Saratoga Notebook

SARATOGA NOTEBOOK

JULY 31, 2014

by John Mucciolo

A handful of graded stakes races took the spotlight during the second week of

racing at Saratoga Race Course.

Jim Dandy S. (G2): Centennial Farms' WICKED STRONG (Hard Spun)

attended the pace from the start, inched to the lead in early stretch and pulled

away to a decisive 2 1/4-length tally for trainer Jimmy Jerkens. Equipped with

blinkers for the first time, the Grade 1 hero went nine panels on the fast main

oval in 1:49 with Rajiv Maragh in the silks.

Honorable Miss S. (G2): Richard Averill's homebred R FREE ROLL

(Rockport Harbor) got the jump on the favorite out of the gate and never

relinquished her edge in posting a 1 1/4-length tally with Paco Lopez in the

irons. The four-year-old filly sped six panels on the sloppy, sealed oval in

1:10 for conditioner Danny Gargan.

Lake George S. (G2): Sagamore Farm's homebred DARING DANCER (Empire

Maker) tracked from behind runners, started to gain momentum in early stretch

and turned it on late to get up by a head beneath Alan Garcia. The

three-year-old filly went 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in a swift 1:40 4/5 for

conditioner Graham Motion.

Amsterdam S. (G2): Fox Hill Farm's COUP DE GRACE (Tapit) broke slowest

of all but began to accelerate nearing the turn for home and finished best of

all in securing a three-length score under the guidance of Rosie Napravnik.

Trained by Chad Brown, the three-year-old colt stopped the teletimer in 1:15 1/5

for 6 1/2 furlongs on the fast main oval.

Shuvee H. (G3): Godolphin Racing's ANTIPATHY (A.P. Indy) took command

prior to the turn for home and never let it go in posting a measured two-length

win in this affair for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The peaking four-year-old

filly endured nine panels on the muddy, sealed main course in 1:52 4/5 with Irad

Ortiz Jr. in the silks.

Track Stats

A total of 60 races were held at the Saratoga Springs, New York venue, with

favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining

for 62 percent of the wins during the week. From 41 races on the main oval, 15

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (37 percent), while four of the 19 races on

the lawn were taken all the way on the front (21 percent).

The main oval played fairly we thought until the surface was full of moisture

over Sunday and Monday, when speed often has an edge on this surface. Eight

winners led at every call on the dirt during those days from 19 races (42

percent).

Three of the four wire jobs on the lawn came on the outer surface, two of

those coming in sprint races. From what we saw, closers may have had a bit of an

edge on the lawn, especially at two turns.

Trainer Todd Pletcher doubled his win total to 10 after saddling five more

winners this past week, and he holds a six-win edge on four other conditioners.

Trainer George Weaver had a strong week with multiple winners, and we tabbed his

as a barn to watch last week as his runners also wake up at Saratoga.

Meet Totals

RACES:		101
DIRT:		60
TURF:		41
FAVORITES:		39 (39 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		16 (16 percent)
TURF WIRE:		12 (21 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		20 (37 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (7/23)

2ND -- EMPRESSIVE HUMOR (Distorted Humor) spotted the big favorite a head

start but slowly reeled that one in and got it done at first asking for Steve

Asmussen. The well-bred juvenile miss came home with energy and heart and could

eventually be a nice one, and perhaps sooner than later.

6TH -- It was good to see Grade 1 heroine ARTEMIS AGROTERA (Roman Ruler) get

back on track, dominating state-bred foes for conditioner Michael Hushion. We

think the sophomore could have a solid second half of 2014 after this confidence

builder.

Thursday (7/24)

4TH -- KATIE'S GARDEN (Elusive Quality) was a winner out west we liked this

winter and the John Shirreffs pupil made good off the layoff with a convincing

allowance tally under John Velazquez. The four-year-old filly has speed but can

rate, and she could develop into a nice one with a bit more seasoning.

Friday (7/25)

4TH -- NOBLE CORNERSTONE (Noble Causeway) returns to this list after reeling

in a clear leader late in posting a pretty sharp allowance victory beneath Jose

Ortiz. The sophomore gelding is a versatile sort who could evolve into a stakes

horse in the very near future for Thomas Morley.

9TH -- PROTONICO (Giant's Causeway) was near the sharp and contested pace

early and was the only horse near it to be close at the wire, falling short by

just a nose and head while third beneath Javier Castellano. The Todd Pletcher

trainee will be tough right back at this meeting with a more fortunate trip.

Saturday (7/26)

2ND -- SANCTIFY (Pulpit) moved outside for the stretch run and came home with

a ton of energy in a superb allowance win for trainer Bill Mott. The sophomore

colt he is more than capable of handling two turns.

3RD -- The Todd Pletcher-trained COMPETITIVE EDGE (Super Saver) went into

this race with some hype and left with a lot more following a 10 1/4-length

tour-de-force under John Velazquez. The $750,000 juvenile buy proved why he was

worth that sales price and it's hard to imagine seeing a juvenile as impressive

at this meeting as the colt was at first asking in here

7TH -- THE BIG BEAST (Yes It's True) got the early jump on this field and

left little doubt as to who was best here with a powerful 6 1/4-length romp for

conditioner Tony Dutrow. The rapidly improving sophomore colt has now bagged two

races with ease in succession and earned a hefty BRIS 102 Speed number for this

effort.

10TH -- WICKED STRONG surely appreciate the addition of the blinkers that put

him in the race early, a good idea for this grinding type who seems a lot more

dangerous when into the race early. Although it was just a single sample race,

the colt beat a nice field and could be headed for a big second half of the

season.

TONALIST (Tapit) sat a fine trip and really had no excuse in this one but

since it was a prep for the upcoming Travers S. (G1), he may have been a bit

short. We haven't lost anything for this lightly raced Grade 1 winner.

Sunday (7/27)

3RD -- Pletcher's CURALINA (Curlin) could not catch the sharp winner in her

debut run, but this juvenile lass showed a ton of interest in the lane and

finished more than six lengths clear of her nearest foe. Tab the juvenile filly

for a score next out, and she could evolve into a good one with steady growth

and improvement. She earned an excellent 96 Speed figure for this fine first

offering.

A Look Ahead

A trio of Grade 1 events will take place on Saturday at The Spa. The $1.5

million Whitney Handicap is the topper and will be accompanied by the $500,000

Test Stakes and the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes.