Saratoga Daily Notebook

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Magical Ride (Storm Cat) won both pace battles, but ultimately lost the war

because of those skirmishes, as she was defenseless to withstand the strong

closing kick of OCTAVE (Unbridled's Song) in the stretch of the Adirondack

Breeders' Cup S. (G2).

Dispatched as the odds-on, 4-5 favorite in the wagering, Magical Ride

broke in stride from her outermost post to gain the lead while veering outwardly

leaving the gate. Jockey Fernando Jara was able to rein her in, eventually

settling her down on the front end while guiding her closer to the rail. Chagall

(Successful Appeal) moved up along the inside to apply pressure to the

pacesetter as Tora (El Corredor) was rating just behind leaders, with Octave 1

1/2 lengths farther behind and saving ground. Jockey Edgar Prado, who was aboard

Tora, wasted little time going after Magical Ride once she disposed of Chagall

around the far turn. Tora was at the throat of the favorite within an instant,

and the two rivals raced as a team into the stretch. Magical Ride was able to

withstand that challenge as well, and ultimately secured a one-length advantage

at the midstretch point. However, she was in a weakened state and could offer

only token resistance to a fresh Octave, who blew past her to win edging clear

by a 1 1/2-length margin.

True Addiction (Yes It's True) was compromised by a bit of an awkward start,

bumping with Chagall, and as a result, raced well off the early pace. She closed

widest and best of all in the stretch to finish second by a half-length, a fine

showing considering she was meeting winners off just a maiden special weight

victory at Monmouth Park in her career debut. Magical Ride acquitted herself

quite well in defeat, giving up the place in the final yards while holding on to

the show in a admirable effort. Post Invader (Salt Lake) ran on late to get

fourth, with Tora tiring to finish fifth and Chagall reporting home sixth.

Richwoman (Successful Appeal), unbeaten in three career starts prior to the

Adirondack, exhibited early speed while racing in the second flight runners down

the backstretch. She lacked a response when asked to improve her position by

jockey Edgar Prado around the far turn and finished eighth.

The main track played fairly once again. There was no path bias as racing returned. Both grass courses played uniformly as well.

Horses to Watch

3RD - SHE'S INDY MONEY (A.P. Indy) recorded a good second-place finish

returning from a 10-week freshening. She was allowed to drop too far behind a

lively pace, and then was left with too much to do in the stretch. Had to be

pushed along to find her best stride, but when she did, she closed with a

flourish to just miss in a race she needed. She's Indy Money might not be seen

again until Belmont Park, and she will in all likelihood probably be stretched

out to a route of ground in her next start.

5TH - WAR STORM (Storm Creek) certainly outran his 25-1 post-time odds off a

two-month break. Appeared poised to inhale the leaders turning for home while

full of run, but lacked clear sailing virtually the entire length of the

stretch. Probably would have won with a clean trip.

Outlook for Thursday, August 17

Clear skies are predicted for Thursday with a high of 81.

Seven horses, including a entry, will head postward to contest the Saratoga

Special Breeders' Cup S. (G2).

CHACE CITY (Carson City) was unbeaten heading into the Bashford Manor S. (G3)

on July 8 at Churchill Downs. However, his perfect record fell by the wayside

when he "freaked out" breaking from the rail, leaping into the air shortly after

the start and then attempting to hurdle the inner rail. He was able to gather

himself after those incidents and did remarkably well all things considered, as

he was beaten only slightly more than five lengths while finishing sixth. Chace

City has worked steadily since his Kentucky fiasco, and a bullet move on August

7 at Saratoga suggests he may be ready to get back on track. He gets a positive

rider switch to jockey Edgar Prado and moves off the inside.

SHERMANESQUE (Fusaichi Pegasus) finished second in the Bashford Manor, racing

four-wide while tracking the early pace in his initial attempt against winners.

He gained the lead in deep stretch, but could not withstand Circular Quay's

(Thunder Gulch) determined late rally. He gets the rail and jockey Javier

Castellano, and he projects to sit a good inside trip while making his third

career start.

TEUFLESBERG (Johannesburg), who will be coupled in the betting with FAST N

READY (More Than Ready), was a heartbreaking second in the Sanford S. (G2) in

his Saratoga debut. Depending upon your perspective of his performance in that

effort, he either "coughed up" the lead in the final yards, or was simply

overhauled late by a determined winner. No matter, the Jamie Sanders-trained

runner finished second that day and is still a maiden. His dangerous speed makes

him an obvious threat, although the extra sixteenth of mile Thursday does not

exactly benefit him.

KING OF THE ROXY (Littleexpectations) will make his first start for the

dangerous team of Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez. Previously based in

California, he was a private purchase after his fine tactical victory in fast

time at Hollywood Park on July 2, earning a field best BRIS Speed rating of 98

with the addition of blinkers. He has trained steadily, albeit not spectacularly

downstate, and will break from the outermost post in this field of seven.

ACTIN GOOD (Yes It's True) and CASH RICH (Orientate) make up the rest of the

field.

Thursday's Plays

3RD - NERINX (Sahm) offered a strong second-place finish in his first start

off the Robert Dibona claim at Monmouth Park. He raced evenly chasing a very

fast pace and reduced his deficit in a race that finished up well late. He is

well spotted by his owner/trainer stretching out to seven furlongs, and will

definitely benefit from a much softer pace scenario on the front end. He has

fine tactical speed drawing a good outside post. Cornelio Velasquez, who was

aboard for his maiden-breaking win at Gulfstream Park in 2005 at one mile,

returns.

6TH - HEY GORGEOUS (Cherokee Run) takes a realistic drop back in for a

selling price for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. while shipping into Saratoga. She

has not been out of the money in four career starts on the grass and has never

raced this cheaply. She finished third against maiden special weight rivals at

Churchill Downs as the favorite, and is well-spotted meeting a vulnerable field

of maiden claimers here at nine furlongs. Hey Gorgeous was a strong second at

Gulfstream Park vs. a tad better at 1 1/8 miles off a layoff and any semblance

of that effort would be adequate to handle this field. She has worked steadily

at Monmouth Park and will reunite with jockey Edgar Prado once again.