Saratoga Daily Notebook

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Emulating her fellow Darley campaigner Bernardini (A.P. Indy), who was ultra-impressive in

the Travers S. (G1) on Saturday, DUBAI ESCAPADE (Awesome Again) made a shambles

of the competition in the Ballerina Breeders' Cup S. (G1), annexing the Sunday

feature in front-running style by 8 1/2 widening lengths.

Dubai Escapade, who looked like the pacesetter on paper, glided to the lead

under a rating hold by jockey Edgar Prado, as Stormy Kiss (Arg) (Bernstein) and

Indian Flare (Cherokee Run) began their chase of the 6-5 favorite. Dubai

Escapade continued to show the way down the backstretch, and as she made her way

around the far turn, it was apparent that neither of the aforementioned runners

were making up any ground on her as Prado maintained a firm hold on the leader.

Under modest urging in the stretch, Dubai Escapade began to increase her

advantage past the eighth pole, and at that point, it was just a matter of who

would finish second, as Dubai Escapade was clearly in command.

Nothing But Fun (Dixie Union) closed belatedly in deep stretch to earn the

place over a beleaguered Stormy Kiss. Malibu Mint (Malibu Moon) was dispatched

as the 2-1 second choice in the betting, but failed to make her presence felt at

any juncture in the race. She evidently regressed badly off career best efforts

in her two prior starts and wound up finishing next to last.

The main track was labeled fast for the first race, and was then downgraded

to good for the sixth race. The main track was definitely biased toward early speed in sprints

throughout the day. Overnight rain necessitated the cancellation of turf racing.

Horses to Watch

5TH - HYPNOTIZE (Maria's Mon) closed widest and best of all in the stretch

over a speed favoring track to finish second behind a dominant winner in her

career debut. Her dam hails from a blue hen mare who produced such notable

runners as Easy Goer and Easy Now, both of whom excelled over a route of ground.

Appears as if she will only get better with distance.

7TH - MAIZELLE (Seeking The Gold) might have been best in her well bet/well

meant career debut. She broke like a shot from her outside post and was then

allowed to drop back off the early pace. She raced a bit wide down the

backstretch, and was subsequently bothered by a riderless horse. Maizelle then

unleashed a powerful bid from far off the pace while racing wide to reach

contention around the far turn. She remained wide while sustaining her bid into

the stretch, and then continued to make up ground while clearly second best to a

perfect trip, wire-to-wire winner.

Outlook for Monday, August 28

Monday's weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with a high of 77.

The 8TH and featured race of the day is the Rumpipumpy S., for fillies and

mares at nine furlongs over the inner turf course.

The 3-1 morning line favorite is SAFARI QUEEN (Arg) (Lode), who is trained by

Todd Pletcher. This Argentinean-bred four-year-old filly was a close up fourth

to Brunilda (Arg) (Mutakddim) in the Politely S. at Monmouth Park on July 16 off

a layoff, a race she most definitely needed. Incidentally, the winner from that

race, Brunilda, came back to win the Eatontown H. at Monmouth on Saturday on the

main track, a race that was initially meant for the grass. Safari Queen has

worked thrice since that effort, and obviously should be much fitter shipping

into Saratoga. Stable rider John Velazquez gets the call.

PYRANA (Anabaa) has simply been out of her element of late, competing at the

wrong distance and facing graded stakes competition in her most recent efforts.

She was forced to rally from last place at twelve furlongs in the Waya S. on

August 11, but managed to improve her position despite the fact that the final quarter-mile of

the contest was completed in a rapid :23 1/5. A livelier pace scenario in addition

to a cutback in distance are both definite pluses in her second Saratoga start.

MARCHONIN (Dixieland Band) ran sneakily well when fifth in the Matchmaker S.

(G3) on August 6. She raced evenly in a paceless race but held her position as

the race quickened noticeably late. A livelier pace scenario is expected, and

she has run well over this turf course in the past. Cornelio Velasquez will ride

for trainer Michael Matz.

LADY PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus), trained by Bobby Frankel, has only run twice

on grass. Regardless, she was a strong third in a monied allowance contest at

Churchill Downs on May 4, and has been kept busy by Frankel in the morning,

sporting a steady stream of workouts since. She possesses dangerous tactical

speed and a good inside post.

GRAND OPENING (Ire) (Desert King), also trained by Frankel, has been a major

disappointment thus far, failing as the favorite in all four of her starts since

coming to the United States. However, she definitely should appreciate a turf

course with some give to it, as both of her victories overseas came over soft

turf. She also gets a positive rider switch to jockey Javier Castellano and will

be equipped with blinkers.

Monday's Plays

1ST (TURF ONLY) - METRO METEOR (City Zip) - Trainer Linda Rice has done

remarkably well in turf sprints at the Saratoga meet. She has another

opportunity to add to that list with Metro Meteor, who turns back in distance

while dropping in class. This three-year-old gelding wanted no part of nine

furlongs in the New York Stallion S. on August 6, flattening out badly after a

strong move to reach contention around the turn. Metro Meteor is unbeaten in

turf sprints, and should get a lively pace to close into for Rice, who does well

with horses going from a route to a sprint.

9TH - SUMMER JOURNEY (Salt Lake) makes her third start off the claim for trainer Tim Hills, who is enjoying a strong Saratoga meet. She ran creditably in her

Saratoga debut effort on July 31 versus much tougher, exhibiting a good turn of

early foot over a track favoring runners from off the pace. She takes a

realistic drop to the $20,000 claiming level, and appears to possess a tactical

advantage over her main rivals. Summer Journey has been sharpened for speed of

late by Hills, and will reunite with jockey Mike Luzzi, who was aboard for her

two career victories at Belmont Park.