Rags to Riches will not run in this weekend's Alabama Stakes, trainer Todd Petcher confirmed Sunday afternoon.
The filly had her training interrupted after spiking a fever prior to the Coaching Club American Oaks. While she arrived in Saratoga late last month and breezed twice (including this morning), Pletcher said there just wasn't enough time to get her race-ready. INstead, he wil hold her out until the Ruffian Handicap at Belmont next month.
A true disappointment for racing fans here who would have flocked to Saratoga to see the star filly, but it's not a decision that comes as a huge surprise given the time she missed in July before being shipped here. Pletcher fans will still have a horse to root for, though, as Octave is a definite starter.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Tishmeister wins
Tishmeister won Thursday's feature race, the New York Stallion Series "Statue of Liberty" Division with jockey Javier Castellano aboard. Don't Mind Me was second and Western Sweep was third.
In other news at Saratoga, Flashy Bull was retired by West Point Thoroughbreds and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Flashy Bull won the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap earlier this year, but was disappointing in the Grade I Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. Perhaps the leg fracture just found was the reason why.
Also, the Travers Stakes is looking less and less interesting every day. Any Given Saturday is likely out, which means Todd Pletcher will not have a horse in the race. Curlin is a real longshot and Hard Spun is going to run in the King's Bishop, a sprint on the Travers undercard. Sounds like Saratoga's premier race is going to anything but.....
In other news at Saratoga, Flashy Bull was retired by West Point Thoroughbreds and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Flashy Bull won the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap earlier this year, but was disappointing in the Grade I Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. Perhaps the leg fracture just found was the reason why.
Also, the Travers Stakes is looking less and less interesting every day. Any Given Saturday is likely out, which means Todd Pletcher will not have a horse in the race. Curlin is a real longshot and Hard Spun is going to run in the King's Bishop, a sprint on the Travers undercard. Sounds like Saratoga's premier race is going to anything but.....
Monday, August 6, 2007
It's Nobiz Like Shobiz
Nobiz Like Shobiz now has a Grade I win on the turf and the dirt. Trained by Barclay Tagg, the son of Albert the Great roard down the stretch at Saratoga to win the Grade II National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes. Run at 1 1/8 miles over a firm inner turf course, Nobiz Like Shobiz beat Marcavelly and Distorted Reality under the wire for his first win since taking the Grade I Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April.
Tagg said he is unsure where the horse will run next, as his versatility gives his connections a lot of options. It is obvious, though, that he has enjoyed the switch to turf thus far.
Tagg said he is unsure where the horse will run next, as his versatility gives his connections a lot of options. It is obvious, though, that he has enjoyed the switch to turf thus far.
Eight new Hall of Famers
As always, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion across the street from the track was a memorable event. Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino gave a great keynote address and the inductees told some unique and touching stories.
Jose Santos received the biggest ovation for his accomplished career (including Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes wins aboard New York-bred Funny Cide), and thanked every trainer he rode for and every agent who worked for him. John Veitch, a former trainer and now the state steward for Kentucky, spoke pointedly about doing the right thing for horses and Abigail Fuller-Catalano held off tears just long enough to thank the Hall of Fame for accepting her father's filly, Mom's Command, into its record books.
A great part of every induction ceremony is the list of past inductees who attend the event. A large group of trainers and jockeys (including Affirmed's Steve Cauthen and Secretariat's Ron Turcotte) were in attendance and were honored before the inductions began.
The crowd was fair - I thought perhaps this lineup would have pushed the pavilion to its limit - and the receptions for each inductee were heartfelt. In addition, the Hall of Fame deserves credit for fitting a keynote speech and eight inductions into a two-hour window, giving everyone more than enough time to get back to the track for the first race of the day.
Jose Santos received the biggest ovation for his accomplished career (including Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes wins aboard New York-bred Funny Cide), and thanked every trainer he rode for and every agent who worked for him. John Veitch, a former trainer and now the state steward for Kentucky, spoke pointedly about doing the right thing for horses and Abigail Fuller-Catalano held off tears just long enough to thank the Hall of Fame for accepting her father's filly, Mom's Command, into its record books.
A great part of every induction ceremony is the list of past inductees who attend the event. A large group of trainers and jockeys (including Affirmed's Steve Cauthen and Secretariat's Ron Turcotte) were in attendance and were honored before the inductions began.
The crowd was fair - I thought perhaps this lineup would have pushed the pavilion to its limit - and the receptions for each inductee were heartfelt. In addition, the Hall of Fame deserves credit for fitting a keynote speech and eight inductions into a two-hour window, giving everyone more than enough time to get back to the track for the first race of the day.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Rags to Riches steals the AM
The track at Saratoga always has a unique buzz in the mornings. Today was particularly special, though, as Belmont Stakes-winning filly Rags to Riches breezed under Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero Jr.
Rags to Riches went half a mile easily in :49 4/5 ad gallloped out nicely as trainer Todd Pletcher looked on trackside. A big crowd awaited the filly as she crossed Union Avenue and entered the main track, and most of the crowd of writers and photographers followed her back to Pletcher's barn, where the trainer expressed his happiness with the work. It was the filly's first serious workout since she was pulled up at Belmont Park during a work and then sent for a myriad of tests.
Pletcher said the filly's next work will determine if she goes in the Aug. 18 Alabama, but she looked great today. Cordero said she went smoothly without any problems and enjoyed all the attention she received. He also said he was nervous as he climbed aboard the popular filly for the first time - and he is a Hall of Fame jockey.
Rags to Riches went half a mile easily in :49 4/5 ad gallloped out nicely as trainer Todd Pletcher looked on trackside. A big crowd awaited the filly as she crossed Union Avenue and entered the main track, and most of the crowd of writers and photographers followed her back to Pletcher's barn, where the trainer expressed his happiness with the work. It was the filly's first serious workout since she was pulled up at Belmont Park during a work and then sent for a myriad of tests.
Pletcher said the filly's next work will determine if she goes in the Aug. 18 Alabama, but she looked great today. Cordero said she went smoothly without any problems and enjoyed all the attention she received. He also said he was nervous as he climbed aboard the popular filly for the first time - and he is a Hall of Fame jockey.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
second Saturday
It's a perfect afternoon at Saratoga. The sun is out, the temperature and humidity are both down and the wind is blowing comfortably. The Test Stakes goes off in less than two hours, and Dream Rush and Cotton Blossom figure to be the top money-getters.
Already today, Derby entrant Teuflesberg has run over the turf - for the first time. Last year's suprise Sanford Stakes runner-up fared well over the turf, pressing the pace and holding on well for second. Trainer Jamie Sanders said she had to let the horse run, even though her initial plan was to wait for the King's Bishop. Regardless, the 3-year-old colt figures to get hsi 20th career start in the meet's top spring race, part of the Travers Day undercard. Teuflesberg hasn't won a whole lot of races in his career but he seems to put in a solid effort more often that not. Nearly winning a Grade II juvenile race at Saratoga as a maiden is quite a feat, and it looks like he still enjoys Saratoga - no matter the surface.
Already today, Derby entrant Teuflesberg has run over the turf - for the first time. Last year's suprise Sanford Stakes runner-up fared well over the turf, pressing the pace and holding on well for second. Trainer Jamie Sanders said she had to let the horse run, even though her initial plan was to wait for the King's Bishop. Regardless, the 3-year-old colt figures to get hsi 20th career start in the meet's top spring race, part of the Travers Day undercard. Teuflesberg hasn't won a whole lot of races in his career but he seems to put in a solid effort more often that not. Nearly winning a Grade II juvenile race at Saratoga as a maiden is quite a feat, and it looks like he still enjoys Saratoga - no matter the surface.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
hot Thursday
Steamy and sunny here at Saratoga today. This morning among the barns was particularly hot, but there was a slight breeze that made it possible to stay upright and not pass out.
Rags to Riches galloped at Saratoga for the first time Wednesday and again Thursday. Trainer Todd Pletcher said she seems to like Saratoga very much (who wouldn't, if you're getting the royal treatment everywhere you go?). She is set to breeze early next week, which will be an indication of how ready she is for the Alabama.
Wednesday and Thursday are typically slow days, but Friday has the Grade II Honorable Miss on the card and the Grade I Test Stakes will be run Saturday. The sprint for fillies should be an entertaining race, with some pretty quality horses facing off. Hope it cools down a little bit.
Rags to Riches galloped at Saratoga for the first time Wednesday and again Thursday. Trainer Todd Pletcher said she seems to like Saratoga very much (who wouldn't, if you're getting the royal treatment everywhere you go?). She is set to breeze early next week, which will be an indication of how ready she is for the Alabama.
Wednesday and Thursday are typically slow days, but Friday has the Grade II Honorable Miss on the card and the Grade I Test Stakes will be run Saturday. The sprint for fillies should be an entertaining race, with some pretty quality horses facing off. Hope it cools down a little bit.
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