July 25 Saratoga Special

The Year 10 • Issue 3

✫ aratoga Saratoga’s Daily Newspaper on Thoroughbred Racing

Sunday, July 25, 2010

She-Devil

Pletcher filly rules Coaching Club.

Tod Marks

Sanford Preview • Entries • Handicapping

here&there... at Saratoga Riddle of the Day A chicken and a half, lays an egg and a half, in a day and a half. How many in a week and a half?

Stop by Barn 61 for the answer

By The Numbers 1: Bride (or woman wearing a veil any-

way) running down Union Avenue in Saturday’s 5K.

1:

Woman wearing a leopard-print feather hat (really) while crossing Lake Avenue late Friday night (well, early Saturday morning).

9: Linda Rice horses behind the gate at

8:58 Friday morning.

One Winner Tod Marks

They’re off! The field speeds along East Avenue in Saturday’s 5K.

worth repeating

The Special quotes from Saratoga

“This isn’t like the Sports Illustrated cover jinx, is it?”

Trainer Todd Pletcher when seeing CCA Oaks favorite Devil May Care on the cover of The Special Saturday morning

“Before I start arguing with my owner, take me out.”

Trainer to the racing office when hearing the first two races were off the turf Saturday

“He might make more sense than me.”

Owner John Greathouse when hearing his trainer Todd Pletcher was going on The Saratoga Special television show Saturday morning

“You look like you’ve been through a car wash.”

Agent Matt Muzikar to The Special’s Sean Clancy before he got a haircut Saturday morning

“The Way You Are.” Name on Tom Voss’ hat

“I wonder if they play duck-duckgoose out there.”

Spectator on the daily huddle

“The beer tastes better when you’re buying with the track’s money.”

Tipster on the corner of Wright Street and Nelson Avenue

2

Mike Hushion: “Shake Shack.”

Rick Violette: “Chairman Now.” (before he finished second in Saturday’s third race)

Name of the Day American Classic, fourth race: Brian Mundell’s 6-year-old campaigner is by Distorted Humor out of Barnie Fife (Andy Griffith’s sidekick).

Weather Today: High of 82. Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of precipitation.

Tonight: Low of 60. Mostly clear with a 10 percent chance of precipitation.

Monday: High of 83. Sunny with no chance of rain.

Tuesday: High of 85. Mostly sunny with no chance of rain.

Just Sayin’ “In the first 24 hours, we’ve seen the best and the worst Saratoga has to offer. Torrential downpours and humidity coming up from the ground.”

— Trainer Rick Violette Saturday morning

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Every Every day day of of Sales Sales Week Week Aug. Aug. 2-8.

2-8.

The Staff

Editors/Publishers: Editors/Publishers: Sean Sean Clancy, Clancy, Joe Joe Clancy.

Clancy.

Staff Writers: Phil Janack, Karen Staff Writers: Phil Janack, Karen Johnson, Johnson, Mike Mike Kane, Kane, Terese Terese Karmel, Karmel, Ben Ben Meyers, Meyers, Katie Katie Bo Williams.

Bo Williams.

Layout/Design: Layout/Design: Dan Dan Vunk.

Vunk.

Photographers: Photographers: Tod Tod Marks, Marks, Dave Dave Harmon, Harmon, Connie Connie Bush.

Bush.

Handicappers: Handicappers: Gaile Gaile Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald, Dean Dean Keppler, Keppler, Brian Brian Nadeau, Nadeau, John John Panagot, Panagot, John John Shapazian Shapazian Assistants: Assistants: Chelsea Chelsea Brown, Brown, Maggie Maggie Kimmitt.

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Distribution: Distribution: Ryan Ryan Clancy, Clancy, Jack Jack Clancy, Clancy, Nolan Nolan Clancy, Clancy, Jane Jane Motion.

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Advertising Advertising Sales: Sales: Contact Contact aa Clancy Clancy or or call call Kathy Rubin at (203) 650-6815.

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday, July 25, 2010

3

Devil’s Work

Favorite laughs off rivals in Grade I for Glencrest, Pletcher, Velazquez

BY SEAN CLANCY

T

odd Pletcher stopped at the top of the stairs between the clubhouse box seats and the winner’s circle and watched.

Then he tapped a friend on the elbow.

“Look how far she gallops out.”

There was Devil May Care and jockey John Velazquez – and an outrider – rolling past the 7-furlong chute after the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. The rest of her beaten comrades had stopped and were turning around at the mile pole.

Glencrest Farm’s Devil May Care continued to dominate the 3-year-old filly division in New York with an authoritative 4-length victory over Canadian shipper Biofuel and Black Eyed Susan winner Acting Happy. Devil May Care improved her career mark to 5-for-8 and her PD (post Derby) record to 2-for-2.

Longshot Absinthe Minded set the early pace, going the first quarter in 24.54 seconds while Velazquez looked

CCA Oaks stakes recap

See DEVIL’S WORK page 5

Tod Marks

Devil May Care cruises away from Biofuel to win the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Our graduates include:

Vineyard Haven (Gr. l) • Zensational (Gr. l) Bustin Stones (Gr. l) • Awesome Gem (Gr. l) Macho Again (Gr. l) • Ten Most Wanted (Gr. l) Stately Character (Gr. I) • Toccet (Gr. l) Bella Bellucci (Gr. l) • Acey Deucey (Gr. l) Moon Catcher (Gr. l)

Already four 2-year-old winners in 2010 • Another Silver Oak at Delaware Park for Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher.

• Gambline Geraldine at Monmouth Park

Contact Jim Crupi Toll Free: (866) 313-5400 Cell: (352) 427-1600

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for Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher.

• K.R.’s Jazz at Monmouth Park for A Woman’s Thing and Mary Hartman.

• Saratoga Louie at Monmouth Park for Gary Barber and Peter Miller

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Devil’s Work –

like he was trying to get Devil May Care to the pole for a breeze. Rocked against her, Velazquez convinced Devil May Care Continued from page 4 to back off from between Acting Happy and Seeking The Title. It took awhile, but she relented enough to settle in fourth, just 2 lengths off the lead, after a half in 48.21. Velazquez finally negotiated the spot he wanted, fourth and in the clear. By the quarter pole, Devil May Care had taken over the task, ranging up to Acting Happy while Velazquez made his patented peak under his right shoulder – looking for Biofuel who had crept into it. He looked again turning for home and by the time he snuck in a third look, it was over. He changed his hold, readied his whip and she was long gone. She finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.42 while hardly being ridden out.

“The only thing that worries me is she’s been a little more aggressive early in her last two races,” Velazquez said. “Once I got her covered up, she was good, but I had to really crank her down to get her covered up. By the half-mile pole, I pulled her out and dropped her head, after that it was all her. I just didn’t want to get to the lead too soon. She got there so quickly. Once you give her her head, she wants to take over a little too quickly.”

Devil May Care has taken over the mantle of best New York-based 3-year-old filly. There’s still an awaiting clash with Blind Luck (Alabama, anyone?), but the daughter of Malibu Moon has been dominant since being freshened from her Kentucky Derby experiment. She ranged into contention that day, then couldn’t see it out, splitting the field in 10th, beaten 12 lengths.

“I’m still baffled by the way she didn’t finish in the Derby, she moved around the turn like she was going to gallop,” Velazquez said. “Look at how she’s come back and run. She breezes like that with the horse who won the Derby, she always kept up with him, that’s why I was surprised that she didn’t go on in the Derby. She wasn’t even tired in the Derby, she galloped out fine and came back fine, I don’t get it, the only thing is the different track and she couldn’t get a hold of it when I got after

“The only thing that worries me is she’s been a little more aggressive early in her last two races.”

– John Velazquez, jockey

See DEVIL’S WORK page 6

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Devil’s Work –

Continued from page 5

her. I was really surprised by that. But who cares, now she’s come back to run like this.”

Pletcher had no qualms about trying the Derby. And it didn’t take long afterward to know he hadn’t done any damage to her, physically or mentally. She lost a little weight but wasn’t rocked by the task. A day after the Derby, Pletcher felt good about a summer campaign.

“Her ability to rebound from that speaks of her quality,” Pletcher said. “It was a risk, seeing the effort today, the way she won, how easily she won, how she galloped out, you can see why we did it.

The Derby is one of those races, sometimes you can’t explain why horses run the way they do, there have been a lot of great, great colts that have failed to menace in the Derby, you look at horses like Holy Bull. It’s one of those strange phenomenons. And she didn’t run bad, she loomed up at the top of the stretch and got everybody’s hearts pumping.”

Devil May Care made her career debut at Saratoga last summer, toying with seven 2-year-old fillies. She returned to win the Grade I Frizette before flopping in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. In her first – and last – start on a synthetic track, she beat one rival. Her 2010 debut was disastrous when she blew the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds when acting up in the gate. She

shipped back to Florida and was back to her old self with an easy win in the Bonnie Miss. That led Pletcher and owner John Greathouse to lengthen the scope and try the Derby. It didn’t work. But, most importantly, it didn’t hurt. Devil May Care is back to her best. Back to the wild feats she’s been displaying since she was a 2-year-old at Saratoga.

Pletcher has seen that gallop out before. He gave a leg up to future jockey Kristina McManigell for a breeze last summer. Devil May Care and Super Saver, from the gate, breeze five eighths, regular gallop out.

“It’s usually never an issue, by the

“Her ability to rebound from that speaks of her quality.”

—Todd Pletcher, trainer time they break at the seven-eighths pole, they gallop past the wire here, most horses are usually finished. She was breezing five eighths, I told her regular gallop out. I looked up and she’s pulling up over there,” Pletcher said pointing to the seven-eighths pole.

“She had galloped out a mile and an eighth as a 2-year-old, I said, ‘This is serious.’ Like nothing. I liked her up to that point, but that was the day I was pretty sure she was a Grade I filly, that was in company with Super Saver by the way. Unreal. Unreal. You can’t train that, they have it or they don’t.”

Devil May Care (left) breaks from the gate in the Coaching Club Oaks.

Tod Marks

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

7

SATURDAY RACING RECAP

Swept Away

Mineswept scorches muddy track in opener Phil Serpe would like to say he planned Mineswept’s lopsided victory in the opener, an off-the-turf allowance for New York-breds, but the trainer was simply playing the weather odds.

“We had him in a race on the dirt and it didn’t fill, and we knew that race (Saturday) would cut back to seven-eighths of a mile if it came off the turf,” Serpe said. “Angel Cordero says it always rains Opening Day at Saratoga so we put him in there on a whim – it sounds good now.”

The sole main-track-only entrant in the race, Mineswept ran to his 4-5 odds and scored by 3 3/4 lengths for Flying Zee Stable. Alan Garcia put the 3-year-old just off the lead of Abilio early and took over in the stretch. The son of Mineshaft covered the 7 furlongs in 1:23.7.

Bred by the owner, Mineswept ran twice here last summer as a 2-year-old and finished second in a Belmont maiden in September. He emerged from the Sleepy Hollow Stakes (on New York Showcase Day) last October with a chip in an ankle, had surgery and didn’t run again until March. Mineswept finished sev-

8

Mineswept flies away from the field in Saturday’s first race.

enth in his comeback race at Gulfstream Park, progressed to second against state-bred maidens at Aqueduct in April and blitzed home in a 7 1/2-furlong maiden at Belmont in May. “He didn’t finish as well (Saturday) as he did in his previous race, so he probably wasn’t real fond of the track but it was a good spot for him,” said Serpe.

“Hopefully he’ll continue to move forward for us.”

• WinStar Farm homebred Keep Me Informed (Garrett Gomez) made quick work of the third, a $51,000 maiden originally slated for the turf. The main-track-

Tod Marks

only entrant broke slowly, advanced to fourth, navigated wide around the first turn and roared through the stretch to defeat Chairman Now by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:51.15 for the 1 1/8 miles.

Trained by Bill Mott, the 3-year-old finished second in his debut at Belmont Park last month and was sent off as the 7-5 favorite.

WinStar’s Elliot Walden didn’t make the trip to see Keep Me Informed’s race, but took a call while at the Hullablou music festival at Churchill Downs Saturday evening. The music was great, and the horse looked See saturday page 9

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Saturday –

Continued from page 8

good too.

“He had a splint as a 2-year-old that kept him from running, but we always liked him – he just got started late,” Walden said. “We sent him to Billy in November, he had a little setback, he got sick and it was June before he got to run. He didn’t look like he was relishing (the muddy track), but that’s a good effort for his second start.”

• With Rachel Alexandra running at Monmouth Park, Steve Asmussen may not have been at Saratoga to shepherd his two entries onto the track, but they did fine without him. The trainer tallied back-to-back wins in the seventh and eighth races at the Spa, a maiden for 2-year-olds and a decidedly deep allowance for older horses.

Wine Police, a 2-year-old colt by Speightstown, wired the 5 1/2-furlong seventh with aplomb, drawing away to a 7 3/4-length score in his first start.

Owned by Texas residents Kirk and Judy Robison and bred by John and Martha Jane Mulholland, the chestnut colt was a $190,000 Keeneland Septem-

ber purchase.

Wine Police asserted control immediately after the break, outpowering eight foes, and held the pace through the opening fractions of 22.22 and 45.50 seconds. Shaun Bridgmohan hustled the winner exiting the turn, and Wine Police responded while cruising home alone.

Trainer and jockey completed the double with Ash Zee in the eighth, a first-level allowance for fillies and mares.

The Florida-bred daughter of Exchange Rate pushed her way in front in the final furlong of a tough 7 furlongs. The Zayat Stable filly was a decisive winner last out, trouncing 10 others in a Churchill Downs maiden June 5.

The $375,000 Fasig-Tipton July graduate was sent off as the 7-10 favorite and lived up to it while making her third lifetime start. The 3-year-old gray bobbled through a rough start, but settled just off of the pace down the backside. The leaders set fractions of 22.37 and 45.18 seconds before yielding to the winner.

Asmussen’s other charge, reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, rewarded his absence from Saratoga with a 3-length score in the $400,000 Lady’s Secret. She’ll have company on the winner’s list for the weekend.

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Tod Marks

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Saturday’s Saratoga results Saturday, July 24, 2010 Track Muddy 1ST 7 Furlongs 3 YO &Up Allowance Purse: $43,000 11 Mineswept Garcia Alan 3.40 2.50 5 John Wyatt Lezcano J 4.60 7 Abilio Hill C Time: 1:23.70 Trainer: Serpe Philip M. Owner: Flying Zee Stable Dk. b or br. c, by Mineshaft - Common Dixie, by Mr. Greeley.

Bred by Flying Zee Stables $2 Exacta (11-5) Paid $16.20 $2 Trifecta (11-5-7) Paid $39.80

Got Silks?

2.10 3.10 2.60

2ND 5 1/2 Furlongs 2 YO Maiden Purse: $40,000 2 Never Right Joey Velazquez J R 6.60 3.40 2.40 4 D’ Sauvage Castellano J J 3.10 2.40 6 Tall Tale Teller Lezcano J 2.80 Time: 1:05.43 Trainer: Pletcher Todd A - Owner: Repole Stable Ch. c, by Tapit - Backwoods Teacher, by Woodman Bred by JMJ Racing Stables LLC $2 Exacta (2-4) Paid $19.40 $2 Quinella (2-4) Paid $8.00 $2 Trifecta (2-4-6) Paid $50.50 $2 Daily Double (11-2) Paid $12.20 Daily Double Pool $263,784 $2 Superfecta (2-4-6-1) Paid $280.00 3RD 1 1/8 Miles 3 YO & Up Maiden Purse: $51,000 11 Keep Me Informed Gomez G K 4.80 3.00 2.30 1 Chairman Now Garcia Alan 3.40 2.70 6 Baatesh Maragh R 3.60 Time 1:51.15 Trainer: Mott William I - Owner: WinStar Farm LLC Dk. b or br c, by A.P. Indy - Awesome Humor, by Distorted Humor.

Bred by WinStar Farm LLC $2 Exacta (11-1) Paid $16.00 $2 Trifecta (11-1-6) Paid $48.60 $2 Pick 3 (11-2-11) 3 Correct Paid $30.40 Pick 3 Pool $124,979 $2 Daily Double (2-11) Paid $16.80 Daily Double Pool $70,932 $2 Consolation Pick 3 (11-2-3) Paid $10.60 $2 Superfecta (11-1-6-4) Paid $187.40 $2 Consolation Double (2-3) Paid $6.20 4TH 1 Mile (Inner turf) 3 YO & Up allow Purse: $53,000 4 Compliance Officer Maragh R 13.80 7.10 4.70 2 Good Prospect Garcia Alan 7.60 4.50 7 Northern Giant Mena M 6.00 Time 1:36.98 Trainer: Pompay Terri. Owner: Klaravich Stables, Inc. and Lawrence, W.H. Dk. b or br. c, by Officer - Purple Hills, by Dynaformer.

Bred by Kenneth L Ramsey & Sarah K Ramsey $2 Exacta (4-2) Paid $63.00 $2 Quinella (2-4) Paid $32.80 $2 Trifecta (4-2-7) Paid $429.50 $2 Pick 3 (2-11-4) 3 Correct Paid $178.00 Pick 3 Pool $71,862 $2 Daily Double (11-4) Paid $35.40 Daily Double Pool $96,747 $2 Consolation Pick 3 (2-3-4) Paid $57.00 $2 Superfecta (4-2-7-5) Paid $1,574.00

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5TH 6 Furlongs 3 YO & Up Maiden Purse: $40,000 9 Lindsay’s Point Rodriguez J 8.00 4.50 3.00 1 Julie’s Ina Frenzy Luzzi M J 15.60 10.40 5 Awakened Beauty Castellano J J 4.70 Time 1:12.93 Trainer: Ubillo Rodrigo A - Owner: McMahon, Joseph and Anne and Connolly, Mark and Jean Ch. f, by Desert Warrior - Ashley Lindsey, by Turkoman Bred by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds LLC $2 Exacta (9-1) Paid $203.50 $2 Trifecta (9-1-5) Paid $923.00 $2 Pick 3 (11-4-9) 3 Correct Paid $165.00 Pick 3 Pool $94,475 $2 Pick 4 (2-2/3/7/8/10/11-4-9) 4 Correct $718.00 Pick 4 Pool $231,144 $2 Daily Double (4-9) Paid $47.80 Daily Double Pool $67,595 $2 Consolation Pick 3 (11-4-3) Paid $36.40 $2 Superfecta (9-1-5-6) Paid $3,771.00 $2 Consolation Double (4-3) Paid $11.20

6TH 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) 3&Up Allowance OPT CLM ($35,000) Purse: $45,000 7 Spa City Fever Chavez J F 12.20 7.20 4.90 1 Come Undone Lezcano J 9.20 5.90 3 Saginaw Castellano J J 6.10 Times 1:43.16 Trainer: Kelly Patrick J - Owner: Madkour Adam Ch. g, by Roaring Fever - Lady Di Huntley, by Shuailaan.

Bred by Adam Madkour $2 Exacta (7-1) Paid $100.50 $2 Trifecta (7-1-3) Paid $702.00 $2 Pick 3 (4-9-7) 3 Correct Paid $359.00 Pick 3 Pool $86,108 $2 Daily Double (9-7) Paid $46.20 Daily Double Pool $82,480 $2 Consolation Pick 3 (4-3-7) Paid $73.00 7TH 5 1/2 Furlongs 2 YO Maiden Purse: $50,000 8 Wine Police Bridgmohan S X 7.10 4.00 7 Soldat Maragh R 3.10 2 Santiva Prado E S Time 1:03.36 Trainer: Asmussen Steven M - Owner: Robison, J. Kirk and Judy Ch. c, by Speightstown - Deputy Cures Blues, by War Deputy Bred by John Mulholland and Martha Jane Mulholland $2 Exacta (8-7) Paid $21.80 $2 Trifecta (8-7-2) Paid $468.00 $2 Daily Double (7-8) Paid $56.00 Daily Double Pool $98,075 $2 Pick 3 (9-7-8) 3 Correct Paid $212.50 Pick 3 Pool $99,612

3.20 2.60 8.70

8TH RACE 7 Furlongs 3 YO & Up Allowance Purse: $52,000 4 Zee Bridgmohan S X 3.40 2.90 2.20 5 Cinco de Mayo Mio Dominguez R A 8.10 4.60 1 Zonga Zing Castellano J J 2.60 Time 1:22.32 Trainer: Asmussen Steven M - Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC Gr/ro. f, by Exchange Rate - Wickedly Wise by Tactical Cat.Bred by Y-Lo Racing Stables LLC $2 Exacta (4-5) Paid $55.50 $2 Trifecta (4-5-1) Paid $132.00 $2 Pick 3 (7-8-4) 3 Correct Paid $112.50 Pick 3 Pool $143,371 $2 Daily Double (8-4) Paid $12.00 Daily Double Pool $88,934 $2 Superfecta (4-5-1-2) Paid $544.00 9TH BetFair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) 1 1/8 Miles 3 YO fillies Stakes Purse: $250,000 7 Devil May Care Velazquez J R 3.40 2.40 2.10 6 Biofuel Da Silva E R 4.00 2.60 8 Acting Happy Lezcano J 2.50 Time 1:49.42 Trainer: Pletcher Todd A - Owner: Glencrest Farm LLC B. f. 3, by Malibu Moon - Kelli’s Ransom, by Red Ransom.

Bred by Diamond A Racing Corp. $2 Exacta (7-6) Paid $13.00 $2 Trifecta (7-6-8) Paid $24.20 $2 Grand Slam (1/3/7-2/7/8-1/4/5/7-2/4/7) Paid $19.20 $2 Pick 3 (8-4-7) 3 Correct Paid $33.00 Pick 3 Pool $105,485 $2 Daily Double (4-7) Paid $5.50 Daily Double Pool $96,104 10TH 3 YO & Up Maiden Special Weight Purse: $50,000 6 Winning Touch Castellano J J 20.60 10.00 7.30 11 De Price Albarado R J 6.60 5.00 1 Rumbling Desormeaux K J 7.10 Time 1:09.57 Trainer: Brown Chad C - Owner: Gary and Mary West Stables, Inc. Dk. b or br. c, by Tale of the Cat - One Special Lady, by Gulch Bred by Stonehaven Farm LLC $2 Exacta (6-11) Paid $143.00 $2 Trifecta (6-11-1) Paid $1,269.00 $2 Superfecta (6-11-1-3) Paid $8,679.00 $2 Daily Double (7-6) Paid $44.40 Daily Double Pool $253,129 $2 Pick 3 (4-7-6) 3 Correct Paid $65.00 Pick 3 Pool $186,875 $2 Pick 4 (8-4/7-2/4/7-6) 4 Correct Paid $358.50 $2 Pick 6 (9-7-8-4/7-2/4/7-6) 5 Correct Paid $83.50 $2 Pick 6 (9-7-8-4/7-2/4/7-6) 6 Correct Paid $7,972.00 Saratoga Attendance: 20,352 Mutuel Pool: $2,913,536 ITW Mutuel Pool: $3,390,323 ISW Mutuel Pool: $10,190,218

(914-439-5636) info@sovereignstable.com

866-329-2WIN www.sovereignstable.com In Saratoga all summer

10

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Saturday’s Saratoga winners • Photos by dave harmon & Tod Marks

1 Mineswept

2 Never Right Joey

3 Keep Me Informed

4 Compliance Officer

5 Lindsay’s Point

6 Spa City Fever

7

8 Ash Zee

10 Winning Touch

Wine Police

West Virginia Breeders Classics XXIV Saturday, October 16, 2010 at

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

11

Howard back on track Top 2YO Lou Brissie helps trainer in return

BY PHIL JANACK From groom to stable foreman, assistant to head trainer, Neil Howard has been a fixture at Saratoga Race Course for parts of four decades. When he turned in his stalls to spend last summer at Delaware Park, his absence was notable.

“Pretty much since I’ve been on Sanford the racetrack, I Stakes haven’t missed too many seasons up Preview here,” the 61-yearold Howard said.

“In this business, you don’t want to be somewhere where you feel like you shouldn’t be at the time.

“Last year, we had some horses that were a little slow in coming around.

You don’t want to go anywhere and just take up space.”

Howard is back in his familiar Barn 13 digs this year with 18 horses, including the promising 2-year-old colt Lou Brissie, who goes after his second stakes victory in today’s Grade II $150,000 Sanford. The 6-furlong Sanford is the first of Saratoga’s three traditional See Sanford page 14

Lou Brissie leads the field into the first of three traditional juvenile male stakes at Saratoga in today’s Sanford.

Tod Marks

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12

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday, July 25, 2010

13

Sanford –

Continued from page 12

stakes for juvenile males, followed by the Grade II $150,000 Saratoga Special at 6 1/2 furlongs Aug. 16, and the Grade I $250,000 Hopeful at 7 furlongs on closing day, Sept. 6.

Owned by Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable, Lou Brissie is the lone stakes winner in the eight-horse field, taking the Grade III Kentucky Juvenile April 30 at Churchill Downs, just 15 days after an eventful debut where he broke slow and jockey Robby Albarado lost his whip, yet still won by three-quarters of a length on the Polytrack at Keeneland.

“The horse came to me ready to go from Dogwood in South Carolina,” Howard said. “He trained well for us.

We worked him, blew him out of the gate, and ran him. While he trained good, he’s a very quiet-demeanored type, laid back for a young colt, so it was hard to get a read on him. He wasn’t establishing himself one way or the other. We didn’t really know what to expect.”

John Velazquez replaced Albarado for the Kentucky Juvenile, where Lou Brissie stalked the speed and sprinted clear with a three-wide move to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Afterward, Howard and Campbell decided to give the chestnut Limehouse colt a break.

“When you win two in the spring nowadays, there’s no place else to run again,” Howard said. “That didn’t hurt anything. Now, I’m glad to be back on a schedule with him. We kept him going.

Maggie Kimmit

Bail Out The Cat (with assistant Melissa Cohen) is the program favorite for today’s feature.

We didn’t let him go backwards, and then we just picked it up from there, getting ready for the Bashford Manor.”

Lou Brissie was second of six in the Grade III Bashford Manor, a distant 9 1/2 lengths behind undefeated Kantharos. With Kantharos sitting out the Sanford, Albarado reunites with Lou Brissie.

“My horse ran well,” Howard said.

“He’s been stellar so far. He got beat by probably the best 2-year-old around last time, but he’s a nice colt. He’s run good every time. He did all he could against what’s a special animal.”

Purchased for $100,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky yearling sales last July, Lou Brissie has won $119,810 in purses for Dogwood, which fortified Howard with eight horses after the trainer’s primary client, Will Farish, sent some horses to other trainers.

Howard trained Summer Squall, who won the Preakness and was second in

the Kentucky Derby in 1990, for Dogwood, which purchased the horse from Farish’s Lane’s End Farm.

“Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and my family, other than Summer Squall, our relationship has been more on a personal basis than anything,” Howard said.

“Then, when Mr. Campbell realized that I was going public, he really gave me some support. He has an absolute finger on the pulse of how this business works.”

Howard is excited about the potential for Lou Brissie, but has no plans to push the talented youngster too hard, too soon. Based on the way he runs, the Hopeful would be next on the agenda.

“With this horse, we’re going to have to be patient until later on this summer or in the fall, when things start stretching out for him. You can only do so much with a horse like him right now,” Howard said. “I think there’s a lot untapped there yet. He doesn’t really act like a 2-year-old. He’s very mature; never turns a hair. When they do stretch out, you would speculate that he would be a horse to be reckoned with, but you just do not know until they do it.”

Dogwood will also be represented in the Sanford by Blue Right By, trained by

Dallas Stewart. The Bluegrass Cat colt broke his maiden last time out in his third try, gathering himself after bobbling at the start to win by 2 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs June 19.

“He’s a nice colt,” Stewart said. “He put it all together last time. He’s the kind of colt that strikes me will be better once he stretches out. He looks like he wants to go long. He’s a colt that never gets tired. He trains well every day. He trains at it and that’s why he’s gotten better. It’s going to be tough, I know, but you’ve got to see where you’re at. If he can’t make it, we’ll run in an allowance race later on.”

Bail Out The Cat is the 2-1 program favorite for the Sanford. Trained by Rick Violette for Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, the Tale Of The Cat colt was impressive in his debut, nearly going gate-to-wire on a muddy, sealed track at Belmont Park to win by 2 1/4 lengths under a vigorous hand ride from Alan Garcia June 10.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will try for his fifth Sanford victory with Another Silver Oak, a son of Bluegrass Cat who won his debut at Delaware Park June 15. Pletcher won the Sanford with More Than Ready (1999), Chapel Royal (2003), Scat Daddy (2006) and Ready’s Image (2007).

“We’re getting ready to find out a lot more about them,” Pletcher said of this year’s 2-year-olds. “That’s why you come up here, because these are the premiere 2-year-old races in the country, and you get to find out if what you were hoping is really good are as good as you hoped.”

Rounding out the field are Chipshot and Nacho Saint, who ran 1-2 in a 5-furlong maiden at Monmouth Park June 6; Maybesomaybenot, a 6-length winner for trainer Mike Maker at Churchill Downs; and Commonwealth Rush from the barn of Tim Ice, who trained last year’s 3-year-old champion Summer Bird.

Fasig-Tipton’s Bonus Baby

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14

The winner’s share of today’s $150,000 Sanford purse is $90,000. For everyone but Blue Right By. Dogwood Stable’s 2-year-old could pocket more than double that with a victory as the lone Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate in the race.

The sales company and NYRA offered a $100,000 bonus to the first 2009 select sales graduate to win a graded stakes at Saratoga this year. Friday’s Schuylerville, the Sanford, Adirondack, Saratoga Special, With Anticipation, Spinaway and Hopeful make up the bonus races and the payoff went unclaimed (and untried) Friday.

Step to the plate Blue Right By. The son of Bluegrass Cat sold for $140,000 (as part of the Mt. Brilliant Farm consignment) last summer and broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in June for trainer Dallas Stewart.

Tod Marks “We believe this bonus Blue Right By as a yearling last year. adds a little extra excitement and incentive for buyers of last year’s graduates,” said Fasig-Tipton’s Dan Pride. “NYRA and Charlie Hayward get the credit for the concept.”

Keeping score? Schuylerville winner Hot Dixie Chick would have won the bonus in 2009 – if one existed – and the bonus is a carryover, meaning if it goes unclaimed this year it’s worth $200,000 next year.

– Joe Clancy

Sunday, July 25, 2010

s t e B st Be

in town!

Things to do, places to go, businesses to call...

Make your business a “Best Bet” for the meet • E-mail Kathy Rubin at kathyrubin@st-publishing.com American French Italian Global Comfort Foods Reservations Accepted Private Chef Tables Available

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Great selection of Premium Cigars 10% off Altadis Boxes Surgeon General Warning: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer and Heart Disease.

Saratoga's Premier Handicapping Sheet

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VISA

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Available every day at the track On the OTB Network, Wed. & Sun @ 10:30 AM Top guests and key information. trackfacts@gmail.com

On Exhibit at the Equidae Gallery • Saratoga Holiday Inn • July 25–Sept 6

Saturday & Sunday

18 Holes/Cart

37

$ Sporting Art by Beth Parcell Evans • www.bethparcellevans.com • 609-466-2573

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Tuesday

18 Holes/ Cart /Lunch

33

$

Thursday 18 Holes/ Cart

25

$

13 miles east of Saratoga on Rte 29, 2 blocks east of Washington County Fair

15

the

Power grid John Shapazian

John Panagot

Gaile Fitzgerald

Brian Nadeau

10

Rumors of Glory Sounds Familar Frivolous Buck Lady Maureen Yawkey Way Risk a Chance Cody Samora Under the Rainbow Vicarious Desert Key Mesa Sunrise Booted Fiddler’s Chaparito Western Connection Magnificent Tiger Scary Good Mr. Benjamin Splendid Behavior Little Nick My Golden Opinion Fastus Cactus Midnight Mischief Austintatious War Hoot Bail Out the Cat Chipshot Dogwood Entry Annual Appeal Song for Pupcake Toy Indian

Sounds Familiar Frivolous Buck In Your Dreams Lady Maureen Risk A Chance Copious Notes Rogue’s Jewel Team Plan Catchapenny K. Desert Key Mesa Sunrise I Ain’t No Saint Fiddler’s Chaparito Gerard Loves Beer Moon Raven Scary Good Splendid Behavior Artie’s Chapter My Golden Opinion Little Nick Winthrop House The Roundhouse War Hoot Austintatious Nacho Saint Bail Out The Cat Chipshot Annie’s Melody Song For Pupcake Hunt For Candie

Sounds Familiar Starjetta Frivolous Buck Risk A Chance Lady Maureen Yawkey Way Cody Samora Rogue’s Jewel Under The Rainbow Mesa Sunrise Booted Desert Key Fiddler’s Chaparito Runaway Jim Western Connection Artie’s Chapter Scary Good Starr West Sumfun Dutrow Entry Fastus Cactus Glenwood Canyon Mikoshi War Hoot Maybesomaybenot Bail Out The Cat Chipshot Tidal Slam Annual Appeal Song For Pupcake

In Your Dreams Sounds Familiar Frivolous Buck Lady Maureen Yawkey Way Copious Notes Cody Samora Team Plan Catchapenny K Booted Mesa Sunrise I Ain’t No Saint Magnificent Tiger Fiddler’s Chaparito Moon Raven Pawleys Porch Scary Good Leading Candidate My Golden Opinion Little Nick Fastus Cactus Peace Wine War Hoot Austintatious Nacho Saint Bail Out The Cat Commonwealth Rush Annual Appeal Auric Girl Tidal Slam

Records

X/20

X/20

X/20

X/20

Race #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

s t e B st e B

in town!

Things to do, places to go, businesses to call...

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Dean Keppler Starjetta In Your Dreams Sounds Familiar Lady Maureen Yawkey Way Copious Notes Rogue’s Jewel Team Plan (Entry) Vicarious Mesa Sunrise Booted Desert Key Gerard Loves Beer Fiddler’s Chaparito Magnificent Tiger Scary Good Call Me Ray Mr. Benjamin Winthrop House Sumfun Little Nick War Hoot Peace Wine Followmyfootsteps Nacho Saint Bail Out the Cat Another Silver Oak Song for Pupcake Hunt for Candie Auric Girl

X/20

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Preventative/Therapeutic

For veterinarians, dealers & catalogs Call: 800-786-6633 www.icehorse.net

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Royal Ascot (June) L’Arc de Triomphe (Sep-Oct) Cheltenham (March) Dubai (March) Aintree (April)

For trip details and to reserve your space, call George Wagner, 1-800-368-0872 or visit our website www.horseracingtripsworldwide.com

sunday’s Saratoga entries Sunday, July 25. Post Time 1 p.m. Entries with program number, post position, jockey, trainer, and morning-line odds.

1st (1:00) 1 1/16 Miles (Inner turf) NY BRED F&M 3&Up Allow Purse: $43,000 1 10 Sounds Familiar.........Prado E S.............. Serpe Philip M..........7-2 1A AE Nurse Dolce................Lezcano J.............. Serpe Philip M..........7-2 2 1 Sweethearts Kiss........Albarado R J......... Ferraro James W....20-1 3 2 Can She Dance...........Velazquez J R........ Donk David.............10-1 4 3 Delightful Vicky..........Espinoza J L.......... Aquilino Joseph......20-1 5 4 In Your Dreams..........Garcia Alan............ Bush Thomas M.......5-1 6 5 Frivolous Buck............Castellano J J........ Weaver George.........3-1 7 6 Rumors of Glory........Maragh R.............. Kimmel John C.........6-1 8 7 Starjetta......................Dominguez R A..... Schettino Dominick..6-1 9 8 Maya Charli................Cohen D................ Pletcher Todd A........8-1 10 9 Grace and Courage.....Velasquez C........... Bush Thomas M.....20-1 11 AE Tutti Va Bene..............Cohen D................ Sciacca Gary............6-1 12 AE Mystic City.................Leparoux J R......... Ferraro M Anthony10-1 A-Coupled: Sounds Familiar and Nurse Dolce Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (1-3), Daily Double 2nd (1:33) 5 1/2 Furlongs ny bred 2YO Maiden Purse: $40,000 1 1 Ausable Chasm..........Solis A................... Sciacca Gary..........10-1 2 2 Copious Notes............Cohen D................ Contessa Gary C.......8-1 3 3 Risk a Chance.............Maragh R.............. Kimmel John C.........5-2 4 4 Yawkey Way...............Castellano J J........ Brown Chad C..........2-1 5 5 Katester......................Hill C..................... Ferraro James W....20-1 6 6 Page by Page.............Lezcano J.............. Hennig Mark.............6-1 7 7 Lady Maureen............Dominguez R A..... Badgett William Jr....3-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (2-4) Pick 4 Races (2-5), Daily Double 3rd (2:06) 7 Furlongs ny bred F&M 3&Up Allow Purse: $42,000 1 1 Team Plan..................Rodriguez J........... Ubillo Rodrigo A.......4-1 1A 8 Northern Warrior........Lenclud F.............. Ubillo Rodrigo A.......4-1 2 2 Vicarious....................Leparoux J R......... Jerkens H Allen........5-1 3 3 Rogue’s Jewel............Lezcano J.............. Martin Carlos F.........7-2 4 4 Cody Samora..............Castellano J J........ Morrison John..........2-1 5 5 Under the Rainbow.....Velasquez C........... Hernandez Ramon....6-1 6 6 Rosy Roar..................Albarado R J......... Odintz Jeff..............15-1 7 7 A Smart Judge...........Gomez G K............ Hertler John O........15-1 8 9 Catchapenny K...........Maragh R.............. Ribaudo Robert J...12-1 A-Coupled: Team Plan and Northern Warrior Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3 Races (3-5), Daily Double 4th (2:39) 6 Furlongs 3&Up Allow/Opt Clm ($50,000) Purse: $54,000 1 1 Desert Key..................Castellano J J........ Jerkens James A......3-1 2 2 American Classic........Velazquez J R........ Pletcher Todd A........9-2 3 3 Overbid.......................Mena M................. Guillot Eric..............20-1 4 4 I Ain’t No Saint...........Cohen D................ Jacobson David......10-1 5 5 Kens Cape..................Maragh R.............. Alexander Frank......15-1 6 6 Mesa Sunrise.............Dominguez R A..... Dutrow Anthony ......5-1 7 7 Southern Danger........Albarado R J......... Romans Dale............8-1 8 8 Booted........................Bridgmohan S X.... Stall Albert M Jr.......4-1 9 9 Be Bullish...................Prado E S.............. Schwartz Scott M.....6-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (4-6), Daily Double 5th (3:13) 5 1/2 Furlongs ny bred (Turf) 3&Up Maiden Purse: $40,000 1 1 Fiddler’s Chaparito......Castellano J J........ Weaver George.........9-5 2 2 Bounder.....................Rodriguez J........... Hertler John O........15-1 3 3 Magnificent Tiger.......Velasquez C........... Penna Angel Jr.........8-1 4 4 Moonshine Mountain.Husbands S P....... Simeone Paul J......30-1 5 5 Gerard Loves Beer......Maragh R.............. Brown Bruce R.........7-2 6 6 Moon Raven...............Luzzi M J............... Ferraro James W....12-1 7 7 Fourseventeen............Samyn J L............. Galluscio Dominic..20-1 8 8 Western Connection...Studart M.............. Morrison John..........4-1 9 9 Champleve.................Prado E S.............. Galluscio Dominic....8-1 10 MTO Jello Shot...................Luzzi M J............... Kelly Patrick J.........12-1 11 MTO Runaway Jim..............Lezcano J.............. Hills Timothy A . ......6-1 12 MTO Brolio.........................Leparoux J R......... Bond H James . .......8-1 13 MTO Marsh Haven..............Hill C..................... Baker Charlton ........8-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (5-7), Pick 6 Races (5-10) Daily Double

Sallee Horse Vans 1-800-967-VANS (772) 260-2586 Sunday, July 25, 2010

6th (3:47) 6 Furlongs 3&UP maiden Claiming ($35,000 - $25,000) Purse: $25,000 1 1 Stand Proud...............Castellano J J........ Brown Chad C........12-1 2 2 Scary Good................Borel C H............... Zito Nicholas P.........3-1 3 3 Yankee Hill..................Espinoza J L.......... Feron Kathleen M...50-1 4 4 Splendid Behavior......Maragh R.............. Baker Charlton..........6-1 5 5 Starr West..................Dominguez R A..... Jacobson David........5-1 6 6 Pawleys Porch............Cohen D................ Nicks Ralph E.........12-1 7 7 Call Me Ray................Leparoux J R......... McPeek Kennet......15-1 8 8 Mr. Benjamin..............Velazquez J R........ Pletcher Todd A......10-1 9 9 Leading Candidate......Albarado R J......... Howard Neil J...........6-1 10 10 Five Aces....................Luzzi M J............... Contessa Gary C.....20-1 11 11 Artie’s Chapter............Lezcano J.............. Barbara Robert.........9-2 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (6-8), Grand Slam Races (6-9) Daily Double

Don’t Just Be a Spectator, Be an Owner

7th (4:21) 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) 3&Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $36,000 1 9 Sly..............................Dominguez R A..... Dutrow Anthony.......5-1 1A MTO My Golden Opinion.....Dominguez R A..... Dutrow Sydney.........5-1 2 1 Silent Pipe..................Mena M................. Scherer Merrill R....20-1 3 2 A. P. Eddie..................De Diego E............ Murphy Timothy P.30-1 4 3 Little Nick...................Velazquez J R........ Iwinski Allen.............2-1 5 4 Winthrop House.........Garcia Alan............ Rice Linda................6-1 6 5 Patron Saint...............Gutierrez J A......... Giliforte Jason........20-1 7 6 Moose Man................Cohen D................ Klesaris Steve.........10-1 8 7 Sumfun......................Albarado R J......... Good John................5-1 9 8 Estimator....................Castillo E............... Tebbutt John..........30-1 10 10 Fastus Cactus.............Prado E S.............. Dutrow, Jr. R E.........6-1 11 11 Subtitles.....................Velasquez C........... Ryerson James T...15-1 12 MTO Lookin At Her.............Velasquez C........... Hernandez Ramon.. 12-1 A-Coupled: Sly and My Golden Opinion Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (7-9), Pick 4 Races (7-10) Daily Double 8th (4:55) 1 1/16 Miles (Inner turf) 3&Up Allow/Opt Clm ($50,000) Purse: $55,000 1 2 War Hoot....................Lezcano J.............. Brown Chad C..........4-1 1A MTO Callide Valley..............Leparoux J R......... Kenneally Eddie........4-1 2 1 Uncle Indy..................Maragh R.............. Penna Angel Jr.........5-1 3 3 Conservative..............Garcia Alan............ McGaughey III C.....15-1 4 4 Slambino....................Hill C..................... Alexander Frank A....8-1 5 5 Peace Wine................Castellano J J........ Weaver George.......10-1 6 6 Followmyfootsteps.....Dominguez R A..... Voss Thomas H......12-1 7 7 Austintatious..............Velazquez J R........ Romans Dale............6-1 8 8 Rock in Bage (BRZ)....Gomez G K............ McLaughlin Kiaran...6-1 9 9 Mikoshi......................Leparoux J R......... Matz Michael R.........3-1 10 MTO The Roundhouse........Leparoux J R......... Pletcher Todd A........5-1 11 MTO Midnight Mischief......Leparoux J R......... Mott William I...........5-2 12 MTO Glenwood Canyon......Lenclud F.............. Stall Albert M Jr.......4-1 13 MTO Retriever.....................Lezcano J.............. Badgett William Jr.. 10-1 A-Coupled: War Hoot and Callide Valley Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (8-10), Daily Double 9th (5:30) Sanford Stakes (G2) 6 Furlongs 2YO Purse: $150,000 1 6 Lou Brissie.................Albarado R J......... Howard Neil J...........3-1 1A 7 Blue Right By.............Borel C H............... Stewart Dallas..........3-1 2 1 Maybesomaybenot.....Leparoux J R......... Maker Michael J.......6-1 3 2 Nacho Saint................Gomez G K............ Breen Kelly J..........10-1 4 3 Bail Out the Cat..........Garcia Alan............ Violette, Jr. R A........2-1 5 4 Another Silver Oak.....Velazquez J R........ Pletcher Todd A......10-1 6 5 Chipshot.....................Bridgmohan S X.... Asmussen Steve.......7-2 7 8 Commonwealth Rush.Maragh R.............. Ice Tim A................12-1 A-Coupled: Lou Brissie and Blue Right By Exacta, Trifecta, Daily Double 10th (6:04) 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) F&M 3&Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $27,000 1 1 Toy Indian..................Albarado R J......... McPeek Kenneth......6-1 2 2 Hunt for Candie..........Desormeaux K J.... Scherer Merrill R......8-1 3 3 Pea Stone...................Rodriguez J........... Ramos Faustino F...20-1 4 4 My Juanita..................Hill C..................... Englehart Jeremiah.. 12-1 5 5 Hookin the Goods.......Bermudez J E........ Pringle Edmund......50-1 6 6 Song for Pupcake.......Maragh R.............. Schettino Dominick..4-1 7 7 Lady Valiant................Velasquez C........... Ortiz Paulino O.........8-1 8 8 Quitters Never Win.....Malasquez W......... Lotruglio Edward....50-1 9 9 Tidal Slam..................Garcia Alan............ McLaughlin Kiaran...3-1 10 10 Angel Wave................Espinoza J L.......... Schettino Dominick.... 15-1 11 11 Auric Girl....................Studart M.............. Toscano John Jr.....12-1 12 12 Msjerseyroulette.........Lenclud F.............. Serpe Philip M..........6-1 13 MTO Roaring Belle..............Cohen D................ Badgett William .......8-1 14 MTO Annie’s Melody...........Maragh R.............. Nicks Ralph E...........7-2 15 MTO Annual Appeal............Borel C H............... Baker James E..........5-2 16 MTO Heavenly Pursuit........Velazquez J R........ Benzel Seth..............5-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10)

17

A Big Step

Veteran Giant Moon gets chance at Saratoga stakes for Schosberg.

Evan Shipman stakes preview

s familiar as Giant Moon is with the New York circuit he never had the opportunity to race at Saratoga until now. The 5-year-old makes his Spa debut as the morningline favorite in Monday’s $70,000 Evan Shipman for New York-breds, the third race on a card of nine.

The Rick Schosberg-trained Giant Moon has made all but one of his 14 career starts at Aqueduct or Belmont Park. He has won stakes at both tracks.

For various reasons Saratoga never figured in the plans, though. He wasn’t ready to run here as a 2-year-old, and then he was on the sidelines with physical issues during the summer months when he was 3 and 4.

Schosberg has good vibes about the initial Saratoga foray. That optimism comes because of Giant Moon’s second to Haynesfield in a restricted optional claimer at Belmont June 13. Giant Moon’s loss was flattered when Haynesfield returned to win the Grade II Suburban.

Monday, July 26

A

“Honestly, I think that was Giant Moon’s best career defeat,” Schosberg said. “Haynesfield is a special animal and our horse wasn’t letting him go; he kept coming back at him.”

Giant Moon, bred and owned by Al Fried Jr., has a special place in Schosberg’s heart. He trained him to a 2-year-old New York-bred championship, and then won the Count Fleet with him as a 3-year-old.

After a solid fourth in the Grade I Wood Memorial in 2008, Schosberg was game to take a shot in the Preakness. Giant Moon finished eighth in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown and came out of the race with a foot issue which sidelined him until the following February.

“He had a partial rotation in one of his feet in his coffin bone,” Schosberg said.

“It was the beginning of laminitis. As a result, we shoe him more often and keep on eye on any changes in the angle of his feet. Everything is great with him now.”

Under the race’s allowance conditions

170 south broadway saratoga springs, ny 12866

Tod Marks

Giant Moon heads to the post at Saratoga for the firs time Monday.

Giant Moon (Edgar Prado), gets a break in the weights and carries 119 pounds.

Two of his six rivals, Icabad Crane and Mighty Morris, tote 123.

A salty bunch of state-breds square off in the 1 1/8-mile dirt race. Fox Ridge Farm’s Naughty New York is the elder statesman and the race’s sole millionaire.

The 8-year-old makes his 62nd career

start, and seeks his first win since February 2008. The son of Quiet American hasn’t exactly been idle the last two years. He has picked up checks in several restricted stakes, and was narrowly beaten here last year in the Funny Cide. Three of his 12 wins have come at Saratoga.

See shipman page 20

legends

BY KAREN JOHNSON

Camden, South Carolina has been home to Thoroughbred excellence for generations.

The tradition continues.

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

19

Shipman –

won a 1 1/8-mile race at Saratoga last year by open lengths. Two races later and after another win, he finished secContinued from page 18 ond to Haynesfield in the biggest race “He has always loved it up here,” said of the year for New York-breds, the Ken Kelly, assistant and son to trainer Pat Empire Classic. Ruffino (Rajiv Maragh) Kelly. “He still has the heart – he came should be primed for a good effort for trainer Jim Bond in off the van when he arrived here, hooting his third start off a and hollering with layoff. his tail up in the air.

Slevin was In his last race, he scratched from an almost reached over open company aland bit a horse next – Ken Kelly, assistant trainer, lowance on the turf to him. You know, about Naughty New Yorker over the weekend.

Monday might just A son of Belong to be his day.”

Me, Slevin is trained Jean-Luc Samyn, by Carl Domino who comes off a strong the elder statesman of the New York Belmont meet with nine winners and is jockey colony at age 53, will ride Naughty New Yorker for the 50th time. winning at 21 percent for the year. In Mighty Morris, who drew the rail and his last start, Slevin won a state-bred Channing Hill, looms the main speed. optional claimer.

Now with trainer John Kimmel, the geldThe field with jockeys and in post poing makes comes off a 30-length defeat in sition order: Mighty Morris (Channing the Skip Away Stakes at Monmouth Park Hill); Ruffino (Rajiv Maragh); Groomedin June. In the spring, he finished second forvictory (Ramon Dominguez); Slevin to Icabad Crane in the King’s Point Hand- (Javier Castellano); Giant Moon (Edgar icap at Aqueduct.

Prado); Naughty New Yorker (Jean-Luc If the ultra-consistent Ruffino returns Samyn) and Icabad Crane (Julien Lepto his 2009 form, he figures strongly. He aroux).

“He has always loved it up here,”

Television Special The Saratoga Special and the Horse Racing Radio Network team up for a halfhour television show every Saturday and Sunday during the meet. The show airs from 10-10:30 a.m. on the Capital OTB Network and will also be carried nationally by HRTV. Hosted by Mike Penna and Sean Clancy, the format calls for interviews with prominent owners, trainers, jockeys and racing personalities.

We make the grade.

Dave Harmon

Graded StakeS GraduateS Who reCeIVed earLY traINING at SCaNLoN traINING CeNter: • Afleet Alex • Artax • Bernardini • Circle Of Life • Celtic Melody • Dunkirk • Ice Box • Lion Heart • Master David • Seattle Fitz • Sarava • Songandaprayer • Songster • Stevie Wonderboy • Texas Glitter • Unbridled’s Song • Whoopi Cat • Whywhywhy • Zavata

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David Scanlon P.O. Box 599 Williston, FL 32696

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P: (352) 528-2329 F: (352) 528-2218 Sunday, July 25, 2010

Royal Ascot (June) L’Arc de Triomphe (Sep-Oct) Cheltenham (March) Dubai (March) Aintree (April)

Monday’s Saratoga entries Monday, July 26. Post Time 1 p.m. Entries with program number, post position, jockey, trainer, and morning-line odds.

1ST (1:00) 6 Furlongs 3&Up Claiming ($10,000) Purse: $22,000 1 1 Show Trial..................Maragh R.............. Lewis Lisa L...........10-1 2 2 Regal Soul..................Mena M................. Stewart Dallas..........2-1 3 3 Dontquityourdayjob....Samyn J L............. Martin Frank...........30-1 4 4 Full Tilt Noogie...........Espinoza J L.......... Barker Edward R....15-1 5 5 Moon Nistle................Leparoux J R......... Maker Michael J.......3-1 6 6 Devilish Due...............Albarado R J......... Scherer Merrill R......7-2 7 7 Always On the Move...Chavez J F............. Contessa Gary C.......6-1 8 8 Fiery Rebel.................Santiago V............. Levine Bruce N.........8-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (1-3), Daily Double 2ND (1:33) 6 Furlongs F&M 3&Up clm ($10,000) Purse: $22,000 1 1 Taza............................Lezcano J.............. Zito Nicholas P.........9-2 2 2 Mariah Scary..............Hill C..................... Quick Patrick J.......30-1 3 3 First Flute...................Studart M.............. Jerkens H Allen......12-1 4 4 By the Sky..................Suarez G............... Buckley Jonathan.....5-1 5 5 Flaming Punch...........Cohen D................ Jacobson David........8-1 6 6 Zippy Larry.................Dominguez R A..... Parisella John...........5-2 7 7 Primed to Be Ready....Maragh R.............. Contessa Gary C.......3-1 8 8 Lady Apple.................Santiago V............. Callejas Bernardo...12-1 9 9 Lorraine in Spain........Velasquez C........... Hough Stanley M......5-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (2-4), Pick 4 Races (2-5), Daily Double 3RD (2:06) Evan Shipman Stakes. 1 1/8 Miles 3&Up. NY Bred Purse: $70,000 1 1 Mighty Morris............Hill C..................... Kimmel John C.........4-1 2 2 Ruffino.......................Maragh R.............. Bond H. James.........8-1 3 3 Groomedforvictory.....Dominguez R A..... Tagg Barclay.............5-1 4 4 Slevin.........................Castellano J J........ Domino Carl J..........8-1 5 5 Giant Moon................Prado E S.............. Schosberg Richard...5-2 6 6 Naughty New Yorker...Samyn J L............. Kelly Patrick J...........6-1 7 7 Icabad Crane..............Leparoux J R......... Motion H Graham.....3-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (3-5), Daily Double Wagers 4TH (2:40) 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) 3&Up mdn clm ($25,000) Purse: $23,000 1 1 Man On the Right.......Solis A................... Sciacca Gary..........20-1 2 2 Sweat Shop................Velasquez C........... Levine Bruce N.........3-1 3 3 Pacific Palisades........Lezcano J.............. Everett Scott...........20-1 4 4 Mystic Fever...............Dominguez R A..... Domino Carl J..........7-2 5 5 Mike’s Instinct............Hill C..................... Terranova, II John..12-1 6 6 Naughty You...............Rodriguez J........... Serpe Philip M..........8-1 7 7 Unique Tune...............Cohen D................ Ritvo Timothy.........15-1 8 8 Bird Empire................Mena M................. Lukas D Wayne........4-1 9 9 Avenging....................Maragh R.............. Voss Thomas H........6-1 10 10 Dare to Live................Leparoux J R......... McPeek Kenneth....10-1 11 MTO Shealinator.................Velazquez J R........ Benzel Seth............10-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (4-6) Pick 6 Races (4-9), Daily Double Wagers 5TH (3:14) 1 Mile (Inner turf) F&M 3&Up allow/OC ($50,000) Purse: $55,000 1 1 Diamond Dina............Prado E S.............. Dutrow, Jr. R E.........7-2 2 2 Color Me Up...............Borel C H............... Lukas D Wayne......20-1 3 3 Sweetest Song...........Albarado R J......... Nafzger Carl A..........5-1 4 4 Firey Red (IRE)...........Gomez G K............ Clement Christophe.. 3-1 5 5 Granted Tiger.............Velasquez C........... Jerkens H Allen........8-1 6 6 Queen of the Creek.....Leparoux J R......... Proctor Thomas F.....6-1 7 7 Talented Princess.......Cohen D................ Jacobson David......20-1

For trip details and to reserve your space, call George Wagner, 1-800-368-0872 or visit our website www.horseracingtripsworldwide.com

8 8 Consequence..............Velazquez J R........ McGaughey III C.......4-1 9 9 Hot Trip......................Castellano J J........ Brown Bruce R.......12-1 10 MTO Kid Kate......................Lezcano J.............. Brown Chad C..........9-5 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (5-7), Grand Slam Races (5-8) Daily Double 6TH (3:48) 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) F&M 3&Up Maiden NY Bred Purse: $40,000 1 12 Electra’s Ego...............Dominguez R A..... Dutrow, Jr. R E.........3-1 1A AE Invasive......................Hill C..................... Lecesse Michael.......3-1 2 1 Mississippi Too..........Castellano J J........ Weaver George.......12-1 3 2 Seattle Dynasty..........Maragh R.............. Toscano John T Jr.. 30-1 4 3 Bella Bonfire...............Espinoza J L.......... Feron Kathleen M...20-1 5 4 Boatman’s Dream.......Coa E M................ Galluscio Dominic....8-1 6 5 Joda’s Ten..................Samyn J L............. Simeone Paul J......50-1 7 6 Nice and Naughty.......Leparoux J R......... Clement Christophe.. 6-1 8 7 Bernie’s Pal................Garcia Alan............ Rice Linda................7-2 9 8 Rennina......................Velasquez C........... Bond H. James.........5-1 10 9 Viv’s Tiara...................Studart M.............. Ubillo Rodrigo A.....15-1 11 10 Hennessy Light..........Prado E S.............. Schosberg Richard...8-1 12 11 Marie’s Babe...............Santiago V............. Lotruglio Edward....30-1 13 MTO Mahogany Mist..........Studart M.............. Brown Bruce R.......10-1 14 MTO Lady Alma..................Espinoza J L.......... Kelly Patrick J...........6-1 A-Coupled: Electra’s Ego and Invasive Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3 Races (6-8), Pick 4 Races (6-9), Daily Double 7TH (4:22) 1 Mile (Inner turf) F&M 3&Up clm ($25,000) Purse: $37,000 1 1 Double Dinghy Day.....Velazquez J R........ Alexander Frank A....5-1 2 2 Come From Away.......Garcia Alan............ Lerman Roy S..........6-1 3 3 Platinumplus..............Dominguez R A..... Tagg Barclay.............3-1 4 4 It’s Not for Love..........Castellano J J........ Hills Timothy A.........6-1 5 5 Suzee Sunrise............Coa E M................ Brown Bruce R.......20-1 6 6 Mollyisintheclouds.....Desormeaux K J.... Lewis Lisa L.............5-1 7 7 Honorable Truth.........Cohen D................ Balsamo Diane.........8-1 8 8 Catty Madeline............Lezcano J.............. Levine Bruce N.........8-1 9 9 Holiday Chills.............Allen R D Jr........... Brooks Gerald E.....30-1 10 10 Southside Babe..........Leparoux J R......... Contessa Gary C.....12-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (7-9), Daily Double Wagers 8TH (4:56) 6 Furlongs 3&Up allow/oc ($75,000) Purse: $56,000 1 1 Congor Bay................Maragh R.............. Albertrani Thomas.. 15-1 2 2 Endless Circle.............Prado E S.............. Rodriguez Rudy........6-1 3 3 Rollers........................Dominguez R A..... Tagg Barclay.............4-1 4 4 Checklist.....................Velazquez J R........ Pletcher Todd ..........3-1 5 5 Dr. W..........................Bridgmohan S X.... Asmussen Steven.....5-1 6 6 Hamazing Destiny......Mena M................. Lukas D Wayne........5-2 7 7 Hull.............................Albarado R J......... Romans Dale............8-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Daily Double Wagers 9TH (5:30) 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) 3&Up Maiden Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $23,000 1 1 Seren Trippidy............Espinoza J L.......... DeRosa Alexander..15-1 2 2 Risky Dynamite..........Allen R D Jr........... Brooks Gerald E.....30-1 3 3 Evenforever................Castellano J J........ Ritvo Timothy...........3-1 4 4 Pagan Ruler................Chavez J F............. Barker Edward R......8-1 5 5 Raymond....................Rodriguez J........... Hernandez, Jr. S.....15-1 6 6 Roulette Winner.........Lezcano J.............. Serpe Philip M........20-1 7 7 Lamar Valley..............Dominguez R A..... Tagg Barclay.............7-2 8 8 Arrr Pirates Booty.......Velazquez J R........ Brown Bruce R.......10-1 9 9 Brad’s Kitten...............Leparoux J R......... Ward Wesley A.......10-1 10 10 Maloof Magic.............Gomez G K............ Lukas D Wayne........8-1 11 11 Pico Dinero................Maragh R.............. Schettino Dom.........9-2 12 MTO Dark Cove...................Maragh R.............. Zito Nicholas P.........6-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10) Wagers

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21

Beer pong was a fixture on Opening Day at Saratoga.

Connie Bush

Backyardigans Fans show up early, often for Opening Day festivities BY ben meyers

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22

When the photo-finish yell erupted at 7:30 a.m., the hearty souls in the backyard on Opening Day knew that the first contest of the 142nd Saratoga racing season was complete.

Even though it isn’t a race, the first game of beer pong between Rob Keiper, John Murray, Jimmy Scotti and Brett Watson has become a tradition at Saratoga. All four live within 30 minutes of the race course.

“We have come here for 12 of the last 13 years,” Keiper said about the traditional opening day contest where pairs try to sink Ping Pong balls into 10 cups before their opponents can. “The only time we missed an Opening Day was when my daughter was born.”

Beer is technically optional, but part of the show.

Only a few steps away, and well within shouting distance, was a second group that also wasn’t afraid to crack a few cold ones when it is actually happy hour in Pakistan. The Seeberger family of Scott, Mark, Todd, Eric, Jason, Matt, and Cody were also embroiled in a game of Beirut, as it is known in some parts of the country, while enjoying Boston’s More Than a Feeling.

“This is better than Christmas,” Scott Seeberger said. “Our bets might suffer as the day goes on, but there is absolutely nothing that compares to being here for the first day of the races.”

Both groups of Solo Cup snipers traded sleep for seats on Opening Day. The first group got in line at about 4

a.m. for their seats, while members of the Seeberger clan were going on 48 continuous hours of awake.

“You have to do anything you can to be here for Opening Day,” Keiper said.

“We could care less about VLTs, BLTs, scratches, anything really,” Scott Seeberger joked after debating the fate of New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel. “This is what we do every year and it never gets old.”

There were also fans of the more traditional sort taking in the sights despite the morning showers Friday. Janine and Matt Johnson, who now live just outside of Madison, Wisc., were introducing their son Tim, 5, to the racing at Saratoga for the first time.

“We have always just had a great time in the area and wanted to show this little guy something he has never seen before,” Matt said while gesturing to his first born who was being steadied on a green trashcan by his wife. “He doesn’t really understand it now, but someday we are sure he is going to be doing the same thing with his kids.”

Even some of the staff that keeps Saratoga running smoothly was enjoying the time on the green benches of the apron. The Slocum brothers, Tyler, who works at the Chowder Bar, and Andrew, an usher in the grandstand, were looking forward to the season.

“I can’t think of a place to work that is better than here,” Andrew said. “Except when it rains.”

There are definitely some jockeys, trainers and owners that agree with that.

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Rules of the game

We need ground rules.

Before we go any further into the meet, we need to set a couple of things straight.

I’m a steeplechase guy, own some showhorses (all for sale), go foxhunting occasionally. I’ve given away riding horses, found homes for pasture pets and have sold champion jumpers. I’m partially responsible for eight horses, ranging from a 4-year-old half-brother to two-time champion Good Night Shirt to a 6-year-old full-brother to Winchester to a 26-year-old retired everything who taught me how to ride back in 1988.

My wife Annie and I bought a farm in Middleburg, Va. Real horse country. There are retired Thoroughbreds in every field, at every intersection, on every farm.

Annie is amazing with horses. So is my father. So are my friends who train horses.

We like horses. We take horse. We buy horses. We respect horses.

We probably don’t want your horse.

We don’t want your horse if he’s been injected with cortisone. We don’t want him if he’s been nerved. We don’t want him if he has a heart murmur. We don’t want him if he’s unridable. We don’t want him if he has a torn suspensory. We don’t want him if he can’t breathe. We don’t want him if he’s old and worn out.

We probably don’t want him if you don’t want him.

I’ve been given or been asked to take all of the above. My heart says take all of them. My brain says watch yourself. My bankroll says ouch.

If you won’t spend another dime on him or if you’re not willing to pay a trial-based training fee (less than half of what you’re paying at the track) for 30 days or if he’s too unsound to train or if he has some other problem that makes it infeasible, then we probably don’t want him.

CUP OF COFFEE

By Sean Clancy

Don’t call us if you don’t want to do the right thing.

Or have already done the wrong thing.

We are not the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders or Habitat for Humanity.

We can’t work miracles.

When we say your horse has worn off the bottom off his cannonbones and there’s no cartilage left and you need to retire the horse or humanely put him down or pay for him until he’s ready for a retirement organization to take him (gelded and pasture-sound) and you tell me to try again, we don’t want your horse.

When we tell you your horse has a condylar fracture and you tell us to try again, then, we don’t want your horse. When we tell you your horse needs six months off before we can even think about doing something with him and you tell us he needs to be cash-flow positive, then we don’t want your horse. When you’ve bottomed the barrel, don’t call us.

It pains us to leave a good man behind, but if we took the money we’ve spent on horses which we should have never taken, just hoping beyond hope it would work, and put it into viable horses who were taken care of in the first place, then the Thoroughbred world would be a better place.

We’ve rescued some, we’ve transferred others to vi-

able careers, we’ve got some we’re still working on.

Horses need to be sound. For racing. For anything.

There are benign problems or issues that can be fixed with rest, change of scenery or time. There are malignant problems that can’t be fixed.

I’ve been given horses by reputable trainers and owners who either tried to screw me or didn’t know any better. I’d like to think the latter.

Welfare starts at home. If the horse isn’t taken care of properly at the racetrack, then there’s no stopgap, certainly not me, to make up for the damage done the first time around.

Some owners amaze me how long they’ll keep a non-viable horse in training at the track, hoping for that elusive purse to bail them out of a jam. But they won’t pay for the van ride to give him a new chance. I like to ask if they’ll pay for the van ride, if they refuse, I refuse.

So here we are on my annual trip to Saratoga where horses are offered to me like dollar bills at a strip club.

I’d like to take them all, but I know better now. It’s taken me a long time, taken some painful and expensive lessons to look before I leap (pardon the pun).

My friend Michael Blowen loves running Old Friends retirement program; his eyes light up when he talks about getting Marquetry back to his safety net.

He used to write for the Boston Globe. Says he never writes anymore. Even asks himself why he doesn’t write anymore. I know why.

“It’s great running Old Friends,” Blowen said Saturday morning. “Great, except when they die or when you can’t take a horse.”

For me, it’s the same, but I add one more line, when the horse is used up by the time I get him.

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