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SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2006 by Bernard T. Moore When Fairway Drive (Western Expression) stole away to a huge daylight lead while carving out a fast pace in the Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion S., you just knew that the ultimate winner would in all likelihood be a closer. However, handicappers would have been hard pressed to land on the eventual winner, CLASSIC PACK (Regal Classic), who boasted no prior turf experience. Fairway Drive continued to lead the field around the far turn, as race favorites Running Dog (A. P Jet) and Metro Meteor (City Zip) were in close pursuit. Classic Pack, ridden by Fernando Jara, who continues to impress in stakes events ever since his victory in the Belmont S. (G1) in June, was able to get first run at the leader as they turned for home. Classic Pack was able to wrestle the lead away from Fairway Drive in upper stretch, and was well within himself as he held his advantage to the finish, fending off a late rally from Oedipus O'Neal (Freud) to score by three parts of a length. The latter split rivals in the stretch while improving his position, and loomed a dangerous presence passing the eighth pole. He was unable to sustain his rally when it counted most, and was forced to settle for second money. One Goodknight (Precise End) raced well off the pace down the backstretch, but began to reduce his deficit around the far turn. He had to find a seam to run through to continue his bid, and quickened once securing a clear path while well out in the middle of the course. However, he lugged in repeatedly during the stretch run while severely hampering the efforts of his jockey, Garrett Gomez, but closed well enough to get the show, outfinishing Speaking Out (Precise End), who made up ground in the stretch as well. Metro Meteor tired to finish sixth, with Fairway Drive dropping back steadily once displaced on the lead to finish eighth. Running Dog came up empty in the stretch as well, giving way badly to finish last as the 8-5 favorite. I wrote in yesterday's Saratoga Daily Notebook that I felt that this was a rather weak renewal of the Fourstardave H. (G2). Apparently, it wasn't weak enough for Artie Schiller (El Prado [Ire]), as not only did he go down to defeat, but the Breeder's Cup Mile (G1) hero failed to finish in the money, beaten 7 1/2 lengths in a perplexing effort. Take nothing away from REMARKABLE NEWS (Ven) (Chayim), who was a deserving winner as he wired the field under jockey Javier Castellano. Trained by Angel Penna Jr., whose forte seems to be with grass runners, the Venezuelan-bred four-year-old was immediately sent to the lead by Castellano, with Diamond Green (Fr) (Green Desert) and Artie Schiller in close attendance. Ashkal Way (Ire) (Ashkalani) settled into fourth position early, with Noble Causeway (Giant's Causeway) the early trailer in the five-horse field. Little changed as the field raced down the backstretch, with everyone keeping their positions until they settled into the stretch. As of yet, Remarkable News had not really been asked to pick up the pace, with Diamond Green, Artie Schiller and Ashkal Way lined up across the course under all-out drives chasing him home. Artie Schiller was unable to match strides with Ashkal Way and Diamond Green as he was caught in cramped quarters between rivals, and started to drop back in upper stretch as the other two runners carried on. As it turns out, they gave futile chase to Remarkable News, who, under a strong right-handed whip by Castellano, preserved his daylight advantage and was never seriously threatened late, triumphing by 2 1/2 lengths. Ashkal Way was 1 1/2 lengths clear of Diamond Green, who took down the show. Artie Schiller reported home fourth in a lackluster effort, with Noble Causeway finishing last while failing to be a factor during any point in the race. The main track played fairly in sprints and routes. Once again, there was no detectable path bias. Both turf courses continue to remain bias free. Horses to Watch 1ST - GRYFFINDOR (Peaks and Valleys) offered a much improved second-place finish off the layoff while cutting back in distance. Coming back to flat racing after competing in steeplechase company in his past couple of races, the dark bay was compromised by a loose wire-to-wire winning favorite setting a snail-like pace in his Saratoga return, where he has been victorious in the past. He closed strongly to get the place, finishing his last furlong in the neighborhood of :11 2/5 seconds, and needs a livelier pace scenario at which to run to be at his best. 3RD - CRAFTY CAMMACK (Crafty Friend) easily demolished a good field of $50,000 claimers switching to Saratoga. He stalked the early pace and then drew clear in an impressive fashion. The chestnut can win right back at the same level, or could possibly handle a slight rise in class. He will make his next start for new connections off the claim. 7TH - SONG FOR THE BEST (Unbridled's Song) regressed in a huge way off a triple-digit BRIS Speed figure in his career debut at Delaware Park. Jockey Rafael Bejarano had to tap on the brakes toward the inside when outrun for the early lead down the backstretch. Song for the Best did not appear to relish the role of a chaser, and came up flat in the stretch, lacking the necessary response when called upon. He is definitely much better than he showed in this disappointing effort as the 6-5 favorite. Outlook for Monday, August 7 Thunderstorms are in the forecast with an anticipated high of 86. Saratoga draws the curtain on the second full week of its meet on Monday, carding the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) at nine furlongs over the Inner Turf course as its feature race. It's difficult to go against an unbeaten horse such as AFTER MARKET (Storm Cat), who still flashed hints of greenness in his victory in the Lexington S. (G3) last month at Belmont Park. This Bill Mott-trained runner possesses fine tactical speed and the ability to finish as well, a deadly combination on either turf or dirt. A homebred runner of Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod, he will be ridden once again by jockey Cornelio Velasquez. BRILLIANT (War Chant) has done nothing but win since being switched to the turf by Neil Howard. The Mill House colorbearer registered his initial stakes victory in the Jefferson Cup S. (G2) at Churchill Downs in June, but needed an all-out stretch drive to overhaul a stubborn pacesetter in order to get the job done. Nine furlongs might not be his best distance, and he draws an outside post off the layoff in a race lacking much in the way of early pace. Robby Albarado gives up a day off to ride. SPIDER POWER (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) will be saddled by Kiaran McLaughlin, who is on a roll at Saratoga of late, saddling another longshot winner in yesterday's 7TH race. This Irish-bred runner was a good third in the Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs recently, and will benefit from a cutback in distance. What would a feature race be at Saratoga without the dynamic duo of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez? They join forces with MANCHU PRINCE (Gone West), who finished just a head behind Spider Power in the Virginia Derby. GALANTAS (Tale of the Cat) is part of an entry with GREEN LEMON (Lemon Drop Kid), and is a live longshot in the Hall of Fame. He demolished a field of overmatched preliminary allowance runners in late May at Delaware Park with the addition of blinkers, and would be dangerous if able to duplicate that effort off a freshening. SIR CLASSIC CHRIS (Catienus) and JADE'S REVENGE (Quiet American) comprise the rest of the field on grass, with COTTON KING (Awesome Again) a main-track only runner. Monday's Plays 4TH - INDIAN CAMP (Forest Camp), a homebred runner, begins his career for trainer Patrick Biancone, who is deadly with first-timers as we all know. He has been extremely well prepared for his unveiling, with a workout tab that dates back to May. Indian Camp has worked well over the Polytrack at Turfway Park, trained with verve at both Ellis Park and Churchill Downs, and now exhibits a get "re-acquainted" with the gate work over the Saratoga main track this past Saturday. He hails from a potent debut/sprint sire in Forest Camp, and is certainly bred to leave the gate running. He should attract generous support at the mutuel windows with stable rider Julien Leparoux climbing aboard for Biancone. 6TH - HANDLEWOMAN (Elusive Quality) performed quite admirably on grass, but I really feel that she is better suited to dirt. She was a sharp second to a repeat winner in her Churchill Downs finale, a swiftly run abbreviated sprint in which she held her position in the final furlong. Handlewoman will definitely benefit from her five-week freshening, and has adapted nicely to her new surroundings with two maintenance type workouts since shipping into Saratoga. She draws a better post today, and appears to have a tactical advantage over her main rivals. Handlewoman reunites with jockey Edgar Prado, who was aboard for her lone winning effort in her career debut this winter at Gulfstream Park.
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