Even a slow day at Saratoga is better than…

Real writing on Racing 💯

Thursdays have been slow days at the Spa, too early for the weekend warriors or locals who work for a living, featuring workman-like cards rarely showcasing marquee names. Yesterday afternoon was no different with a rather meager gathering of punters (officially 23,465 though it felt like a third of that figure) trying to decipher the mostly forgettable faces gathered for the ten race card. The forecast called for scattered showers around the early portion of the afternoon but those rains never came though it was more humid than normal, there was also a nice breeze.

🦷 The opener, a NY bred 2yo MSW going 5.5f on the grass, went to the peculiarly named Jimmythetooth for Mike Maker, Tyler Gafflione and owner-breeder Mike Dubb. The colt by World of Trouble had a pair of solid races against similar company downstate, he had run second when adding blinkers just three weeks ago and was listed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. However first-time starter Instamatic took a ton of tote action, when he finally left the gate after a tardy start, he was the 8-5 public choice. Jimmythetooth broke alertly, had worked his way to the lead passing the 1/2 mile pole, maintained about a length margain throughout the turn and into the stretch before edging clear late, rewarding his backers with a generous $8.20 return. Hard Par ranged up mid-stretch to grab the runner up spot at 31-1. Instamatic rallied belatedly to be a non-threatening 5th. Longshot Charlie Tough was eased after some traffic issues early. The race scheduled to be off at 1:10 was delayed 7 minutes and several horses were away to poor starts in what seems to be a more regular occurrence than in the past.

🎖️Miss San Gabriel who broke her maiden at Pimlico in early June, returned to the races to take down race two, a $50000 NW2 claimer going a mile on the inner turf for Graham Motion and Manny Franco. She appeared to be the main speed and Franco put her right on the lead from the gate, set reasonable fractions under a light hold and drew away in the lane to an easy score. She didn’t return to Motions barn though as George Weaver placed a successful claim for the daughter of Temple City.

🥇The sixth was a NY bred MSW for two year old fillies going six furlongs that went to Caldwell Luvs Gold, a Goldencents filly trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux. Well bet first-timer Kant Call It overcame a less than perfect break to grab the lead going down the backside, setting pretty quick fractions (22.66 x 46.16) chased by Focus Pocus from the outside. By the turn Focus Pocus had wrested control though post time favorite, Lady Arwen was challenging for the lead while the eventual winner was angling outside to get away from the kickback which she didn’t appear to like. Coming down the homestretch Focus Pocus had fended off Lady Arwen but Caldwell Luvs Gold’s late rally was too much and Focus Pocus had to settle for the runner up position in a solid debut. Expect different tactics for Kant Call It next out as her trainer was very demonstrative in a post-race protest to Joel Rosario as to how she was ridden.

Caldwell Luvs Gold before her winning debut

🚓 The 7th was a large field of $25000 claimers going 8.5 furlongs on the Mellon turf course and when post time chalk, Eyes on Target, crossed the wire first, it appeared that Maker and Dubb had win number two on the day. However the stewards, who were under fire from a previous day non-call, quickly flashed on the inquiry sign over an incident in mid-stretch where Irad on Eyes on Target had forced his way through causing Tartini to be taken up, negatively affecting several others in a chain reaction. It’s a move that happens often in NYRA grass races with large fields and just as often, no action is taken. However yesterday the stewards disqualified Eyes on Target and placed him 8th, elevating runner up Land Biscuit for Dave Donk and Rosario. It was the proper call though when it comes to Irad and the current stewards…it’s surprising when he does get held responsible for his rough riding as far too often he is given a pass.

🏅Next stalked the pace set by Sea Foam before taking over with about 3 furlongs left to go in the 14 furlong Birdstone Stakes, cruising through the stretch under a motionless Luan Machado for Kentucky trainer Bill Cowans, to score by close to a dozen lengths. There wasn’t a time listed on the official chart as the one posted on the TV screens would have set the track record by about 8 seconds and while Next is clearly the premier dirt marathon horse in the US, I don’t know that he is quite that fast. Lone Rock, who had been the best long distance dirt horse for several seasons, appears to have seen better days as he was eased late.

🥵 Todays cards at Woodbine, Ellis Park, Laurel and Colonial Downs have all been postponed while Ellis and Colonial will also not run tomorrow as well due to high temperatures

🌟 Mage’s full brother runs at Saratoga tomorrow, read more about him here.

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Amsterdam (Gr II) $200,000 3yo 6.5 furlongs

1. Drew’s Gold - Caller One’s trainer has another top sprinter as this guy would be undefeated had it not been for a massive effort by Arabian Lion in the Woody Stephens (Gr I) on the Belmont undercard. Switching jocks to Jose Ortiz today, look for him to be sent away from post one to try to establish the lead or let Ryvit clear and take up a pressing position from outside of him. Might want to note how the track is playing in the earlier dirt races and make sure that the inside isn’t a disadvantage as he could potentially get stuck there. That said he is a very good, very consistent sprinter and while I will likely try to beat him at short odds, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ortiz manages to work out a winning trip.

2. Joey Freshwater - Rice is on fire at the meet and this guy just ran second in off the grass Quick Call stakes opening weekend. That said he has only one fig that makes him competitive and it came in the slop last out. Adds blinkers and actually has to give weight to most being a grade III winner which isn’t a positive, seems to need supersonic pace meltdown.

3. Deer District - comes out of huge effort in perfect trip allowance score at Churchill in May, that race a huge jump up in figs (he got a 7TG when third to Federal Judge and Extra Anejo before a -.75 last out). Another dirt sprinting Oscar Performance, he figures to chase and hope that a speed duel softens up his chief rivals. Romans is doing well as of late (last 90 days winning 23% with 56% ITM and ROI of 3.43) and rider Martin Garcia is capable. I’m inclined to think that a regression to the mean is more likely than him having morphed into a horse that can rattle off grade I figs consistently though.

4. Gilmore - his career arc has been an interesting one, starting off as a potential Derby trail horse from the Baffert army of those, to a couple tries on the synthetic, to a trainer switch to Walsh and cut back in distance to concentrate on one turn races. He has shown improvement since the move East culminating with a 1.5 TG when 3rd in the Woody Stephens. Figures to be in the second flight awaiting the fallout of the early pace situation, hoping to out finish the closers if the early leaders falter. Another with more than a fighting chance in here.

5. Ryvit - seems like Asmussen wins this race every year (he has won six including the last three) and has a live contender again this year. Competitive Edge colt has reeled off five in a row since breaking his maiden in March at Oaklawn, the latest being the Maxfield stakes in the slop at Ellis on July 2. Won the last three in wire to wire fashion though has shown a willingness to pass horses in the past yet I’d expect Santana sends him hard from the gate. Runs fast (TG 2.75 in last) but others do as well. Clear contender in a contentious race

6. New York Thunder - three starts, three easy wins. However this is the Nyquist colt’s first foray into dirt racing and trainer Delgado chose deep waters for him. Has shown speed on turf and synthetic and I don’t know if it will translate to dirt in a linear fashion but wouldn’t expect him to be too far from the early lead. Pedigree doesn’t lend too many clues as dam was unraced and second dam only has one to race, a modest winner in England and UAE.

🆓 Free DRF PP’s for the Amsterdam HERE

Last year Gunite proved victorious in the Amsterdam with a stirring stretch run, he is scheduled to run Saturday in the Vanderbilt