Saratoga Daily Notebook

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2007

by John Mucciolo

Winning Move Stables et al's STUNT MAN (Western Expression) took command at

the top of the lane and cruised home a geared down two-length winner of the

$150,000 Albany S. on Wednesday, thus denying even-money favorite Chief's Lake

(Yonaguska) a chance at the Big Apple Triple Crown. Trained by Gary Contessa and

ridden by Ramon Dominguez, the improving three-year-old Stunt Man went 1 1/8

miles on the fast dirt in 1:51 1/5 to annex his initial stakes win.

Dr. V's Magic (Raffie's Majesty) was right in behind a trio of horses turning

for home but found his best stride too late in his runner-up performance.

Chief's Lake was always prominent but had little answer in the final furlong,

securing third by a length under the wire.

Team Valor Stables et al's JAZZY (Arg) (Mutakddim) was next to last at the

head of the stretch in the $82,250 Capades S., but the five-year-old mare put in

a sensational late run to clip the leaders late en route to her first U.S.

stakes win. The Group 1-placed import was unhurried early under Garrett Gomez,

and turning for home the brown miss was widest of all, but nothing would stand

in her way when she found her best stride. The 7-1 winner went 5 1/2 furlongs on

the firm turf in 1:02 3/5 for Mark Hennig.

Stormy Kiss (Arg) (Bernstein) tracked in third early, lost touch for just a

moment turning for home, but closed well to gain the place by a neck, the same

margin she fell shy by for the top prize. The talented five-year-old had

displayed good turf form in her previous efforts on the weeds and could be one

to watch in subsequent turf sprints. Smart and Fancy (Not For Love) tracked in

second to the lane and always appeared to be much the best, but the

four-year-old did not accelerate in the stretch quite enough to topple these.

The 6-5 favorite was 1 3/4 lengths clear in third.

Five turf races took place on Wednesday, three in route form and two dashes

on the green. We saw one wire-to-wire winner, two pace pressers and a pair of

closers, take events on the weeds. One winner from the quartet of dirt events

led at every call, with two late-runners and one close to the early tempo coming

home first. We have not seen, like in years past, a rail or speed bias occur at

the current meet on any single occasion.

Contessa saddled a pair of winners on Wednesday to move into second place

with 11 winners, seven behind the 18 sent out by Bill Mott. Todd Pletcher and

Richard Dutrow each account for nine first-place finishers.

Kent Desormeaux still holds the lead in the jockey's race with 31, closely

followed by Cornelio Velasquez and his 29 photo takers. Edgar Prado and Javier

Castellano, the latter of whom booted home a pair of winners on this day, are

still within shouting distance with 20 first placers.

Horses to Watch

2ND - We tabbed TAZARINE (Cat Thief), as well as winner Syriana's Song

(Indian Charlie), after their debut on August 2, and both fillies ran big in

this one. The former broke alertly and chased through sharp splits before

falling a bit short in the latter stage. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee should be

tough to upend in her encore performance.

4TH - BEAM OF LOVE (Prime Timber) exploded in the lane to win this one going

away for Contessa. The juvenile filly showed a nice closing effort in her debut

and built on that one with her authoritative score here under Eibar Coa.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Thursday, August 23

A sensational group of nine will line up to contest the $200,000 Ballston Spa

H. (G2) over the Saratoga turf on Thursday. This top class bunch is led by

champion WAIT A WHILE (Maria's Mon), who will be looking to snap a two-race

winless streak. The gray filly was a dominant force on the green in 2006 and

could be tough to run down if she runs her best. Gomez will be in the irons.

The impeccably-bred MY TYPHOON (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) has reeled off three

consecutive graded wins this year for Mott, including a victory in the Diana S.

(G1) over this sod most recently. Once-beaten Grade 1 heroine VACARE (Lear Fan)

placed third in the Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1) when last seen but returns to

the East Coast for conditioner Christophe Clement

MERIBEL (Peaks and Valleys), also trained by Clement, was an excellent third

behind a slow pace in the Diana and is a live player in here from her rail post.

Recent Duda S. victress DANCE AWAY CAPOTE (Capote), multiple Grade 3 vixen

POMMES FRITES (Dynaformer), AMANSARA (War Chant), a good second off a lengthy

layoff in the De La Rose S. last out, Locust Grove H. (G3) winner MAURALAKANA

(Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) and Stage View S. winning miss IRON GODDESS (More Than

Ready), add to the depth of this fantastic ensemble.

Thursday's Best Plays

2ND - GOOD LAW (Good and Tough) hails from a strong barn with debuters and

lands in a facile spot in here. The Dutrow charge has trained well in advance of

this start and has the presence of stable go-to rider Prado.

3RD - AT ATTENTION (Elusive Quality) showed a good deal of early speed in his

debut and has every right to improve off that in his second career go. The

connections haven't done much wrong at the meet, and the colt stretched his legs

on the grass in preparation of this one.

8TH - In one of the most impressive fields assembled at the meeting, we give

an edge to champion Wait a While for Pletcher. The four-year-old is a superb

turf animal and has had excuses in her last pair; it may be one of the rare

times you can get a $7 win mutuel on the filly.