Saratoga Daily Notebook

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2007

by John Mucciolo

The opening day feature, the $111,000 Schuylerville S. (G3), pitted eight

two-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the main track. IEAH Stable and Alan

Pesch's recent private purchase of SUBTLE ALY (French Envoy) paid instant

dividends when the chestnut held off a resilient I Promise (Hook and Ladder)

late to earn the graded victory. The winner stumbled briefly at the break but

recovered in enough time to make a bold move entering the final turn, opening a

half-length advantage under the guidance of Edgar Prado in midstretch prior to

holding off the re-rallying pacesetter. The Richard Dutrow Jr. trainee got six

furlongs in 1:11 to remain unbeaten from two career outings.

I Promise bolted to the front and led the way through fractions of :22 and

:45 2/5 for the opening four furlongs, before being engaged by the top one,

falling just a nose shy under the wire. Blitzing (Montbrook) also ran a winning

race in defeat, surging late to finish another neck back in third, three lengths

clear of her nearest challenger. According to Plan (Out of Place), the lukewarm

2-1 choice, broke in the air when the gates opened and never could catch up with

the top trio, settling for fourth.

A total of 10 races were held at the incomparable Saratoga, with six coming

in the form of dirt sprints and the other four coming on the green. The

main-track winners were mainly coming from well off the pace, though we don't

believe a bias was in play due to the fact that speed types were not losing by

much and they were holding on for minor awards. The fact is, these races are

ultra-competitive and the talent levels are not separated by much, thus

providing us with the blanket finishes.

Two-time defending riding champ Edgar Prado got off to a quick start by

booting home a trio of winners, while eight other riders bagged their initial

win. No trainer saddled more than one first-place finisher, so there's a log jam

atop the leading trainer standings at this juncture.

Horses to Watch

2ND – The well-bred SARGENT SEATTLE (Vindication) couldn't have looked any

more impressive in here, drawing off to win by 6 1/2 lengths for Stanley Hough.

The debuting colt nearly eclipsed the track record (1:03 2/5) at the trip and

was never seriously asked in the lane, suggesting that the dark bay could

appreciate any added ground

3RD – SCORPIUS (Five Star Day) sizzled through opening fractions of :21 2/5

and :44 1/5 before being passed late by a pair of off-the-pace runners. The Eoin

Harty charge would win many races running as he did today, and the fact that the

rail was not advantageous did not help the four-year-old.

10TH – TURNING LEAVES (Mutakddim) ran a huge one in her second career start

and could prove to be a stakes performer for trainer Bruce Levine with minor

improvement. The bay was a very close fourth in here and should be very live in

career start number three.

Tomorrow's Outlook – Thursday, July 26

Saratoga's second day feature is the highly competitive $150,000 Sanford S.

(G2) for juveniles traveling six furlongs. All but two of the precocious

entrants are exiting wins, and no baby race at the Spa would be complete without

a Todd Pletcher entry or two.

Tremont S. hero READY'S IMAGE (More Than Ready) has drawn rave reviews from

his connections. The talented freshman colt was a distant third in the Kentucky

Breeders' Cup S. (G3) two prior in the slop, but appears to be a different

animal on the fast going. The dark bay sizzled a bullet :47 half-mile in advance

of this and is well drawn on the outside beneath John Velazquez.

Part two of the uncoupled Pletcher entry is THE ROUNDHOUSE (Fusaichi

Pegasus), a half-brother to Hopeful S. (G1) hero Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch).

The chestnut juvenile closed with a rush to break his maiden at Monmouth at

first asking and will be coming late under Garret Gomez.

SOK SOK (Trippi) was unveiled on Stephen Foster Day and drew off to an

impressive three-length score for Steve Asmussen. The Florida-bred has posted

two works in Saratoga Springs and should be plenty tough with a repeat of his

debut. TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat) was much the best in his 8 1/4-length

romp for Barclay Tagg and scorched four panels in :47 2/5 over this surface in

preparation for this one.

FED WATCHER (Songandaprayer) smoked five-eighths in a superb :56 to win at

first asking for Richard Violette Jr. The gelded juvenile could not have run

much faster in his initial outing and would be something special if he could do

the same to this sharp group.

ASCOT HALL (Aldebaran) closed from last to take his five-furlong debut for

Anthony Dutrow while LITTLE NICK (Tiger Ridge) scored over a good field on the

Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard. Tremont third-placer TWENTY EIGHT HOURS (Sky

Mesa) and SHOTTEN HEIMER (Aldebaran) complete the field.

Also to be contested on Thursday is the $80,000 Hush Dear S. for fillies and

mares going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass, and the $80,000 Dancin Renee S. for

Empire State-breds sprinting 6 1/2 panels on the main oval.

Thursday's Best Plays

4TH – QUEENS FULL (Indian Charlie) made a nice move turning for home in her

debut only to be passed by a nice one late, and the bay filly should be much

tighter for her second-career start. Hailing from solid connections (Christophe

Clement/Garrett Gomez) and posting a trio of nice moves in advance of this one,

we expect a winning effort from the well-bred sophomore.

5TH – OPTIMISTIC STEVE (Stephen Got Even) has been crying out for a two-turn

spot and finds it here for conditioner Nick Zito. The bay colt was a strong

closing second most recently and could be tough to hold off late in this spot

under Mike Luzzi.

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2007

by John Mucciolo

The feature on Thursday was the $150,000 Sanford S. (G2), led by 4-5 favorite

READY'S IMAGE (More Than Ready) carrying the silks of James Scatuorchio. The

Todd Pletcher trainee broke alertly, tracked the early pace set by Fed Watcher

(Songandaprayer) to the top of the lane, and drew off to a commanding tally

under John Velazquez, completing six furlongs in a superb 1:09 4/5. The final

margin at the wire was four lengths for the superstar colt.

Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat) closed well from between horses to hold off

the late-charging The Roundhouse (Fusaichi Pegasus) for second while never

threatening the winner.

In the $82,750 Dancin Renee S., Trinity Farm's PRECISE LADY (Precise End)

took advantage of a sharp early pace to pass all challengers in the final two

furlongs to earn the win for conditioner Patrick Kelly. The four-year-old bay,

sent off as the 16-1 longest shot in the group, got 6 1/2 panels in 1:17 4/5 en

route to her initial stakes win.

Aces Full Racing Stable's TRULY BLUSHED (Yes It's True) gave trainer Scott

Lake his first win at the meet when wiring this field in the $82,450 Hush Dear

S. Leading from gate-to-wire, the four-year-old chestnut completed 5 1/2

furlongs on the firm turf in 1:02 under Roberto Alvarado Jr. Claimed for $35,000

in May, the winner has now bagged a pair of stakes triumphs while placing in two

more under Lake's tutelage.

Nine races took place on Thursday, with four on the main track, four on the

grass and one in the form of a steeplechase event. It's obvious that this is a

fairly tiring racing surface at the current time, but horses on the lead,

stalking and well back won races on the main oval. The turf yielded one

wire-to-wire winner and nearly another at boxcar odds, but other than saving

ground, we see no advantageous trip to be had at this point.

Javier Castellano booted home a pair of winners to sit atop the jockeys

standings with Edgar Prado. Each has three winners. Ramon Dominguez and Garrett

Gomez have both piloted a pair of winners. Stanley Hough saddled another winner

on Thursday to become the lone conditioner with multiple winners thus far.

Seventeen other trainers have sent out a first-place finisher.

Horses to Watch

2ND - FOREST TRAIL (Forest Wildcat) endured a good trip and closed with

excellent energy for trainer Shug McGaughey to just miss to a nice one in here.

The dark bay juvenile miss showed solid works leading up to this and was live on

the board, leading us to believe that the Kentucky-bred won't be a maiden for

long.

5TH - BERRY BOUND (Boundary) showed heart in the stretch but was no match for

an older, more accomplished runner. The dark bay colt has improved steadily

since breaking his maiden in May, winning the New York Derby before being

disqualified to second, and should return to stakes company in his next effort.

8TH - Ready's Image looked invincible in this one and could well be our

champion juvenile by year's end. The electric colt smashed a useful group in

here and appears to have a very high ceiling.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Friday, July 27

A strong card of nine races has been assembled for Friday, headlined by the

deeply competitive $100,000 Lake George S. (G3) for sophomore fillies on the

green. RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit), the 3-1 morning line favorite, owns a quartet of

stakes wins from six lifetime starts and will be tough to hold off for

conditioner Christophe Clement. The talented dark bay is drawn in the 10 hole

but has a strong closing kick that should make up for the wide draw.

RED BIRKIN (Belong to Me) finished first only to be disqualified to third in

the Boiling Springs S. (G3) last out, and would be a huge factor with a repeat

of that performance for Roger Attfield. The Appalachian S. third-placer has

never been off-the-board in five tries on the sod. Regret S. (G3) heroine GOOD

MOOD (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) closed like a shot in her stakes win and is well

drawn on the rail for Patrick Biancone.

LADY ATTACK (Mutakddim) has been dominant in a pair of turf efforts versus

lesser and gets the acid test in here for Neil Howard. Grade 3-victress SHARP

SUSAN (Touch Gold) has kept company with some of the best in her division and

could get first run on the deep closers. CLASSIC NEEL (El Corredor), second in

the Appalachian and a close third in the recent Sands Point S. (G3), has been a

model of consistency since transferring to the grass.

Regret third DASHES N DOTS (Aptitude), turf rookie BEES (Rahy), stakes vixen

MISS TIZZYNOW (Tiznow), allowance winner AWESOME ASHLEY (Unbridled's Song) and

Alywow S. first-placer SILKY SMOOTH (Mr. Greeley) round out the field.

Two races prior, fillies and mares bred in the Empire State will travel one

mile over the inner turf to contest the $80,000 Dinner Diamond S. Grade

2-winning miss RAHYS' APPEAL (Rahy) leads an overflow field of 16, which

features two also eligibles, four main track-only runners and 11 stakes winners.

Friday's Best Plays

7TH - GEM SLEUTH (Officer) has really come into her own this year and appears

to be reaching a peak form cycle for conditioner Eddie Kenneally. The

late-runner should have some speed to run at late under Julien Leparoux in this

event.

9TH - THE AG (Bahri), a half-sister to Grade 3 turf heroine J'Ray (Distant

View), has posted two solid drills following her latest and is well drawn in the

two hole in this inner turf event. The three-year-old filly landed in a facile

spot to earn her first win after a near-miss second in her debut two back.

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007

by John Mucciolo

The trainer/jockey combination of Christophe Clement and Garrett Gomez had a

day to remember on Friday, as the pair swept the stakes events held on this

twilight card.

Virginia Kraft Payson's homebred RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit) steamed home along the

hedge to capture the $115,100 Lake George S. (G3) over the firm turf. Rating

well of the pace early, the classy three-year-old exploded in the lane, inhaling

the foes in front of her in a few jumps en route to a neck score under Gomez.

The final time for the 1 1/16-mile feature was 1:40 1/5.

Lady Attack (Mutakddim) and Sharp Susan (Touch Gold), who both rallied from

well off the early tempo, completed the trifecta.

In the $83,500 Dinner Diamond S., Amherst Stable's homebred REWRITE (Editor's

Note) surged just before the wire to capture this one by a neck. The New

York-bred went one-mile on the firm turf in 1:35 to register her second career

stakes triumph.

Nine races took place on Friday, five sprinting on the main track, three in

the form of turf routes and one of the turf sprint variety. Both surfaces appear

to be playing quite fairly, as two dirt winners won in wire-to-wire fashion, two

pace pressers finished first, and one winner came from last to first. The turf

course yielded winners from near and well off the early lead.

Bruce Levine and Clement each saddled a pair of winners on Friday, with the

latter taking over the lead with three total at this point. Steve Asmussen, Gary

Contessa, Stanley Hough and Levine sit in second for sending out two

first-placers so far. Garrett Gomez booted home a quartet of winners to sit atop

the jockeys lead with six. Javier Castellano, who rode another winner today,

sits in second with four, while Kent Desormeaux, who piloted a pair of winners,

has bagged a trio along with Edgar Prado.

Horses to Watch

4TH - SEQUOIA QUEEN (Forestry) didn't defeat the strongest field ever

assembled at the Spa, but the Asmussen pupil did it the right way, rolling home

under slight urging to win by four lengths. The expensive filly has a ways to go

before she'll be graded type, but this was a fine debut that should lead to a

nice subsequent try.

5TH - EMIRATES TO DUBAI (Storm Cat) rallied strongly to win going away in his

second consecutive open-length tally. The chestnut four-year-old should be

stakes bound in his next venture.

8TH - Lady Attack closed with an intense rally to be a fine runner-up in her

stakes debut for Neil Howard. The turf-loving sophomore appears to have a very

bright future.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Saturday, July 28

One of the best cards ever assembled will take place on Saturday, with four

graded events on tap, led by the $750,000 Whitney H. (G1). In the feature, an

even dozen have been entered in this highly competitive contest, which pits many

of the top handicap horses in the United States against one another going nine

furlongs over the main oval.

FLASHY BULL (Holy Bull), MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades) and DIAMOND STRIPES

(Notebook), the 1-2-3 finishers of the Stephen Foster H. (G1) lead the fray. The

former has run off four consecutive wins and is well drawn on the inside for

Kiaran McLaughlin. The ever-consistent Magna Graduate will carry 118 pounds for

trainer Todd Pletcher, and the versatile five-year-old would be no surprise in

here. The latter, from the barn of Richard Dutrow, suffered his first career

defeat in the Foster but owns an explosive late kick.

BRASS HAT (Prized), winner of the 2006 Donn H. (G1), set a track record in

his return most recently and has trained forwardly in advance of this. SUN KING

(Charismatic), runner-up to the mighty Invasor (Arg) in last year's edition, had

a pair of one-turn preps at Belmont and appears ready to fire his best shot. The

high-quality LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) just missed in the Salvator Mile S. (G3) last

out and could certainly run with these.

Tom Fool Breeders' Cup H. (G2) second-placer AWESOME TWIST (Awesome Again),

Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Breeders' Cup H. (G2) hero DRY MARTINI (Slew Gin

Fizz), Alysheba S. (G3) winner WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold), Suburban H. (G1)

runner-up FAIRBANKS (Giant's Causeway), Birdstone S. victor PAPI CHULLO

(Comeonmom) and STUDENT COUNCIL (Kingmambo) complete the field.

Also on this super Saturday, the streaking MAKDERAH (Ire) (Danehill) leads a

star-studded field of eight turf distaffers in the $500,000 Diana S. (G1). The

New York Breeders' Cup S. (G2) heroine has looked like the best turf performer

in the nation in her last pair and she will likely be tough to upend under Alan

Garcia.

Locust Grove H. (G3) winner MAURALAKANA (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]), Grade

1-victress MAGNIFICENT SONG (Unbridled's Song) and Just a Game S. (G2) heroine

MY TYPHOON (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) are the other main competitors.

COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor), hero of the 2005 Whitney, heads a field of

eight in the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G2), to be contested over six

furlongs on the main track. Churchill Downs H. (G2) winner SAINT ANDDAN (A.P.

Indy), Toboggan H. (G3) victor ATTILA'S STORM (Forest Wildcat) and the

rapidly-improving BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) are among the talented group.

Shuvee H. (G2) victress TEAMMATE (A.P. Indy), Grade 1-placed over this oval

in 2006, headlines a compact field of six in the $250,000 Go for Wand H. (G1),

which also features First Flight H. (G2) romper GINGER PUNCH (Awesome Again)

from the barn of Bobby Frankel.

Saturday's Best Plays

7TH - Makderah has been an absolute monster in her last pair and is the now

horse in this deep field. Although her connections have indicated that the star

wouldn't mind a softer turf course, they way she handles the firm left us in awe

in her latest try.

8TH - Commentator is the class and speed of this field and should rebound

with a big effort in his third start off the bench. The Nick Zito charge is a

Grade 1 winner over the surface and drilled a nice half-mile in advance of this.

Corey Nakatani treks in from the West Coast to retain the mount.

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2007

by John Mucciolo

The $810,000 Whitney H. (G1) was the showcase event on this super Saturday

which featured four graded tilts, three of the Grade 1 variety. Hines Racing

LLC's LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) drew some concerns from his connections about his

wide draw, both those worries were over by midstretch as the talented colt began

to open up on his competition, eventually pulling away to a smashing 4

3/4-length tally under John Velazquez. The multiple graded stakes hero crushed

the track record by finishing off his 1 1/8 miles in 1:46 3/5 for trainer Todd

Pletcher. Pacesetter Wanderin Boy (Seeking the Gold) ran admirably while holding

the place, with Diamond Stripes (Notebook) earning the show spot.

Stronach Stable's homebred GINGER PUNCH (Awesome Again) lived up to her 6-5

billing with an authoritative six-length score in the $250,000 Go for Wand H.

(G1). Trained by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, the chestnut

four-year-old took over from Teammate (A.P. Indy) turning for home and left

little doubt late, getting nine furlongs in 1:49 to register her initial Grade 1

win. Miss Shop (Deputy Minister) closed from well back to gain the place, 2 1/4

lengths clear of Teammate.

Live Oak's MY TYPHOON (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) took command prior to the

final turn and held off all challengers in posting a comfortable, three-quarters

of a length tally under Eddie Castro in the $520,000 Diana S. (G1). The Bill

Mott trainee was always well placed and effortlessly went to the front, striding

home in a solid 1:46 2/5 for 1 1/8 grassy miles. Argentina (Ire) (Sadler's

Wells) closed along the inside for second while 6-5 choice Makderah (Ire)

(Danehill) completed the trifecta.

In the A.G. Vanderbilt H. (G2), Puglisi Stable and trainer Steve Klesaris'

DIABOLICAL (Artax) passed the stubborn Attila's Storm (Forest Wildcat) in the

final sixteenth to post a half-length victory under Mario Pino. The quick

four-year-old completed the six furlongs in a swift 1:08 3/5 to post his second

consecutive graded win. Attila's Storm was next and followed by Simon Pure

(Silver Deputy).

A total of 11 races were contested on Saturday, featuring six dirt sprints,

three dirt routes and a pair of turf routes. On the green, both winners were in

close attendance early before asserting themselves all the way to the winner's

circle. In the six main oval sprints, two winners won in wire-to-wire fashion,

two from just off the early lead and another two from well off the pace. In the

routes on the dirt, both first-place finishers were never far from the lead.

Mario Pino, Eddie Castro, Cornelio Velasquez, John Velazquez and Rafael

Bejarano all piloted a pair of winners, while Steve Klesaris and Bill Mott both

saddled two first-placers. Garrett Gomez continues to lead the jockeys race with

six, while Javier Castellano and Velazquez are tied for second with four.

Christophe Clement leads in the trainer's race with three, with seven

conditioners tied with a pair.

Horses to Watch

2ND - WAR PASS (Cherokee Run) broke sharply and was always in control of this

one, displaying a fine stride in the lane to win by 2 3/4 lengths for Nick Zito.

The freshman colt was visually impressive and looks like he can handle added

distance. We fully expect the winner, who got six furlongs in 1:10 1/5, to

tackle stakes foes next out.

5TH - PARADE THE FLAG (Distorted Humor) was the only forwardly placed runner

to be found late in here, and the sophomore should be dangerous next out. The

Bill Mott trainee has faced some solid competition in his short career and won't

be a maiden much longer.

8TH - Attila's Storm fell just a half-length short in another game

performance by the Richard Schosberg charge. Battling on the lead through wicked

fractions, the five-year-old found a new gear in the lane and fell just short of

the top prize, in a very quick race (1:08 3/5 for six furlongs).

Tomorrow's Outlook -- Sunday, July 29

Kentucky Derby (G1) hero STREET SENSE (Street Cry [Ire]) headlines a field of

six in the Jim Dandy S. (G2), the nine-furlong feature over the main oval.

Unraced since a game second-place effort in the Preakness S. (G1), the Carl

Nafzger trainee runs well fresh and is surely the one to beat in his likely

Travers S. (G1) prep.

SIGHTSEEING (Pulpit), winner of the Peter Pan S. (G2) two prior, was far back

when third in the Dwyer S. (G2) but has trained well in the interim and proved

his class when a close second in the Wood Memorial S. (G1) earlier this

campaign. TIZ WONDERFUL (Tiznow) has not been seen since taking the Kentucky

Jockey Club S. (G2) last November, but there's no questioning the talent of the

Steve Asmussen pupil. The sturdy bay has posted regular drills since early June

and should be ready to fire off the bench.

Illinois Derby (G2) hero COWTOWN CAT (Distorted Humor), fourth-place

Preakness finisher C P WEST (Came Home) and Iowa Derby second FLASHSTORM (Storm

Cat) complete the field.

Sunday's Best Plays

2ND - JOLIE THE CAT (Tale of the Cat) missed the break but closed with good

energy to place third in her debut. The Steve Asmussen trainee posted the top

BRIS Speed number in the field and should be set to fire a big one in career

start number two.

5TH - EXONERATED (Johannesburg) was caught chasing a real nice one in her

maiden bow and should improve in her second try. The Graham Motion charge posted

a bullet work in advance of this and gets the services of Edgar Prado for the

re-ride.

9TH - Sightseeing may be a bit of a stretch in this group, but the well-bred

colt should certainly appreciate the return to two-turn racing. Conditioned by

Shug McGaughey, the dark bay is well drawn on the inside and could surprise if

the top one falters.

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2007

by John Mucciolo

James Tafel's champion STREET SENSE (Street Cry [Ire]) found room turning for

home and pulled away to a 1 1/2-length win in the $500,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2)

under Calvin Borel on Sunday. Sent off as the 1-5 "chalk," the reigning

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) victor settled off the pace

early before putting in his winning run, passing C P West (Came Home) in late

stretch en route to stopping the teletimer in 1:48 4/5 for 1 1/8 miles on the

main oval. The Carl Nafzger charge appears to have put in a solid prep for his

main Saratoga goal, the $1 million Travers S. (G1) on August 25.

C P West was in the race throughout, took over after a half-mile and proved

to be a stubborn foe for the winner. The runner-up was making his first start

following a fifth-place effort in the Belmont S. (G1) and could also be bound

for the "Mid-Summer Derby." Sightseeing (Pulpit) was well back early but moving

as well as any of his rivals late in a strong third-place effort. The colt is

another who could test the Travers.

Garrett Gomez added another win to his resume and continues to lead the

jockeys race with seven winners. John Velazquez, who booted home a pair of first

placers, has six while Javier Castellano has five after the opening five days of

the meet. Christophe Clement leads the trainers with four, while Gary Contessa,

Bill Mott and Todd Pletcher have all saddled a trio of winners.

 

Horses to Watch

2ND - J Z WARRIOR (Harlan's Holiday) was simply awesome in her second career

start, drawing off to a most impressive 10-length tally under Kent Desormeaux.

The Mott charge is a half-sister to Grade 3 star E Z Warrior (Exploit) and will

surely be in a graded stakes race (possibly the Spinaway S. [G1] on September

2?) in her next effort.

7TH - LET'S FLY AWAY (Wheelaway) showed vast improvement in her second career

outing and was unlucky to lose in here for trainer Ramon Hernandez. The

sophomore filly rated well off the early pace but closed with good energy at an

overlaid 21-1. Tab this one for a win next out.

9TH - Sightseeing didn't do himself any favors by giving the field a head

start early, but the well-bred colt closed well under Edgar Prado, missing the

place by less than a length. The Shug McGaughey charge certainly appreciated the

switch to two-turns and will be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the

season.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Monday, July 30

The $150,000 Amsterdam S. (G2) is the showcase piece for Monday's card, and a

well-matched field of nine should make the feature quite exciting. MOST

DISTINGUISHED (Dixie Union) was a strong second in the Woody Stephens Breeders'

Cup S. (G2) most recently and would be tough to upend with a similar effort.

Rafael Bejarano will ride for Nick Zito.

FORTY GRAMS (Distorted Humor) exits a nice win in the Alysheba Breeders' Cup

S. and hails from the dangerous barn of Steve Asmussen. The chestnut has never

contested a race that was run at less than seven furlongs, but the tactical

three-year-old should have no trouble with the cut back in distance.

Stakes winner SIR FIVE STAR (Five Star Day) hasn't won since February but has

kept good company for Jamie Sanders. ELITE SQUADRON (Officer), ROMAN'S RUN

(Tiznow) and AMERICANUS (Yonaguska) are all exiting impressive allowance wins

and could factor with more improvement.

HOLY CANYON (Holy Bull) has faced elders in his last pair and could surprise

for Allen Jerkens. STARBASE (Tale of the Cat) and OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place)

are both exiting useful stakes tries.

Also on the card, five fillies will travel 1 1/8 miles in the $80,000 Banshee

Breeze S. LADY JOANNE (Orientate), a close second in the Mother Goose S. (G1)

last out, is the morning-line choice for conditioner Nafzger. The three-year-old

miss is a model of consistency, finishing in the top three in all seven career

starts, but must face a solid group of elders in here.

LEMONS FOREVER (Lemon Drop Kid), winner of the 2006 Kentucky Oaks (G1), drew

the rail for Dallas Stewart. Multiple stakes-placed ALTESSE (A.P. Indy), sharp

allowance heroine LEO'S PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) and two-time stakes vixen

FUNNY ANNIE (Distorted Humor) complete the field.

Monday's Best Plays

6TH - HUNTING (Coronado's Quest) has finished first or second in five

straight tries and is bred to handle the demanding nine furlongs in here.

Regular rider Prado remains on board, and we expect a stalk and pounce for the

McGaughey trainee.

8TH - Most Distinguished has steadily improved for Zito and looks like the

horse to beat in here. The three-year-old colt was a fine second in the Woody

Stephens last out and sizzled a half-mile over the main track in advance of

this.

SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2007

by John Mucciolo

The Monday feature was the $150,000 Amsterdam S. (G2), and Live Oak

Plantation's MOST DISTINGUISHED (Dixie Union) lived up to his 2-1 favorite

status with a closing win for Nick Zito. The sophomore colt was off the pace

early but wore down Americanus (Yonaguska) with a steady late rally under Rafael

Bejarano, concluding the 6 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:15 4/5. The improving bay

has won or placed in 11 of 12 career starts and boosted his earnings to $254,420

following his triumph.

Americanus circled four wide entering the stretch and ran a big one in his

stakes debut to score the runner-up spot. Starbase (Tale of the Cat) was hard

held early but showed steady momentum in the stretch to garner show honors.

Nine races were contested on Monday, comprised of three dirt routes, two dirt

sprints, three turf routes and one turf dash. In my eyes, the main oval and turf

are playing extremely fair, and forwardly placed runners have endured as much

success as closers to this point. Monday's turf routes found all three winners

within striking distance early, but the tepid pace of those events surely helped

their causes.

A trio of jockeys booted home a pair of winners on this day, Calvin Borel,

Edgar Prado and Bejarano. Garrett Gomez was joined atop the jockeys' standings

by John Velazquez, who guided home one winner on the card. The pair has each

ridden seven winners, while Edgar Prado has six and Javier Castellano and

Bejarano have five. Phil Serpe saddled a pair of winners on Monday, while seven

other conditioners were responsible for one first-place finisher apiece.

Christophe Clement has company at the top of the trainers' table, as Todd

Pletcher sent out one winner to tie the Frenchman with a quartet of victories.

Bill Mott, Gary Contessa and Serpe each have three.

Horses to Watch

4TH - A strong effort was turned in by the debuting VIVACIOUS VIVIAN

(Distorted Humor), and it won't be long before the well-bred filly breaks her

maiden for Bill Mott. The juvenile miss had to overcome the rail post in her

debut but showed a strong kick only to be collared late.

6TH - The Neil Howard-trained GRASSHOPPER (Dixie Union) was arguably the most

impressive winner of the day, drawing off to a convincing six-length win under

Calvin Borel. The three-year-old colt passed his initial nine-furlong test with

ease and stopped the timer in a respectable 1:49 2/5. A stakes bow seems

imminent for the Kentucky-bred.

8TH - Starbase ran a big one in here for D. Wayne Lukas, and the bay colt

could be a factor in future one-turn races. Under tight restraint in the early

going of the Amsterdam, the Florida-bred showed a nice turn of foot to gain the

show in here. The steady performer should earn a lot of nice paychecks before

his campaign concludes.

Tomorrow's Outlook - Wednesday, August 1

A pair of $80,000 stakes events will take place at Saratoga on Wednesday, the

De La Rose S. and the Fleet Indian S. The former features an overflow field of

16 fillies and mares (two of which are main-track only entrants) for the

one-mile affair on the inner turf. Cesario S. victress CAPTIVE MELODY

(Unbridled's Song) will be sent out by conditioner Clement in hopes of bagging

her third consecutive win. The Florida-bred returned from a lengthy layoff to

take an allowance tilt at Monmouth last out and should be ready to fire under

Kent Desormeaux.

The consistent SOMETHINABOUTBETTY (Forestry) never seems to run a bad one but

is still winless on the green from 11 tries. The Pletcher charge should factor

with something resembling her best. BEAT THE BAND (Lord Avie) was a strong

second last try in the Lighthouse S. and has the speed to be on the front for

Larry Jones. Group 2 heroine STAR PRIZE (Arg) (Southern Halo) was fifth in the

Lighthouse but should not be overlooked.

Multiple stakes winners RICH FANTASY (Richter Scale) and A TRUE PUSSYCAT (Yes

It's True), as well as Grade 3 vixen MO CUISHLE (Saint Ballado), are among the

many contenders in this wide-open contest.

Seven Empire State-bred fillies and mares will go nine furlongs on the main

oval in the inaugural Fleet Indian S. in the preceding race. SHADY LANE (Peaks

and Valleys) is the most stakes-tested of the group but will have to overcome

the widest post under Bejarano. MAMA THERESA (Carson City) drew the rail and

could dictate the tempo from the start. The bay exits a strong win versus open

company.

ACCREDITING (Scarlet Ibis), FUEGO GRANDE (Adonis), SCATKEY (Scatmandu),

LAUREN'S TIZZY (Tiznow) and KARAKORUM STARLET (Skip Away) complete the field.

Wednesday's Best Plays

5TH - STONESTREET SONG (Songandaprayer) was an expensive weanling purchase

($300,000 at the 2005 Keeneland November sale) and has been training well in

advance of his debut for Steve Asmussen. The juvenile colt is bred top and

bottom to win early and isn't facing the deepest field of maidens at the meet.

8TH - Shady Lane owns four placings from five tries over this oval and should

be ready to fire a big one in her fourth start off the shelf. The Galluscio

trainee has put in some of her best efforts around two turns and will have the

red-hot Bejarano in the irons.