Thoroughbred Beat

THOROUGHBRED BEAT

SEPTEMBER 7, 2005

by James Scully

Saratoga concludes - Attendance and handle were down at the Spa and

NYRA's future is in doubt (the organization stooped to a new low when

railroading a long-time maitre d' for accepting tips) as racing shifts back to

the city, but the Saratoga meet once again supplied plenty of highlights. FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor), COMMENTATOR (Distorted

Humor), SWEET SYMPHONY (A.P. Indy), FIRST SAMURAI (Giant's Causeway) and KING'S

DRAMA (King's Theatre [Ire]) accounted for some of the biggest prizes during the

meet, and SHADOW CAST (Smart Strike) and MASS MEDIA (Touch Gold) each recorded

Grade 1 upsets at more than 10-1. Todd Pletcher earned his fourth straight

training title at the Spa with 22 wins from 100 starts and Edgar Prado won his first Saratoga riding title with 44 wins (19 percent), ending

runner-up John Velazquez's (40 victories) two-year reign.

Futurity tops Getaway Day - The Del Mar Futurity (G2) is Wednesday's

closing-day feature at Del Mar and has attracted a field of 11. Trainer Doug

O'Neill has a possible sleeper in Calder shipper JEALOUS PROFIT (Trippi), who is

still a maiden. The Labor Day Weekend always signals the end of Del Mar and

Saratoga, which are among the three best racing venues in the United States, and

I'm always sad to see them close. The Fall Meet at Keeneland (October 7-29)

still remains this year.

Longest shot - Bobby Frankel won the Forego for the third straight

year on Saturday, saddling 15-1 outsider Mass Media, whose only previous graded

win came in the Sport Page H. (G3), to a half-length victory. Winless from his

first six starts in 2005, Mass Media was able to overhaul runner-up Battle Won (Honour

and Glory), who had no excuses after leading most of the way. The Forego was the

perfect illustration of this year's sprint division, a Grade 1 heat filled with

Grade 3-type runners. LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) and WOKE UP DREAMIN (Holy

Bull) are at the top of the division -- the rest are far behind.

Doctor - DR. PLEASURE (Thunder Gulch) turned in an impressive career

bow on Friday in the 3RD race at Saratoga, breaking a step slowly and rating just off the pace

before gliding to the lead on the far turn and easily drawing off through the

stretch for a 7 1/4-length triumph. The first foal from 1999 champion mare

Beautiful Pleasure (Maudlin), the John Ward-trained juvenile colt earned a 100 BRIS Speed rating for the 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event.

Brothers - Frank Brothers is coming up flush with promising

two-year-olds. First Samurai, who is owned by Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon

Robbins, looked sensational when winning the Hopeful S. (G1) by 4 1/4 lengths

and the unbeaten colt is bred for longer distances. Brothers also trains LAITY

(Pulpit), who turned in a sharp performance Monday at River Downs when

conquering the Cradle S. by 11 3/4 lengths in front-running fashion. Out of the

stakes-winning Forty Niner mare Tour, the Claiborne-owned colt earned a 97 Speed

rating for the 1 1/16-mile race.

Left behind - PRIVATE GIFT (A.P. Indy) was reluctant to load in

Monday's Pennsylvania Oaks at Philadelphia Park and the starter evidently lost patience with her,

springing the doors open as the favorite was being led into the gate. The track

announcer, like everybody else, was caught off guard by the premature beginning,

declaring "They're off" about five seconds after the break and then stating, "Number

nine Private Gift did not get into the gate, once again number nine Private Gift

did not get into the starting gate." The Neil Howard-trained sophomore

filly made the trip to Philadelphia for nothing.

Won't play ball - Turfway Park becomes the first racetrack to use Polytrack for its meet and the synthetic surface could revolutionize the sport.

Horsemen rave about the track's health benefits and there will be only

two track designations -- "fast" and "wet-fast" -- during the winter in

Florence, Kentucky. Turfway's opening day also coincides with the installation

of new medication rules in the state of Kentucky, and none of the Churchiill-based

stables are willing

to face the new drug tests. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority has already cut

the trainers a break, offering to send a warning instead of issuing

first-offense violations for any horse who fails the new drug test, but the

Louisville contingent is still holding out and doesn't appear to care about

public perception. Average racing fans recognize that the past drug testing

procedures were outdated and easily beatable, leading to the possibility of

widespread cheating in the state, and the new procedures will not only add

integrity to the sport, they'll also benefit the breed. Kentucky-based trainers

should embrace the new rules. Instead, they act as if they have something to

hide.