A Super Duper Saturday

Real writing on Racing 💯

Elusive Dancer (Fr) strolls across the finishline in the Saratoga Oaks (GrIII)

A huge day of racing coming up with Whitney Day at the Spa including some excellent undercard races like a spectacular edition of the Test (Gr I) plus it’s Hambletonian day at the Meadowlands and if you are in the mood for big fields of trotters and pacers, they’ve got you covered. (*Be sure to vote in our poll today found below the Lady’s Secret video tribute) We started off Friday the same way we left off Thursday…with rainy skies and general dreariness. Then it got worse…

The scene on track as the field for the Saratoga Oaks was loading into the gate

🎶 The first was an open MSW going 6f over a muddy, sealed surface. The Chad Brown entry of Opportunity Set and Index Fund, both coming off layoffs since Aqueduct, was favored but Phil Bauer’s Ludwig, 3rd last out at CD in May, shot right to the lead under Junior Alvarado, set a quick clip and was never headed on his way to a 2 1/2 length score. Wicked Again chased and was second best and the entry both broke a little sluggishly and never threatened.

🏅The 4th was a NYB filly Maiden 40k claimer that was originally scheduled for 8.5f on the inner but was run at a mile out of the Wilson chute. Nothing really notable happened but the race was won by Kara Para, a 3yo daughter of The Factor trained by Jimmy Ryerson and ridden by Jose Lezcano, his second on the day.

🏝️Race 5 went to Sand and Sky who dominated on the front end for trainer Jack Sisterson and Luis Saez. The race was a conditioned $50k claimer going 7f and Maker trainee Patient Capital was sent to the post as the 3-2 favorite but he never really got untracked and just managed to get up for third. Both the winner and beaten favorite were claimed out of the race and soon after the race was made official, the rain started coming down again.

⛈️The Saratoga Oaks Invitational went as the 7th and it is extremely rare to see a turf race run in the deteriorating conditions that we saw yesterday. A steady drumbeat of rain had started up again as the field was being saddled in the paddock, distant booms of thunder seeming to creep closer as post neared. The announcement was made that the field would head straight to the gate from the paddock, leaving a very limited warmup as racing officials raced against the oncoming storm to get the race off. They didn’t make it and as the last filly, Strikingly Spun stepped on the track, the downpour intensified into an almost surreal setting. The ten fillies were loaded into the starting gate just as a crack of lightning flashed overhead, a scene reminiscent of climactic scene from the classic movie The Natural. Irad Ortiz aboard Selenaia sent that filly, who most recently won the Honeymoon (Gr III) at Santa Anita, directly to the lead going into the first turn. Kentucky shipper Xigera chased in second with Irish import American Sonja (GB) three wide in third and fellow euro shipper Caroline Street in between in 4th. Flavian Prat aboard race fav Elusive Princess (Fr) kept the French filly tucked away on the inside laying sixth, biding time, traveling well over rain-soaked ground labeled ‘soft’ that none of the domestic fillies in the group had ever experienced. Prat deftly angled the French filly off the rail on the far turn, picking up momentum as the early leaders faded while American Sonja (GB) and Papilio (Ire) battled for control while unusually wide turning for home. The two brushed as Oisin Murphy and American Sonja (GB) drifted out and Javier Castellano aboard Papilio (Ire) tried to get past them. Meanwhile Prat had continued to maneuver Elusive Princess (Ire) even wider as she picked off fillies one by one approaching the stretch, where only the dueling leaders were left. In what the equibase chart called the 12 path, Elusive Princess (Ire) straightened away down the lane, switched leads and blew past American Sonja (GB) and Papilio (Ire) and drew clear, Prat taking a light hold of the Martinborough filly trained by Jean-Philippe Dubois, as they cantered under the wire, an easy winner. American Sonja (GB) outlasted Papilio (Ire) for second with Caroline Street a distant fourth. Obviously Elusive Princess (Fr) is a very good filly though I don’t know how much yesterday’s ‘rarely seen in American racing’ conditions contributed to the ease of her victory. We will find out soon enough though as she is scheduled to remain in the US under the care of Arnaud Delacour.

This screen shot shows just how far off the inside the top three in the Saratoga Oaks (Gr III) wound up

🌧️ The rain continued to come down and the thunder was rumbling as the field for the Hall of Fame Stakes was assembled and saddled in the paddock though the downpour was intensifying and post time delayed as officials huddled trying to determine a course of action. Finally the decision was made to postpone the Hall of Fame till next Friday and cancel the remainder of the card, the announcement from Frank Miramahdi coming ironically as the rain finally stopped falling and the crowd of 26, 425 headed for the exits.

🆓 Free TimeformUS past performances for the Whitney can be found HERE

💥The Hambletonian is held today at the Meadowlands and it’s a very competitive race that caps a great card. Click here for free PP’s

📰 Check out today’s Saratoga Special that has the Spa covered from start to finish by the fittest editorial staff in racing (by far!) 🏃🏽

💰 Today’s Going in Circles Digest Saratoga Spot play of the day from ‘The Sniper’ 💰

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Test (Gr I) $500,000 3yo fillies 7 furlongs dirt

1. Pretty Mischievous - an old school turnback and we love to see it. On paper she figures to get a pretty nice trip with so much speed signed on from the outside posts though post one can be tricky going 7f and Gafflione is going to have to weave his way through traffic. If the pace gets nuclear, she is the most likely beneficiary though be sure to see how the main track is playing as the inside hasn’t been great though with the deluge over the last few days it may change.

2. Clearly Unhinged - clearly taking a shot at hitting the board in one of the few Grade 1 races that exist for 3yo filly sprinters (I believe there are just two). Has to improve a lot to be a factor here though full respect for McCarthy when he ships East.

3. Tappin Josie - these aren’t PA breds Josie…

4. Jersey Pearl - interesting Kentucky shipper who has come into her own sprinting on the dirt this summer. She has to improve off her latest blowout allowance win (TG 4) though she will have plenty of speed to stalk

5. Interpolate - has had gate issues in the past including last out in the Victory Ride (Gr III). With a clean break and good position she might be a dark horse candidate for an upset if a wild speed meltdown occurs but it’s questionable even under those circumstances if she can outkick Pretty Mischievous late?

6. Dorth Vader - exits heart-breaking, narrow defeat to Pretty Mischievous in the Acorn (Gr I) and is also working the cutback angle. She has won stakes sprinting though they are more of the minor variety, an on the board factor for sure.

7. Munnys Gold - was supposed to be the ‘fastest horse in the world’ after her romp in the Sophmore stakes against Florida breds at Tampa in March. Yet a funny thing happened on her way to induction into the Hall of Fame…she got beat fair and square by Red Carpet Ready in the Eight Belles (Gr II). Now Red Carpet Ready is really good and one of the leaders of the division though she isn’t here today but the invincibility aura was gone. Pletcher tried to stretch her out to 8.5f in the Acorn (Gr I) around one turn but she wasn’t up to the task and he now has her focusing on sprints once again. I’d actually like her in here if not for the filly lined up in the gate right outside her but barring a late scratch, that is going to be a problem for Munnys Gold.

8. Maple Leaf Mel - I simply believe she is faster than these or to be fair, all the other three year old fillies too. She breaks like a rocket and has that easy way of traveling that half miles in 45 and change are like galloping for her. She may negatively react to her super fig of -1.25 TG (almost unheard of for 3yo filly sprinting) but she has room to work with and as the controlling outside speed everyone else will (should?) be chasing her. Yes trainers with 3 lifetime wins don’t generally win races like the Test (Gr I) but we also don’t see too many fillies as fast as this one too often either. The only caveat is Rosario potentially over thinking it and not sending her directly to the front…

Saratoga Derby (Gr I) $600,000 3yo 1 3/16 turf

1. Mondego (GB) - set a tepid pace in the Belmont Derby and almost pulled off the 41-1 shocker before settling for third, beaten just a length. Lope de Vega colt figures to employ similar tactics here though have to wonder if the outside isn’t the better part of soggy turf course based on yesterday’s Saratoga Oaks stretch run.

2. Program Trading (GB) - the ‘lightly raced, impressive against allowance foes Chad Brown European bred three year old takes on graded competition’ scenario is one that we have seen many times before. Lope de Vega colt number two in here has tactical ability and may land in a stalking role outside of Mondego (GB) as he stretches out in distance in his third career start.

3. Aspen Grove (Ire) - scratched from yesterday’s Oaks to compete against the boys for more money, more prestige and more distance. I don’t know if that was a wise move as this is a tougher spot but perhaps the conditions that seem to favor euro imports can be an equalizer of sorts. Loses Murphy though picks up Johnny V.

4. The Franchise (Ire) - O’Brien ran 2nd and 4th yesterday in the Oaks with horses with similar form that this son of Siyouni (Fr) has. He hasn’t been tackling top flight company in Europe but seems to be improving, may appreciate the conditions and added distance. Gets Saez which never hurts and his US based ownership connections have one of the favorites for today Hambletonian so we could be looking at a very big thirty minute time frame from 4:45 - 5:15 eastern for the Lindy Farm crew. He is a longshot for sure but not an impossible one.

5. Far Bridge - the trip made all the difference last out in the Belmont Derby (Gr I) as Jose Ortiz gave a masterclass on saving ground and angling out at precisely the right time or else The Foxes (Ire) might have been yet another euro shipper that came to plunder the American turf loot. The Foxes (Ire) didn’t return and remains in his den awaiting the Juddmonte International (Gr I) at York opposed to a return trip stateside. I’d expect Ortiz to try similar tactics here though not sure how the softer ground will be handled but he always fires and expect him to be charging down the stretch.

6. Webslinger - if you are looking for a horse that is due some racing luck…you have found the right one here. Poor Webslinger has had to endure a series of bad posts and tough trips yet has still managed to win three times this season. He got WAY behind in the Belmont Derby (Gr I) after being bumped at the break, commenced a wide rally from the back of the pack and only got beat 1 1/2 lengths by Far Bridge who had an ideal trip. If Castellano can land him a decent stalking position without his usual trouble, the gelding by Constitution may be able to turn the tables on those who finished ahead of him at Belmont.

7. Battle of Normandy - has run second in a couple of allowance races this year which has to be disappointing considering the high regard he was held in after his debut over this course last year at the Spa. Didn’t fare well on a soft turf at Aqueduct last fall and really needs to improve to be any sort of factor here.

8. Lion of War (GB) - Euro shipper hasn’t been racing in graded races though as a high rated handicapper he has faced some solid competition for trainer Charlie Johnston. Has improved of late and the distance suits but his best races on the other side of the pond were on good-firm ground so you have to think that was what they were seeking in shipping stateside. However ignore the Euros in these type of races at your own peril and Murphy is a plus as well.

9. Truly Quality - maiden breaker last out recieved good figure but benefitted from great trip behind a rare fast pace long distance NY turf race. A lot to ask for in his first start against winners but does get Irad to stick and the distance suits but an on the board finish might be stretching it.

Whitney (Gr I) $1,000,000 4&up 9 furlongs dirt

1. Zandon - is he better around one turn? Has run solid TG figs in his two starts at 4, both going a mile at Belmont but will a different set up with a slower pace to run into be a detriment? I’m skeptical

2. Charge It - tuned up for this with a layup in the Surburban (Gr II) and had been ultra consistent from a speed fig POV this season, running TG 0 time after time. Was no match for Cody’s Wish in the Met Mile but can the extra turn work in his favor here, allowing him to get the jump on the big favorite and maybe hold him off late?

3. Giant Game - is he good enough is the question. Has never broke through TG 1.5 and he has to be a lot better than that here as this won’t be Skippylongstocking charging at him late and he ain’t in Iowa anymore.

4. Last Samurai - Oaklawn Park horse for the course and while this is a town with springs…they aren’t hot springs. One positive for him is he is a true two turn horse but he never runs figs fast enough to beat these except in Arkansas.

5. White Abarrio - stumbled at the start of the Met Mile in Dutrow debut though did recover nicely to pick up a share. Figures to be aggressively handled by Irad and be up close to the early lead but he always struck me as being a better stalking sprinter/miler than 9f horse, like most of this field.

6. Cody’s Wish - what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time he was a nice closing one turn/sprinter based in Kentucky. This year he is the Boss, a conquerer of Jackie’s Warrior, a Breeders Cup Dirt Mile winner, riding a 7 race winning streak after dusting the competition in the Met Mile and current favorite for 2023 ‘Horse of the Year’. Stretching him out and trying to win a prestigious race such as the Whitney makes perfect sense especially in light of the competition being a historically weak group of older dirt males. That said this spot isn’t without its question marks such as the early pace scenario and will Cody’s Wish have that same devastating late kick around two turns that he does around one? He won the BC Dirt Mile around two turns in a solid performance but not quite as good as his latest one turn races. He will be a huge favorite and of course has the karmic advantage of having a great backstory but I wouldn’t knock anyone who tries to beat him in this spot at 2-5 either.

The TimeformUS pace projector for the Whitney

There aren’t many horses that have wins in both the Test and Whitney on their resume…but Lady’s Secret can… how great was she? You can see today in honor of the great daughter of Secretariat we offer a rare double video Saturday!