quickly when favorite Massoud broke down in mid-stretch and longshot Lieutenant Danz fell over him, unseating Johnny Velazquez and Raul Rojas, respectively. Fortunately, neither jockey was seriously injured. Massoud was euthanized. Winning dropdown Westmoreland and Garrett Gomez were lucky to get through for the nose victory. Runnerup Forget The Judge, finished strongly from next-to-last of 12 to just miss and was probably best.

Second Race: Fittingly, the first baby race of the year produced the first horse to watch. Sort of. Still don’t know whether Todd Pletcher trainee Forest Prince can run since the rider did not ask any serious questions of the colt; follow. Meanwhile, Stanley Hough had debuting Sargent Seattle set for debut and he drew off following turn-move to win by open lengths in fast time. No excuses for favorite runnerup, Bold Trust.

Third Race: The pace was hot and contested and Ramon Dominguez timed his move perfectly, driving hard to nail Brilliant Son with Lord Snowden in the shadow of the wire. Anthony Dutrow trainee was fourth in the same race as favorite Grand Champion, who appeared to bounce off the lifetime best effort. Eligible to rebound next out.

Fourth Race: Second winner for Bill Badgett since returning to the trainng ranks, this time with Egypt Lane in a short turf sprint, the late move perfectly timed by Edgar Prado seeking a defense of his Spa riding championship. There aren’t too many riders; Gomez, Dominguez, Bravo, Desormeaux, Bejarano, to name five off the top, that are in Prado’s class on the grass.

Fifth Race: Post 10 on the tight turns of the Spa inner turf? No problem for Calvin Bo-Rail in his first full Spa season. Biding his time until the far turn, Borel guided Warn through down on the fence, steadied awaiting room, angled out in mid-stretch and Ronnie Werner trainee did the rest. Three-year-old War Chant colt showed excellent late kick to break maiden. Might be good enough to handle preliminary allowance types next out; bet back… All Verses, in the bridle most of the trip, lost too much ground throughout; follow. Crowd went for Bobby Frankel’s Borobudur returning from layoff. Loomed inside behind horses into lane but finished one-paced. Should benefit.

Sixth Race: First good old-fashioned put-over of the meet. Again And Again, claimed for $50,000 four starts back and working his way down in class to $20,000 for his Spa return, benefited from a switch to Rafael Bejarano and stormed down the center of the track to win going away at 16-1. Here’s where it gets interesting, dear diary. The official track program denoted a trainer switch from Diane Balsamo to David Jacobson, son of a former New York leading trainer, Buddy Jacobson, whose career ended after he was found guilty of the murder of model Melanie Cain in a celebrated tabloid story three decades ago. Doug Jacobson, David’s brother, was listed as owner of horses trained by Balsamo at the recently concluded Belmont meet. David has held an assistant trainer’s license for four months according to the NYRA stewards. He was accused of abusing the horse Hugable Tom in 1981, who subsequently died of laminitis, the trainer explaining at the time the disease is what claimed the horse‘s life. Hugable Tom was owned by Michael Ricatto. Michael Ricatto Jr. was the listed as owner of Again And Again. Curiouser and curiouser.

Seventh Race: Formful result as favorite Hangingbyathread received a super ride from Prado, who slowed the pace to a crawl, and won the preliminary allowances for state-breds. But the Ricatto Jr. owned, David Jacobson-trained Highly Spoken completed the exacta at 21-1, after stalking the winner’s pace throughout. So let’s see, diary, that would be Again and Again and Again!

Eighth Race: Patrick Biancone, who has his own problems, got a well timed finish from stable rider Julien Leparoux to win this with Pauillac. The favored entry of Incriminate and Blue Sky Gold both appeared in need of their returns from lengthy layoffs; note.

The Schuylerville: Prado is serving notice, a riding triple on opening day with first-time Rick Dutrow trainee Subtle Aly, now undefeated in two starts. State-bred I Promise was a game come-again second for Gary Contessa and Eibar Coa, appearing a resurgent winner, instead a nose shy of the line. Blitzing loomed a brief threat but settled for third. Favorite According To Plan broke slowly, moved menacingly between horses into the stretch, angled out for clear run but lugged in slightly in a green stretch effort. While the winner showed some class in overcoming a poor start of her own, no one really impressed as a potential stretch-out filly off this event. Lady Chace never menaced for Pletcher, who had a rough opening day.

Tenth Race: After a day of blanket finishes, appropriate the finale ended in a dead heat between American Dream’a and Strong Presence. Papa’s Kara and Turning Leaves finished two noses behind the top pair. Of these four, Turning Leaves could have the most upside. She distributed her energy nicely in her debut then rallied willingly into the stretch here before being caught from behind. She will benefit from this; bet back at any distance with "non-winners of one" state-breds.

* * *

Amazingly, even with dead-heat winners (at 16.60-1 and 27.50-1) and a $5.90 favorite (from post 12) the Pick Six was hit, paying $57,288. The other sequence winners paid $11.20, 35.40, 16.80 and 10.20. Doesn’t seem like enough, does it?

With the exception of the spill, it was a terrific lid-lifer as 30,052 paid their way in and bet a record $3,825,564 on track.

* * *

Bias Report: Track fast, no discernable bias. Turf firm, natural closer’s bias (especially early at any race meet). [The wire-to-wire turf winner set very slow fractions].


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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Weird Vibes As Saratoga Opens

Saratoga Springs, NY--

Dear Diary,

Happy 29th Birthday!

Just wanted to get that out of the way. Been through a lot, you and me. But this is no time for nostalgia. Opening day is upon us. Quickly, out of vacation mode. Time to press on.

So, Happy 139th Birthday, Saratoga!

You’ve been through a lot more than me. The bad, and the very, very good.

In this game, that’s as good as it gets.

Starting tomorrow Saratoga gets busy creating new memories. Get busy living or get busy dying, Andy Dufresne would say.

But how can the grand dame of American racetracks do that when she doesn’t even know who she is, or what she is?

So who’s going to be the landlord next year? Still the New York Racing Association? Empire Racing or Capital Play or Excelsior Racing, who won the actual bidding before the new governor said never mind and let’s do it again.

Then how does one get on with the future when one doesn’t know what that future will bring?
Don’t expect sympathy on this from me, dear diary. Saratoga looks a lot better than I do and she‘s got, according to the birthday salutations above, 110 years on me.

No matter. Saratoga Race Course will be here long after many of those who love her are gone.

To this point in 2007, Saratoga’s and New York racing’s prospects has been future-by-trial-balloon.

But the promise is, after new bids are submitted, all will know on September 4th, the day after the meet ends. After consulting the powerful “HRI Deadlines-To-Leaks Index” it could happen sooner.

I’ve set the over/under at 4 ½ days. (August 31st is a push).

Hey, diary, wonder if any NBA bettors will be in attendance opening day? If so, how’s this idea for a promotional spot: “Bet On Us. Better Odds. Less Crooked Officiating.”

I know, anything for a laugh.

But the real truth is I don’t think racing has any need to apologize. Racing’s zebras are the least of all officiating evils in terms of adjudicating racing infractions.

Administratively, however, the stewards are often powerless. The constraints of politics and real world pressures often demands that officials be careful not to throw away the industry baby with the medications bath-water.

Everybody knows that racing can and needs to get a lot more serious about illegal drugs but it’s making strides.

Hey, diary, did Bonds hit any today? How many’s he got now?

The difference between a 15 percent and 25 percent trainer is about $1,500 a month in vet bills.

If racetracks just printed the name of the attending veterinarian in their official program, as my former Newsday colleague Paul Moran wrote many years ago, they will have gained what overseer politicians crave whenever they’ve got some person or entity under a microscope: Transparency.

The industry knows that testing probably never will catch up with what comes out of the pharmacological pipeline. Just give the fans the information they need to draw their own conclusions. Let the chips fall. It’s good public relations putting your customers first.

Racing and wagering are service industries. Whenever something untoward happens in sports, it seems Las Vegas is always there to come to the aid of industry investigators, to show them just how stuff can happen. Trust the people that monitor the games people play on a 24/7 basis.

(I won’t even get into what Michael Vick allegedly did. Far too monstrous and depressing).

So, yeah, diary, the Saratoga vibe is weird this year. Like Sherry Ross of the New York Daily News wrote about the upcoming meet, “uncertainty underlies anticipation.”

But the anticipation is always for a renewed celebration of history, health and horses, the road signs reminding you as you drive into town that these timeless antiquities are woven into the fabric here.

...In Saratoga, where racing as sport is still king because the horses and the people tethered to it would rather win or lose here than anywhere else.

You can dress up and you can dress down and you can stay out so late it becomes early. Because after realizing that you’re relatively sound of mind and body, all that’s left in Saratoga is to talk horses.

Generally, horse talk occurs only three times a day: at morning, noon or night. And you never hear a single apology for it, either. The term guilty pleasure need not apply.

But with so much going on, no wonder the vibe is a little strange. And it’s raining right now. Rain may be good for the rhubarb but it’s bad for the psyche.

If weather handicappers pick a winner then sunlight will be plentiful when race caller Tom Durkin exhorts the crowd to sound-byte “They’re Off at Saratoga!” at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

The first thing fans will notice about opening day entries are field sizes of 16, 15, 14, 13 and two of 11, among the 123 horses entered in 10 races, including the Grade 3 Schuylerville.

And purse size, too: A maiden special weight baby race for a purse of $62,000; a preliminary allowance/optional claimer for $67,000 and a straight $20,000 claimer running for nearly twice the tag; $35,000.

No wonder some horsemen had a hard time getting stalls. Demand for space is always high at this meet but perhaps no greater in recent history than it was this year.

While it’s no cinch to happen, what if Curlin and Street Sense were to continue in Saratoga what they started in Baltimore?

As it is, having Street Sense be the first Derby winner to run back in the “Midsummer Derby” since Thunder Gulch in 1995 alone is worthy of a Travers day admission.

Diary, I have no fear. The horses will save Saratoga, the way the racing here always has.

As this meet begins, the strange uncertainty over what the future holds for Saratoga and New York racing is for me, and many others, palpable.

And then it will be September 4th, the precise instant when New York’s racing history collides head-on with its future.


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