Friday Blues ☔️
Real Writing on Racing 💯
Started off the day overcast and the rains did come about 15 minutes prior to the 5th yet they were mostly intermittent showers and no real downpours though the temps were cool for a summers day. They did come again as your truly was soaked coming out of an outstanding dinner at Trattoria Fortunata (highly recommended) around 8:30 pm as thunderstorms lingered for a few hours. The chalk was strong early and Bill Mott was having himself a day…at least until the Glens Falls was run…
⛈️ The non-stakes races on Fridays card are off the turf
🧵The first was NY bred 2yo’s going 8.5 furlongs on the inner turf and the money showed for the Ellis Park shipper, B D Saints who was shedding blinkers, going off the 6-5 chalk. Sort of ignored on the tote board was Mott firster Get Spooled who was a $230,000 yearling purchase and showed a long series of works though nothing particularly fast but did have one spin across the lawn. Frozen Four and Dancing Mischief both got steady money in the win pools going off co-second choices at 4-1. Get Spooled wasn’t away fast but Jose Lezcano aggressively sent him to the lead which was a wise decision as not only did he dictate terms but avoided a lot of the traffic issues that occurred behind him. B D Saints did not avoid issues, to the contrary had so many issues that the official equibase chart comment for him was “Horrific Journey” which isn’t something that you see often. Dancing Mischief made a bid mid-stretch but Lezcano had saved just enough by setting slower than par fractions and held safe to the wire, paying a generous $14.80 mutuel.
🧢 Race 5 was a NY bred Nw1x allowance going 1 mile on the grass. Let’s Go Big Blue, owned by former Giants coach Bill Parcells was bet down to 2-1 after a troubled trip third downstate at Belmont in his last with Timbuktu and morning line fav One Headlight also seeing significant tote action. Let’s Go Blue broke alertly and jockey Lezcano let him run into the first turn, preventing Gem Mint Ten and Dylan Davis who sent hard from the gate, from clearing to the lead. That pair raced as a team around the first turn, down the backside, through the final turn, drawing away from the rest down the lane, Let’s Go Blue finally getting the best of Gem Mint Ten the last 75 yards to register the 3/4 length win. The 3yo colt by Cairo Prince is trained by George Weaver and gave Lezcano win number two on the day. Neither Timbuktu nor One Headline threatened.
🌟The sixth was a restricted MSW for 2yo fillies that were purchased or RNA’ed for $50,000 or less going 5.5f on the grass. The elder Casse had a entry that was favored when Kentucky shipper Mo Twilight drew in off of the also eligible list, coupled with Khozy Colby who had already run second in this class on the dirt earlier in the meet. They were all chasing Leslie’s Loot right from the start as that second time starter blazed the way on the front end, hitting the quarter in 21.27 and the half in 44.39. She turned into the stretch with what seemed like a insurmountable lead but suddenly on the far outside of the course a chestnut streak with four white legs ran right by Leslie’s Loot, like she had jumped into the race at the quarter pole. In an instant Gala Brand, a filly by Violence making her debut for Bill Mott, ridden on a pickup mount by Jose Lezcano after Flavian Prat had defected to Mo Twilight, stunned the crowd of 26,978 with a powerful turn of foot to win going away. She had left the gate from the inside position in a sluggish manner and wound up being shuffled back to last in the field of 10, Lezcano content to save ground on the turn, awaiting a sliver of room to launch a late bid. That room never materialized till he drifted off the rail mid-stretch and finally found a seam to shoot through though at that late point it seemed impossible to achieve more than a minor placing. Gala Brand had other ideas though and just launched into overdrive inhaling Leslie’s Loot and winning going away. It was two year old maiden debut win number two on the day for the team of Bill Mott and Lezcano (who both won another just not with each other). Hidden Class was along in time to run second after a slow start with Leslie’s Loot hanging on to third.
💸 The 8th was a NW2x allowance for older horses going a mile on dirt out of the Wilson chute and all eyes were on Pipeline, a Brown trainee making his 2023 debut after having finished unplaced in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile in his last. The Spightstown colt dueled for the lead along the inside with Midwest shipper Ruggs, held a narrow lead turning for home but soon after capitulated and went into steady fade mode, ultimately finishing last. California import and longest shot on the board, Bold Endeavor made his first start for David Jacobson a winning one, after a grinding, wide move lending credence that perhaps the inside of the main track wasn’t the place to be today.
🤬 In the pantheon of brutal trips endured by overwhelming favorites in turf marathons at Saratoga over the years…War Like Goddess now has the dubious distinction of having a pair of races on that inglorious list. Following last years Flower Bowl debacle, this years was not entirely unexpected but a different manner of hatchet job though perhaps the English Channel mare contributed more to her own demise yesterday. Under a ‘sure to be cognizant of last years Flower Bowl trip’ Joel Rosario, the mare was wound up on the rail in the short run to the first of three turns, fighting him while trying to run off behind a reasonable pace set by ridiculous longshot entry Elegant Taste. Going under the wire the first time, WLG was still keyed up, Rosario unable to settle her into a steady rhythm that she usually has gotten into after a half mile of her races. She never looked comfortable the entire backside run and even when she moved past the tiring Elegant Taste, Rosario was forced to tap on the breaks again with a little more than three furlongs to run when new leader Vergara and Virginia Joy (Ger) angled in on the turn. With 3/16ths of a mile left, War Like Goddess was finally turned loose but understandably didn’t have her usual devastating late kick though she determinedly ran down Vergara, the new filly on the scene, McKulick (GB) came and got her in the final yards to pull off the minor upset. Irad onboard the Frankel filly had a front row set to the shenanigans ahead of him as he had McKulick (GB) tucked away nicely right behind War Like Goddess but completely relaxed and she had all her energy reserves ready to fire when he angled her out for room in the stretch. It’s probably unfair to assign the blame of War Like Goddess’ defeat entirely on Rosario (unlike the Flower Bowl debacle which was 100% on him) but in the end jockeys get 10% to do a job and he simply couldn’t convince her to settle even a tad bit more which considering the narrow margin of defeat, likely cost her another graded win. Sadly Sopran Basilea (Ire) was injured galloping out post race and did not make it, a sobering reminder that running second isn’t the worst thing that can happen in a race.
🆓 Free DRF PP’s for Saratoga’s Hall of Fame (Gr II) Here
🐇 Clearly Going in Circles Digest readers don’t mind the age old strategy of using a pacemaker (aka Rabbit) to ensure at least a reasonable pace develops.
Saratoga Oaks (Gr III) $400,000 3yo f 1 3/16 turf
Solo Album - we are assuming that these races will be run on a soft course. This Curlin filly has improved dramatically recently in Canada over the Tapeta though it’s difficult to assess how that will transfer to this race. She should handle the distance but feels like you are just throwing darts with her.
Caroline Street - Euro shipper who was purchased out of the 2021 Fasig Tipton Saratoga auction is properly named for a Spa invasion though her form across the pond is a tad bit underwhelming. We have seen these types strike a decent prices and she has handled soft Irish ground so using her somewhere probably isn’t the worst of ideas.
Elusive Princess (Fr) - French import exists same Prix Diane (Gr I) at Chantilly as does Caroline Street though the Jean-Philippe Dubois trainee fared far better in that spot. Get’s Prat to keep the Gaelic theme intact, improving sort who should appreciate the soft ground
Xigera - 2023 form is good as she exits a stakes win at Ellis over less than firm ground though this is a definitive step up in class for capable trainer Phil Bauer.
Allamericanbeauty - Shug sends out an improving Into Mischief filly but she will have to run a career best to get close in here and her soft turf ability is unknown.
Honor D Lady - been competing on Tapeta since taking down a minor stake on the grass at GP. Was no match for Solo Album in her latest and seems a cut below these
Papilio - displayed devastating late kick earlier in the year but disappointed in the Edgewood (Gr II) before two troubled trip placings her last couple tries. She is a contender here with a clean trip though her off ground races in Ireland as a two year old weren’t nearly as good as her races on firmer grass.
American Sonja (GB) - the second Joe O’Brien entry, this Tasleet filly has good form against decent company in Europe though has handled soft ground well as Joel Rosario looks to make amends for yesterdays Glens Falls nightmare. Seems like she is live in this spot at what figures to be a square price.
Selenaia - she has toured the United States since making no impact in her debut last September over the Saratoga weeds. Her last race, a score in the Honeymoon (Gr III) at Santa Anita, was very good and adding Irad here puts her in the mix.
Aspen Grove (Ire) - scratching to run Saturday
Strikingly Spun - was wrangled back off a slow pace in Belmont Oaks (Gr I) despite coming into that off of a good effort when placed close to the lead. Has a tough assignment from post 10 but adds Saez and perhaps he can send her to the lead in this relatively paceless group?
Hall of Fame (Gr II) $500,000 3yo 1 mile inner turf
More Than Looks - was tremendous in a breakthrough performance in the Manila (Gr III) last month at Belmont running a 3.5 TG when rallying from the back of the pack to score. Obviously this is a two turn mile unlike the one turn version at Belmont and the potentially boggy conditions are an unknown but IMO the one to beat.
Bat Flip - not an easy spot to make your 2023 debut but after winning a stakes last Fall at Aqueduct has shown enough quality to deserve a shot. Figures to be on or near the lead though there seems like a few others with early foot that won’t let him steal it and the soft turf is a question too.
Appraise (Ire) - showed some promise as a two year old before a long layoff from last September till his reemergence beating older in an allowance at Belmont last month. On TG he didn’t run any faster as a summer 3yo than he did as a 2yo which isn’t great though he may improve with the race under the belt and first try around two turns. Sneaky price play for a barn that is usually well bet.
Ocean Vision (Ire) - interesting Euro from unfamiliar connections has good form against a cut below the best in France but may fit in nicely with this crowd. Jock Murphy, who when he isn’t getting himself in trouble (off the track) is among the worlds best though the Spa crowd may not be hip to that status. The price will be right and it’s hard to discount him here
Mischievous Angel - rough spot for race number two for this gelding by Into Mischief. Made good impression winning nicely first time out sprinting on the Belmont grass but adds an extra turn, seasoned stakes horses and soft ground which is a big ask. Listed at 10-1 morning line, but w/o Irad and Brown as the human connections would probably be closer to 20-1.
General Jim - switches back to turf after success on the dirt when winning the Swale and Pat Day Mile (Gr II). His 2yo turf form was good and like everyone else we are guessing about his ability to handle soft ground but he is talented enough to win this, it’s just difficult to be super confident.
Nagirroc - he literally always runs his race, never having been worst than third in eight starts lifetime. May have gotten ridden a bit too aggressively in the Manila (Gr III) but figures to be close up again today under new rider Manny Franco as Prat sticks with Appraise (Ire).
Mysterious Night (Ire) - showed up for the Summer (Gr I) at Woodbine last fall and destroyed the field, cruising by them like a man among boys with main rider William Buick for Chuck Appleby and Godolphin. Has not raised a hoof in his two tries as a three year old as Appleby’s struggles on both sides of the pond have been puzzling. Last out in the Jersey Stakes (Gr III) at Ascot he ran as a first time gelding but his fortunes didn’t change, beaten almost a dozen when 12th. Chuck tries blinkers here and doesn’t send a rider which isn’t exactly a show of confidence though to be fair the one he likely would have shipped over is still in Albany Med after a scary fall Sunday.
Behind Enemy Lines (GB) - he is a good horse with a tough task from post 9.
Carl Spackler (Ire) - interesting that Gafflione rides this one as Brown regulars Prat and Irad seem to have opted elsewhere….then you realize that Tyler’s father in law owns this colt who has been working up a storm after a non-effort as the favorite in the American Turf (Gr II) on the Derby undercard. Bad post blues and no clue about the ground but he was one of the most touted three year olds on any surface this spring…
📽️ A reminder of what Hall of Fame turf horses are supposed to look like and that we once produced these types
I’m glad you saw that criminal ride by Jose Ortiz on Strikingly Spun last out. She never got to run!!! He looked like an amateur on her. Hopefully Saez can do a better job today.