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.

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.

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.

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 on her way to Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Rags to Riches is on her way north,
The popular filly, winner of the Belmont Stakes last month, came through a multitude of tests and physicals without any problem, and trainer Todd Pletcher said late Monday morning she should arrive in Saratoga sometime tomorrow.
The filly’s future has been in question for some time, since she was pulled up during a work at Belmont Park shortly after a fever forced her out of the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks.
Veterinarians at Belmont Park and the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania gave her a physical and cleared her, but Pletcher had Dr. Paul Thorpe, a personal vet to owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, look over the results as well.
Pletcher said while he never thought anything was seriously wrong with Rags to Riches, he and her owners wanted to take every precaution to make sure she was healthy.
Pletcher said the Grade I Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 18 remains a possibility, but that will depend on how she works over the next several days.

Lawyer Ron wins Whitney

Lawyer Ron set a track record Saturday in winning the Whitney Handicap, finishing the 1 1/8-mile race in a time of 1:46.64. Ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Todd Pletcher, Lawyer Ron picked up the automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic with the 4 3/4-length win. Pletcher said the 4-year-old could return at Saratoga in the Woodward Handicap near the end of the meet.
Wanderin Boy, the pacesetter, was second and Diamond Stripes was third.

ginger punch romps in go for wand

Ginger Punch, trained by Bobby Frankel, just captured the Grade I Gof For Wand Handicap by several lengths in the ninth race of the afternoon. Ridden today by Rafael Bejarano, Ginger Punch beat Miss Shop and Teammate, both trained by Allen Jerkens, to the wire.

Earlier in the day, My Typhoon won the Grade I Diana Handicap (it was trainer Bill Mott's third straight Diana victory) and Diabolical won the Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap. All three winners picked up automatic berths in the Breeders' Cup Championships based on the new "Win and You're In" system which debuted at Saratoga today.

Up next, the Grade I, $750,000 Whitney. 24 minutes to post...