Horse Racing: I. Ortiz/B. Cox/Godolphin/Into Mischief top 2023; J. Rodriguez/B. Russell win Laurel titles on final day; L. Rice sets NYRA record for wins in a year

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

"THE BIGGEST LONGSHOT IN THE HISTORY OF THE BELMONT STAKES," Tom Durkin
Reliving Sarava's greatest moment, the 2002 Belmont Stakes at the unfathomable odds of 70-to-1 to deprive War Emblem from winning the Triple Crown. Sarava passed today at the ripe age of 24. He failed to hit the board in eight starts following that stunning victory. He entered with just two wins in six starts.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Kentucky Downs' annual meet begins later this week. The track hosts just seven days of racing but it is arguably the most popular betting meet for handicappers especially those interested in turf racing, deep fields and potent connections.

Kentucky Downs runs Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 13.

Thursday, August 31

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 1/2 F	Turf	16	12:30 PM CT
2	$250,000	Allowance	6 1/2 F	Turf	14	1:02 PM CT
3	$170,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 5/16 M	Turf	9	1:34 PM CT
4	$180,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 1/2 F	Turf	11	2:06 PM CT
5	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	16	2:41 PM CT
6	$250,000	Allowance	6 1/2 F	Turf	11	3:14 PM CT
7	$180,000	Allowance	1 M	Turf	9	3:48 PM CT
8	$160,000	Allowance	6 1/2 F	Turf	16	4:21 PM CT
9	$500,000	FanDuel Tapit S.	1 M 70 Y	Turf	16	4:54 PM CT
10	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	16	5:28 PM CT

Saturday, Sept. 2:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	16	12:30 PM CT
2	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	16	1:02 PM CT
3	$180,000	Allowance	6 1/2 F	Turf	8	1:34 PM CT
4	$170,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 1/2 F	Turf	16	2:06 PM CT
5	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Turf	16	2:41 PM CT
6	$160,000	Allowance	7 F	Turf	16	3:14 PM CT
7	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 1/2 F	Turf	16	3:48 PM CT
8	$1,000,000	Gun Runner S.	1 M	Turf	10	4:21 PM CT
9	$1,000,000	Big Ass Fans Music City S.	6 1/2 F	Turf	16	4:54 PM CT
10	$2,000,000	Mint Millions S.	1 M	Turf	12	5:28 PM CT
11	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 1/2 F	Turf	16	6:00 PM CT

Sunday, August 3

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	16	12:30 PM CT
2	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Turf	16	1:02 PM CT
3	$180,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 1/2 F	Turf	8	1:34 PM CT
4	$160,000	Allowance	1 5/16 M	Turf	16	2:06 PM CT
5	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Turf	16	2:41 PM CT
6	$75,000	Claiming	1 M	Turf	9	3:14 PM CT
7	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/2 M	Turf	16	3:48 PM CT
8	$70,000	Starter Allowance	1 M	Turf	10	4:21 PM CT
9	$170,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Turf	16	4:54 PM CT
10	$1,000,000	Dueling Grounds Oaks	1 5/16 M	Turf	13	5:28 PM CT
11	$1,000,000	National Thoroughbred League Dueling Grounds Derby	1 5/16 M	Turf	12	6:00 PM CT
12	$500,000	Handicap	1 M	Turf	10	6:32 PM CT

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

TV Schedule. Monday, Sept. 4 is Labor Day.

​

Date	Program	Time	Network/Social Media
Aug. 30	"Saratoga Live"	1 p.m.-6:30 p.m.	FS2
Aug. 30	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Aug. 30	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Aug. 31	"Saratoga Live"	1 p.m.-6:30 p.m.	FS2
Aug. 31	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Aug. 31	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Sept. 1	"Saratoga Live"	1 p.m.-6:30 p.m.	FS2
Sept. 1	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Sept. 1	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Sept. 2	"Saratoga Live"	12:30 p.m.-7 p.m.	FS2
Sept. 2	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Sept. 2	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Sept. 3	"Saratoga Live"	12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on FS2, 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. on FS1, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. on FS2	FS2 and FS1
Sept. 3	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Sept. 3	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Sept. 4	"Saratoga Live"	12:30 p.m.-7 p.m.	FS2
Sept. 4	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Sept. 4	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

My first race yesterday was taken off the turf and so we scratched and will be running on Wednesday now. The stable is hopeful with this horse

By first-crop site Catholic Boy? One of my favorite scores was Catholic Boy in the Travers from the outside slot at 7-1. Naysayers were aplenty that day. At last check, he has three progeny win. Good luck.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Race 1 (steeplechase) canceled in addition to 41 scratches at Saratoga today.

 

[RosensRug]

By first-crop site Catholic Boy? One of my favorite scores was Catholic Boy in the Travers from the outside slot at 7-1. Naysayers were aplenty that day. At last check, he has three progeny win. Good luck.

Yes sir!

This race went kind of how i envisioned it after coming off the turf. Broke horribly and the short distance didn't do us any favors. I'm hoping next time out we can get a longer race on the turf.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday at Del Mar:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$82,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	10	1:30 PM PT
2	$30,000	Claiming	1 M	Dirt	11	2:00 PM PT
3	$82,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	10	2:30 PM PT
4	$82,000	Maiden Special Weight	5 1/2 F	Dirt	14	3:00 PM PT
5	$83,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 M	Turf	12	3:30 PM PT
6	$83,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 F	Dirt	12	4:00 PM PT
7	$300,000	Del Mar Mile S.	1 M	Turf	10	4:30 PM PT
8	$150,000	Torrey Pines S.	1 M	Dirt	10	5:00 PM PT
9	$150,000	Green Flash H.	5 F	Turf	15	5:30 PM PT
10	$1,000,000	FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic S.	1 1/4 M	Dirt	11	6:00 PM PT
11	$300,000	Del Mar H. Presented by The Japan Racing Association	1 3/8 M	Turf	11	6:30 PM PT

The final Saturday of racing at the Saratoga meet.

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$136,500	Maiden Special Weight	5 1/2 F	Turf	16	12:40 PM ET
2	$156,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Dirt	6	1:13 PM ET
3	$500,000	Flower Bowl S.	1 3/8 M	Turf	4	1:48 PM ET
4	$149,500	Allowance	6 1/2 F	Dirt	10	2:21 PM ET
5	$250,000	Prioress S.	6 F	Dirt	5	2:52 PM ET
6	$136,500	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	3:26 PM ET
7	$136,500	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Dirt	12	4:00 PM ET
8	$150,000	Harvey Pack S.	5 1/2 F	Turf	9	4:34 PM ET
9	$95,000	Allowance	6 F	Dirt	13	5:08 PM ET
10	$149,500	Allowance	1 M	Turf	16	5:44 PM ET
11	$1,000,000	Jockey Club Gold Cup S.	1 1/4 M	Dirt	8	6:18 PM ET
12	$50,000	Maiden Claiming	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	6:52 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Congrats to Junior Alvarado on winning the Mike Venezia Award, an honor in part issued by peers.

Alvarado Named 2023 Mike Venezia Award Winner

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 30 that veteran jockey Junior Alvarado is the winner of the 2023 Mike Venezia Memorial Award.

www.bloodhorse.com

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 30 that veteran jockey Junior Alvarado is the winner of the 2023 Mike Venezia Memorial Award.​

​

Alvarado, based this summer at Saratoga Race Course and the regular jockey of Cody's Wish, was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys' Guild, and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Alvarado will be recognized in a winner's circle ceremony at Saratoga Sept. 2.​

​

"The Venezia Memorial Award is about representing the sport we love so much in the best way possible," said Alvarado. "I am thankful and proud to be chosen as this year's winner and I look forward to celebrating with my family and thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga Race Course."​

​

The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as a result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Getting a head start at Kentucky Downs...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

There is thinking outside the box and then there is this... a league. An interesting endeavor.

Nashville, New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay are host locations..

​

Group Brings League Concept to Thoroughbred Racing

The National Thoroughbred League aims to create a new audience for Thoroughbred racing through a professional sports league with city-based teams.

www.bloodhorse.com

 

[RosensRug]

Looking forward to the KY Downs meet this weekend. Usually has the best prices out of any US based meet each year. Annoyed that they raised the takeout and that will likely lead to other tracks (NYRA cough cough) raising takeouts again next summer.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Looking forward to the KY Downs meet this weekend. Usually has the best prices out of any US based meet each year. Annoyed that they raised the takeout and that will likely lead to other tracks (NYRA cough cough) raising takeouts again next summer.

If takeout on some wagers is primary, look into Hawthorne. If purses trump that, then disregard the suggestion. Hawthorne advertises its low takeout.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, August 31, 2023

• Superstar Barns Cold:
  • Chad Brown went winless again. He has just one win with 38 starts since August 22 and that includes 0-for-17 in his home base of New York.
  • Steve Asmussen won today but he has just two wins with his past 31 starters.
  • Bob Baffert is just 1-1-2 with his past 12 starters.
  • Todd Pletcher has just two wins with his past 19 starters.
• Bill Mott has been training for 20+ years and is in the Hall of Fame. He has never had a year like 2023 with a 16% winning mark sending out first-timers. He has been universally known as a low-percentage first-time trainer. Not this year, his best ever with such a division.

Saratoga (New York):

• Handle: $13 million.
• Ortiz Boys: The brothers combined for five wins on the 10-race card, Irad had three victories and Jose two.
• Race 10: More Mango (Jaime Torres/Jimmy Ferraro) won at 44-to-1 and handed someone an awesome $.50 Pick 5 worth $84,000. Not a bad way to start a weekend or end a Thursday. The $1 Pick 6 wasn't hit, except those who had five winners in the exotic bet.
• Race 7: Gala Brand (Jose Ortiz/Bill Mott), the lone filly in the race and a daughter to Violence, upped her career mark to 2 2-0-0 with a win in the Grade 3 $175,000 With Anticipation Stakes.

​

• Race 2: Life Talk (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Todd Pletcher) a $335,000 daughter to the impeccable Gun Runner, won second time out in a dominant performance.

​

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• Race 2: Stavros (Kevin Gomez/Brittany Russell), a $300,000 New York foaled son to Constitution, hit the board for the first time in four career starts and second time under Russell after being trained by Bob Baffert.

​

Colonial Downs (Virginia):

• Race 2: Jack's Legend (Johan Rosado/Michael Trombetta) won as the lone first-time starter ad at 12-to-1. Lone first-time starters, as stated here often, can be a wise betting opportunity even if few exist.
• Michael Trombetta sent out for horses and three returned victorious. He is the runaway leader in meet victories and has a 29% strike rate.
• Michael Stidham trained two winners.

Belterra (Ohio):

• Perry Ouzts added two wins to his remarkable career. Again, he is 69 years of age,'

Horseshoe Indianapolis (Indiana):

• Matilda Burnham finished 3 1-1-1 and won for the fourth time in her first-year career. She hails from Miane. I know of no other jockey who comes from that state, though she mentored in California where she won her prior three races at fair meet in the northern half of the state.

Kentucky Downs (Kentucky):

• Opening Day: Arguably the most anticipated meet on the annual calendar. The 7-day meet runs Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 and 13.
• Get to Know It: The track is billed as the only European racecourse in North America, all turf and kidney-shaped.
• Repeat Winners: Florent Geroux and Cristian Torres rode two winners apiece. No trainer saw the winner's circle more than once.
• Joel Rosario and Tyler Gaffalione, both with wins today, have an affinity for this track.

​

• Race 10: The $.50 Pick 3 returned more than $1,500. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $42,000.
• Race 9: Harlan Estate (Declan Cannon/Whitworth Beckman) was the longest shot on the board at 37-to-1 but he was victorious in the $500,000 FanDuel Tapit Stakes. Cannon is a native of Ireland. Beckman began training in 2021 but had assisted Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher, among others, prior.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Ten Trainers in the US have more than one Grade I wins in 2023. I predict Bill Mott will be one of the three finalists for the Eclipse Award, probably not on the radar back in January.

Brad Cox	8
Chad Brown	7
Todd Pletcher	5
Bill Mott	5
Bob Baffert	4
Steve Asmussen	4
Michael Maker	3
Brendan Walsh	3
Phil D'Amato	2
Jena Antonucci	2

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

@RosensRug

Did you hear about this? If the Belmont Stakes is going to be at Saratoga in 2023, the eyes of the world will be ever-more attentive.

NYRA Considerers Adding All-Weather Track at Saratoga

As a synthetic course is being built for the new Belmont Park, an all-weather surface also could be coming to Saratoga Race Course.

www.bloodhorse.com

One possible configuration would be replacing the inner turf course with a smaller synthetic course, which would widen the Mellon Turf Course and allow for increased rail placements.​

=====​

Along with the talk of adding a synthetic surface at Saratoga, there is also the possibility of adding a synthetic surface at Aqueduct Racetrack, which will become NYRA's lone downstate racetrack once Belmont Park is closed for renovations.​

 

[RosensRug]

@RosensRug

Did you hear about this? If the Belmont Stakes is going to be at Saratoga in 2023, the eyes of the world will be ever-more attentive.

NYRA Considerers Adding All-Weather Track at Saratoga

As a synthetic course is being built for the new Belmont Park, an all-weather surface also could be coming to Saratoga Race Course.

www.bloodhorse.com

One possible configuration would be replacing the inner turf course with a smaller synthetic course, which would widen the Mellon Turf Course and allow for increased rail placements.​

=====​

Along with the talk of adding a synthetic surface at Saratoga, there is also the possibility of adding a synthetic surface at Aqueduct Racetrack, which will become NYRA's lone downstate racetrack once Belmont Park is closed for renovations.​

I've heard a ton of rumors about the Belmont going to Saratoga but nothing concrete just yet. The big question is the distance and where they would start the race from. My understanding is that for a mile and a half race the gate would just about be on the turn.

I would LOVE for it to happen and would do everything I could to make sure I'm in attendance for the day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, September 1, 2023

Saratoga (New York):

• Handle: $20 million+. This weekend, with gorgeous weather and the holiday upon us, should have an enormous handle. Arguably the most difficult meet in track history with the often-times abysmal weather and whether-related or not, the ugly breakdowns, all associated with the track and sport need something positive.
• Race 1: Cigale (Trevor McCarthy/Rafael Romero) flew at the end to capture the opener at 35-to-1, the longest odds offered. The young trainer is in his third and so far busiest year of conditioning. He began in Florida via Venezuela.

​

• Race 4: Carl Spackler (Tyler Gaffalione/Chad Brown) won the layup Grade 3 $175,000 Saranac Stakes in a field of four. The Irish-bred is 3-for-5 lifetime including 2-for-2 at the Spa,

​

• Chad Brown had a 2-win day, even with the short field his barn was in need of a win. He currently leads Linda Rice by two victories for meet supremacy, though he has sent out 33 more starts.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. is comfortably ahead of all competition for winningest rider.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, September 2, 2023

• Fun Times: Maybe it is due to the Labor Day weekend but there were plenty tracks that seemed to be delighting in family fun and activities. While that isn't out of the ordinary, as tracks have everything from pet dogs to exotic animals racing and typical fun activities, there seemed to be an abundance of good cheer. It was good to see something positive from racing without the cast of clouds, both literally and figuratively, that has been far too active this summer.

Saratoga (New York):

• Handle: $27 million.
• Race 3: Parnac (Dylan Davis/Christophe Clement) won the Grade 2 $500,000 Flower Bowl. This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

​

• Race 4: Ludwig (Junior Alvarado/Phil Bauer) won a most thrilling race with a much-debated photo finish. Alvarado couldn't have written a better script. What a finish in race 4. He nipped Irad Ortiz, Jr. and then seconds later marched towards the winner's circle in traditional style but to receive his Mike Venezia Award (voted by his peers among others) with family, friends and jocks attending the ceremony. The 7 beat the 5.

• Race 5: Alva Starr (Jose Lezcano/Brett Brinkman) demolished the field to win the Grade 2 $250,000 Prioress Stakes. Brinkman does much of his training in Louisiana.

​

• Race 6: Agate Road (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Todd Pletcher) was near dead-last in the stretch yet prevailed by a neck to win this $136,000 MSW race. A $650,000 purchase by Mike Repole and Vinny Viola.

​

• Race 7: General Partner (Manny Franco/Chad Brown) was oddly overlooked but wired the field at 7-to-2 to win the $136,000 MSW. A $250,000 purchase by Klaravich Stables.

​

• Race 8: Thin White Duke (Jose Lezcano/David Donk) won the inaugural $150,000 Harvey Pack Stakes.
• Race 9: Missing Fortune (Keibar Coa/Dana Saul) won at 16-to-1 and topped a $.10 super that returned over $12,000. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the rider's first win at the Spa. It was Saul's seventh lifetime win and a 2 1-1-0 mark at Saratoga, she conditions mostly at Finger Lakes (NY).

• Race 11: Bright Future (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher) was sent off 7-to-2 and was victorious by inches over Proxy (Joel Rosario/Michael Stidham) who was sent off at 4-to-1 -- grrr, a heartbreaking loss yet a steal in my eyes -- to win the prestigious Grade I $1,000,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup. This was arguably the race of the day. This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

​

• Race 12: The $.50 Pick 5 was a gigantic $168,000+,
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode three winners, a day which began with a 3-3-0 mark through six races. He rode the 12-race card but a lackluster second-half gave him a 12 3-3-1 record for the day.
• Todd Pletcher won three times with four starters sent. He had a most unsuccessful day at Kentucky, however.
• Chad Brown won three times in North America including two here. He meads the meet by four victories with two days left.
• Norm Casse has one more starter left (Monday). He is a remarkable 7-for-12 (58%) this meet.

Saratoga Harness (Saratoga Springs, New York):

• Race 3: The $2 exacta exploded the totes at $2,437.

Timonium (Maryland):

• Handicapping: Very tough to make picks, odd configuration of the track and the fact the track runs just a few days a year.
• Ray Ginter is a small-stable trainer who has never won more than eight times in any year -- that is until today's ninth win in 2023. He had just six wins total from 2004-2022.

Kentucky Downs (Kentucky):

• Race 10: Ancient Rome (Jamie Spencer/Charlie Hills) won in his U.S. debut, 15th time out, for his European connections and captured the Grade 3 $2,000,000 Mint Million.

​

• Race 9: Secret Money (Tyler Gaffalione/Brendan Walsh) won the $1,000,000 Grade 3 Music City. The Good Samaritan filly has been out six times with six different riders. No progeny for Good Samaritan has won more than Secret Money, from what I can find, who has won three times.

​

• Race 8: Talk of the Nation (Jose Ortiz/Shug McGaughey) won the $1,000,000 Gun Runner Stakes.

​

• Difficulties: This a unique North American facility, one that is billed as European-style. Much confusion among handicappers and even track-caller Larry Collmus seemed to be baffled in the finale today. The day was interrupted by multiple technical issues for the simulcast feed.
• Meet Schedule: Two days down and five to go -- Sept. 3, 7, 9, 10 and 13.
• Leaders: No trainer or jockey has won more than twice in this meet currently.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 10: Fast Motion (Leonel Reyes/Jose D'Angelo) won a thriller by a neck but most importantly for an astute and fortunate handicapper, the $.20 Pick 6 was smashed for $102,000+. The winning numbers Saturday were 1-6-6-3-4-10. Talk about a roller-coaster of emotions...

​

Delta Downs (Louisiana):

• Race 1: The $.10 super paid close to $7,000.

Louisiana Downs (Louisiana):

• Race 7: The finale was won by the longest shot at 66-to-1. The $.50 tri was $7,000+. The $.10 super paid over $12,000.
• Race 6: Big Data (Emisael Jaramillo/Michael Lerman) won the $250,000 Super Derby. Big Data races outside of Gulfstream (FL) for the first time in the biggest race in his young career. The 3-year-old is a son to Cloud Computing who won just twice in his career yet one was a Preakness Stakes. Lerman doesn't have a large stable and this is one of his biggest scores to date.

Del Mar (California):

• Handle: $28,000,000.
• Race 7: Du Jour (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) won the $300,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Stakes. Du Jour won a graded stakes for the first time since May 2021. He snapped an 8-race losing streak last time out.

​

• Race 8: Ceiling Crusher (Edwin Maldonado/Doug O'Neill) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes. The winner was bred in California. He has a 6 5-0-1 lifetime mark.

​

• Race 9: Motorious (Geo Franco/Phil D'Amato) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap. The 5-year-old has found a groove going 5 3-2-0 this year and hitting the board 12 of his past 13 starts, This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.
• Race 10: Arabian Knight (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) won the Grade I $1,000,000 Pacific Classic. This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

​

• Race 11: Gold Phoenix (Juan Hernandez/Phil D'Amato) won the $300,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap. Gold Phoenix won this race last year. This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

​

• Juan Hernadez finished with three wins 9 3-3-0.
• Bob Baffert entered four races and won three times.
• Antonio Fresu, who has been an instant success story in California since arriving from Europe, was suspended eight days for riding infractions and though his banishment will include next weekend, he will be permitted to ride in graded stakes those days. as he committed to owners prior to the suspension being announced.
• Umberto Rispoli, who escaped serious injury earlier in the week and on his 35th birthday, was off his mounts but expected to return to riding sooner rather than later. Armando Aguilar, the apprentice who caused the spill in which no horse or jockey was further injured, was issued a 10-day suspension

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

TV schedule for today and tomorrow (Labor Day):

Sept. 3	"Saratoga Live"	12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on FS2, 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. on FS1, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. on FS2	FS2 and FS1
Sept. 3	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Sept. 3	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Sept. 4	"Saratoga Live"	12:30 p.m.-7 p.m.	FS2
Sept. 4	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Sept. 4	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network

Today's card for Kentucky Downs.

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	16	12:30 PM CT
2	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Turf	16	1:02 PM CT
3	$180,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 1/2 F	Turf	8	1:34 PM CT
4	$160,000	Allowance	1 5/16 M	Turf	16	2:06 PM CT
5	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Turf	16	2:41 PM CT
6	$75,000	Claiming	1 M	Turf	9	3:14 PM CT
7	$150,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/2 M	Turf	16	3:48 PM CT
8	$70,000	Starter Allowance	1 M	Turf	10	4:21 PM CT
9	$170,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Turf	16	4:54 PM CT
10	$1,000,000	Dueling Grounds Oaks	1 5/16 M	Turf	13	5:28 PM CT
11	$1,000,000	National Thoroughbred League Dueling Grounds Derby	1 5/16 M	Turf	12	6:00 PM CT
12	$500,000	Handicap	1 M	Turf	10	6:32 PM CT

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Looking forward to the KY Downs meet this weekend. Usually has the best prices out of any US based meet each year. Annoyed that they raised the takeout and that will likely lead to other tracks (NYRA cough cough) raising takeouts again next summer.

HISA payments.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Interesting objection in the Saratoga opener. Castellano lodging against Irad Ortiz. Old school vs. New school? Decision awaits.

Objection nullified by stewards.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

September 3, 2023

Saratoga (New York):

• Handle: $22 million.
• Penultimate Day of the Meet. Tomorrow closes what will likely be remembered for the travails and pitfalls that were arduous at times. The meet had many good moments but Saratoga's meet is among and perhaps the most-anticipated meets on the racing calendar.
• Leaders: Irad Ortiz, Jr. has sewn up another NYRA riding title. Chad Brown leads Linda Rice -- who won three times today -- by two victories heading into tomorrow's finale.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. withstood two objections among his four victories today.
• Jose Lezcano had his third straight 2-win day.
• Race 2: Bon Adieu (Katie Davis/Danny Gargan) topped a very unique superfecta in which the Davis jockeys/siblings finished 1-2-4 and in-law (husband to Katie) Trevor McCarthy rode the third-place finisher.

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• Race 5: More than $1,000,000 was added to the Pick 5 pool.
• Race 9: Brightwork (Irad Ortiz, Jr./John Ortiz) pulled a massive upset against Ways and Means (Flavien Prat/Chad Brown) who was sent off at 2-to-5 in her second-time-out to win the $300,000 Grade I Spinaway Stakes. The 2-year-old filly is a perfect 4 4-0-0 with Irad riding twice. Ways and Means is considered a rising star in Brown's lofty stable. I don't know of any prior relationship between the Ortiz-winners but they are of no family-relation and the trainer conditions in the Midwest; however, they seemed very chummy. Miz Sense was declared a non-starter after acting-up in the gate, she cost $550,000 to Mike Repole and Vinny Viola.

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Timonium (Maryland):

• Xavier Perez had an extraordinary day going 4 4-0-0 and each win was for the husband-and-wife competitors John and Gina Robb. Gina sent out three horses and each returned a winner. She is 7-for-12 lifetime. Next stop: Hall of Fame?

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• Race 5: So chalky the first five races, the $.50 Pick 5 paid $145.
• Race 6: Was that the fair meet's version of Affirmed and Alydar? A dead-heat but third-place was in a different area code.

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Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 returned more than $67,000. Favorites lost in each leg.
• Race 8: The $.20 Pick 6 was hit for the second consecutive day, this time for $20,000+.

Kentucky Downs (Kentucky):

• Race 10 Freydis the Red (Brian Hernandez, Jr./Kenny McPeek) won the $1,000,000 Dueling Ground Oaks in record-breaking time -- 2:06.13 -- for 1 5/16 mile at the track.

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• Race 11: Anglophile (Declan Cannon/Brian Lynch) won the $1,000,000 Grade 3 National Thoroughbred League Dueling Grounds Derby, There was much excitement in the winner's circle.

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• Cold Barns: Chad Brown, Steve Asmussen, Wesley Ward and Bill Mott are a combined 0-for-29 at the meet.

Arapahoe (Colorado):

• Weather: Sure, it is too warm for snow but that seemed like snowfall rather than a T-storm through the simulcast.

Del Mar (California):

• Handle: $17 million.
• Race 6: Tahoe Sunsrise (Victor Espinoza/Bob Baffert) and Mr. Fisk (Juan Hernandez/Bob Baffert) finished in a dead-heat in the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes.
• Race 10: Conclude (Hector Berrios/Phil D'Amato) won the Grade 2 $300,000 Del Mar Derby.

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• Calendar for Southern California Racing:
  
  • Del Mar until 9/10/2023
  • Los Alamitos 9/15/2023-9/24/2023
  • Santa Anita 9/29/2023-11/5/2023
  • Del Mar 11/10/2023-12/3/2023
  • Los Alamitos 12/8/2023-12/17/2023
  • Santa Anita 12/26/2022-4/9/2023

Woodbine (Ontario):

• Race 6: Love to Shop (Emma-Jayne Wilson/Kevin Attard) won the $125,000 Toronto Cup. Wilson's lone mount today gave her three straight wins dating to yesterday.

 

[GKJ]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The last day of racing at Saratoga until some time next year.

Those who show promise in today's Hopeful are likely onto Kentucky Derby preps.

• Bob Baffert's $2 million Muth in the Hopeful. EDIT -- SCRATCHED.
• Todd Pletcher's Be You is of particular interest.
• His stable-mate Pirate won first-time-out and though the post isn't ideal, Javier Castellano has been known to be adept at such opportunities.
• Timberlake disappointed in his maiden race but fired in his most recent start and looms large.

Good race.

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$88,000	Maiden Special Weight	5 1/2 F	Turf	16	12:40 PM ET
2	$149,500	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/8 M	Dirt	8	1:13 PM ET
3	$150,000	Bernard Baruch S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	6	1:48 PM ET
4	$72,000	Claiming	7 F	Dirt	10	2:19 PM ET
5	$88,000	Maiden Special Weight	5 1/2 F	Turf	13	2:52 PM ET
6	$88,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	16	3:26 PM ET
7	$95,000	Allowance	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	4:00 PM ET
8	$95,000	Allowance	6 F	Dirt	10	4:34 PM ET
9	$136,500	Maiden Special Weight	5 1/2 F	Turf	12	5:10 PM ET
10	$300,000	Hopeful S.	7 F	Dirt	11	5:44 PM ET
11	$88,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	6:18 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Irad Ortiz, Jr. has mounts in 10 races today, the final race-day at the meet. He has 62 wins (the list below is prior to yesterday).