Saturday, August 16, 2008
Coming Up Big in More Ways Than One
Saratoga Springs, NY, August 15, 2008--It’s all starting to get very old at this meeting. Rain, rain; go, and stay away.
Wonder where I’d need to sign to give up all next week in favor of one gloriously fast Travers Saturday. If there were such a line, I’m sure NYRA management would cut it.
The Travers is coming up big. And not just because it’s a big field or a “good betting race,” a euphemism for equine stars need not apply.
But it could get the filly Music Note, making it even bigger, if she scratches from the Alabama, and Harlem Rocker could be any kind. He is, after all, undefeated on dirt. If he's the deal, then we could be talking huge.
Pyro might be ready to become the Pyro of winter and early spring. His Jim Dandy trip was a quintessential Travers prep, and the hard-hitting and consistent Macho Again, Jim Dandy winner and Preakness runnerup, can keep right on improving. Clearly, he enjoys being a race horse.
Everyone knows, too, that Mambo in Seattle and game runnerup You And I Forever earned better figures in the Henry Walton overnight than the Jim Dandy horses did 30 minutes later. Both are developing at the right time.
All three graded stakes will be telecast live on ESPN beginning at 4:30 p.m. Scheduled post time for Travers 139 is 5:45 p.m.
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First Race: The wise guys were looking to beat early favorite Casual in the opener because when Scott Lake ships into town he seldom brings the ’A’ game routinely on display in Delaware or Pennsylvania or anywhere else, for the matter. But Casual’s company lines and performance figures were superior to the group, and damn it if the best horse doesn’t win sometimes…! Unbridled Danger tried a speed gambit and it worked for a while until Cielo Song and the winner mounted a two-pronged turn challenge. Cielo Song was game, but Casual was too good.
Second Race: In recent years, Bill Badgett’s been making the most of limited Spa opportunities and he’s doing that again. After posting a win on Thursday, he completes the early double here with Api Mokhat, rated brilliantly on the lead by the suddenly en fuego Ramon Dominguez. He turned a two-horse race on paper (Charging Hero) into a runaway, the other horse making a resolute finish for a clear cut placing.
Third Race: In yet another two-horse handicapping affair, Oniyome was made favorite because of a highly adventurous trip in last. It was starting to develop into another nightmare until underrated talent Channing Hill extricated his filly from close quarters along the fence, got her to settle, tipped four wide to attack loose leader Gattinara and those two put on a terrific stretch show, each resurging to take the lead inside the final furlong until Oniyome proved strongest.
Fourth Race: Like everyone else, Linda Rice has not made her usual number of turf sprint entrants this wet Spa season but is hasn’t slowed her down much. Rice saddled her fifth winner of the meet here, well meant newcomer Saturdaynitesandy, a daughter of legendary state-bred sprinter Say Florida Sandy. In training at Saratoga since May, she showed her early speed here, racing dropdown and favorite Red Seven into defeat, drawing off in midstretch to finish well clear of debuting Pals First Lady, who was game and somewhat green. She won‘t remain a maiden long; bet back… Elegant Bess finished willingly for third to complete an all first-timer trifecta.
Fifth Race: The lightly raced Rollers obviously has some issues and just as obviously, he can run. He raced Thunder Buddy into defeat after never letting him out of his sights, and won geared down as Rick Dutrow quick-turnaround secured the place. Timed in 1:03.22 for the 5-½ furlongs, look for Barclay Tagg to get a little more aggressive with the state-bred son of Stormy Atlantic, a half-million dollar two-year-old purchase in 2007 by Barbaro’s people, the Lael Stables. Two on the day for Dominguez.
Sixth Race: After a slow start to the meet, the Tom Bush shed has started to heat up and it appeared Fiddlers Afleet would add another victory as the third-time starter sped around the turn shadowed closely by debuting Trinity Magic from Team Asmussen/Bridgmohan. These two battled down to the wire with the newcomer prevailing in deep stretch, lugging in greenly but well handled by Bridgmohan for the score in a quick 1:03.98... First-timer Brazen Action got away slowly from the extreme outside post, Edgar Prado steadying his mount after the clumsy start, but finished willingly, fourth, without threatening the top pair; valid excuses, follow.
Seventh Race: OK, this card has officially turned monotonous. Fancy Diamond and Lovely Vindication, the two favorites, in order, raced one-two all the way around the park, the favorite prevailing despite drifting out in the final furlong and winning in full stride while being geared down by Cornelio Velasquez. Simply Divine sat a perfect stalking trip to no avail; Stealin’ Kisses never had a chance following a slow beginning; note.
The Lake Placid: This Grade 2 for three-year-old fillies was the only turf race not rescheduled to the main track and the course played honestly, leaving hope there will be grass racing Saturday beyond the G1 Sword Dancer… Despite the moderating pace, Backseat Rhythm, last and widest into the stretch, roared down the center of the Mellon course for an impressive score. Lightly regarded European took the shortest way home for second, over a cleverly handled Raw Silk, who stalked, took the lead, but didn’t stay the trip. Favorite I Lost My Choo appeared to dislike the footing and second choice Much Obliged was curiously handled by Bridgmohan. The late running filly chased the pace early from third, was wrangled back, moved up four wide prematurely on the turn, then floundered. She wants to make one run; clearly deserves another chance… Backseat Rhythm showed so much promise at 2 that after breaking her maiden on grass, she tried the dirt and finished second in the G1 Frizette and third in the Juvenile Fillies. She finally got back on the grass, and the winning track, at Belmont Park before shipping to Hollywood for the always loaded American Oaks where she was beaten five lengths by the prolific Pure Clan in a better-than-looked effort. After yesterday, don’t think Paul Pompa and trainer Pat Reynolds will enter her back on dirt anytime soon.
Ninth Race: Finally, an open class maiden event at seven furlongs, originally carded as a turf two-turner. Second-time starter Tar Beach, loaded with run while behind horses into stretch, found a seam, tipped outside, and ran down second-timer Take the Points, a good effort by both colts. The latter won’t be a maiden long; bet back… Insider raced head to head throughout and held gamely for fourth; follow.
Written by John Pricci
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