🏆 When Dowagiac Chief scratched, the general consensus was that Chanceux might be lone speed (the GIC daily blog wagering account still didn’t like him) in the Hall of Fame (Gr II) stakes. Jockey Joel Rosario had different plans for the pace scenario, however. Sending hard away from the starting gate, Rosario seized the early lead on Ready To Purrform, and the Kittens Joy colt did the rest, cruising to a 1 1/4 length victory that never seemed to be in doubt. Wit, making his first start on turf and around two turns, rallied stoutly down the stretch to be a fast closing second after encountering traffic trouble early in the race. Tiz the Bomb, who was sent off the 5/2 favorite, chased the winner early and had no late kick.
🤨 One advantage that players in some other major jurisdictions (namely Hong Kong) have over their US counterparts is the presence of a form steward who has the authority to demand answers for reversals in form and running styles (yes I’m simplifying this a touch) and has to be made aware (before the race) of major changes in tactics. Going into today’s Troy Stakes (Gr III) huge favorite Golden Pal had never been headed in six domestic turf starts, breaking on top and rolling on the lead. He crushed the Breeder Cup Turf Sprint last fall at Del Mar that way and his return race at Keeneland in the Shakertown (Gr II) was more of the same. He was six for six on US grass sprints and ran negative figures (TG -1.5) which is practically unheard of in shorter turf sprints, especially for horses racing on the lead that lose very little ground. Then he headed back overseas where he was has been far from invulnerable. In the Kings Stand Stakes (Gr I) at Royal Ascot, a bizarre scene unfolded when he was literally left at the starting post as rider Irad Ortiz, unfamiliar with European gate protocols, was actually turned around when the starter sprung the gate open. Golden Pal was at least 5 lengths slow from there in a straightaway 5 furlong race against the best of International competition. He rushed up, actually getting even with the leaders, but was in full retreat after 3 furlongs. Retuning to the US today, he didn’t break all that alertly despite his rider paying attention, which was the first time he did not beat the field to the lead in a few jumps in a US race. Ortiz handled him tepidly in the early stages, eventually working his way to sit in a close stalking position while three wide on the turn, chasing 8 year old True Valour (Ire), who last win in a graded stakes came in 2019, when he was a closer in two turn races. Golden Pal never looked particularly comfortable and as Ortiz was trying to get closer to the leader, he leaned in and had to be corrected, allowing True Valour (Ire) to maintain his lead as he got closer to the wire. Ortiz slapped him on the shoulder a few times and seemed to be working hard to keep him straight while at the same still trying to run down his rival. He finally got the measure of the eight year old right before the wire and perhaps he won’t admit it but guarantee Ortiz was surprised when he glanced over his right shoulder to see unheralded 30-1 bomb, Thin White Duke, beaten in an entry level allowance at the current meet, bearing down on them. The wire came and he lasted, extending his domestic turf sprint undefeated streak, and perhaps the connections won’t admit it in public, but they were fortunate that this group came up underwhelming. Ward and Ortiz both stated in their post race comments that they intended all along to experiment with taking the confirmed front runner off the pace which was news to most. Ward also mentioned a dirt start is forthcoming at Keeneland in the Phoenix (Gr II) which is another unexpected twist, but for bettors at least we know that one is coming. All the people holding tickets on a 1/5 shot that, unbeknownst to them when they placed that wager, is experimenting with a new running style…well let’s just say Golden Pal getting to the wire first saved racing in general from having egg on it’s collective faces once again.
🎪 Marshall Gramm’s Ten Strike racing added to its already excellent Saratoga meet when Well Spent slipped up the rail, scraping paint in the stretch before drawing clear in the lid-lifter, under a resurgent JJ Castellano. Bentley Combs trains the 5yo bay mare by Hampton Court (Aus), her third win in five tries in 2022.
🎪 We finally have a disqualification! In the days second, first to the wire Laugh and Play came out and bumped the runner-up Quaria Thunder in deep stretch, throwing her off stride for a jump and only beating her by a short head. Was it the worst foul of the last week? Nope, not even close but it was a foul that easily could be argued cost the runner-up the nod.
🥇 Congrats to Julian Leparoux on being named the winner of the Mike Venezia award for extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. Mr Leparoux did NOT participate in the destruction of the horseman in the hoops game Thursday night, so he still was eligible for this award. Manny “Steve Nash” Franco is not!
📽 Jeff from www.chartinghorsevalues.com breaks down the Whitney HERE
📊 Breeders Cup Classic Futures preview link in tomorrow’s daily blog.
Day 18 (22 Racing days to go)
Glens Falls Gr II $250,000 12f Inner Turf F/M
Temple City Thunder - consistent six year old mare uncharacteristically ran terrible last out over a soft course at Delaware with front bandages added. Was third in this same race last year but had better form coming in.
Virginia Joy (Ger) - part of the B team division of the Chad Brown turf filly armada, she has been sharper this year than last with wins in the The Very One (Gr III) and Sheepshead Bay (Gr II) before running 4th (again) in the NY Stakes (Gr I) behind Bleecker Street. She isn’t as good as War Like Goddess but the most likely winner if the huge favorite stubs her toe.
Petricor - lightly raced 4 year old Juddmonte homebred filly by Frankel, found trouble going shorter in both US stakes tries. Stretches out to 12 furlongs which gives her a chance to improve. Potential for on board finish exists.
Flanigan’s Cove - Kitten’s Joy filly steps up into graded stakes company off of a series of decent allowance placings. Needs to do more to be a factor here.
Key Biscayne - would have a better chance in a stakes at the track located a lot closer to the actual Key Biscayne.
War Like Goddess - obviously the mare to beat in here though she has had a few hiccups this season with a tying up incident and some races not filling. That said she is just quite a bit better than everyone else that faces her in here.
Treasure Tails - if this were Wheel of Fortune you’d add an R and you get Treasure Trails which is the likely outcome for her.
The Test Grade I $500,000 7 furlongs 3yo fillies
Matareya - looms as the overwhelming favorite from post one which might be the only negative (minor one at that) in a softish edition of the Test. With Elm Drive, Hot Peppers and November Rein setting the table for her, Prat should be able to pounce on the pacesetters turning for home and there just does not appear to be anyone that will be able to out kick her from there.
Sterling Silver - no real excuse when chasing dueling leaders in last in the Victory Ride (Gr III) at Belmont. Might benefit from swift pace but minor awards seem like her ceiling.
Elm Drive - California speed ain’t what it used to be but this filly is plenty quick but drawn inside the other speed which may force Manny Franco’s hand. She has had some issues leaving the gate so that could potentially be an issue, though she is probably the most likely to survive the early pace scramble and still hang on for a share.
Wish You Well -was highly touted first time out on Florida Derby undercard when she gamely broke her maiden but bombed next out in a Churchill allowance KY derby weekend after a slow start. Always rooting for good guy George Weaver but she is gonna have to be way better than she has been, to be a factor today.
November Rein - Homebred NY bred Street Boss filly has been pretty successful thus far in her career for Mr Amore stable and trainer Breen. Just beat allowance foes in downstate open NW1x after distant third in NYB stakes company in season debut. Loses Rosario but Irad climbs aboard, she is 2 for 2 at Saratoga but likely to be involved in the early pace battle as well.
Hot Peppers - might be the speed of the speed in here, coming off two stakes wins in a row in Victory Ride (Gr III) and the Jersey Girl before that. Hasn’t yet navigated the 7 furlong trip and Rudy is ice cold so far at the Spa. Fading in here.
Chi Town Lady - tough to gauge this Ward trainee as she is a stakes winner over the Saratoga grass but hasn’t raced on turf since last fall. Doesn’t have much early speed and with Rosario named up your can expect her to try to be making up ground late. She just hasn’t run fast at all and needs a big time move up to even get close.
Whitney Grade I $1,000,000 9 furlongs 4 and up
Americanrevolution - his name makes NYTB Executive Director Naj Thompson smile as the New York bred has shown he belongs in spots like this, racing against the elite runners of the sport. Clearly second best when matched up against the streaking Olympiad in the Steven Foster (Gr II) in latest, he is one for one over this surface beating up on NYB foes in last years Albany stakes. Needs a duel between the favorites and/or Hot Rod Charlie to have legit chance of upsetting this crew but he has proved that he does indeed belong.
Hot Rod Charlie - always shows up, never really runs a bad race. Seemed to hang in his last race in the Salvatore Mile(Gr III) at Monmouth when he had gotten almost a full length ahead of early pacesetter and tenacious competitor, Mind Control, in deep stretch before that one re-rallied and nailed him at the wire. O’Neill adds blinkers today in an effort to get him to follow through and seal the deal, but one wonders if he won’t just wind up chasing Life is Good around the track to no avail. He wasn’t fast enough to keep up with Knicks Go, who wasn’t fast enough to keep up with Life is Good. Props to the connections for showing up on the East coast instead of racing at home in last weeks San Diego (Gr II).
Zoomer - good claim by Casse but he is no Oscar Barrera and Zoomer ain’t no Shifty Shiek. (Stupid trivia - who rode Shifty Shiek in his final race? Answer below)
Olympiad - reeled off five consecutive victories, four in graded stakes since tough trip Cigar Mile (Gr I) try last fall at Aqueduct. Speed figs have been in steady incline as well but he gets tested against the top of the division in here. Will he expend too much energy just trying to keep up with Life is Good causing him to not have that same stretch kick?
Happy Saver - part two of Team Todd, consistent colt always runs his race regardless of one turn or two, anywhere from 1 mile to 1 1/4. Problem he faces here is that his best isn’t good enough against this group. Minor spoils seem to be the ceiling for this guy.
Life is Good - Rebounded off of disappointing effort in Dubai by crushing Speakers Corner in the John A Nerud (Gr II) going 7 furlongs for Pletcher. Jockey Irad Ortiz is likely to employ similar tactics to when he outran the field including last years horse of the year, Knicks Go, to go wire to wire in this years Pegasus at Gulfstream. The big question mark is does anyone else dare try to challenge him early and will they have anything left at the end if they do? Formidable
Saratoga Derby Inv. Gr I $1,000,000 1 3/16 turf 3yo
Main Event - improving, needs to step up again
Grand Sonata - decent effort in Belmont Derby (Gr I), long-shot chance
Emmanuel - controlling speed? Can he get trip? Needs to improve
Nations Pride - Huge run in Belmont Derby. Buick shows to get the 💵
Stolen Base - scratched
Annapolis - can he get added distance? I’m going to fade at short price
Royal Patronage (Fr) - other early speed types compromise his chances
Sy Dog - can’t lose ground on turns but using underneath at long price.
Classic Causeway - figures to get company on the lead, fade
Stone Age - impossible trip in Belmont Derby, big player w/Johnny V.
Ethereal Road - if races comes off the grass (🫥) I like him
❓*Trivia question answer - Wesley Ward was Shifty Sheik’s last rider
1973 Whitney Stakes - Onion beats Secretariat