Mark Hoffman’s 2009 graded Travers Stakes selections

Quality Road (#4) Velazquez / Pletcher 8-5
The Florida Derby winner made a triumphant return here at the Spa setting a track record going six & a half furlongs in the Amsterdam Stakes which is a prep for the King’s Bishop on this undercard, off that effort his connections decided return to a route distance and take on the “big boys”, he is the most talented of the three year old colts “on paper” this year.

Our Edge (#5) Garcia / Zito 15-1
The modern day “Giant Killer” Nick Zito sends this rank outsider into the fray off of three straight victories on the front end, speed is dangerous and this one has got a win on a sloppy track, hoping for a “two speed” number on what could be an “off track”.

Hold Me Back (#1) Leparoux / Mott 15-1
Was no factor last time out in the grassy Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, faces top notch three year old runners once again and this time gets a jockey switch to the young Julian Leparoux, think he surprises a few today.

Summer Bird (#6) Desormeaux / Ice 3-1
Belmont Stakes winner at nearly 12-1 ran an even race behind Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell Stakes in the slop at Monmouth, question if he likes an “off track” with his two previous races on that surface, I needed to toss one of the two favorites out…..he’s the one!

Kensei (#7) Prado / Asmussen 7-2
The “now horse” has won two straight stakes routes and never has been in better form, still question if he wants to go this far….but, has made me a believer.

Charitable Man (#2) Dominguez / McLaughlin 6-1
Got somewhat a late start in the three year old races….but, won the mile & an eighth Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont in May, since then really no factor in last two starts, the Pennsylvania Derby would have been more suited for him.

Warrior’s Reward (#3) Borel / Wilkes 8-1
Even 2nd behind Kensei in the Jim Dandy, a nice three year old…..but, not at this class level going long in my opinion.

"Hickory the Handicapper" week #4 - Saratoga 2009 results

17 winners “on top” selections (59 races) = $98.60

5 winners from “runner-up” selection
13 winners from “exotic & multi-race” selections

10 exacta “boxed” winners
6 triple “boxed” winners
No superfecta “boxed” winners
9 “other” exotic winners

“Personal” bankroll @ 156.($204.)

"Hickory the Handicapper" week #3 - Saratoga 2009 results

9 winners “on top” selections (60 races) = $51.70

11 winners from “runner-up” selection
13 winners from “exotic & multi-race” selections

7 exacta “boxed” winners
7 triple “boxed” winners
3 superfecta “boxed” winners
6 other “exotic” winners

“Personal” bankroll @ 98. ($304.)


Hey, at least I'm honest! Worst first three weeks of a meet.....ever!

A day at the races.....with good friends and fun!

This was my most recent "At the Post" column for the Recorder.....there's more than just winning.

I’ve had a lot of interesting experiences going to the Saratoga race course the past 23 years. There been times where I’ve done quite well at the windows and others that I rather forget about. I’ve seen quite a few spectacular races with some very famous horses contest over the Spa strip. There have also been times when the weather would change in a heartbeat and go from lovely to down right dangerous. But, this past Monday it was none of the above. It was about good times with friends that dominated this trip to the track.

We’ll start on Saturday afternoon and meeting up with the “boys” from Fort Plain back in the picnic area. Pat, Tom and “T” made their second trip of the meet over since opening day. It was very profitable for the “boys” from the western end of the county and two other friends that made their first trip to the Spa. These two “newbies” really didn’t know much about thoroughbred racing and polled us “so-called” experts who to wager on. In the Whitney Stakes after the late scratches, I told them the best horse to cover “across the board” was Bullsbay at his ridiculous overlay price of 18-1. Needless to say, both the newcomers to the track placed a substantial win-place-show wager on him and left the track very happy. After the last race, I headed over to the Carolina Barbeque to meet up with some of my racing partnership group.

There I ran into my friend Dave who was formerly from the Capital District and now lives in Virginia . I met two years ago at Saratoga when he first joined Dee Tee Stables. With him was the famous “Joe the Dude” a regular caller to “At the Races” on Sirius satellite radio and also member of the partnership. I’ve waited a long time to meet him and was hoping to run into him here at the Spa. We decided to meet on Monday and spend an August afternoon at the Spa.

Dave and Joe showed up mid-way through the Monday afternoon card and joined me and other Dee Tee members on the patio at the barbeque. Trainer Chuck Simon, his dad and Steve Byk along with us watched the nine race card, which proved very profitable for Dave who hit the late pick 4 for over a thousand dollars. Needless to say, we celebrated over at Siros with a few drinks and then headed to the Fasig-Tipton yearling sales at the newly-remodeled Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion on East Avenue across from the Oklahoma training track. There the atmosphere was electric with people, young horses and newly remodeled walking ring outside the pavilion with a outside café and bar. We met a lot of very famous thoroughbred people and saw the ruler of Dubai - Sheikh Mohammed, who oversees the powerful Godolphin Stable. It was quite fun meeting up with people like; Steve Haskin, Andy Serling, Chuck Simon and also seeing trainer Chip Wooley and Bob Baffert in attendance. This was a blast for me, Dave and the great sense of humor that “Joe the Dude” had during the whole experience.

I must say, that next year I’ll try to make both nights of the sales. It is an experience that everyone should encounter at least once. After the sales, the three of us got a late night meal and then went our separate ways. The whole experience with Dave and Joe was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had at Saratoga in all the years that I’ve been going there. The meet financial –wise for me hasn’t been the greatest so far, but the fun that I enjoyed with my friends from Fort Plain and Dee Tee Stables group, along with all the other great horse racing people I’ve met has been a memory I’ll never forget!

"Hickory the Handicapper" week #1 - Saratoga 2009 results

13 winners “on top” selections (60 races) = $87.60

6 winners from “runner-up” selection
20 winners from “exotic & multi-wager” selections

11 exacta “boxed” winners (based on top 2 w/ 3 others listed)
5 triple “boxed” winners
3 superfecta “boxed” winners
5 other “exotic” winners (doubles & pick 3’s – with top 2 picks)

“Personal” bankroll stands @ $167 ($392)