Don’t forbid this Apple 🍎 (Day 2)
Real Writing on Racing 💯
✅ We made it through opening day without too much consternation or controversy though both make for better copy than a smooth production does.
🎪 Weather was warm but comfortable yet the most Saratoga thing happened, a brief deluge about 15 minutes before first post. Didn’t really affect the festivities other than getting people walking in a bit wet.
⚖️ Far from the black iron wrought fences surrounding the sacred grounds of the Spa is a track that was forever known as River Downs or Rivieria as the late, great announcer Luke Kruytbosch used to call it. It’s now named Belterra Downs after the casino company that operates the quaint little track down by the Ohio River and on Wednesday a controversy that has national implications erupted there. The stewards, seemingly citing the new HISA regulations regarding riding crop violations, put up an inquiry (after a lengthy delay) and DQ’ed the second place finisher and placed them last in the 5 horse field for “excessive use of the whip during the stretch run”. This doesn’t seem to be the correct course of action according to the written rules of HISA that went into effect on July 1st and an unnamed HISA spokesman (is the the CIA? ) confirmed that the DQ for wagering purposes was not the correct call under the new rules which supposedly had been explained to the stewards mid-June.
It’s ridiculous that an owner might be punished severely for a jockey striking a horse ten times as opposed to six ESPECIALLY considering that they are allowed to wave the whip without contact an unlimited times. In MANY cases it’s difficult to ascertain if the horse in question was even struck with the whip when the jockey may just be waving it, especially considering the tight spaces they often operate in and having to be careful not to hit a rival horse or jockey as well. Why the HISA people decided that this issue is so vital that owners, who are in short supply, should pay harsh consequences for the action of jockeys is beyond me. Like the famous definition of pornography by Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart (no relation to Dallas) “I know it when I see it” should be used as the basis of whip violations, not stewards winding and rewinding sometimes fuzzy replays from less than ideal angles, counting strikes to determine if they are going to rob an owner of their purse money. It’s bad regulation. Period.
🎪 It was a nice crowd for opening day, David Grening of the DRF reported 28466 with all-sources handle checking in at $21764922 down a minimal amount from last years $21935534.
🎪 All sorts of rumors flying around about Belmont renovations next few years causing the Belmont Stakes and Spring/Fall meets to be moved to Aqueduct/Saratoga. Stay tuned.
🎪 The Wilson chute seemed to not be a story, at least for the group that ran out of it today with Tarabi finally getting her stakes win for Cherie Devaux and company after a couple of grade I placings behind Echo Zulu last year.
🎪 The dirt and both turf courses seemed to play fair all day.
🎪 Just Cindy stalked favorite Summer Promise, who likewise stalked a fast early pace, and grinded her down in the stretch to record a 2+ length win in the Schuylerville for trainer Eddie Kenneally and owner/breeder Clarkland Farm. I believe this was the first stakes winner for freshman sire Justify but this is a free blog and I’m not Sid Fernando so shoot me if he already had a stakes winner in Yemen or someplace off the beaten path.
🎪 This will be a rarity over the next 39 days but nary a win for the Supertrainer duo of Brown and Pletcher. Goddess of Fire for the Todd Squad did run well when checking in 2nd in the Wilton after a sluggish beginning
💰 Pick 6 was not hit therefore there will be a carryover into the Friday card
🎪 I have no idea who Marcelo Arenas is (don’t think he is related to Agent Zero, Gilbert Arenas) but he gets the put over of the day for Winter Son’s 43-1 upset in the 6th. Turf sprints man….🙄
🎪 High Tide got good guys Carlos Martin and Jose Lezcano in the winners circle after the 4th. When he was a 16 year old bug rider, fresh out of jockey school, Martin gave Lezcano many chances and now years later was nice to see that duo have some success. High Tide was claimed but returns to the Martin barn via that claim being voided.
🎪 Shoutout to CJ Johnson and CJ Thoroughbreds for their winner, Half a Chance in the second race. He and his Dad are bringing a lot of new owners and people into the game which is something sorely needed. Sorry CJ about the Knicks stealing Jalen Brunson though…
Day two (38 racing days to go)
Forbidden Apple Grade III 175k 1 mile
The Spa traditionally opens up with a feature race that has been around for over 100 years, the Schuylerville, yet has a relatively new tradition for day 2 which is a race that has only been around since 2014, the Forbidden Apple! This edition is an excellent rendition regardless of the lack of history for the grade III event. With a plethora of stakes winners entered, most of them graded, the 12 horse field consists of horses exiting 9 different races from around the country (6 from Belmont, 2 from Pimlico, 2 from Churchill and 1 from Monmouth and Gulfstream). This is the type of race that is lacking so often these days and it’s a refreshing reminder of how great the ancient meeting at Saratoga can be. With a lot of speed signed on I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple scratches though hoping that the majority run as it is a very competitive race.
Set Piece (GB) - this is one of those horses that are tough to figure for me as I always guess wrong on him. Beat soft field on Preakness day but ran well at Saratoga last summer and might get the required hot early pace. Still tough take at a short price especially with traffic trouble not being far fetched with his style.
Wolfie’s Dynaghost - set soft as Charmin pace in the Poker before being overhauled late. Top TG of 6 is not close to good enough to win this and there seems to be other speed to press. Tough to use.
Mira Mission - cost me the GNP of a small European country when he got outgamed last out on the Derby undercard in the Turf Classic (Gr I). Should sit a good trip with the speed signed on here and is strictly the one to beat.
Yes and Yes - In career form this year for new trainer Donk after Phil Gleaves retired this winter. Has won three straight and looks to be mostly just a pace factor in here stretching out from turf sprints.
Clear Vision - was an excellent claim last fall for young trainer O’Connor. Has tactical speed and just arrived in town after shipping up from Palm Meadows but seems like a notch below the best in here as this is a ultra tough grade III.
Analyze It - not the horse he used to be, didn’t have much run late in Monmouth stakes though it was a completely different tactic taken by Hector Diaz. I don’t think he will have a flashback to his better day in here..
Public Sector (GB) - ran better than it looked last out in Poker, chasing slow pace and swinging wide on the turn. Should get decent setup though not sure he is quite good enough and high profile connections depress the price. On TG he just isn’t as fast as the best in here.
Atone - in career best form but not sure that it’s good enough anyway. Gets Prat which is a plus but he is gonna beat me.
Get Smokin - yet another speed horse in a race full of them. Had no excuse in latest, getting nailed at wire after setting slow tempo though CD course wasn’t playing well for speed.
City Man - form is a bit hidden as two starts back didn’t handle a ludicrously soft course and last out in the Kingston was steadied repeatedly in the stretch, losing all chance. Even so demand the right price if you are considering playing the NY bred.
Scuttlebuzz - turf sprinter stretching out for Rudy Rod might look to settle mid pack and make a late run though success at two turn distances has eluded him so far in his career. A underneath factor for exotic wagers at a long price only.
Sanctuary City - gets the worst of the post draw and doesn’t win often, but does possess some closing kick and if Carmouche can save ground on one of the turns it’s not impossible for him to reach the board.
Forbidden Apple in action in the 2001 Kelso 🍎