Thursday Heat
Real Writing on Racing 💯
🎪 Once again I was unsuccessful handicapping the steeplechase stakes, the Jonathon Kiser Novice Stakes which went to Howyabud (Ire) for trainer Keri Brion and rider Barry Foley. The only novice seems to be me who if it wasn’t for Gunite, would be virtually shutout at the meet. The weather was nice Wednesday afternoon, warm but a light breeze made it bearable for us in the Fourstardave sports bar or whatever they call the area that used to be part of the Carousel. Today….well we will see but shorts will definitely be on the clothing menu as it’s supposed to get into the mid-90’s with a chance of a rain shower.
⚖️ Race 8 was a straight three year old $50000 claiming race going 7 furlongs on the main track. Dot’s Drive under Javier Castellano shot to the lead as expected and was hounded from the outset by Swift Tap and Ricardo Santana. The two colts duked it out through fast fractions (22.85 / 45.80) with Dot’s Dollar grimly holding off his rival despite visibly tiring and drifting out into Swift Tap throughout the last 1/8 of a mile. Right before the wire, Dot’s Dollar slammed into Swift Tap one last time, this contact being by far the worst of the several times that he drifted out. A stewards inquiry and jockeys objection were quickly posted on the board almost as soon at Dot’s Dollar’s number appeared as the first across the line. After a 5 minute delay, the stewards decided to ignore the herding and let the result stand. When you hear people complain about rough riding and herding, remember that as long as this kind of riding isn’t being punished by the people in charge of policing the activity on the track, the riders aren’t the only ones to blame for it. Safety is always tossed out as an golden word whenever anything remotely controversial comes up but I guess horses crashing into each other doesn’t qualify but an extra 2mm’s on a toe grab or one extra strike of a nerf whip or magnawave usage does. 🤷🏼♂️
🪡 No one threads the needle on the turf like Joel Rosario does. Latest example was in Wednesdays race 9 on board Poca Mucha, when he saved ground on the final turn then let the Tourist filly drift into position without interfering with her momentum straightening out at the top of the stretch. Once she was in the clear Rosario produced her to methodically run down the chalky Brownie pair right before the finishline. The exacta in race 9 was BURIED as it only paid $13.60 with the winner paying $9.00.
🎪 Trainer James Bond’s strong meet continues as Glittering Prize, a three year old New York bred filly by Giant Surprise, finally broke through after a couple good attempts this spring, to post a hard fought 3/4 length maiden victory. Laughter trained by local Roy Lerman was a close second. Bond now has 4 wins in 13 starts for the 2022 season.
🎪 Trainer Dave Donk is also having a nice Saratoga meet as he recorded his fourth win of the season when Lady Jasmine scored a hard fought victory in her racing debut in race 6. The NY bred filly by Cairo Prince, ridden by hall of famer John Velazquez, was always prominent in the NYB maiden filly event contested over the inner turf course at 8.5 furlongs.
🎪 Tiergan, a six year old NY bred gelding by Afeet Alex, crushed a field of state bred allowance/optional claiming foes going 1 mile out of the Wilson Chute, cruising to a 10 length win under leading rider Irad Ortiz. Claimed last out for $45000 from the same condition by fledgling trainer Michelle Giangiulio, the grey gelding is owned by a group led by Marshall Gramm’s Ten Strike Racing. Giangiulio, who launched her career last year, improved her lifetime Saratoga record to two wins in seven starts with five on the board placings. Tiergan, who is now 2 for 2 at the Spa, was haltered out of the race by William Morey.
💵 The claim box remained active with 12 horses changing hands via claims on Wednesday
🟤 I wouldn’t call the main track speed favoring yet but horses didn’t make up much ground in the stretch on yesterdays card. Tread lightly if you come up with deep closers on the dirt.
💸 The Breeders Cup is launching a BC Classic future book wager with this weekend August 5-7th, being the first pool. Wagering will open on Friday, Aug. 5 at 12 p.m. ET. and conclude at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 7. The second Future Wager will be offered over Labor Day weekend with the pool opening on Friday, Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. ET and ending at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 5. Both future pools will consist of 23 unique wagering interests and one “All Others” wager for a total of 24 betting interests. “All Others” includes all Thoroughbreds other than the pool’s individual horses. The bet will be offered by most racetracks and ADW outlets. We will offer some advice on potential wagers in tomorrows daily blog.
Day 16 (24 Racing Days to go)
Alydar ®️listed stakes $135,000 9f dirt 4 and up
Mystic Night - Lightly raced Into Mischief 5 yo gelding was in career form this spring when winning through his conditions at Aqueduct and Keeneland. Freshened since April, reappears off a steady series of works for the Brown crew. Beaten favorite last September in Spa allowance race in his only local appearance, might be at a bit of a disadvantage pace-wise as he doesn’t have much tactical speed in a race where the two main contenders do.
Bal Harbour - Transferred back to Team Todd after a yearlong stint in the Sacco barn, the 7 year old makes his 2022 debut in here. Was second in the Woodward over this surface back in 2019 but that was an in-form 4 yo coming off of a sharp effort in the Monmouth Cup, not a 7 year old coming off of a 228 day layoff. Eligible to improve à la Mind Control though seems to be a tougher task in this group which much more resembles a grade II than a Listed stakes.
Chess Chief - form tailed off considerably since winning the Tenacious at the Fair Grounds in December on a track that played to his favor. Wide trip to nowhere in his latest, an allowance at CD. Hasn’t hit the board in 2 Spa starts. For Stewart or Reylu fans only.
King Fury - one run closer on a track whose profile has not been favorable to those types. Has only run one race fast enough to beat these (last Septembers Bourbon Trail at CD) and it is hard to see a scenario outside of a nuclear ☢️ pace meltdown that could get him in the winners enclosure.
Art Collector - The defending Alydar champ, the Mott trainee makes his first start since a non-effort in the Saudi Cup back in February. The fields most accomplished runner having taken down the Bluegrass (Gr II) as a three year old and last year winning the Charlestown Classic (Gr II) and the Woodward (Gr I) in his career. Possesses early speed and would expect regular jockey Luis Saez to utilize that as the likeliest pacesetter especially if the main track resembles Wednesdays main track. Strictly the one to beat at a short price though one never knows exactly how sharp a horse returning from a middle eastern sojourn will be in their first start back.
Masqueparade - burst on the scene on the undercard of last years Derby with an emphatic allowance win before taking down the Ohio Derby (Gr III) and running a good third in the Jim Dandy (Gr II). The Al Stall trained son of Upstart didn’t show up in the Travers (Gr I) which turned out to be his last start of the year (RIP Miguel Mena). In 2022 has two solid runs in tough Churchill allowance races, narrowly winning in his latest after an extended stretch duel. Picks up Rosario (Stall/Rosario combo is 28% lifetime) who is riding lights out, has tactical speed and figures to keep Art Collector honest on the front end. As a 4 yo coming off of his top TG, showing steady progression, he is the most likely horse in this group to move up and run a lifetime top, which could very well land him in the winners circle at a decent price.
🎙 In case you missed this weeks Going in Circles Big Monday show, we talk extensively about the failure of racing to come up with a system where stewards aren’t constantly making wildly inconsistent and sometimes bizarre decisions. Check it out HERE
The 1978 Travers Stakes - Alydar vs Affirmed