August 21 Saratoga Special

TRA

Year 10 • Issue 24

Saratoga’s Daily Newspaper on Thoroughbred Racing

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Showdown Devil May Care and Blind Luck square off in Alabama

Maggie Kimmitt

Tod Marks

Friday Racing Coverage • Entries/Handicapping

Two of the Top 10

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Saturday, August 21, 2010 8/20/10 4:02:51 PM

Saturday, August 21, 2010

3

here&there... at Saratoga worth repeating

517 Broadway, Suite 207 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (Second Floor, around the back)

The Special quotes from Saratoga

“To the Ken and Barbie of the backside.”

“Which one?”

Proud father Duncan Patterson, in a toast for daughter, Jen, and future son-in-law, Carl, at their engagement party Thursday

“That was the way you used to ride too.”

Jack Clancy, 14, when told by Ron Anderson that he put money in the Special’s paper box

“You guys out of gas?”

Trainer Dave Donk to The Special’s Sean Clancy, when taking one step forward and two steps backward Thursday

“I’m going to interview the man with the musket.”

Daily Racing Form’s Dave Grening after the West Point trophy was presented by Civil War re-enactors (trainer Alan Goldberg nor owner Richard Santulli were on hand)

Dr. James Hunt, as he threaded his way past two golfcarts in the middle of the road Friday morning

By The Numbers 1: Man playing pool in the rec hall at 6:27 Friday morning

License Plate PLC2B, New York

Name of the Day Adulare, first race. Wind River Stable’s 2-year-old is by Flatter out of Corking.

Her name in Italian means to flatter.

Morning Line, fifth race. Thoroughbred Legends’ 3-year-old reminds us of our favorite kitchen on the backside.

Blind Luck, 10th race. Buy a filly for $11,000, sell her for a profit and she goes on to win eight races from 12 starts. Wow, that’s blind luck.

Strolldownbroadway, 11th race. Exactly what we’re going to do on Sunday.

Weather Today: Partly cloudy. High, 82.

Tonight: Showers late. Low, 64.

Tomorrow: Scattered thunderstorms. High, 76.

Monday: Showers. High, 71.

Tod Marks

Lonely View. An early morning spectator takes in the action from the viewing stand

on the Oklahoma side.

4

Tuesday: Few showers.

High, 78.

Phone: (518) 490-1175 Sean Mobile: (302) 545-7713 Joe Mobile: (302) 545-4424 E-mail: sean@st-publishing.com or jclancy@st-publishing.com Internet: www.saratogaspecial.com Published Wednesday through Sunday during the racing season.

Every day of Sales Week Aug. 2-8.

The Staff

Editors/Publishers: Sean Clancy, Joe Clancy.

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

Layout/Design: Dan Vunk.

Photographers: Tod Marks, Dave Harmon, Connie Bush.

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

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

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

ST Publishing Inc. Home Office 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921 (410) 392-5867 • Fax (410) 392-0170 www.st-publishing.com info@st-publishing.com The Saratoga Special Steeplechase Times Thoroughbred Racing Calendar The Best of The Saratoga Special Saratoga Days and other acclaimed products and services within the equine industry.

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– Lee Hills, Pulitzer Prize winner, Knight Ridder chief executive, in 1974

Saturday, August 21, 2010

here&there... worth repeating

Continued from previous page

The Special quotes from Saratoga

“I came here expecting to run out two and a half million, you know what I mean? I came here hoping to be on top of the money list. If we’re not, hopefully we’re second or third. We have high expectations no matter where we go. It’s been a little more difficult this year, we got off to a slow start, but now it’s snowballing a little bit. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

Jockey Garrett Gomez, whose horses have earned $1.4 million at the meet.

Just Sayin’ “A lot of horses are overlooked at the sales but the guy who bought her has a particularly good eye. Juvenal Diaz, he rode in Chicago. His brother was a rider at Golden Gate.”

Jerry Hollendorfer about $11,000 yearling purchase Blind Luck

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“Rider’s up.”

British trainer George Baker, as he left the house at 5:15 Friday morning

“He’s a nice looking horse, a little offset in one knee but a pretty handsome horse and the New York-bred thing is there. You’ve always got that with a horse like him. You can go back to that.”

“You can drink it.”

Garlic Rob, tasting his garlic spray in front of Blind Luck’s stall Friday morning

Trainer Alan Goldberg about West Point winner Straight Story

“Isn’t it too cold for mosquitos?”

“Once he’s behind horses, he’s easy. He’s like a European horse. When he sees daylight he wants to go, go, go which is better than stop, stop, stop.”

Goldberg, about the front-running Straight Story

“Father and son.”

Tom Bellhouse suggesting a caption for the photo of Craig Peretz and Mike Balfe in Friday’s Special

“I wouldn’t leave.”

Trainer Eoin Harty, about going to the Goffs Sale in Ireland

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer

“It was a shock, that’s for sure. She’ll be on our mind for a long time but you can’t keep it on your mind as a focus because if you’re in horse racing you have to go forward and keep trying to do well when things aren’t going well, that’s just how the game is.”

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who lost stakes star Tuscan Evening earlier this month

“He’s one of the best good young riders coming up in California and I would think the whole United States. He’s a very strong rider.”

Hollendorfer about Blind Luck’s jockey Joel Rosario

5

More ALABAMA STAKES PREVIEW

than Two Superstar 3-year-old fillies headline field of six for Grade I by sean clancy

T

odd Pletcher says it’s not a twohorse race. Jerry Hollendorfer says it’s not a two-horse race.

Pletcher’s Devil May Care and Hollendorfer’s Blind Luck, the most accomplished 3-year-old fillies in the country, square off in today’s Grade I Betfair TVG Alabama Stakes. Run for

the 130th time, the Alabama will again serve as the summer place to be for any 3-year-old filly.

“It’s what you look for; bring what is perceived as the two best together.

Hopefully there’s not a third one who is better than both of them,” Pletcher said.

See alabama page 8

Tod Marks

Blind Luck makes her Saratoga debut in today’s Alabama.

SEVEN 2-year-old winners in 2010 • Third Chance at Arlington Park for Ron Magers and James Divito

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

7

Alabama –

Continued from page 6

Devil May Care tries to win her second stakes of the meet in a battle with Blind Luck and four others.

8

Tod Marks

“It’s not a two-horse race. The two most accomplished fillies are in there but it’s not a two-horse race.”

“All the horses in the Alabama are consistent, that’s why they’re in it,” Hollendorfer said. “Everybody’s biggest concern should be, ‘Can their horse get the distance?’ Devil May Care has to prove it as does our filly and they’re not the only two in there.”

It might not be a two-horse race, but it’s the race of the year for 3-year-old fillies – so far.

Devil May Care, at 7-5, and Blind Luck, at 8-5 will see to that. Both will try to conquer the mile and a quarter distance for the first time. Devil May Care tried it in the Kentucky Derby but failed to conquer it, fading to 10th after reaching contention at the quarter pole. Blind Luck has never tried it but closes in her races like she’s yearning for more ground.

Devil May Care rides a two-race win streak that has included dominant victories in the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks over the track and the Grade I Mother Goose at Belmont Park. Owned by Glencrest Farm, the daughter of Malibu Moon carries a 5-for-8 career record and sports two victories over the track.

On the first weekend at Saratoga, she dominated the CCA Oaks, winning by 4 lengths over Biofuel and Acting Happy who returns today.

Blind Luck counters Devil May Care’s credentials with a gaudy 8-for-12 career mark, including wins in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks, Las Virgenes, Hollywood Starlet and Oak Leaf. Owned by Mark DeDomenico LLC, John Carver, Peter Abruzzo and Hollendorfer, the daughter of Pollard’s Vision has never finished worse than third. She arrived from her Del Mar base this week, her fourth major trip this year, and has trained forwardly for her first attempt at the distance.

Havre De Grace, Connie And Michael, Acting Happy and Tizahit complete the 6-horse field in the $500,000 stakes.

See alabama page 9

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Bet on the

Winner!

Connie and Michael makes her first start for trainer Dominick Schettino.

Alabama –

Continued from page 8

Havre De Grace just missed in her most recent start when Blind Luck matched her in the final stride of the Grade II Delaware Oaks. Trained by Tony Dutrow for Fox Hill Farm, Havre De Grace gives away seasoning – this is her sixth career start – but has hinted at big things as she tries to swim in the deep current set by Blind Luck and Devil May Care.

Pletcher doesn’t see the distance as being a hurdle for Devil May Care. He’s been ogling at the way she gallops out since she breezed here as a 2-year-old.

After the CCA Oaks, he pointed to her galloping out – about a quarter mile in front of any of her rivals.

“When we worked her at Belmont after she broke her maiden going 6 (furlongs) here, I was thinking, they can’t write them far enough for her. I always felt like she would run all day, we were

Tod Marks

seriously thinking if we didn’t run in the Derby we would try the Rags To Riches approach and go Oaks to the Belmont,” Pletcher said Friday morning from the outside rail of the main track. “Who knows how that would have worked out. We took the aggressive approach and went to the Derby, it didn’t work out that day but it’s worked out since.

She just keeps going and going and going, that’s the impression she gives me.”

Pletcher regrouped after trying the Derby with Devil May Care and set out to sweep the summer classics. It began with a facile win in the Mother Goose, ticking off a mile and a sixteenth at Belmont. The CCA Oaks, moved to Saratoga for the first time this summer, proved even easier, ticking off the mile and an eighth. John Velazquez, aboard for seven of her eight starts, has the return call today.

“I’m equally as confident as a month ago, the filly’s trained really well since See alabama page 10

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Tizahit owns a Grade II stakes score for owners Jim and Susan Hill.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Tod Marks

9

Alabama –

Continued from page 9

the Coaching Club, seems like she’s doing all the things you’d like one to do, maintaining her weight, training with enthusiasm, gate schooled and paddock schooled well, seems like physically and mentally she’s coming up to it in good order,” Pletcher said. “She’s pretty straightforward, from day one, she’s trained well. She really impressed us here last summer, been a treat to be around.”

Devil May Care has only lost three times and each time she had legitimate excuses.

She failed to handle the synthetic surface at Santa Anita when finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. That will be the last time she runs on anything but dirt.

In her 3-year-old debut, she lost the plot in the gate of the Silverbulletday when the gate crew handled her roughly, she finished fifth. Pletcher increased the gate schooling after that.

In her only other defeat, she split the field in the Derby. And, well, she was the only filly in the Derby and Pletcher still isn’t sure she handled the sloppy surface.

Pletcher will make one minor change because of the presence of Blind Luck.

“We’re making a minor adjustment with the blinkers, she doesn’t’ wear a lot of cup, but we’re putting some holes in them, my biggest fear would be that she makes the lead and she waits and Blind Luck catches her by surprise,” Pletcher said. “If she beats us on the fair and square, that’s fine, but I don’t want to make the lead and get complacent because the other filly is relentless, she wins a lot of races on the money. She finds a way to get there so I just don’t want to get caught by surprise.”

Hollendorfer and jockey Joel Rosario will be attempting exactly that. Blind Luck has developed a dramatic style where she lags in the back and comes storming home, usually getting there in the last desper-

“Let me find your next stakes horse”

Tod Marks

Acting Happy won the Black Eyed Susan at Pimlico this spring for trainer Rick Dutrow.

ate stages. She’s won three photos by a nose. And it’s always the last nose.

Blind Luck rolls in carrying an undefeated record on the dirt (4-for-4) and fresh off a wild finish in the Delaware Oaks where she caught Havre De Grace in the last moment. Hollendorfer thought she got beat.

Tony Dutrow, trainer of Havre De Grace, thought he won it.

In her last six starts (four victories), Blind Luck hasn’t been in front at any call but the last.

“Tony’s horse almost stole the Delaware Oaks, she was pretty far ahead in the lane and we just got up to get her,” Hollendorfer said. “For a trainer, it’s not very pleasant to have your horse 11 or 12 lengths off the pace when the others are at the quarter pole, it’s See alabama page 11

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Alabama –

Continued from page 10

not that pleasant to me. I think the fans might like it, they loved Silky Sullivan too, but that’s not my kind of horse.”

But he doesn’t dare change it.

Blind Luck breaks from the 4 stall; two to the right of Devil May Care and two to the left of Havre De Grace. Acting Happy has tactical speed on the inside. Connie And Michael and Havre De Grace possess tactical speed from the outside. Devil May Care should find a spot just off the leaders while Blind Luck will most likely see them all. For the first time in her life, she’ll have another furlong to work out the details.

“She’s always coming at the end and she goes out very well, she doesn’t put on the brakes after she hits the wire,” Hollendorfer said. “I’m hoping that’s an indicator that she can get the mile and a quarter. You never know until you put them in there and try it.”

Like Pletcher and Dutrow, Hollendorfer decided to leave well enough alone in the preparation for the Alabama. He didn’t change a thing, even though Blind Luck will be tackling 10 furlongs for the first time. Hollendorfer sent out Blind Luck to breeze nine days after winning the Delaware Oaks, then worked her every five or six days until her last breeze five days ago when she worked 5 furlongs in 49 seconds at Del Mar. “I didn’t do anything different because she’s raced so much, if they can get it, they can get it. I certainly didn’t have to do anything special for this race, it looks like on the works for the other horses that the other guys didn’t try to do anything special to get the mile and a quarter either,” Hollendorfer said. “Our filly is very fit, she gallops very fast every day, that’s just her, she wants to gallop around there, we let her do it, we don’t try to hold her too much. These fillies have raced so many times – if they can get the mile and a quarter – they’re fit enough to do it.”

That’s the question – if they can get it.

Tony Dutrow decided to basically let nature take its course as he prepared Fox Hill Farm’s Havre De Grace for her sternest test to date. With so little racing experience, Dutrow didn’t want to up the pressure on the two-time winner.

“With a lightly raced 3-year-old filly I feel like she’s already come a long way I didn’t want to ask too much, we’re already asking so much,” Dutrow said.

“I thought it was in her best interest to

go into the mile and a quarter the same way as we did in the Oaks. That’s the way we did it, we’ll see if I’m right.”

The daughter of Saint Liam has gradually come to hand for Dutrow who decided to be patient with the late developing filly. He ran her a mile in her debut last summer, she was about 60 percent ready, then picked up her maiden win going a mile and 70 yards at Delaware.

Dutrow had seen enough and put her away until this spring when she won an allowance race in her 3-year-old debut then finished second in the Go For Wand Stakes at Delaware and again in the Delaware Oaks.

“I don’t know what a mile and a quarter is going to do for her. Good or bad, I don’t know. Having run a great race against Blind Luck, I have to feel positive about that in the aspect that she belongs in a race like the Alabama,” Dutrow said. “I know that it’s a steep mountain. I know that Blind Luck is well accomplished, as is Todd’s filly. I’m very, very happy with the way Havre De Grace is coming into the race, I think she’s at the very top of her game. I’m hoping for the best.”

Dutrow was impressed with Havre De Grace as a 2-year-old but knew she needed time to mature. She showed she had matured with her allowance win and her effort in the Go For Wand, pumping Dutrow full of confidence for the Oaks. Well, full of confidence until his friend Jerry called him.

“I was all in in the Oaks. I was like, ‘You know, we’re going to run in the Oaks and we’re going to run good in the Oaks.’ I was not expecting Blind Luck,” Dutrow said. “Jerry called me and asked if he could come in my barn, ‘Of course, Jerry. Of course.’ I was like, ‘Hmmm, man, this is what we have to deal with.’ We ran her in the Oaks and she ran terrific. I couldn’t have been any happier with her. She’s come out of the Oaks and come to the Alabama, as good as I can dream it. Once again, you’ve got Blind Luck and Todd’s filly which is awesome. Now we have to fight this war.”

Acting Happy, Tizahit and Connie And Michael complete the war. They are far from slouches.

Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable, Acting Happy leapt into this realm with an upset win in the Grade II Black Eyed Susan at Pimlico in May for Rick Dutrow. She followed that with a third in the CCA Oaks. The imposing filly is bred and made for the mile and a quarter. Jose Lezcano has the return assignment.

Tizahit has been slightly disappoint-

“I don’t know what a mile and a quarter is going to do for her. Good or bad, I don’t know.”

— Tony Dutrow, trainer of Havre De Grace ing in her two starts this year. Owned

by Jim and Susan Hill and trained by George Weaver, the daughter of Tiznow won the Grade II Demoiselle last fall but has failed as the favorite in two allowance starts this year. Edgar Prado rides.

Connie And Michael scratched from the CCA Oaks and takes another crack at Devil May Care who handled her in the Mother Goose. Owned by Brooklyn Boys Stable, Connie And Michael will make her first start for trainer Domin-

ick Schettino who takes over from Ken McPeek. Connie And Michael has done little wrong in her five-race career. She won her debut as a 2-year-old, then finished eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in just her second start and closed out her juvenile season with a third in the Grade III Miesque on the turf at Hollywood Park. This year, she trounced allowance foes at Churchill Downs and ran hard against Devil May Care. Rajiv Maragh rides for the second time.

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11

the

Power grid John Shapazian

John Panagot

Gaile Fitzgerald

Brian Nadeau

11

Good Prospect Pretty Boy Freud Romans Reward Curlinello Mucho Macho Man Manhattan Man We Need V L T’s Elsaroarin Elsie’s Warrior Callide Valley Talk to Nick Jimmy Vegas Morning Line African Diamond Heart Butte Tall Tale Teller Igoturback Seek to Destroy City Sneakers Into My Soul Dr. Alex Beachcombing Mr. Tribute Fly On the Wall Zapster Don Balcazio Black Minotaur Devil May Care Blind Luck Acting Happy Peat Bay Recharged Strolldownbroadway

Pretty Boy Freud Writingonthewall Good Prospect Curlinello Mucho Macho Man Brilliant Speed Dirt Track Demon Good to be Me Elsie’s Warrior Callide Valley Billy One Lite Talk to Nick Morning Line Heart Butte Keep Me Informed Tall Tale Teller Beau de Beaupre Our Brave Warrior Into My Soul Dr. Alex The Plot Thickens Mr. Tribute Fly On the Wall Beachcombing Don Balcazio Global Genius Zapster Devil May Care Havre de Grace Blind Luck Peat Bay Well Suited Strolldownbroadway

Good Prospect Writingonthewall Pretty Boy Freud Curinello Mucho Macho Man Brilliant Speed Elsaroarin Good To Be Me We Need VLT’s Callide Valley Billy One Lite Show Trial Heart Butte Morning Line Keep Me Informed Tell Tale Teller Beau De Beaupre Pin Number Into My Soul Dr. Alex The Plot Thickens Legend Of Navarone Mr Tribute Santiva Mystic Fever Don Balcazio Zapster Blind Luck Devil May Care Havre De Grace Peat Bay Recharged Well Suited

Unbridled’s Heart Pretty Boy Freud Writingonthewall Brilliant Speed Mucho Macho Man Curlinello We Need VLT’s Elsie’s Warrior Elsaroarin Billy One Lite Callide Valley Talk To Nick Heart Butte Morning Line Keep Me Informed Tall Tale Teller Seek To Destroy Pin Number Into My Soul Kijo Dr. Alex Santiva Mr Tribute Legend Of Navarone Zapster Mystic Fever Global Genius Devil May Care Blind Luck Havre De Grace Recharged Well Suited Peat Bay

Records

73/214

51/214

63/214

44/214

Race #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Dean Keppler Good Prospect Writingonthewall Xodo Brilliant Speed Mucho Macho Man Joe Vann Elsie’s Warrior Good to Be Me We Need V L T’s Callide Valley Billy One Lite Retriever Keep Me Informed Morning Line Heart Butte Tall Tale Teller Seek to Destroy Pin Number The Plot Thickens Into My Soul Dr. Alex Legend of Navarone Mr Tribute Santiva Don Balcazio Zapster Peace Fire Devil May Care Acting Happy Blind Luck Scary Guy Singing Low Well Suited

47/214

Saturday, August 21, 2010

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saturday’s Saratoga entries

6th (3:37) 6 Furlongs ny bred 2yo Maiden Purse: $40,000 1 1 Beau de Beaupre........Rosario J............... Jerkens James A....12-1 2 2 Schoolyard Cat...........Cohen D................ Martin Carlos F.......20-1 3 3 Pin Number................Prado E S.............. Galluscio Dominic G....6-1 4 4 Mazara Del Vallo.........Hill C..................... Mott William I.........15-1 5 5 Igoturback..................Santiago V............. Galluscio Dominic G....8-1 6 6 Tall Tale Teller.............Lezcano J.............. Bush Thomas M.......3-1 7 7 Our Brave Warrior......Gomez G K............ Bush Thomas M.......5-1 8 8 Bambi Bound.............Castellano J J........ Levine Bruce N.......12-1 9 9 Memory Motel............Espinoza J L.......... Rodriguez Rudy......12-1 10 10 Crafty Concorde.........Maragh R.............. Ritvo Timothy.........10-1 11 11 Seek to Destroy..........Bridgmohan J V.... Baker Charlton..........5-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (6-8), Pick 6 Races (6-11) Daily Double

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10th (5:48) BetFair TVG Alabama S. (G1) 1 1/4 Miles fillies 3yo Purse: $500,000 1 1 Acting Happy..............Lezcano J.............. Dutrow, Jr. R E.......12-1 2 2 Devil May Care...........Velazquez J R........ Pletcher Todd A........7-5 3 3 Tizahit.........................Prado E S.............. Weaver George.......20-1 4 4 Blind Luck..................Rosario J............... Hollendorfer Jerry....8-5 5 5 Connie and Michael....Maragh R.............. Schettino Dominick A.10-1 6 6 Havre de Grace...........Rose J................... Dutrow Anthony W...4-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Daily Double LIVE:

5th (3:05) 1 1/8 Miles 3&Up Allowance Purse: $53,000 1 1 Thunder Perfect.........Luzzi M J............... McPeek Kenneth......6-1 2 2 Morning Line..............Velazquez J R........ Zito Nicholas P.........3-1 3 3 African Diamond........Rosario J............... Brown Chad C..........4-1 4 4 Heart Butte.................Castellano J J........ Pletcher Todd A........7-2 5 5 Mad for Smarty..........Lezcano J.............. Jerkens H Allen........8-1 6 6 Slevin.........................Maragh R.............. Domino Carl J........12-1 7 7 Two Brash..................Prado E S.............. Kimmel John C.......15-1 8 8 Keep Me Informed......Gomez G K............ Mott William I...........6-1 9 9 Worth a Buck.............Cohen D................ Weaver George.......15-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (5-7), Daily Double

9th (5:14) 1 1/8 Miles (Inner turf) 3&Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $28,000 1 1 Black Minotaur...........Chavez J F............. Hayden Dan..............8-1 2 2 Peace Fire...................Lezcano J.............. Fisher Jack...............8-1 3 3 Don Balcazio..............Castellano J J........ Clement Christophe.. 7-2 4 4 Pagan Ruler................Lenclud F.............. Barker Edward R....20-1 5 5 Global Genius (IRE)....Gomez G K............ Valentine Richard L..8-1 6 6 Mischief.....................Maragh R.............. Voss Thomas H........8-1 7 7 Franklin Delano..........Bridgmohan J V.... Campo John P Jr....30-1 8 8 Mystic Fever...............Prado E S.............. Domino Carl J..........4-1 9 9 Zapster.......................Velazquez J R........ Howard Neil J...........3-1 10 10 Love and Havoc..........Espinoza J L.......... Schosberg Richard.12-1 11 AE Kick Up Your Heels.....Lezcano A............. Martin Frank...........30-1 12 AE Gamblin Fever............Espinoza J L.......... Ortiz Paulino O.........8-1 13 AE Verveitup....................Maragh R.............. Farro Patricia............8-1 14 MTO Smooth Transition......Hill C..................... Martin Carlos F.........7-2 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (9-11), Daily Double TRIM: —

4th (2:33) 7 Furlongs 3&UP Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $28,000 1 1 Bear’s Rocket.............Hill C..................... Rice Linda................6-1 2 2 Retriever.....................Lenclud F.............. Badgett William Jr....8-1 3 3 Jimmy Vegas..............Luzzi M J............... Rice Linda................7-2 4 4 Billy One Lite..............Castellano J J........ Werner Ronny..........5-1 5 5 Show Trial..................Cohen D................ Jacobson David......12-1 6 6 Callide Valley..............Velazquez J R........ Kenneally Eddie........3-1 7 7 Talk to Nick.................Maragh R.............. Rodriguez Rudy R....5-2 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (4-6) Daily Double

BLEED: —

3rd (2:02) 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) ny bred 3&Up mdn Purse: $40,000 1 1 Good to Be Me...........Prado E S.............. Brown Bruce R.........4-1 2 2 Dirt Track Demon.......Espinoza J L.......... Morrison John..........6-1 3 3 Cincinnati Kid.............Hill C..................... Miller Edward G......20-1 4 4 Champleve.................Lezcano J.............. Galluscio Dominic G..10-1 5 5 We Need V L T’s.........Velazquez J R........ Rice Linda................4-1 6 6 Elsaroarin...................Castellano J J........ Werner Ronny..........3-1 7 7 Ommadon’s Reign......Lenclud F.............. O’Brien Leo............30-1 8 8 Elsie’s Warrior............Maragh R.............. McLaughlin Kiaran ..7-2 9 9 Komisarek..................Santiago V............. Sciacca Gary..........12-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (3-5), Daily Double

8th (4:42) 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) 2yo Maiden Purse: $51,000 1 1 Santiva.......................Prado E S.............. McPeek Kenneth .....5-1 2 2 Fly On the Wall...........Maragh R.............. Maker Michael J.....10-1 3 3 J. B.’s Thunder...........Bridgmohan S X.... Stall Albert M Jr.....10-1 4 4 East of Danzig............Velazquez J R........ Matz Michael R.......10-1 5 5 Criminal Saga.............Castellano J J........ Weaver George.........8-1 6 6 Mr Tribute..................Mena M................. Romans Dale............3-1 7 7 Beachcombing...........Lezcano J.............. Brown Chad C..........6-1 8 8 Bluegrass Jet..............Lenclud F.............. Tagg Barclay...........12-1 9 9 Legend of Navarone...Rosario J............... McLaughlin Kiaran...4-1 10 10 Liondrive....................Chavez J F............. Ice Tim A................20-1 11 AE Bonaroo.....................Maragh R.............. Lukas D Wayne......10-1 12 AE Love That Dude..........Gomez G K............ Ward Wesley A.......10-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (8-10), Pick 4 Races (8-11) Daily Double

JOB:10-WPT-022

2nd (1:31) 7 Furlongs 2yo Maiden Purse: $50,000 1 1 Mucho Macho Man....Gomez G K............ Ritvo Timothy...........5-2 2 2 Meridian Magic..........Lezcano J.............. Zito Nicholas P.......12-1 3 3 Brilliant Speed............Castellano J J........ Albertrani Thomas....6-1 4 4 Charlies Swell.............Lenclud F.............. Zito Nicholas P.......12-1 5 5 Joe Vann....................Cohen D................ Pletcher Todd A........5-1 6 6 Striding Ahead............Bridgmohan S X.... Mott William I.........10-1 7 7 Manhattan Man..........Maragh R.............. Lukas D Wayne......10-1 8 8 Curlinello....................Velazquez J R........ Pletcher Todd A........3-1 9 9 Adulare.......................Hill C..................... Arnold George R.....12-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (2-4) Pick 4 Races (2-5), Daily Double

DATE: 8/5/10

1st (1:00) 1 Mile (Inner turf) 3&Up Allowance Purse: $53,000 1 1 Romans Reward.........Mena M................. Romans Dale..........15-1 2 2 Writingonthewall........Prado E S.............. Martin Carlos F.........3-1 3 3 Good Prospect...........Castellano J J........ Rice Linda................5-2 4 4 Northern Giant............Gomez G K............ Lukas D Wayne......10-1 5 5 Longboarder...............Lezcano J.............. Matz Michael R.......12-1 6 6 Pretty Boy Freud.........Velazquez J R........ O’Brien Leo..............7-2 7 7 Xodo..........................Maragh R.............. Ribaudo Robert J.....6-1 8 8 Livin Large.................Cohen D................ Brown Bruce R.........8-1 9 MTO Unbridled’s Heart........Maragh R.............. Albertrani Thomas....9-5 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (1-3), Daily Double

7th (4:09) 1 1/16 Miles (Inner turf) 3&Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $29,000 1 1 Dr. Alex.......................Gomez G K............ Stall Albert M Jr.......3-1 2 2 Into My Soul..............Rosario J............... Dutrow, Jr. R E.........2-1 3 3 Medjool......................Maragh R.............. Contessa Gary C.....20-1 4 4 The Plot Thickens.......Lenclud F.............. Martin Carlos F.........5-1 5 5 Kijo.............................Cohen D................ Hernandez, Jr. S R.. 12-1 6 6 Brad’s My Hero...........Lezcano J.............. Hennig Mark...........15-1 7 7 Budget........................Prado E S.............. Domino Carl J..........8-1 8 8 Woodrunner...............Castellano J J........ Tagg Barclay...........10-1 9 9 Prime Obsession........Espinoza J L.......... Hernandez, Jr. S R.. 30-1 10 10 Bold Vindication.........Velazquez J R........ Sciacca Gary..........12-1 11 AE City Sneakers.............Hill C..................... Rice Linda................7-2 12 AE Senor Fandango.........McManigell K........ Smith Ernest L.......12-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (7-9), Grand Slam Races (7-10) Daily Double

VERSION:3

Saturday, August 21. Post Time 1 p.m. Entries with program number, post position, jockey, trainer, and morning-line odds.

11th (6:20) 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) 3&Up Maiden ($25,000) Purse: $22,000 1 1 Scary Guy...................Santiago V............. Kimmel John C.........4-1 2 2 Singing Low...............Espinoza J L.......... Feron Kathleen M...15-1 3 3 Strolldownbroadway..Bridgmohan S X.... Bond H James..........7-2 4 4 Well Suited.................Hill C..................... Terranova, II John....9-2 5 5 Ghosts and Legends...Rosario J............... Dutrow, Jr. R E.........8-1 6 6 Peat Bay.....................Velazquez J R........ Benzel Seth..............3-1 7 7 Dixielore.....................Samyn J L............. Martin Frank...........30-1 8 8 Peytons Heart.............Chavez J F............. Kelly Patrick J...........6-1 9 9 Amplify.......................Richards G G......... Creary Ricardo.......50-1 10 10 Vamel.........................Lenclud F.............. Lotruglio Edward....20-1 11 AE Recharged..................Castellano J J........ Rice Linda................7-2 Exacta, Trifecta, Super (.10)

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I was full of anticipation.

I could not wait to get to the racetrack. I paced the paddock. My mouth was dry. I had a knot in my stomach. But I was in awe of my horse. My heart pounded. I thought the gates would never open. I thought the pace was too fast. I thought the jockey moved too soon. I thought we still had a chance. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

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13

8/5/10 11:15:26 AM

Congratulations Mike Michalisin and George Weaver on the win by Lateday Edition at Saratoga Broke and freshened by Bernie and Kate Dalton

Getting to Know Devil May Care Trainer Todd Pletcher answers some questions about 3-year-old filly star Devil May Care:

• Favorite drink? “You talking adult beverage? She’d probably want a martini, a bit of elegance to her.”

• Finish the sentence, I love my trainer because: “he keeps me happy.”

• Actress? “Julia Roberts is the first one to come to mind.”

• Siro’s, Sperry’s or the Parting Glass? “Siro’s.”

• Would she buy? “She wouldn’t need to. Somebody would pick up her tab for sure.”

• Favorite restaurant in town? “The Wishing Well. Old school. But you could take her to Siro’s and probably the Parting Glass afterward.”

• Open mic night? “All the Single Ladies . . . ” • Leather or lace? “Lace.”

Dave Harmon

Fitz-Dalton Stables Breaking yearlings and freshening turf horses this winter in beautiful Camden, South Carolina!

Yearlings/Lay-ups/Steeplechasing Owners: Kate and Bernie Dalton

518-522-1159

• One race you want back? “The Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds.”

• Golf, tennis, bridge or mud wrestling? “I’ll go with mud wrestling.”

• Best attribute? “Talent. Sheer talent. Good mechanics. Speed. Stamina.

All the things you look for.”

• Who would she “date” in your barn? “I think she’d go for Quality Road. Or he’d go for her. They’d probably get along.”

• Would she wear the pants? “I don’t know if she’s that dominant in disposition. She’d probably be flexible, but stern.”

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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14

P: (352) 528-2329 F: (352) 528-2218 Saturday, August 21, 2010

TERRY LINDSEY EQUIDAE GALLERY at the Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, NY July 23rd-Sept 6th • Open Daily 9-9 Demos each Friday at 10 a.m.

Artists shown in ad l-r top Terry Lindsey, Anthony Alonzo, Jaime Corum, Ely Fuller, Sharon Crute, Kathie Friedenberg, Louise W. King, Werner Rentsch, Anne Wolf, Katie Upton, and Susan Cronin

Saturday, August 21, 2010

15

YADDO STAKES RECAP

Fine Art Since 1974 Lexington, Kentucky

Meriwether Jessica, right, outduels You Go West Girl in the Yaddo Stakes on Friday.

Tod Marks

Strong finish Meriwether Jessica handles added distance

BY JOE CLANCY

Andre Pater (Polish-American, Born 1953) Horses & Jockeys, Going to Post, Oil on canvas

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16

Rick Violette went old school, but probably had to – given the circumstances.

Meriwether Jessica, the 5-year-old mare he trains for Patsy Symons, was aiming for the Yaddo – a 1 1/8-mile turf race for New York-breds. In two starts for Violette, the daughter of Freud won optional claimers going 7 furlongs and a mile at Belmont – hardly ideal indicators of 9-furlong, two-turn prowess.

So he worked her a mile. Sunday, five days in advance of the Yaddo, Meriwether Jessica covered the distance in 1:45 on the main track. And Violette grinned.

“A mile in 45 doesn’t sound spectacular but it was as good a mile work as you could want,” he said. “Horses that want to go two turns finish, they go the last eighth in 12 and that’s what she did. She did it easily, wasn’t gasping. When she did that, I knew she’d go a mile and an eighth.”

And how.

Meriwether Jessica fought off 10 rivals to spring a mild upset in the $100,000 Yaddo, holding off favorite You Go West Girl by a neck with second choice Chestoria third in 1:46.98 over the inner turf course.

Meriwether Jessica (Alan Garcia) broke sharply from the inside to establish position and happily set up in fourth behind Canadian shipper Woolly Bear, My Dinah and Exclusive Scheme while Chestoria and You Go West Girl dropped farther back. Woolly Bear took the group through opening

fractions of 23.25 and 47.49 seconds.

Garcia moved from the rail to the two path early on the far turn as Exclusive Scheme and My Dinah gave way, then went after Woolly Bear at the top of the stretch.

At the furlong pole, Meriwether Jessica collared the stubborn leader and put some distance between herself and the closers. Tenth early, You Go West Girl swung wide on the turn and narrowed the gap with every stride before coming up a neck short. Chestoria battled through horses from the eighth spot to take third.

The stretch run was a little nervewracking for Violette.

“I thought she’d be able to get first run on some of them and she did,” said the trainer. “She’s got medium ‘cheaters’ (blinkers) on and I almost put smaller ones on because I thought she’d be in front for a long time in the stretch. At the eighth pole I was kicking myself because I didn’t think she could see the horses coming on the outside.”

She felt them though.

“She knew the horses were behind her and would keep running,” said Garcia. “Galloping out even, she didn’t want them to pass her. She was in the best spot, not in front, but close. I was trying to not get into traffic, not stop her, she has one good run and can use it.”

Meriwether Jessica made the first 22 starts of her career for trainer Linda Rice, winning four times – and just missing in several stakes – on dirt and See YADDO page 16

Saturday, August 21, 2010

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17

Yaddo –

Continued from page 18

turf. The Yaddo marked the first time she crossed the wire in front of a stakes (though she won one by disqualification in 2008).

Symons moved Meriwether Jessica to Violette this spring and has seven horses with the trainer.

“She came over in spectacular condition,” Violette said. “We didn’t have to do any repairs, any remodeling, anything. Linda takes great care of them and it shows. This is a beautiful mare and she is as accommodating a horse as you could ask for in the morning and the afternoon.”

Violette ran her 7 furlongs at Belmont in an open-company optional claimer June 11 and she won.

She backed that up with a state-bred optional-claiming score at a mile July 14.

Both times, she stalked the pace and pounced. Another furlong and tougher company beckoned in the Yaddo and Meriwether Jessica answered the challenge.

“There were some hard-knockers in there and we were taking another distance step,” Violette said. “But she’s all right. She deserves to win a graded race somewhere. One, I think she’s good enough. Two, that should be the next thing. She’s not a spring chicken and we’d like to make her as valuable as possible.”

“Saddle up and enjoy the ride with Susan Richards.

You’ll love it.”

— Rita Mae Brown

Three elegant tales filled with horses as complicated and spirited as their human counterparts, these are inspiring stories of courage and hope and the ways in which all love — even a horse’s — has the power to heal.

Tod Marks

Melissa Cohen helps escort Meriwether Jessica out of the paddock before winning the Yaddo.

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

19

Friday’s Saratoga winners • Photos by dave harmon

1 Sextant

2 Tap for Luck

3 Moontune Missy

4 Funky Munky Mama

5 Persuading

6 Long Gone

7

8 Meriwether Jessica

9

Jacky Juice

Conspicuous

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20

Saturday, August 21, 2010

FRIday’s Saratoga results Friday, August 20, 2010 1ST 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) 3 & Up Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $28,000 8 Sextant Garcia Alan 6.30 4.70 4.00 9 Ms. Thanksgiving Maragh R 10.00 7.00 4 Sweet Madness Velasquez C 7.70 Time 1:03.06 Trainer: Rice Linda - Owner: Rice Clyde D. Ch.m.5 by Orientate - Britetonzmyday by High Brite Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Highlands of Lexington $2 Exacta (8-9) Paid $71.50 $2 Trifecta (8-9-4) Paid $590.00 $2 Superfecta (8-9-4-3) Paid $3,024.00 2ND 5 Furlongs 2 YO Maiden Special Weight Purse: $50,000 6 Tap for Luck Castellano J J 16.60 6.90 3.60 1 Miss Dora Velasquez C 4.30 2.60 3 Cadazzle Velazquez J R 2.40 Time :57.59 Trainer: Pletcher Todd A - Owner: Summit West Racing, Robert & Beverly Lewis Trust Gr./ro.f.2 by Tapit - Foxy Friend by Crafty Friend Breeder: Kidder, Cole, JK and Linda Griggs $2 Exacta (6-1) Paid $78.00 $2 Quinella (1-6) Paid $35.40 $2 Trifecta (6-1-3) Paid $206.50 $2 Daily Double (8-6) Paid $79.50 Daily Double Pool $219,734 $2 Superfecta (6-1-3-5) Paid $789.00 3RD 7 Furlongs 3&Up Allowance OC ($75,000) Purse: $54,880 5 Moontune Missy Garcia Alan 6.60 3.40 3.00 2 McVictory Dominguez R A 2.40 2.10 4 Perfect for You Bridgmohan S X 3.60 Time 1:24.13 Winning Trainer: Harty Eoin - Owner: Gold Mark Farm LLC B.f.4 by Forest Wildcat - Moonsong by Deputy Minister Breeder: Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds & S&H Thoroughbreds LLC $2 Exacta (5-2) Paid $14.80 $2 Trifecta (5-2-4) Paid $78.00 $2 Pick 3 (8-6-5) 3 Correct Paid $255.00 Pick 3 Pool $104,825 $2 Daily Double (6-5) Paid $82.50 Daily Double Pool $54,917 4TH 5 1/2 Furlongs 2 YO Maiden Claiming ($50,000) Purse: $29,000 9 Funky Munky Mama Velazquez J R 8.90 5.20 3.80 3 Millie Money Dominguez R A 7.00 5.50 1 Buttonfront Lezcano J 12.40 Time 1:05.15 Trainer: Gullo Gary P - Owner: Funky Munky Stable LLC Dk. b. or br.f.2 by Lion Hearted - The Rodeo Express by Rodeo Breeder: Candyland Farm. $2 Exacta (9-3) Paid $55.50 $2 Quinella (3-9) Paid $29.20 $2 Trifecta (9-3-1) Paid $832.00 $2 Pick 3 (6-5-9) 3 Correct Paid $402.50 Pick 3 Pool $55,526 $2 Daily Double (5-9) Paid $33.20 Daily Double Pool $78,497 5TH 1 1/16 Miles (Inner turf) 3 & Up Allowance Purse: $53,000 9 Persuading Mena M 17.40 8.90 5.80 4 Kittylicious Dominguez R A 10.20 5.00 7 Kathern’s Kitten Leparoux J R 3.30 Time 1:42.30 Trainer: Romans Dale - Owner: McDonald, Gregory and Lauffer, James M. B.f.3 by Broken Vow - Peaks Mill by Stalwart - Breeder: William Patterson $2 Exacta (9-4) Paid $184.50 $2 Trifecta (9-4-7) Paid $840.00 $2 Pick 3 (5-9-9) 3 Correct Paid $353.00 Pick 3 Pool $108,272 $2 Pick 4 (6-5-9-9) 4 Correct Paid $5,171.00 Pick 4 Pool $194,315 $2 Daily Double (9-9) Paid $90.00 Daily Double Pool $86,982 $2 Superfecta (9-4-7-1) Paid $4,954.00

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All The Racing News Saturday, August 21, 2010

6TH 5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf) 3 & Up Maiden Claiming ($25,000) Purse: $22,000 6 Long Gone Castellano J J 7.90 3.80 3.50 9 Rani Baba Gomez G K 4.20 3.30 7 Seattle Dynasty Studart M 15.20 Time 1:04.10 Trainer: Martin Carlos F - Owner: Blue Devil Racing Stable Gr./ro.f.3 by Tapit-Valgravya by Sauce Boat.

Breeder: Scott & Carol Ricker $2 Exacta (6-9) Paid $26.40 $2 Trifecta (6-9-7) Paid $827.00 $2 Pick 3 (9-9-6) 3 Correct Paid $360.00 Pick 3 Pool $89,740 $2 Daily Double (9-6) Paid $64.00 Daily Double Pool $76,441 $2 Superfecta (6-9-7-5) Paid $2,820.00 7TH 6 1/2 Furlongs 3 & Up Maiden Claiming ($20,000) Purse: $22,000 10 Jacky Juice Castellano J J 3.20 2.30 2.10 7 Miss Odette Desormeaux K J 3.20 2.90 8 Hear Her Roar Lezcano J 3.80 Time 1:20.06 Trainer: Brown Chad C - Owner: Gabrielle Farm, Dubb & Scuderi Dk. b. or br.f.3 by Friends Lake - Distinctive Flag by Distinctive Pro Breeder: Sugar Maple Farm $2 Exacta (10-7) Paid $7.70 $2 Trifecta (10-7-8) Paid $28.00 $2 Daily Double (6-10) Paid $12.00 Daily Double Pool $73,953 $2 Pick 3 (9-6-10) 3 Correct Paid $129.50 Pick 3 Pool $86,006 $2 Superfecta (10-7-8-9) Paid $97.40 8TH Yaddo S. 1 1/8 Miles (Inner turf) 3&Up F&M Purse: $100,000 1 Meriwether Jessica Garcia Alan 11.00 5.40 4.00 7 You Go West Girl Lezcano J 4.30 2.90 2 Chestoria Cohen D 3.00 Time 1:46.98 Trainer: Violette Richard A Jr - Owner: Symons Patsy C. Ch.m.5 by Freud - Chunter’s Joy by Northern Jove Breeder: Cheryl Prudhomme $2 Exacta (1-7) Paid $47.20 $2 Trifecta (1-7-2) Paid $125.00 $2 Grand Slam (4,7,9-6,7,9-7,8,10-1) Paid $46.00 $2 Pick 3 (6-10-1) 3 Correct Paid $51.50 Pick 3 Pool $64,892 $2 Daily Double (10-1) Paid $13.60 Daily Double Pool $95,296 $2 Superfecta (1-7-2-3) Paid $536.00

Memories for a lifetime

9TH 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) 3&Up mdn clm ($25,000) Purse: $23,000 3 Conspicuous Leparoux J R 4.50 3.30 2.60 5 Keith’s Kitten Dominguez R A 6.60 4.80 10 Mordecai Jones Cohen D 5.20 Finish Time: 1:42.29 Trainer: Bond Harold James - Owner: Clifton, Jr. William L. Dk. br or b.f.3 by Ghostzapper - Kalahari Cat by Cape Town Breeder: Clover Leaf Farm II Inc. $2 Exacta (3-5) Paid $31.00 $2 Trifecta (3-5-10) Paid $245.00 $2 Superfecta (3-5-10-7) Paid $1,132.00 $2 Daily Double (1-3) Paid $35.00 Daily Double Pool $208,117 $2 Pick 3 (10-1-3) 3 Correct Paid $41.20 Pick 3 Pool $138,204 $2 Pick 4 (6-10-1-3) 4 Correct Paid $147.50 Pick 4 Pool $331,269 $2 Pick 6 (9-9-6-10-1-3) 5 Correct Paid $80.50 Pick 6 Pool $2 Pick 6 (9-9-6-10-1-3) 6 Correct Paid $7,922.00 Pick 6 Pool $63,333 Saratoga Attendance: 22121 Mutuel Pool: $3,151,661 ITW Mutuel Pool: $2,708,912 ISW Mutuel Pool: $6,510,710

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FRIDAY RACING RECAP

Funky Business

‘Mama’ comes through for Munk, stable partners by ben meyers The roar that leapt from the throats of the 22,121 that witnessed the fourth race Friday at Saratoga Race Course paled in comparison to the one that rose when Funky Munky Mama returned to the winner’s circle after her victory.

It even made managing partner Richie Munk throw up his hands to quiet the Funky Munky Stable ownership group as the 2-year-old daughter of Lion Hearted strode in after taking the $50,000 maiden claimer for New York-breds going 5 1/2 furlongs. John Velazquez rode the winner for trainer Gary Gullo.

“This is what it is all about. We have quite an excited crowd of owners. It is quite a rush,” Munk said after accepting a score of handshakes and a few kisses on the cheek. “This is our first ever win at Saratoga and . . .”

He was interrupted, politely, by a partner trying to get a photo of the winner before she was taken back to the barn.

Tod Marks

Funky Munky Mama, with John Velazquez, rolls to the finish in the fourth race on Friday.

“ . . . and that is one of those moments that you know you will never forget.”

The run was the second try for Funky Munky Mama, she was fourth in a race with the same conditions here Aug. 2, and she cruised home with a 7 1/4-length rout of 10 others in 1:05.15 after leading all the way through early fractions of 22.80 and 46.48 seconds. The winner was a $12,000 purchase at last year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale in Saratoga.

tradition

The name for Funky Munky Stable, the inspiration for the runner’s moniker, was the brainchild of Munk’s wife and is obviously a derivative of his name.

“It has nothing to do with an actual monkey,” said Munk, who also denied that the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor had anything to do with it. “We wanted this all to be fun. We always say, ‘Funny Name, SeriSee Friday page 24

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

Saratoga Leaders through Thursday

Javier Castellano.

Tod Marks

Jockeys John Velazquez........................... 32 Javier Castellano......................... 32 Ramon Dominguez..................... 27 Julien Leparoux........................... 17 Alan Garcia.................................. 16 Garrett Gomez............................. 13 Kent Desormeaux........................ 12 Rajiv Maragh............................... 11 Edgar Prado................................ 10 Cornelio Velasquez........................ 8 Eibar Coa....................................... 7 3 tied with..................................... 6

Rick Violette and Alan Garcia.

Tod Marks

Trainers Todd Pletcher.............................. 19 Chad Brown................................ 13 Linda Rice................................... 11 Bill Mott........................................ 9 Bruce Levine................................. 6 Ken McPeek.................................. 6 Rudy Rodriguez............................ 6 George Weaver............................. 6 Steve Asmussen........................... 5 Seth Benzel................................... 5 Michael Maker............................... 5 Rick Violette.................................. 5 Tony Dutrow................................. 4 Dominic Galluscio......................... 4

Saturday, August 21, 2010

23

Friday –

Continued from page 22

ous Racing.’ ” The partnership now has Friday’s win and two seconds from four starts this season at Saratoga.

Serious indeed.

• When Goldmark Farm manager Todd Quast called trainer Eoin Harty and asked if he would be interested in training Moontune Missy, the trainer’s answer was simple.

“I said, ‘Hell yes, send her up here,’” Harty said after the horse won Friday’s third, an optional claimer at 7 furlongs. “He gets more of the credit than I do though. He got her training again on the farm. All I did was give her a couple of works and throw a saddle on her.”

After Harty threw that saddle on, the 4-year-old daughter of Forest Wildcat went out with Alan Garcia, stalked the pace, battled with and put away favored McVictory in the final furlong, and crossed under the wire 2 lengths in front in 1:24.13. McVictory held for second, while Perfect for You was third.

The win was Moontune Missy’s first appearance on the track since finishing 11th in the Grade II Raven Run at Keeneland last October.

“She got hooked up in a speed duel there and that led to some on again and off again problems,” Harty said. “We sent her to the farm and Todd really did some great work with her to get her fit See Friday page 26

24

Tap For Luck successfully breaks her maiden on Friday with Javier Castellano for Todd Pletcher.

Tod Marks

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Saturday, August 21, 2010

25

Friday –

Continued from page 24

and ready.”

Moontune Missy improved her career record, which includes a win in the Sometime Thing Stakes last fall, to 4-for-7.

She is 2-for-2 at Saratoga as well.

“She just loves it up here,” Harty said. “She is really something to be around.”

• Todd Pletcher doesn’t really know what to do with Tap For Luck.

The gray Tapit 2-year-old filly looked strong – taking over in mid-stretch en route to a 2 1/4-length win in the second race for maidens, but despite looking healthy on first inspection she doesn’t really have anything else on her agenda.

“This is where we miss races like the Matron at Belmont,” Pletcher said about the 7-furlong Grade II that is on hiatus this fall. “It makes it awkward to find spots where she can come back and run now. We are going to have to look around.”

Owned by Summit West Racing and the Robert and Beverly Lewis Trust, Tap For Luck won Friday’s 5-furlong test in 57.59 after she went three wide early with Javier Castellano aboard before making her move late. Miss Dora was second and Cadazzle third.

“It was a big effort for her,” Pletcher said. “She looked really good.”

See Friday page 28

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Friday –

It was Castellano’s third winner on the card.

Continued from page 26

Pletcher also saddled favored Cadazzle, a Malibu Moon daughter, who finished third.

“She didn’t get that good of a break, but when they start to stretch out in distance that will help her out a lot,” Pletcher said. “She is going to be a really nice filly.”

• It was a long week for Chad Brown.

Jacky Juice, a 3-year-old daughter of Friends Lake, broke a mid-meet lull for the trainer by winning the 6 1/2-furlong seventh for New York-bred maiden claimers. Despite not winning since Aug. 13, Brown still sits second in the trainers’ race with 13 wins.

“I guess we were a little spoiled,” Brown said about the cold streak that had him stuck on a dozen.

Owned by Gabrielle Farm, Michael Dubb and Vincent Scuderi, Jacky Juice led by as many as 5 lengths halfway through and was caught by Miss Odette in the stretch, but dug down, and pulled out the neck win in 1:20.06.

Miss Odette finished second, 6 3/4 lengths ahead of Hear Her Roar.

“It wasn’t the prettiest way to win.

She was a little bit lonely out there on the lead,” Brown said about the 22.47 and 46.46 opening fractions. “Javier (Castellano) got after her though and got it done.”

Jacky Juice was claimed by Western Resources and David Jacobson.

• With pink saddle cloths riding with every horse, a pink NYRA flag fluttering in the infield and a card full of races restricted to fillies and mares, it was only fitting that the first woman to win a training title at Saratoga won the first race on Fabulous Fillies Day. The fact that it was 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf just made everyone chuckle.

Sextant, trained by Linda Rice and ridden by Garcia, led every step in the sprint for $25,000 conditioned claimers. Ms. Thanksgiving was second and Sweet Madness was third. Garcia won three races on the day including the featured Yaddo Stakes aboard Meriwether Jessica.

Owned by Rice’s father Clyde, the 5-year old daughter of Orientate was making her first start in almost a year, but shook off the rust with ease.

“I didn’t expect to win the first one, but we’ll take them where we can get them,” Rice said. “She has quite a bit of talent, but she has been problematic.

I thought that she would run well, but I didn’t expect to win.”

In case the stars weren’t aligned enough, the race was named “A Salute to Linda Rice” to honor her 2009 training championship. The day included a women’s expo and fundraising for breast cancer research.

“It is very flattering to be asked to be a part of all of this,” Rice said. “Last year was a very special and exciting year. With a beautiful day for racing, like this, it is special to be involved with good people.”

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Saturday, August 21, 2010

theoutsiderail

by Joe Clancy

The Orsini Electric guy just said ‘but you have partial power, don’t you?’ Well, no. The lights are on in the hallway. The outlets in my office work – sort of.

But everything else is dead. The place is dark and quiet – no lights and no electronic hum from the computers, the monitors, the air conditioner, the printer, the water cooler/heater. No random announcer’s voice calling races on the television. Even the Cupcake Lab closed down – no hot water to make the coffee.

Blackout? Again? Call this one light brown. It lasted most of the morning, and was over by 1:30 in the afternoon, somehow isolated to 517 Broadway.

Nothing like the one a few years ago where we ran a 100-foot extension cord out our back door on East Avenue, through the yard, over a fence to an outlet on the neighbor’s front porch. And certainly not a bit like the one a few years before that when half the county went dark. The Daily Racing Form didn’t print that day, neither did the New York Post’s upstate edition.

We did. The Special lives through blackouts (some blacker than others) pretty much every year and if you’re reading this we made it through Friday’s.

But the lack of electricity made me wonder what the place would be like without it. Different, for sure.

Think about it. What doesn’t need electricity around here? The horses wouldn’t mind, though pretty much everything else depends on electrons flying through wires. But Saratoga started in 1863. There must have

Power Trip

been at least some electrical progress back then (the lightbulb was invented in the 1870s), but it surely wasn’t the everyday convenience it is today.

What was it like and could we do it today?

First off, we’re racing. The show must go on. The horses really don’t need electricity to run or train. Get to the barn at 5, careful where you step it’s a little dark and there are no lights. No fans to put away, no extension cords to roll and hang.

Pull out the feed cart and hang the tubs. Scoop, dump, push, scoop, dump, push. Pull the hay nets and stash them for later. Pick the hooves, knock the straw from the tails, get the tack. Bridles on, saddles and pads, girth tight, wait for the riders. All that sounds just like today, come to think of it.

Somebody get the bath water ready. Light the wood fire, OK maybe propane burners under the red drums (whatever happened to those?), so we have hot water.

Head for the track. Back up to the wire, gallop to the five-eighths pole, get a good run at it. Clockers are over there – somebody walk over and tell them this horse’s name – the walkie talkies never got charged and neither did the golf carts. Hey, look at all the fans here watching. Boy it’s nice to see them. Mary Ryan has them all lined up together so they can hear her.

Take one to the gate. What do you mean it doesn’t work? Bobby Duncan and Roy Williamson figured it out. Same as ever.

Coffee’s on at the Morning Line – gas stoves and burners. They’re writing everything down though; no cash register. See you there. And the Vitamin Water is on ice. Hey, text me if you see that jock’s agent. No wait, my phone’s dead. I guess everybody’s is, huh?

Loose horse, loose horse. Hit the siren. Nope, no siren. Just yell “heads-up” and “loose horse.”

The harrowing break comes at 8:30, but it takes a little longer. Teams of horses – Giant Moon, Leah Gyarmati’s pony, Bold Hawk, Lead Us Not, Cedros, all the big ones – are pulling the harrows because the gas pumps don’t work so the tractors can’t go. Really gets them in shape. It’s a good idea to watch the harrowing – you can get a real line on a horse by how much he has to lean into it. The old-timers make their horses go twice. Oh, and if you can hold a rake, get out there, they need you on the turns.

You going to the races? Sure, see you there. No betting. What? How do you think all those machines work? They’re not solar. There are a few guys over in Restaurant Row (Putnam Market can’t make sandwiches without juice) taking wagers. Odds are terrible, but it’s great fun. No you cannot do a dime super part-wheel. Win betting only. And you can always get in the pool at Box 320. Put up your $5 and pick a horse. The baby-faced kid with the blond hair holds the money – for a small cut.

Post time is still 1 o’clock, but they’re down to eight races a day since it takes so long to move the starting gate and get the track ready. Four dirt races early, four turf races late. We’re still not done until 6 or so, but that’s OK. What else are you going to do?

Quiet? I’ll say. All you hear are the 17-minute bell and Sam’s horn. Call to the Post never meant so much.

Also, the whole crowd cheers when the race starts.

Tom Durkin is kicking around the backyard and will do impromptu “There’s cause for Concern” reenactments if you want, but there’s no sound system so you’ll have to gather round his picnic table to actually hear him.

They say Keeneland was like this once. I guess Saratoga was too.

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cupofcoffee

by Sean Clancy

The University of Saratoga. Today’s class is Alabama 101.

Today’s guest lecturers are Tony Dutrow with Havre De Grace, Todd Pletcher with Devil May Care and Jerry Hollendorfer with Blind Luck.

Questions? Any questions?

Hey Todd, what do you worry about specifically with Devil May Care?

“The same thing you worry about with all of them, you just want to come in every morning and hope they’re as good as they were when you left the night before.”

Jerry, how does Blind Luck like traveling?

“She’s gotten better and better at it. The first time she was a little fidgety, but she settled right down, she’s gotten it down very well. The toughest one she won was probably the Kentucky Oaks, she came flying. The Delaware Oaks, was tough but she got the job done. I don’t think one took more out of her than another. She didn’t run good at Santa Anita, but she got way back off a slow pace and couldn’t close the ground and she got into trouble in the lane, but still she finished third in that race.”

P H O T O of the day 30

Classic Class

Tony, your filly ran huge against Blind Luck Hystericalady, we didn’t have any soundness probin the Delaware Oaks, what was your confi- lems with her and so far we haven’t had any with her.

She’s remained totally sound.” dence level before that race?

“We knew she was coming, but she wasn’t there. Jerry, does she have unusually long legs?

She went into the Oaks good, I was feeling like, ‘I hope she’s not at her very, very best, and I don’t think she is, but I think she’s pretty damn good.’ I was hoping, but I was like, ‘You have a lot to prove filly.’ ”

“A lot of runners are like that, a lot of human runners have long legs too. That’s just her.”

“They got pretty rough with her in the gate. We didn’t anticipate any problems, but when she got a little reluctant to load, they kind of got rough with her and they ended up grabbing her ear and putting the tongs on her and all that, that just doesn’t work with most fillies, or most horses in general.”

leads us to believe that she’s getting better. I was feeling really good going into the Oaks that she would run well that day, I’m feeling better going into the Alabama than I was going into the Oaks. I’m seeing her training aggressively and seeing her being a more mature horse and I have the confidence having seen her run against Blind Luck. I don’t know about the distance, but from what I know about pedigree, she should like it a little longer than a little shorter.”

Tony, you are usually open about your confidence level before a big race, how about beTodd, what happened at Fair Grounds when fore today’s Alabama? she acted up in the gate and ran poorly?

“Having only run five times, I’m hopeful and she

Tony, what’s your feeling about trying Devil May Care and Blind Luck in the Alabama?

“I want to try it. There’s a lot to gain. We’ll see how we do, it adds up to me. I don’t want to be in an average race somewhere and her continue to get better and after it be like, ‘Wow, I should have run in the Alabama.’ I don’t want to be in those shoes.”

Jerry, what’s special about her conformation?

“She’s nicely made, people comment that she’s light and when she first came around, people said she holds her tail out, there’s gotta be something wrong with her rear end but she’s always been like that from the first day, there isn’t anything wrong with her behind. I had another filly who was built similar to her,

Todd, are you happy with the new schedule of 3-year-old filly stakes?

“You used to have the Coaching Club at a mile and a quarter, the Mother Goose at a mile and an eighth, which she has been able to win at a mile and an eighth and a mile and sixteenth. We’ll see about the mile and the quarter but I’m optimistic. The schedule is very good. That was one of the reasons why after the Oaks, or the Derby, we looked at it and thought the Acorn was a little soon then we looked at the Mother Goose, the Coaching Club, the Alabama, that was a nice progression. It’s nice to have a filly who can participate in all three.”

Photo by Tod Marks

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