Forty Days and Forty Nights…the Spa…

Real Writing on Racing 💯

Since we started writing the Going in Circles Digest last winter we have mostly used it as a forum to preview the biggest graded stakes races, discuss pressing issues facing the industry and occasionally just jot down whatever racing-related thoughts might be rattling around the expansive space in my head. For the Saratoga season we are going to try something new that’s actually based upon something old. On the this week’s Big Monday show Barry suggested that I do a ‘Steve Crist style’ daily blog from the Spa, talking about what’s happening beyond what is reported in the racing press, in addition to a view of the proceedings through my own (some would say warped) prism. Sprinkling in some of my ‘sure to be entertaining’ wagering gaffes and hot takes on a daily basis should prove to be challenging but hopefully worthwhile. I guarantee that the typical horseracing company lines won’t be repeated here as there are plenty of other outlets that will be serving them up and I will do my best to get this out in a timely fashion. We will still be covering all the graded stakes races with previews and even some of the non-graded ones that may pique our interest. Have any suggestions or questions? Goingincirclespodcast@gmail.com is the best way to get our attention and any correspondence is always welcome.

We will also be doing a bunch of mini-pods that will be posted here in addition to the usual Big Monday show. Plus with Barry making it up to the Spa in person, August 11-13, we will have some sort of Going in Circles get together during that weekend, details forthcoming as they become available.

Day one (39 racing days to go)

Schuylerville Stakes Grade III 175k 6f 2 yo fillies

The Schuylerville kicks off the graded stakes season at the Spa with two year old fillies running six furlongs. First run 104 years ago in 1918, the race has been won by star distaffers such as Hall of Famer’s Cicada and La Prevoyente as well as Weekend Surprise, Meadow Star, Turnback the Alarm, Countess Diana and Ashado. It’s been several years since a filly of impact has won the traditional Saratoga meet opener, perhaps due to the trend of starting the better two year old prospects later in the year. Todd Pletcher and Wayne Lukas are tied on the leading trainer list with 6 winners and Johnny Velazquez has 5 wins making him the leading all-time jockey in this race.

1. Just Cindy - Kenneally trained filly was briefly in tight soon after the start of her debut, extracted herself from that spot, worked her way to striking position three wide on the turn and drew clear late. Earned a solid 10 TG and the Justify home bred filly has every right to move forward in here. Not crazy about drawing the rail but switches to Irad who won’t hesitate to bully his way out of a tough spot. 5/2 is a fair morning line on her but I’d need a little better price to engage here.

2. Sweet Harmony - graduated at first asking at Monmouth, grinding it out going 4.5 furlongs. Not sure that she beat much in that spot, third place finisher came back to run third against NJ breds. Don’t like the stretch out from 4.5 to 6f either.

3. Adora - 1st of three Casse entrants was a sharp winner in her only start back in May going 4.5 on the synthetic at Woodbine. Was .80 to 1 so was very well meant in that spot though obviously this is more ambitious.

4. Vedareo - Daredevil filly was buried on the board in her debut at Parx, going off at .30 to 1 and didn’t disappoint, rocketing to a long lead and held safe. She didn’t beat much in that spot and the half sister to 2yo filly champ Vequist has much to prove stretching to 6 furlongs off of that one start. Gets Rosario and likely will be asked for speed in a race teeming with it.

5. Janis Joplin - California Chrome filly was sluggish early against restricted maidens (purchase price less than 45k) before finishing with interest late. Didn’t take much money in that spot but was purchased within the barn (Casse) by Barber and switches to Prat. Coming back on 15 days rest off of a debut TG of 20 means she has a whole lot of improving needed in a short period of time. I don’t think she will be taking another little piece of my heart (or bankroll).

6. Me and My Shadow - another Casse Woodbine shipper like Adora. Similarities exist as both were heavily bet, showed speed from inside post and drew off late. Both fillies also shipped to Belmont to train for this spot, perhaps getting them used to the dirt surface? She did run going 5 furlongs as opposed to 4.5 which is a plus for me. Not super confident in the chances of either of these two but keeping an eye on the board to see if it offers any clues might be a wise move. The 78 Beyer is sure to keep the price depressed more than I’d probably like.

7. Motown Mischief - beat open company in her debut at Presque Isle on May 31. I’m shocked that the Beyer (38) is that low considering that 52.2 for 4.5 furlongs seems to be a pretty solid raw figure. I dont believe that she beat a stellar group but the fig seems absurdly slow and for that I will perhaps use her underneath in vertical wagers as she will not attract any attention from the ham and egg’ers (seasonal wagering public which is a factor at Saratoga). Hamm isn’t a flashy name but is a solid enough trainer that does pretty well with 2 year olds (Dayoutoftheoffice).

8. Muscimansandy - daughter of first crop sire Accelerate paid early dividends for Team Rudy, scoring at Delaware against what seems to be a light group. $175k OBS April purchase was well meant with NY jock Gomez traveling to take the reins that day. Didn’t run particularly fast and will have to improve a lot to get involved here.

9. Summer Promise - well bred (and expensive 500k) Uncle Mo filly ran them off their feet in Churchill MSW debut 19 days ago, bolting to the lead from the rail to draw away from the field once asked mid-stretch. Galloped out strong and was 10 clear by the 7f pole which is an eighth past the wire. Bounced out of that with a bullet 46.0 on July 3 (best of 97) at Churchill prior to shipping. Draws outside in a race packed with speed and switches to Saez which is a plus. She is a half sister to Vexatious, Creative Cause and Destin so on pedigree the extra furlong should help. The one to beat but at something close to the morning line of 3-1, it would be fun to see Lukas knock down another Schuylerville, a race he first won in 1986 with Sacahuista.

OLD School Video of the week