Saratoga Notebook

SARATOGA NOTEBOOK

AUGUST 23, 2013

by John Mucciolo

A trio of graded tilts topped the weekend of racing at Saratoga Race Course.

Sword Dancer Invitational (G1): Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred BIG

BLUE KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) came out in midstretch and surged home late to win

this going away for trainer Chad Brown. The peaking five-year-old, who has now

bagged a pair of Grade 1 races in succession, got 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf

in 2:26 2/5 under the guidance of Joe Bravo.

Alabama S. (G1): King of Prussia Stable's PRINCESS OF SYLMAR (Majestic

Warrior) overtook a trio of dueling early leaders approaching the final turn and

cruised home a facile 2 1/2-length heroine under Javier Castellano. The Todd

Pletcher trainee, who has won a trio of Grade 1 races in succession, endured 1

1/4 miles on the fast main oval in 2:03 1/5.

Lake Placid S. (G2): Joyce B Young's CAROLINE THOMAS (Giant's

Causeway) made a big late run from well off the pace and was elevated to the win

in here after finishing a nose second following interference in the lane. The

Barclay Tagg trainee traveled nine panels on the firm turf in 1:47 1/5 beneath

Rosie Napravnik.

Track Stats

A total of 63 races were held at the Saratoga Springs, New York, venue, with

favorites winning at a 30 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining

for 54 percent of the wins during the week. From 28 races on the main oval,

three animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (26 percent), while six of the 35

races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (17 percent).

Speed was not very successful on the main oval, with just a trio of runners

leading all the way for the entirety of the week. Closers had an edge, and it

seemed that those stalking a path or two off the rail had success.

Of the six turf wire job on the green, two came in route races on the inner,

while the other quartet occurred on the outer oval (three in sprint runs).

Meet Totals

RACES:		291
DIRT:		142
TURF:		149
FAVORITES:		91 (31 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		58 (20 percent)
TURF WIRE:		26 (17 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		32 (22 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/14)

4TH -- ASIYA (Daaher) swept to the front in early stretch and powered home to

an emphatic 8 1/4-length win under Irad Ortiz, Jr. The sophomore filly, who was

unraced since January, showed no signs of rust for Kiaran McLaughlin and could

be any kind going forward.

5TH -- MALLORY STREET (Street Sense) made a strong run in the stretch and

just missed in a fine debut for conditioner Rudy Rodriguez. The juvenile filly

took a ton of money in this spot and will not be a maiden for long.

Thursday (8/15)

3RD -- We tabbed AARON'S ORIENT (Orientate) following his troubled debut and

the juvenile colt made us look good with a professional tally for conditioner

Steve Asmussen. The precocious juvenile came home in a fast time and beat a

potentially good one, so we expect him to be stakes bound in the very near

future.

DIVINE ENERGY (Tapit) finished fourth but was well clear of his nearest foe

in this debut, and the Todd Pletcher-trained juvenile could be very live in his

return, possibly at a decent price.

9TH -- SLUMBER (Cacique) had not raced since a tally on this oval last

campaign and the Bill Mott pupil came back full of energy with a 3 3/4-length

romp beneath Junior Alvarado. The five-year-old didn't set the teletimer on fire

in here, but rallied home clear behind a slow pace and should be stronger next

time from a fitness level. We imagine this one will be stakes bound very soon.

Friday (8/16)

6TH -- SAY NO MORE (Langfuhr) led for nearly the entire race today and fell

just short to a very nice one for trainer Michael Keogh. The five-year-old

gelding proved more than capable of handling the dirt after shipping from

Woodbine, and we'll surely keep an eye on the talented runner going forward.

Saturday (8/17)

4TH -- The Pletcher-conditioned MIDNIGHT TABOO (Langfuhr) showed huge

improvement off of his latest effort on this oval with a game tally under John

Velazquez. The sophomore colt wore down a clear leader late and hinted that he

might be able to handle even more ground as he got his final three furlongs in a

strong :36 2/5.

Sunday (8/18)

1ST -- ART OF THE GAME (Elusive Quality) grabbed the lead soon after the

start and was never headed en route to a 3 1/4-length maiden score under Mike

Smith. The Nick Zito trainee, who took a lot of money in her debut when stacked

up against a nice one, appeared to be pulling clear late and could evolve into a

useful performer.

8TH -- TAPICAT (Tapit) had no excuses in here for Mott, as the favorite was

alone on the front through moderate splits and still let four runners pass her

late. We'd take a hard look before backing her at a short price next time out.

A Look Ahead

A monster weekend of graded stakes action is upon us at Saratoga, with the

Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes leading the way on Saturday. The Travers

undercard features the Grade 1, $500,000 King's Bishop Stakes, the Grade 1,

$500,000 Test Stakes and the Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa.

The Spa offers the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Stakes on Friday and the Grade

1, $600,000 Personal Ensign Handicap tops the action on Sunday.