Going in Circles Digest - Winter's here 🥶
Real Writing on Racing 💯
Is Jim Cantore at Oaklawn Park?
Well winter has clearly made it’s presence felt across the Midwest, interrupting not only racing schedules from Turfway Park to Delta Downs and all tracks in between, but the second postponement of an important KY Derby prep, the grade 3 $750000 Southwest Stakes (10 points) has ripple effects that might be felt all the way to Southern California. Moving that race, which is supposed to serve as a seasons debut for last years champion two year old colt, Essential Quality as well as the highly rated Jackie’s Warrior and Keepmeinmind, creates a situation where the 50 point Rebel which is the next points prep at Oaklawn, is only two weeks away. When you factor in the fact that the Southwest is only a 10 point race (ridiculous to be frank) the runners are still likely to need another on the board finish in a higher points race to ensure that they will get in the field for the Derby. 41 points has been the lowest total that has gotten in the past few years so Jackie’s Warrior and Keepmeinmind would still be a long way from that number even if they win the race. Essential Quality has 30 points earned and will be very close if he wins though he will only get one more prep in because of the delay. What that means for the Rebel field is still up in the air as it’s not likely that any of the big names wheel back in two weeks under the modern day protocols and potential criticism if things then go awry.
Amazingly only one horse as of today (2/17/2021) seems like they already have accumulated enough points to be assured of a spot in the starting gate on May 1st. That horse is Mandaloun who captured the Risen Star last weekend at Fairgrounds after finishing third in the LeComte stakes also at FG back in January. The Into Mischief colt trained by Brad Cox for the late Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farm, was adding blinkers and they seemed to do the trick as jockey Florent Geroux stalked the pace while three wide and powered home to turn the tables on Proxy and Midnight Bourbon who were 2nd and 1st in the LeComte. Mandaloun now has 52 points and Cox and company should feel pretty secure when plotting out his next move.
This weekend is devoid of Derby preps (the Going in Circles editorial staff has decided not to waste its energies on the foreign preps) and the most important action will be taking place in the Middle East as Knicks Go takes on Charlatan with Tacitus likely to finish third (kidding 😂) in the Saudi Cup which is worth $20 million if the winning trainer manages to not get arrested by the FBI prior to getting paid (not kidding 👮🏽♂️). Max Player and Sleepy Eyes Todd are the other US entires of note in the Saudi Cup. The reining North American older turf male champion, Channel Maker makes his seasons debut in the $1000000 NEOM Cup going 2100 meters (a little more than 1 1/4) on the grass against a pretty thin group of mostly 2nd tier euros.
Going in Circles podcast link
Special Edition of Going in Circles podcast
Video of the Week
Smarty Jones holding on to win the 2004 Southwest on his way to winning that years Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Joe V and Racing’s best restaurants
Joe Villante from BRL Equine is a noted racing foodie, as his constant travel to various racetracks throughout the country have enabled him to unearth many great spots that racing fans should check out. We will have Joe’s selections featured every few weeks as his lineup of top spots that exist in racing towns is already extensive. We would love to hear from you about your top spots and feedback about any of the restaurants that we feature here! Send to Goingincirclespodcast@gmail.com, we look forward to hearing from you.
Today’s restaurant is currently Joe’s favorite spot of all the restaurants he frequents, Solevo Kitchen and Social located in the racing crazy city of Saratoga Springs, NY.
Solevo is an old school Italian restaurant located on Phil’s Street in downtown Saratoga which opened in 2018 by sister and brother team, Giovannina and Ronald Solevo.
“This is a great spot, my current favorite spot of all the restaurants that I go to including some great Italian places in NYC and Philly. Everything is made from scratch right down to the whipped cream in the desserts. I love the Polpo appetizer, grilled octopus with ceci beans, olives, celery with a light green salsa. I swear I have ordered it every single time I have been there. All the pasta is homemade and while I’m not a big lasagne guy, theirs is outstanding, literally the only place I would even consider getting it. They had a special last time I was there with pasta and salmon and a cream sauce that was amazing though it’s not part of the regular menu. The chicken dishes are great as is the thin-sliced veal scallopini. I think I have probably ordered almost every entree on the menu and haven’t had one yet that wasn’t excellent. They have a nice dessert menu and I loved their carrot cake and that’s another dish that I rarely try elsewhere. I’m not a big drinker though the wine and drink list is solid. The service is super, the atmosphere is great and the prices are very much in line for a top restaurant in the Saratoga area. It’s my number one selection, promise if you like Italian food, you will be happy you tried Solevo!”
-Joe Villante
Solevo Kitchen and Social
