Saratoga Daily Notebook

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

MONDAY, JULY 31, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Horse races are not decided on paper. You have to run around the track before

they award you a victory. However, if there ever looked like a 'gimme' in the

Sport of Kings, it was in the Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga on Monday. Songster

(Songandaprayer) appeared to have the competition over the proverbial barrel,

but it simply didn't turn out that way in reality.

The Darley Stable's homebred runner appeared to be any price to win as the

field made its way around the far turn. Songster had sat a perfect trip from the

outset, stalking a suicidal speed duel between El Nino (Storm Cat) and Noonmark

(Unbridled's Song). With Edgar Prado aboard, Songster made an effortless move around

the beleaguered pacesetters to take the lead leaving the far turn. At this

point, COURT FOLLY (Royal Academy) had begun to roll and was making up ground

in the middle of the track.

The overwhelming favorite in the field of four runners, Songster had a tough

time putting away El Nino, but eventually got the best of that runner in the

vicinity of the eighth-pole. As the favorite hit the front, Court Folly was still making

up ground and meant business, bearing down on Songster with each and every

stride, and then blew past him while drawing clear at the finish to win by 1

1/2-lengths.

Songster really had no excuse in defeat, as he finished a clear second ahead

of El Nino. Noonmark tired badly and was a distant fourth.

Runners who stalked or rallied from off the pace held an edge over the main

track.

No path bias was evident on the main track.

The inner and the Mellon turf courses played uniformly.

Horses to Watch

1ST – AIR RACE (A.P. Jet) absolutely endured a brutal trip returning to

Saratoga off the layoff. Made a menacing move to reach a contending position

approaching the far turn while racing towards the inside, only to be hopelessly

trapped behind horses. Was forced to steady while full of run with nowhere to go

around the far turn while still racing along the rail. Continued to lack clear

sailing in the stretch, and was hemmed in all the way to the wire in a very unfortunate

effort. Broke his maiden over this track last year for a "sneaky good" trainer

in Lisa Lewis.

6TH – TRUST NOBODY (Testimonial) had a fine showing in his career debut,

outrunning his paltry $2,000 purchase price for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. Sat a

good stalking trip while in behind runners to the far turn. Subsequently made a

bid in the stretch to split rivals and vie for command. Continued on gamely to

the finish, giving ground grudgingly in the final yards between runners to check

in a close-up third. Has the pedigree to improve as the distances increase.

Outlook for Wednesday, August 2

A 30 percent chance of thunderstorms with an expected high approaching 88.

Wednesday's feature is the Cab Calloway Division of the New York Stallion S. for

three-year-olds at nine furlongs over the inner turf. One of the race's co-highweights

under the allowance conditions is METRO METEOR (City Zip). The Linda

Rice trainee is unbeaten in two starts in 2006, both of which were turf sprints

at Belmont Park. He may be a tad vulnerable though attempting to carry his

speed nine furlongs.

CLASSIC PACK (Regal Classic) will also tote 121 pounds, and will be making

his turf debut for Ramon Hernandez, who does well with runners making their

initial start on grass. He stands to benefit the most should this race be washed

to the main track.

RUNNING DOG (A.P Jet) has been rejuvenated since the shades came off on March

29. He has two wins and a second since and is at his best when his races are

spaced apart.

OEDIPUS O'NEAL (Freud) broke his maiden over the Mellon turf course last

year. Although he is winless since, his most recent second-place finishes came

at today's nine-furlong distance.

FAIRWAY DRIVE (Western Expression) might be an interesting alternative to the

favorite in that he handled straight maidens with ease on May 29, only to

regress when entered back too quickly June 16 when tackling winners. He gets

blinkers and John Velazquez.

SPEAKING OUT (Precise End), ONE GOODKNIGHT (Precise End) and CLASSIC IMPACT

(Regal Classic) round out the field.

Wednesday's Plays

3RD – SHE'S INDY MONEY (A.P. Indy) returned firing on all cylinders off the

layoff on June 2 at Belmont Park for trainer Bill Mott. She was with the early

pace virtually every step of the way in a seven-furlong sprint before edging

clear to win as the 3-2 favorite. Rather than rush her back to the races off a

winning effort like he did last year, Mott has let her regroup prior to returning

her to the racing wars. She has worked steadily since her comeback race, and she

appears well spotted stretching back out to a route of ground. With her natural

early speed while drawing the coveted rail, She's Indy Money is expected to be a

forward factor from the outset, and could possibly wire this field if hustled

away from the gate by jockey Cornelio Velasquez.

8TH – RUNNING DOG (A.P Jet) took to the grass on May 3 like a duck takes to

water while facing winners for the first time in his career. Despite being a bit

hard to rate while stretching out to nine furlongs that day, he eventually

settled down before making a stretch run and edged clear to a 1 1/4-length

victory. He was a good second stepping up into stakes competition and switching

back to the main track on June 4. His connections have wisely freshened him

since, probably pointing towards this race at "The Spa." He has been extremely

consistent since the hood was removed and appears to be at his best when fresh

for a good layoff trainer. He has fine tactical speed to sit the right trip with

jockey Mike Luzzi back on board again.