$1.5 million Whitney (Grade 1) Saturday, August 2, 2014 Saratoga Racecourse – Saratoga Springs, NY NBC Sports, 5-6 pm ET live! 4-year-olds have won 2 straight Whitneys (and 3 of the last 4). Oldest winner was 8-year-old Kelso. Stephen Foster alumni have finished in Whitney trifecta each year since 2005 (last 2 runner-ups, Ron the Greek/Successful Dan). Travers-Whitney winners since 1976: Medaglia d’Oro, Lemon Drop Kid, Will’s Way, Easy Goer, Java Gold and Alydar. Will Take Charge gets a jockey change from Gary Stevens to Luis Saez due to a Stevens’ knee replacement surgery. Stevens had never lost a Whitney (3-for-3). The favorite has won the Whitney just once in the last 10 years. Tizway (2011) was also the longest-priced favorite in that timeframe (4.10-1). The favorite has run out of the money six times in 10 years. Look for exclusive Breeders’ Cup Challenge Players’ Guides! Aug. 23-24: Aug. 30: Sept. 27: Oct. 4-5:
Travers-Pacific Classic double issue! Woodward Jockey Club Gold Cup/Awesome Again Keeneland Fallstars double issue!
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The Breeders' Cup Classic winner has come out of the Whitney in 3 of the last 4 years (Mucho Macho Man, 2013; Fort Larned, 2012; Blame, 2010). In terms of winning running styles, speed (3) and pressers (5) have accounted for eight of the last 10 Whitney winners. In the last 10 years, only Bullsbay ($39.60, 2009) has won the Whitney from more than 2 ½ lengths off the pace on the far turn. Closers have been reliable exacta finishers, finishing second in seven of the last 10 runnings of the Whitney. Only two horses have hit the exacta in the last decade at 8/1 or higher: Bullsbay (18/1, 2009) and Wanderin Boy (29/1, 2007). Those two editions also produced the only two exactas that paid more than $100 in that same timeframe. Todd Pletcher has trained 16 Whitney runners and won the race three times. He sends out favorite Palace Malice this year, but he has never won with a Whitney favorite: Quality Road, second at 1/2, 2010; Magna Graduate, sixth at 4/1, 2007; Flower Alley, seventh at 3/2, 2006. DID YOU KNOW? Todd Pletcher and D. Wayne Lukas trainees have earned more than $540 million all-time combined, ranking 1-2 in racing history. Tiger Woods’ career PGA golf earnings currently are $109 million. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
Track Record – 1:46.64 (Lawyer Ron, 2007) Whitney Stakes Record – 1:46.64 (Lawyer Ron, 2007) Most popular winning posts: Post 1 (19), Post 2 (18), Post 3 (13); (at 1 1/8 miles) Post 1 & Post 2 (12) Most jockey wins – Pat Day, Jerry Bailey (5); John Velazquez (4); Gary Stevens (3) Most trainer wins – John Gaver (5); Elliott Burch (4); Todd Pletcher (3) Highest Win Mutuel – $59.00 (Judgable, 1970) Lowest Win Mutuel – $2.10 (Dr. Fager, 1968) Largest Winning Margin – 10 lengths (four times) Smallest Winning Margin – Nose (ten times) The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Players’ Guides are researched, written and designed by Jeremy Plonk along with Brian W. Spencer and the Horse Player NOW team. Photographs by Eclipse Sportswire.
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DEPARTING Record: 11 starts – 7 wins, 2 thirds ($1,491,340)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Carefully managed 4-year-old can add new depth to Classic division. PAST PERFORMANCES: 2 starts this year–both at Churchill Downs–including 3rd in G1 Foster. Won 3 Derbies last year regionally: Illinois, West Virginia, Super. 6th in last year’s Preakness behind Oxbow in only Triple Crown bid. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Versatile stallion War Front also sired The Factor & Declaration of War. Grew up in same Claiborne paddock as 2013 Ky Derby winner Orb. WHITNEY POINTS: Stall/Claiborne won ‘10 Whitney w/ Blame en route to BC Classic glory. Whitney has had at least 1 Foster alum in trifecta each year since ’05. Albarado’s first Whitney mount since 2nd aboard Macho Again in 2009. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Robby Albarado: 40-year-old native of Lafayette, LA; regular pilot for Curlin & Mineshaft, who combined for 3 Horse of Year titles. Trainer Al Stall Jr.: 52-year-old New Orleans, LA native, best known for training 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Blame. Owner Claiborne Farm: Paris, KY farm owned by the Hancock Family for more than a centry. 1978 & ’84 Eclipse Award-winning breeders. Secretariat stood at Claiborne and is buried there.
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GOLDEN TICKET Record: 26 starts – 5 wins, 8 seconds, 3 thirds ($1,269,090)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: 2012 Travers dead-heat winner returns to scene of his biggest score. PAST PERFORMANCES: 8-race losing streak going into Whitney, last winning 7/27/13 Prairie Meadows Handicap. All 8 losses since were in graded stakes ranks. Major runner-ups in BC Dirt Mile, Stephen Foster during 2013 season. Signature win at age 3 was dead-heat with Alpha in ’12 Travers, his only career appearance at the Spa to date. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Speightstown, ’04 Champion Sprinter, won Spa’s G2 Vanderbilt. Speightstown also sired ’10 Whitney 4th-place finisher Haynesfield. WHITNEY POINTS: 6 Travers winners since 1976 have added the Whitney, but 0 as 5YOs. 1st career Whitney starter for trainer Kenny McPeek. Whitney has had at least 1 Foster alum in trifecta each year since ’05. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Julien Leparoux: Senlis, France native turned 31 on July 15; Eclipse Award-winning rider as both apprentice & journeyman. Trainer Kenny McPeek: Celebrates 52nd birthday on Whitney Day, a native of AR raised in Lexington, KY; won ’02 Belmont (Sarava). Owner Magic City Thoroughbreds: Billings, MT partnership headed by oil & gas execs Carter Stewart & Ken Schlenker, formed in 2010.
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ITSMYLUCKYDAY Record: 17 starts – 8 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third ($1,022,600)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: 2013 Preakness runner-up is back in spotlight after missing nearly 9 months of racing due to a pelvic stress fracture. PAST PERFORMANCES: 3 straight middle-distance stakes wins coming into Whitney. His Salvator Mile pursuers came back to run 1-2 in G2 Monmouth Cup. Won Gulfstream Derby and G3 Holy Bull en route to ’13 Triple Crown. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son ’07 Champion Older Male Lawyer Ron, who dazzled at Saratoga going 2-for-2 in winning the Woodward and Whitney that season. Lawyer Ron set a Spa track record 1:46.64 in ’07 Whitney win at 9F. WHITNEY POINTS: 1st Preakness runner-up to try Whitney since Macho Again 2nd in ’09. The last Monmouth-prepped Whitney winner – Lawyer Ron ’07. Whitney contenders prepped at Mth are 5: 0-0-1 since ‘07. Last Whitney win sired by Whitney champ: Will’s Way ’97 (Easy Goer). THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Paco Lopez: 28yo native of Veracruz, MEX on way to 2nd straight Mth title; Seeks 1st career G1 score; ’08 Eclipse top apprentice. Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.: 64yo Seattle, WA native based at Calder, where a member of Crc Hall of Fame; 2000+ wins, trained Three Ring. Owner Trilogy Stable: Friends Marion Montanari & husband-wife duo David/Olga Melin from Florida; major arts supporters & philanthropists. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
LAST GUNFIGHTER Record: 17 starts – 9 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds ($1,142,205)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Local hero Chad Brown looks to capture 1 of the Spa’s biggest races. PAST PERFORMANCES: 4-time graded stakes winner of races like Pimlico Special, Iselin. 1-for-2 this year, winning Mountainview at Penn National, 9th in Suburban at 3/1 behind Brown stablemate Zivo. 5th, beaten 4-3/4 lengths, in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of star 2YO First Samurai, winner of 2005 Hopeful at Saratoga. Dam curious-named Saratoga Cat, who never raced at Spa in 20 tries. WHITNEY POINTS: Can join Blame and Invasor as recent runners to win both the Pimlico Special & Whitney. Will be making his Saratoga debut in the Whitney. Brown’s last Whitney starter was 2009 Smooth Air (7th as 2-1 favorite). Castellano finished off board in last 5 Whitney bids since 3rd in 2005. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Javier Castellano: 36-year-old native of Maracaibo, VEN. Reigning Eclipse Award champion US jockey; record $26.2M in 2013. Trainer Chad Brown: 35-year-old born in Saratoga, raised in nearby Mechanicville, NY. Ex-Frankel asst. w/ Ghostzapper, Empire Maker. Owner John Gunther: Vancouver, BC native owned graded winners like Eye of the Tiger, Bending Strings. Bred Travers hero Stay Thirsty as well as Hopeful winner First Samurai, sire of Last Gunfighter. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
MORENO Record: 19 starts – 2 wins, 6 seconds, 3 thirds ($909,940)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: 2 by nose in ‘13 Travers, causing controversy when trainer alleged that winning jockey had used a buzzer (investigation cleared rider). nd
PAST PERFORMANCES: He’s lost 8 straight coming into Whitney, (2nd last out G2 Suburban). Winner of G2 Dwyer during 3YO season that included placings in the Jim Dandy, Travers and Pennsylvania Derby. Went 0-for-9 in Cali maiden ranks before coming east & breakout out. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of ’04 Horse of Year Ghostzapper, whose final career defeat was 3rd in Saratoga’s G1 King’s Bishop before winning 6 in a row to close. Dam, Danceinthesunlight, closely related to historic Canadian mares Dance Smartly and Dancethruthedawn. WHITNEY POINTS: Last Suburban runner-up to win the Whitney was Lido Palace in ‘01. Whitney debut for trainer Eric Guillot. Jockey Junior Alvarado was last aboard Fast Falcon in ‘13 Whitney. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Junior Alvarado: 28-year-old from Barquisimeto, Venezuela; 4 career G1 wins, including ’13 Forego at the Spa (Strapping Groom). Trainer Eric Guillot: 52, New Iberia, LA native – same town as Eddie Delahoussaye; trained G1 winners Champagne d’Oro / Santa Teresita. Owner Southern Equine Stables: Louisiana native Mike Moreno, now of Houston. Acquired an interest in Bodemeister prior to Ky Derby 2nd. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
PALACE MALICE Record: 16 starts – 7 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third ($2,631,135)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: He’s the only active, older Triple Crown race winner in game today. PAST PERFORMANCES: 4-for-4 this year, topped by G1 Met Mile (#1-ranked NTRA Poll). Earned his 1st career stakes win in 2013 G1 Belmont Stakes, added G2 Jim Dandy score at Saratoga before losing Travers by ¾ length. 9: 6-1-0 record since removing blinkers after ’13 Kentucky Derby. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 2007-’08 Horse of Year Curlin, who won ’08 Woodward in his only Spa appearance. Curlin also sired Preakness 2nd Ride On Curlin. WHITNEY POINTS: 4 Belmont Stakes winners to add Whitney in last 40 years: 2000 Lemon Drop Kid, ’99 Victory Gallop, ’94 Colonal Affair, ’89 Easy Goer. Last horse to sweep Met Mile-Whitney was Tizway in 2011, prior to that In Excess 1991 and Criminal Type in 1990. Velazquez 4 Whitney wins, 3 with Pletcher, including Cross Traffic ‘13. A 5th win in this race and JV ties Jerry Bailey and Pat Day’s record. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey John Velazquez: 42-year-old native of Carolina, PR; 2011 Hall of Fame inductee, only US jockey to top $300M mount earnings. Trainer Todd Pletcher: 47, Dallas, TX native; 6-time Eclipse Award winner as nation’s top trainer; $272M+ in earnings is tops in NA ever. Owner Dogwood Stable: Aiken, SC-based partnership, 1 of game’s original syndicate groups; ex-ad exec Cot Campbell, 87, still heads. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
PRAYER FOR RELIEF Record: 31 starts – 8 wins, 6 seconds, 6 thirds ($1,747,938)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: The field’s veteran at age 6 – only Kelso (8), Commentator (7) have won Whitney older than him. Seeks his 1st G1 career tally. PAST PERFORMANCES: Runner-up in this year’s G3 Pimlico Special, 3rd in G2 Suburban. Last graded win – 6/29/13 G3 Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows. Won 3 Derbies in succession in 2011 – Iowa, West Virginia, Super. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 2001 Saratoga Special winner Jump Start. Sire Jump Start best known at stud for millionaire sons Rail Trip & Prayer For Relief, as well as Pants on Fire. WHITNEY POINTS: Trainer Romans won this race in 2004 with Roses In May, and hasn’t had a Whitney entrant since ‘05. Saratoga will be his 15th different track at which to compete lifetime. Rosario finished off the board in both Whitney mounts to date. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Joel Rosario: 29, from Santo Domingo, DR. Piloted Orb to ’13 Ky Derby win just 5 weeks after Animal Kingdom in Dubai World Cup. Trainer Dale Romans: 47-year-old Louisville, Ky native. Earned ’12 Eclipse Award as top US trainer; won ’11 Preakness (Shackleford). Owner Zayat Stables: Ahmed Zayat, Egyptian native and NJ-based businessman made mark in beverage industry; raced stars like Bodemeister, Pioneerof The Nile and Paynter. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
ROMANSH Record: 11 starts – 4 wins, 2 thirds ($513,580)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Winner of the Curlin Stakes (via DQ) over Saratoga track last summer. PAST PERFORMANCES: 2-time Grade 3 winner of Aqueduct’s Excelsior and Discovery Hcp. Third in Grade 1 Met Mile to Palace Malice on Belmont Stakes Day. 3 times finished behind Whitney rival Will Take Charge in 3 match-ups. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Bernardini, winner of ’06 Preakness & Saratoga’s Jim Dandy/Travers, has sired Spa G1 winners Stay Thirsty, Alpha & To Honor And Serve. Maternal grandfather (damsire) is ’94 Ky Derby winner Go For Gin. WHITNEY POINTS: Albertrani-Godolphin were 2nd as even-money favorite with Street Cry in ’02 Whitney behind Left Bank. Maktoum Family (as Shadwell) won ’06 Whitney with Invasor. Godolphin has won at least 1 NYRA G1 stakes each year since 2008, including Saratoga G1s in 2011, 2012, 2013. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Jose Ortiz: 20, Trujillo Alto, P.R. native; Aqueduct’s leading jockey in this year’s winter-spring meet by earnings. Trainer Tom Albertrani: 56-year-old Brooklyn native best known for training Romansh’s sire Bernardini to ’06 Preakness glory. Owner Godolphin: UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at Maktoum founded Big Blue in ’92; more than 100 worldwide G1 wins. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
WILL TAKE CHARGE Record: 20 starts – 7 wins, 6 seconds ($3,774,648)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Can pass Cat Thief ($3.9M) as highest-earning Lukas trainee ever. PAST PERFORMANCES: Won G2 Oaklawn Handicap in April, his only score in 5 starts this year. 2013 Travers winner at Spa has been 1st or 2nd in 9 of his last 10 tries. Eclipse Award Champion 3YO of 2013 by winning Travers, PA Derby, Rebel and Clark Handicap, finishing 2nd in Jim Dandy and BC Classic. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of ’05 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Unbridled’s Song, who sired last year’s Whitney winner Cross Traffic. Dam, Take Charge Lady, won 3 G1s, $2.4M; also produced G1 winner Take Charge Indy. WHITNEY POINTS: Last Travers winner to add Whitney at 4 was Medaglia d’Oro in ’02-’03. Win puts him over $4.5 million & into Top 25 US-based earners ever. Lukas won ’86 (Lady’s Secret) & ’90 (Criminal Type); 1st start since ’10. Whitney has had at least 1 Foster alum in trifecta each year since ’05. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Luis Saez: 22-year-old native of Panama City, Panama. ’09 Eclipse Award finalist for leading apprentice; won ’13 Travers. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas: Antigo, WI native turns 79 on 9/2; ’99 Hall of Fame inductee, 4-time Eclipse Award winner; 14 TC wins, 19 BC wins. Owner Willis Horton: Marshall, AR retired homebuilder also owned ’06 Kentucky Oaks upsetter Lemons Forever at 47/1. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!