Today is one of the staple races at beautiful and historic Saratoga; the Whitney Stakes. Through the years, this mile and an eighth test has been the biggest summer race for the older colt handicap division. Named after the family who was so influential with American thoroughbred racing and especially at Saratoga , Eclipse winning horses of this race which started in 1928 are; War Admiral, Tom Fool, Kelso and Dr. Fager. I was very fortunate to see the great Personal Ensign defeat the boys and remain undefeated in her career back in the 1988 edition of this race. A year later, another Phipps / McGaughey flag bearer won this event and was the last three year old colt to do so. In 1989, New York 's own; Easy Goer used his Whitney Handicap victory as a prep race and stepping stone for his Travers Stakes victory later on in the meet.
Criminal Type won this race in 1990 and was named "Horse of the Year" later on in the season. Famous Belmont Stakes winners won this race the following year like; Colonial Affair, Victory Gallop, Lemon Drop Kid and Medaglia d'Oro. Horses that used the Whitney along the way as a prep for atheir Breeder's Cup Classic victory were; Awesome Again, Invasor and Blame. Even New York bred runners have done quite well in this race. The great gelding; Commentator won this race as a four year old in 2005 and again as a seven year old in 2008. I was fortunate to see this old warrior break his maiden at Saratoga and could have been one of the best horses I saw in person win his first career race!
Today's edition, nine horse entered coming from all across the country. The nine runners are coming in from five different venues for today's prestige race ( Monmouth Park , Belmont Park , Churchill Downs , Woodbine & Prairie Meadows) . We have four horses who have won a graded stake in their last start (Rule, Hunter's Bay, Ron the Greek & Fort Larned) . My top selection in this race is a runner who is going to try achieving a "hat trick" of older handicap race victories. Ron the Greek, trained by Bill Mott has become a different horse since switching to his barn (4 wins and 3 second place finishes). Most recently, he won the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs going this same, mile and an eight distance and two starts back won the San Anita Handicap at a mile and a quarter. Both of these races are the premier older horse race at those venues.
For second, I'm going with the Shug McGaughey trainee; Hymn Book. Since this trainer has been one of biggest money makers for me this year, I'll include this closer. He won the biggest older handicap race at Gulfstream Park this winter; the Donn Handicap going the same distance. Horses to use underneath Ron the Greek & Hymn Book are; Rule, Caixa Eletronia and Flat Out (who also now trained by Bill Mott).
The first 12 days of this year's 2012 Saratoga meet have really improved for myself the past week. The McGaughey trainee; Sea Island scored at 15-1 in last Thursday's 2nd race stretching back out to a route distance. This was a tremendous overlay in my opinion. In the 2nd race on Saturday; Charming Kitten lived up to her grass billing in victory, but it was the runner-up; Fire Guard at 30-1 who keyed the $115 exacta payout! Finally, in the overnight stake on Sunday (Nani Rose) trainer Bill Mott celebrated his birthday again with a victory by Alaura Michele at 6-1 and my 2nd place horse; Sweet and Lovely keyed a $153 exacta "cold". I know a very prominent Amsterdam resident who did quite well with my selections in that race!
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