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SARATOGA NOTEBOOK JULY 29, 2010 by Albie Johnson With so much racing and so many stakes to cover at this premier meet, we'll change the format a bit and take each day one at a time. FRIDAY (8/23) Opening Day for the third straight year was hampered by rain that fell both overnight and during the card, but a crowd of 23,178 still turned out for the abbreviated first week that brought the total to 40 racing days for the first time since the late 1800s. The traditional feature on the first day, the Schuylerville S. (G3) for juvenile fillies, attracted a field of six with every one of those coming into this off their maiden wins. Difficult contest on paper had three fillies at under 5-2, with Stopspendingmaria (Montbrook) the slight post-time favorite over both Let's Get Fiscal (Bandini) and Show Me the Bling (Too Much Bling). Race featured a heated a pace battle between that trio which set it up for a closer, LE MI GEAUX (First Samurai), who rallied from well-back to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths over Stopspendingmaria, who had a 2 3/4 length margin over Show Me the Bling, who lost some momentum at the sixteenth pole when she ducked-in sharply -- that may have cost her the place. Winner is a Lansdon B. Robbins III homebred and is trained by Rick Dutrow Jr. Fredric Lenclud, who was aboard the filly when she broke her maiden at Churchill June 20, kept the mount and in his first day ever at the Spa found himself winning a Grade 3. Track conditions: The 1ST and 2ND races were run on a turf course labeled "good" with the remainder of the card (including three scheduled grass contests) run on a "sloppy and sealed" main-track. Surface played fairly while the two grass events favored those coming from off the pace. Horses to Watch: 1ST -- The heavily favored SEATTLE MISSION (Strategic Mission) "bobbled" at the start from his inside post and battled his rider's rating tactics. After making a wide run on the turn, he finished third, beaten a neck and a head. Next time. 2ND -- HOLY PLACE (Pulpit) raced on the outside most of the contest, made a strong bid to challenge for the lead, but weakened in the last furlong. $210,000 yearling purchase races for the Todd Pletcher barn and should improve next out. 7TH -- After "rearing" in his debut at Churchill, PLAYING PIRATES (Distorted Humor) had some serious looking drills heading into this and ran to them. Filly broke from the rail, was involved in a speed duel down on the inside with the eventual winner, and held grudgingly once displaced to easily hold down the place spot. Nice effort. SATURDAY (7/24) Hot and steamy weather was the order of the day with the crown held down a bit by the oppressive conditions. The relocated and shortened Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) highlighted Day 2 with a field of six sophomore fillies, headed by recent Mother Goose (G1) winner DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon). Pedestrian fractions were set by the longest shot in the sextet, Absinthe Minded (Quiet American), while jockey John Velazquez had the favorite racing close-up and well in hand while racing in the four-path. She made a sweeping move when asked and after reaching the front drew clear under a hand ride to win by four lengths over Biofuel (Stormin Fever), who rallied from dead last to out-finish Black-Eyed Susan (G2) winner Acting Happy( Empire Maker), who probably should have finished second but had a very wide trip in a small field. Thought the winner was much sharper here than in winning the Mother Goose, when she was making her first start back after a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby(G1). The Alabama (G1) later in the meet looks like hers for the taking if she repeats this effort. Track conditions: Muddy and sealed on the main with a yielding condition on the grass, with all but two of the five turf contests coming off. The dirt favored speed, but there were a couple who rallied to win on the card. Horses to Watch: 2ND -- Nice debut by NEVER RIGHT JOEY (Tapit) as he was involved in an early duel, put away that rival turning into the stretch and drew off for a handy win. State-bred was purchased for $100,000 by the Repole Stable this past February and looks to be stakes-bound either here or at Finger Lakes next out. 3RD -- BAATESH (Pulpit) was very fractious and reluctant while loading but once away set a reasonable pace and after offering some resistance to the eventual winner, weakened late to finish third. Nice move forward in this spot and he shouldn't be a maiden for long. 7TH -- Awesome debut by WINE POLICE (Speightstown) as the $190,000 yearling broke running, set a fast pace, and drew away under a hand ride to win by 7 3/4 lengths, stopping the clock in 1:03.36 for the 5 1/2 furlongs, only .23 off the track record. Winner is in the barn of Steve Asmussen and they have a world of options open to them. SUNDAY (7/25) Juvenile colts went center stage in the Sanford S. (G2) with a field of eight headed by Bail Out the Cat (Tale of the Cat), who was so impressive in breaking his maiden at Belmont June10. Race looked to be loaded with speed on paper but changed dramatically when the favorite was acting up just before the start and broke awkwardly, costing him any chance. Meanwhile, MAYBESOMAYBENOT (Sunday Break [Jpn]) broke quickly from his inside post and after putting away a challenge just past the half, edged clear late to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Nacho Saint (Yes It's True), who closed resolutely for the place with Another Silver Oak (Bluegrass Cat), who chased the winner through-out, having to settle for the third spot. Winner was coming off his maiden win at Churchill and gave trainer Mike maker (who had a tough time here last year) his second winner of the young meet. Track conditions: Good and yielding with another two turf races switched to the main-track. The dirt played very fairly while the turf favored those racing close up. Horses to Watch: 4TH -- Very lightly-raced over the past year, BOOTED (A.P. Indy) lost a lot of ground while racing five-wide in this allowance/optional claimer and was only beaten 1 1/2 lengths. After previously being with Richard Mandella, he was making his first start for trainer Al Stall Jr. and should love a seven-furlong race at the same level next time. 5TH -- State-bred maiden GERARD LOVES BEER (Songandaprayer) had a tough trip in this 10-horse field. He saved ground early while being rated and lost all position when he was forced to take up in heavy traffic and raced evenly thereafter. Deserves another chance. MONDAY (7/26) Featured event on this day was the Evan Shipman S. for older state-breds going a distance of 1 1/8 miles and it attracted a solid field including a pair GIANT MOON (Giant's Causeway) and Icabad Crane (Jump Start), who had both run in one of the Triple Crown races back in 2008. Race was an exciting one with those two rallying from the rear along with Groomedforvictory (Victory Gallop) to produce an exciting last furlong in which Giant Moon prevailed by a neck over Icabad Crane, with Groomedforvictory another head back in third. The winner, a homebred from the Al Fried Jr. operation, was off form for some time but has recovered it and is running on a consistent basis. He's trained by Rich Schosberg and was nicely handled by regular rider Edgar Prado. Track conditions: Fast and good with the dirt again playing fairly while the turf again gave an edge to those racing in the front part of the pack. Horses to Watch: 4TH -- Taking a big drop from special weights to a $25K maiden claimer, Delaware shipper AVENGING (Bright Launch) pulled himself to the front down the backstretch and was running on the lead approaching the head of the stretch, but he cost himself any chance when blowing the turn. Trained by Saratoga regular Tom Voss, this runner won't be a maiden for long. Final Belmont stats Ramon Dominguez heads into the Spa meet off yet another riding title at Belmont, dominating the spring/summer session with a 23-win margin (73 to 50) over Javier Castellano. Cornelio Velasquez, Jose Lezcano and Rajiv Maragh rounding out the top five. On the trainer's side, Pletcher bested Gary Conteassa (25 to 21), with Rudy Rodriquez, Rick Dutrow and Bill Mott filling out the minor awards at a very competitive meet. Upcoming stakes (7-31) The Jim Dandy (G2), 3yo, 1 1/8 miles (8-1) The Ruffian (G1), 3&up, f&m, 1 1/8 miles (8-2) The Amsterdam (G2), 3yo, 61/2 furlongs Have a nice week!!
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