A race fan's dream and a newspaper writer's nightmare... That's how I would describe today at Saratoga. There are four graded stakes races on tap, and each of them have drawn remarkably deep fields. Some of the highest-rated horses will be on display this afternoon on a hot, humid day at the Spa.
All of these top races, part of the inaugural Breeders' Cup Challenge, have created quite a logjam in terms of coverage. How do we give each of these races their due with the limited space, considering everything else happening in the world of sports? Look at today's paper, and it tells the story. As much as we had in today's paper, there was even more that could not fit in the print edition. Every paper scrambled to do whatever they could to get as much information out to the public as possible.
Still, this idea of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, and having so many stakes races on opening weekend, remains a good one in my mind. No doubt, there will be some tweaking in the future, but anyone who makes it to the track today or watches on ABC at 4 p.m. is surely in for a treat. And when all is said and done, be thankful you're not the ones trying to fit it all in tomorrow's paper.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
rutherienne wins lake george
Garrett Gomez won his first graded stakes race of the meet when Rutherienne slipped through on the hedge and ran by her rivals to win the Grade III Lake George. Gomez rode four winners Friday, including three in a row at one point, and has six wins in three days. Christophe Clement trains Rutherienne. The rain held off for today's card... what will Saturday morning bring?
something to consider
Saratoga residents, be ready to cheer on two of your own Saturday. Flashy Bull, one of the favorites in the Whitney Handicap, is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds. Niel and Carole Nielsen are partners in that syndicate, which means they could pick up a HUGE home-field victory if Flashy Bull does his thing. No doubt, if the 4-year-old wins, one of the many popular restaurants in town will get a lot of business Saturday night!!
Weather is becoming a hot issue this afternoon as Saturday's four graded stakes races and Sunday's Jim Dandy fast approach. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast all weekend, so things could get messy. Don't forget, Darley Stud owns Street Sense's breeding rights now, so it may be out of trainer Carl Nafzger's hands as to whether or not the Derby winner runs Sunday.
Weather is becoming a hot issue this afternoon as Saturday's four graded stakes races and Sunday's Jim Dandy fast approach. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast all weekend, so things could get messy. Don't forget, Darley Stud owns Street Sense's breeding rights now, so it may be out of trainer Carl Nafzger's hands as to whether or not the Derby winner runs Sunday.
rags to riches returned to belmont
According to a press release issued on behalf of trainer Todd Pletcher, Belmont Stakes-winning filly Rags to Riches has returned to Belmont Park following a physical at the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania, but the results of any tests are still undisclosed.
According to the release, the results will be reviewed by the doctor for owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who is flying in from Ireland. Pletcher said Dr. Paul Thorpe will look over the results Sunday and a final decision on the filly's immediate future will be made after that.
Additionally Friday, Street Sense was officially entered for Sunday's Jim Dandy and he was made the heavy 2-5 morning-line favorite. C.P. West, Sightseeing, Flashstorm, Tiz Wonderful and Cowtown Cat are also entered in the race.
According to the release, the results will be reviewed by the doctor for owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who is flying in from Ireland. Pletcher said Dr. Paul Thorpe will look over the results Sunday and a final decision on the filly's immediate future will be made after that.
Additionally Friday, Street Sense was officially entered for Sunday's Jim Dandy and he was made the heavy 2-5 morning-line favorite. C.P. West, Sightseeing, Flashstorm, Tiz Wonderful and Cowtown Cat are also entered in the race.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Whitney draw, bobbleheads aplenty
Lots going on this morning at Saratoga. Street Sense went out for a nice jog in preparation for the Jim Dandy on the main track and the word continues to be good about top filly Rags to Riches, although trainer Todd Pletcher was still waiting to hear final confirmation from the doctors at about 10 a.m.
The post positions for Saturday's Whitney were drawn and the morning-line odds were set Thursday morning at the At The Rail Pavilion. Magna Graduate, a Pletcher trainee, was made the morning-line favorite at odds of 7-2. Flashy Bull, winner of the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap last time out (beating, interestingly enough, Magna Graduate) was made the second choice at 4-1, followed by Papi Chullo (9-2) and Diamond Stripes (5-1). In all, 12 horses entered the Whitney and it is shaping up to be a spectacular race with no clear-cut favorite given the retirement of 2006 Whitney winner and Horse of the Year Invasor.
Today is bobblehead doll day at the track, and the honoree is Angel Cordero Jr. Cordero seemed happy enough to be immortalized as Pletcher, whom Cordero rides in the morning for, prepares for some payback. When Pletcher was a bobblehead, Cordero gathered up many dolls to give the trainer a hard time. Pletcher promised this morning to find a bunch of Cordero dolls and have them on display at the barn. Being his nickname is the "King of Saratoga," Cordero's doll should be a big draw (some were up for sale on e-Bay earlier this week).
The post positions for Saturday's Whitney were drawn and the morning-line odds were set Thursday morning at the At The Rail Pavilion. Magna Graduate, a Pletcher trainee, was made the morning-line favorite at odds of 7-2. Flashy Bull, winner of the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap last time out (beating, interestingly enough, Magna Graduate) was made the second choice at 4-1, followed by Papi Chullo (9-2) and Diamond Stripes (5-1). In all, 12 horses entered the Whitney and it is shaping up to be a spectacular race with no clear-cut favorite given the retirement of 2006 Whitney winner and Horse of the Year Invasor.
Today is bobblehead doll day at the track, and the honoree is Angel Cordero Jr. Cordero seemed happy enough to be immortalized as Pletcher, whom Cordero rides in the morning for, prepares for some payback. When Pletcher was a bobblehead, Cordero gathered up many dolls to give the trainer a hard time. Pletcher promised this morning to find a bunch of Cordero dolls and have them on display at the barn. Being his nickname is the "King of Saratoga," Cordero's doll should be a big draw (some were up for sale on e-Bay earlier this week).
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
schuylerville complete
Subtle Aly, ridden by Edgar Prado and trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., captured the first stakes race of the meet Wednesday, winning the Schuylerville Stakes by a nose over I Promise.
Prado won three races on the 10-race card to take the early lead in the rider standings.
30,052 people came out Wednesday for opening day, helping to set an on-track handle record of $3,825,564. Also, one person hit the Pick Six Wednesday and picked up a nice $57,228 for their efforts.
Massoud, who fell in the stretch while leading the first race, had to be euthanized, but her jockey, John Velazquez, avoided serious injury.
Tomorrow the juvenile boys take center stage in the Sanford Stakes.
Prado won three races on the 10-race card to take the early lead in the rider standings.
30,052 people came out Wednesday for opening day, helping to set an on-track handle record of $3,825,564. Also, one person hit the Pick Six Wednesday and picked up a nice $57,228 for their efforts.
Massoud, who fell in the stretch while leading the first race, had to be euthanized, but her jockey, John Velazquez, avoided serious injury.
Tomorrow the juvenile boys take center stage in the Sanford Stakes.
opening day
Well, opening day has gotten into full swing at Saratoga, and it's everything anyone could ask for: tight races, great weather and a solid crowd. The only problem (or near problem) was that John Velazquez narrowly avoided serious injury in the meet's very first race when he became unseated from his mount, Massoud. Velazquez hit the ground hard and may have gotten clipped by another horse, but he got up and it riding the rest of the day. He's a favorite to be the meet's leading rider, so that could have been a big blow.
As usual, this place is electric with people walking around and racing back on at the Spa. The weather is so good, it can only get worse (i.e. hotter, wetter) from here on. At least we know the racing will still be good.
As usual, this place is electric with people walking around and racing back on at the Spa. The weather is so good, it can only get worse (i.e. hotter, wetter) from here on. At least we know the racing will still be good.
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