Honor Code ........ Hoffydogg's next BIG thing!

It's been quite a few years since I've been excited about a two year runner and it's hopes on the 2014 Kentucky Derby trail next year as a three year old. Especially since the way that Juvenile runners train and point toward stake races from their maiden victories to the First Saturday in May in recent years. In the Breeder's Cup era, only one Juvenile race champion; Street Sense, went on to win the Kentucky Derby . That makes the total 1 for 30 over that span and it means that it takes a special young runner to reproduce his two year form and peak in the biggest race of his career the follow year.

On closing weekend of this year's Saratoga meet in a maiden special race on a very sloppy surface, produced in my opinion a very promising and hopefully future superstar. It was a seven furlong sprint, which regarded by many a tough distance to race for a first time starter. This year's Kentucky Derby winning trainer; Shug McGaughey entered a son of AP Indy, out of the mare; Serena's Cat which both were stakes winners. Now, this two year doesn't come from the usual McGaughey owners like Ogden Phipps or Stewart Janney, Lane's End / Dell Ridge farm owns and bred this runner. Not taking much money like most McGaughey first time starters and sent off at 3-1, Honor Code broke sharply and took far back shortly after the start. On the off-going, he rallied up the inside and drew away at the sixteenth pole in a very sharp and eye opening effort. I've always like Shug's runners and especially horses come from clouds with a move like Honor Code made.

After his maiden breaker, Honor Code pointed for the one mile Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park the first Saturday in October. This time he was the 9-5 favorite and again settled in the rear of the pack after the start. But unlike his maiden breaker up the rail, this time he was spun eight wide at the top of the lane and rallied fast on the far outside just missing. This effort proved that it wasn't just the "off track" he liked in his maiden breaker and also showed with the longer distances stretching out that he would have a future on the Kentucky Derby trail next year. The connections decided after his sharp 2nd in graded stakes company, to skip the Breeder's Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita one month later and point to the two turn Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct next weekend on their Holidayfest card.

Following this sport for nearly 30 years, I never had a knack out of latching on to a talented two year old and then getting him to win the Run for the Roses. I've only managed that in recent years with horses getting better as three year olds on the Derby trail. Only Street Sense has been that exception and that was six years ago. Needless to say, he was the last and only Juvenile champion to replicate that. So, there is a big trend to buck for next year with Honor Code. With what we've seen so far this year with the Juvenile runners, the group is evenly matched with no runner head and shoulders above the rest. Just in the two starts that Honor Code has made, he has the right connections with the right breeding and the exciting running style to be a force next year as a three year old. Next week in the Remsen Stakes here at Aqueduct, going the two-turns for the first time at a mile and an eighth distance; Honor Code just may be the exciting horse that will turn heads next spring leading up to the 2014 Kentucky Derby . I'm already excited and this son of AP Indy may be next favorite horse. A win next week will be a nice send off for the 2013 racing season and something to look forward to next March or so when he returns!

Really? do we need this........ Breeder's Cup "purple" carpet etc.

This week we once again look back at the Breeder's Cup Championship day with the feature race of the card; the Breeder's Cup Classic, which was showcased in prime time television on the NBC Network. After a day of somewhat fragmented coverage on it's sports network, the biggest race of the year was presented in a rather different and interesting way.

Now the "hardcore" gamblers like myself and my friends on E-street, just want to see the racing coverage from a wagering point of view. The "fluff" that surrounds Kentucky Derby coverage the first Saturday in May is one thing. Generally, the Derby has a wider audience from the years of that race being the largest recognized thoroughbred event of the year. It showcases the young three year old runners trying something that some may never do again; race the classic distance of a mile and a quarter. The 20 runners are equal in may ways and the stories from how each got there are interesting. But when it comes to a older handicap horses racing in the Breeder's Cup Classic, these horses already have a story from their races during the year in the handicap and stakes events.

Did we really need, Access Hollywood 's Billy Bush doing a "entertainment tonight" like pre-show focusing on celebrity interviews with crazy zany stories that rather poked fun at thoroughbred racing on a big stage. Or adding E! News - Catt Sadler also doing celebrity interviews and reports from the Breeders' Cup "purple carpet? Now, I have no problem with Toni Braxton singing the National Anthem, but I really could have done without; Kristin Chenoweth singing, the "Breeder's Cup anthem" - The Best is Yet to Come when the horses entered the track. First, I didn't know that the Breeder's Cup had a theme song and second, what was the purpose for a song anyway? There have been 29 running's of the classic, none of them need a song before, why now?

I'm an "old school" type when it comes to the way long standing sport events are presented. Whether it's Major League Baseball playoffs with just the divisional winners and no wildcard or just 64 teams (no more) vying for NCAA Basketball Championship. Just present the event the way it's always been done, without all the pomp and circumstance to attract other viewers. The viewer base, just wants to see the races. Both NBC and ABC have sacrificed races before the Belmont Stakes in year's past for all the "fluff". The Manhattan Handicap was excluded from the broadcast and never seen because of other less important and insignificant non-race stories.

I guess in today's environment, the networks need all the non-essential stuff to give thoroughbred racing the time of day. But even with it, this year's Breeder's Cup viewer ship was down significantly. This isn't good for the sport on the big stage of presentation. With technology on the internet, maybe watching thoroughbred racing for the "hardcore" players like me on network television isn't needed anymore. But, it's my opinion that the way NBC showed this year's classic race will not draw more people to the sport. And unfortunately, I see the coverage of thoroughbred racing on the major networks decreasing in the future if the ratings continue to fall. Much like the extended Saratoga race meet of the past few years, the fans come and watch for one reason. That is to wagering, not for the other "fluff"!

Breeder's Cup 2013 ....... the aftermath

Thoroughbred racing's biggest day is in the books. The 30th edition of the Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships was quite eventful to say the least! Last weekend's two day events were full of great finishes, minor upsets and some nice payouts. Here are my thoughts of the 13 races leading up to the feature race, the Classic and the coverage that NBC and their sports network afforded racing's world series. Unfortunately, it's disappointing for wagering fan of our sport.

The coverage kicked off on Friday afternoon around 4:45pm eastern standard time with five races until around 8pm. The Breeder's Cup Marathon is a nice race to wager on and make a few bucks (which I did with my second choice; London Bridge - $20.00) but, this race means very little during the season leading up to this grade II event. Both Juvenile Turf races have been dominated by the European runners. For the third straight year (6 out of 7) with the colts and back to back with the fillies. Speed was "golden", when Goldencents wired the field in the dirt mile and capped a $150 - fifty cent pick 3 with my top two selections from the first three Breeder's Cup races. The distaff was billed as the showdown between two-time champion of this race; Royal Delta and three year old filly phenom; Princess of Sylmar. But, that battle never materialize, when the five year old mare came up empty and the sophomore filly was never a factor.

It was a big day at the windows for me and I was looking forward to Saturday's races which were another late afternoon start at 3pm. Here's where the television coverage got very skewed in my opinion. We only saw the first BC race of the day; the Juvenile Fillies, as they went into the gate and the running of the race. The NBC Sports Network was TOO busy with their coverage of Notre Dame Football and their pre-game show versus Navy. Of course, something would happen in this race and the outcome was very interesting from a wagering stand point. Unfortunately there was a spill in the race and Hall of Fame jockey; John Velazquez was hurt and was off all his remaining mounts on the rest of the card. In the closing stages of the finish, race leader; She's a Tiger drift out in the stretch and interfere with longshot Ria Antonia and was disqualified, which placed the 32-1 outsider into the top spot paying $66.60!

The next three straight races would be won by the betting favorites. Europeans run one/ two with Dank running another big race stateside on the weeds, Groupie Doll became the first back-to-back winner of the filly and mare sprint and Mizdirection remained undefeated on the Santa Anita downhill turf course and also was the first two-time winner of this race. The wide open Juvenile had an upset with New Year's Day trying "real" dirt first time and scoring at a $23 mutual. Again, it was a one/two finish on the grass for the Europeans with Magician ($27) narrowly defeating favorite filly; The Fugue and so far, ALL the Europeans dominated Breeder's Cup distance turf races. The event which I really didn't have a major opinion in (the Sprint) was won by top selection; Secret Circle at an "underlay" price of $7.00 in my opinion. This set up for the two "showcase" races of the entire two days next!

The defending Horse of the Year and winner of last year's Turf Mile; Wise Dan, showed that he is STILL the top horse in North America with another impressive victory with subbing pilot aboard; Jose Lezcano for the injured John Velazquez. So after that great victory, we head to the main event / featured race and a switch from NBC's Sports Network to NBC for the Classic. Here, we go from straight forward horse racing coverage to something like "Entertainment Tonight". Stay tuned next week, for my full coverage of the 2013 Breeder's Cup Classic with the rundown results of the race and my critique of what we saw on NBC's prime time coverage of racing's biggest event.

It's the 30th running of the BREEDER'S CUP!

With the World Series just ending, NASCAR wrapping up in two weeks and the NFL season at the midway point, many of the major sporting events are coming to a seasonal close as we get to the last two months of 2013. Today, the major season for thoroughbred racing has it's biggest day; the Breeder's Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Southern California . We have nine grade I races on tap and many divisional year end honors to be settled today. It's an exciting day of racing with money to be made. Even though this sport has more "downs" than "ups" in recent years, one thing can be said; it's never boring!

We've talked about in recent columns how the past 30 running's of this day has evolved and changed throughout the years. Some good and others bad in my opinion. But, today we'll gather with our phone-a-bet accounts fully funded and televisions tuned to these championship races. Yes, the televised segment of this year's Cup is the first thing I'll talk about. The NBC network along with it's own Sports network has televised the Breeder's Cup for the past few years. They have done an excellent job with their coverage. But this year during the 14 race coverage over the two days, only one race (the Classic) will be shown on a regular network channel. Even more disturbing about this is that the race is part of NBC's pre-game Notre Dame Football coverage. Looks like thoroughbred racing will now be relegated (much like ESPN did in the past) as a secondary sport during their biggest day on NBC.

Now on to better things today; the many ways to make large amounts of money, by wagering small increment bets. The potpourri of wagering opportunities can be done with small bankrolls. We have 50 cent triples, pick 3 & 4 and ten cent superfectas. With the large fields and many betting combinations, a small wager could garner you, big bucks! Last year, I invested a dime superfecta totally $1.20 in combinations and got back a $150 return. Not a bad return on investment! Even wagering horses to "show" can get back payouts with double digit returns when the favorite fails to fire. It's the one time of the year when the "chalk" is few and far between.

But most of all, it's the stage to showcase the best thoroughbred in the world. Like I said earlier, many champions will be crowned today. Groupie Doll in the Filly & Mare Sprint is set to defend her title, coming into this race with sketchy form and the same can be said for the male counterpart in the Sprint; Trinniberg. Youth will be serve in both Juvenile races and maybe future champions will be unveiled. Will the two European fillies (Dank & The Fugue) prove best in both Turf races? The pick six for today, starts with the toughest of the 14 Breeder's Cup races, the Turf Sprint. But as the day draws to an end, the final two races may play a big part in who will become the 2013 Horse of the Year. Wise Dan is entered to defend his title in the Mile and in the Classic, 9 out of the 11 runners entered are either grade I or group I winners. Plus, both last year's winner; Fort Larned and runner-up; Mucho Macho Man are back again this year! If we can get this many returnees from last year, maybe racing at Santa Anita for a second straight year (and next year too) can't be all that bad! Enjoy the day of racing everybody and let's make some money!

2013 Friday BREEDER'S CUP selections

Breeder's Cup Marathon (6th - 4:45pm post)

Ever Rider (#4) - a year ago, a Argentine / South American import won this race at a big price, in a relatively evenly matched field this distance specialist gets the call with a renaissance Hall of Fame rider in the irons!

London Bridge (#7) - this European import tries the dirt for the first time, by the way; it's the first time stateside also for the N.Y. bred, worth a shot with another Hall of Fame jock in the irons.

Exotic & multi race runners : Cease (#2) - Commander (#3) - Indian Jones (#6)



Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf (7th - 5:25pm)

Out Strip (#4) - recently 3rd in group I race at Newmarket sprinting seven furlongs, his dam was a grade I winner at Keeneland on their polytrack & grade I winner on turf also, wide open event.

Bobby's Kitten (#5) - impressive effort in the grade III Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont in last, getting rave reviews off his last two efforts, Chad Brown trainee is named in honor of his mentor, the late Bobby Frankel.

Exotic & multi race runners : Giovanni Boldini (#2) - Bashart (#13) - Shamshon (#12)



Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile (8th - 6:05pm)

Hymn Book (#3) - this McGaughey trainee makes his final career start today versus a very salty bunch, lots of speed sign on here and his late kick may prove worthy at his
15-1 morning line odds.

Goldencents (#12) - was all ready to pick this talented 3 year old "on top" until he drew the far outside post, has been the runner-up three straight times since his Derby trail races, stretches back out to his best distance.

Exotic & multi race runners : Pants on Fire (#11) - Fed Biz (#5) - Verrazano (#10)




Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (9th - 6:50pm)

Al Thakhira (#2) - two for two in Europe with solid victories, draws more favorable post than morning line favorite, trainer does well when shipping stateside (3 wins in 6 starts).

Ready to Act (#11) - had a two length lead as the favorite in grade II stake at Woodbine when she dumped her rider, bullet work at Belmont on the inner-turf course, price here!

Exotic & multi race runners : My Conquestadory (#14) - Testa Rossi (#12) - Clenor (#10)


Breeder's Cup Distaff (10th - 7:35pm)

Princess of Sylmar (#6) - this is the Cinderella story of this year's Filly & Mare class, a dynamite runner with local connections, she has been supplemented to this race for 100k, tasted defeat only once this year, will be rooting for her BIG TIME today!

Royal Delta (#4) - the two-time defending champion here was second best behind my top pick, in 13 starts the past two years her only bad races were in Dubai, the "horse to beat" once again this year.

Exotic & multi race runners : Close Hatches (#3) - Beholder (#5)

The stars are abound! - Breeder's Cup 2013

This past Wednesday the pre-entries for this year's Breeder's Cup World Championships were drawn. A total of 172 horses were pre-entered, slightly down from 2012 and one less race carded (Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint). But, this year there is an upswing of pervious champions from the year before returning. Wise Dan (Mile), Fort Larned (Classic), Royal Delta (Distaff), Little Mike (Turf), Beholder (Juvenile Fillies), Groupie Doll (Filly & Mare Sprint), Trinniberg (Sprint), Mizdirection (Turf Sprint) and Flotilla (Juvenile Fillies Turf) are the nine 2012 winners pre-entered this year. It can be said that the "star power" will showcased this year at Santa Anita and the two day event looks better than ever!
Friday afternoon at 4:45pm eastern standard time, things get kicked off with the only non-million races of the 14 cup races, the Marathon at a mile and three quarters distance. I'd done very well in this race during it's short history and is a good money making way to kick off the championship races. The Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf races are also carded with the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile in between them. In this race, we have horses who didn't quite make the cut going the "classic" distance of a mile and a quarter. Graded stakes horses like; Alpha and Verrazano meet solid miler types like; Goldenecents, Fed Biz and Easter Gift. The highlight race on Friday evening is the Breeder's Cup Distaff with a short select field of just six runners. Five of these talented filly & mares can win this race. It's the second showdown between defending champion; Royal Delta and top three year old filly; Princess of Sylmar. This races begins a special Distaff / Classic double wager.
Saturday's races start with three filly and mare races. Some of the highlighted runners here are; Sweet Reason (Filly Juvenile) , The Fugue (Filly and Mare Turf) and Groupie Doll (F&M Sprint). The toughest race of the 14 over the two days, starts the Pick 6 with the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint. The racing sequence this year is a bit juggled from previous years starting in the 8th race. The Juvenile and Turf have been moved backward earlier and the Sprint and Mile moved forward closer to the Classic. All the Juvenile runners from both days will be racing without lasix per Breeder's Cup anti-medication rules. The year's Turf edition has improved over the past few years and the Sprint is as wide open than ever. But, the final two races will showcase the big named marquee stars.
The defending Horse of the Year - Wise Dan seeks to defend his championship in the Turf Mile. With him in this race, it's opening act for the Breeder's Cup Classic that will be shown on NBC at 8pm. All the pervious 13 races will be on the NBC Sports Network. Here, 10 grade I or group I winners are assembled here with the defending champion; Fort Larned and runner-up; Mucho Macho Man, two Jockey Club Gold winners (Flat Out & Ron the Greek), a horse with a six race graded stake win streak (Game on Dude), a Belmont Stakes winner (Palace Malice) & Travers Stakes winner (Will Take Charge) entered. It will be interesting if Wise Dan wins the Mile again and Game on Dude wins the Classic, which runner has the inside track at this year's Horse of the Year honors. Next week, we look at the contenders and longshots with selections for both days races.

New York bred Showcase Day 2013 ....... and .50 cent triples debut!

Today is New York bred Showcase Day at Belmont Park , featuring seven state bred stakes highlighting two year olds, turf & dirt races sprinting and route distances. It's one of the biggest race cards on the NYRA circuit and great betting opportunities are abound. The first two stakes of the day are for the juveniles going seven furlongs. The Joseph A. Gimma Stakes (2nd) is wide open filly race with two maiden runners included in the seven horse field. My top selection is Daddy's Little Saint (#1) coming off a sharp closing victory going six panels here. The horse to beat is Miss Narcissist (#7) who went wire to wire in her second start at Saratoga late in the meet. My exotic and multi-race runners for the 2nd race are; Court Dancer (#6) & Champagne Ruby (#4). The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes (3rd) is the boy's counterpart and has a prohibited favorite in my top selection; Wired Bryan (#8) who is both a state bred stakes winner and the grade II winner of the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga . Empire Dreams (#6) is my second pick coming off a maiden victory here and gets lasix for the first time today. Exotic and multi-race runners for race 3rd; Sol the Freud (#5) & Sing the Dream (#3). The 4th race - Iroquois Stakes for filly & mares going seven furlongs, also has an odd-on favorite and my Best Bet of the day; Cluster of Stars (#5) who is undefeated in six starts and beat the brilliant Dance to Bristol in her last start versus open company. Willet (#6) seems to be her only competition here and is my second choice. Miss Valentine (#1) & Vicki's Dancer (#8) round out my exotic and multi-race runners in the 4th.

We jump ahead to the 8th race and the late pick four of stake races starting with the Ticonderoga Stakes on the grass for filly and mares. Top selection here is the far outside horse; Wholelottashakin (#10) who just missed in the John Hettinger Stakes here going slightly longer last time out. My close second pick is the rail horse; Effie Trinket (#1) who has been rock solid in all four turf starts this year. Exotic & multi-race runners for the 8th are; Inimitable Romanee (#3) & Mystic City (#8). We split the two rturf aces with the Hudson Handicap (9th) six furlongs on the dirt. Top selection here is B Shanny (#4) coming off a wire to wire victory at Finger Lakes in a overnight stakes sprint. Moonlight Song (#6) is my second selection and faces stakes competition for the first time after three solid races this year. The exotic and multi-race runners are; Night Maneuver (#2) & Mine Over Matter (#3).

The boys are on the weeds in the 10th race - Mohawk Stakes, maybe the widest open race of the seven stake card. I'll try to beat the speedy favorite here with the three year old facing older horses for the first time; Notacatbutallama (#11) trained by Todd Pletcher. For the runner-up spot, the consistent Lubash (#6) will be my pick. I'll be attempting to leave off totally King Kreesa (#8) off his last effort in the grade I - Hirsch Turf Classic in my exotic plays. I'll be using; Hear the Footsteps (#1) & Kharafa (#10). The Empire Classic (11th) is the feature race of the day and with another odd-on favorite and horse to beat in Readtheprospectus (#8) who has a seven race win streak leading into today's event. He gets my top pick here with a out of town longshot for second; Warrioroftheroses (#6) who just missed in a stake at Delaware Park last time out. My exotic and multi-race runners are; Saratoga Snacks (#7) & Awesome Vision (#4).

When the BC races, "jumped the shark"

We are three weeks away from thoroughbred racing's championship day; the Breeder's Cup. The event was created as a year-end championship day for thoroughbred racing, . The Breeders' Cup was founded in 1982 by pet food heir; John Gaines, a leading thoroughbred owner and breeder who wanted to clean up the sport's image. The intention was to gather the best horses in North America and Europe through nominations for seven grade I races. In 1984 was the inaugural running at Hollywood Park and the seven races were a staple from then until 1999 when the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf was added. The total races remained at 8 until the event was split into two days in 2007 and the race total increased to 14. It was shortly after that when the Breeder's Cup would not only change, but would "jumped the shark" in my opinion.

Now for those who don't know the term; "jumped the shark", it comes for the 70's television show Happy Days. Coined by John Hien, it refers when television show begins a decline in quality. Then the writers use some type of "gimmick" in a desperate attempt to keep viewers' interest. The case in point, was when the Fonz water-skied over a shark tank. This was a idea to increase the show's dwindling ratings, which proved not good enough to bring back the show to it's formally high ratings. I believed in 2007, when the Breeder's Cup (now known as the Breeder's Cup World Championship races since 2002) was split into a two day event at Monmouth Park , the aura of this championship day would change forever!

First, the championships were run on two different days and nearly doubled to 14 races. That year was the first time in was at Monmouth Park and unfortunately both days were a complete wash out with heavy rains. It would also mark the last time that the Breeder's Cup would rotate from track to track, different each year. The past five years the races were only contested at Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park. Then the days were split up by sexes with the filly and mares running on Friday and colts & geldings on Saturday. Throw in another race in 2011 to bring the total to 15 overall and change the name of the filly and mare dirt equivalent to the Classic, from the Distaff to "Ladies Classic" and you get ALL the makings of a championship that "jumped the shark."

Back in 1986; when I first played the championship, Capital OTB could only carry wagering on four of the seven races. Simulcast restrictions kept them from showing anymore. Once simulating regulations changed, more all the races were available. It was common knowledge that the event would be at a NYRA track on five year internals (1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005) but with the upheaval at NYRA the past decade, they were put out of the mix with being a site in the future. The other tracks beside Churchill Downs and Santa Anita were soon forgotten; Aqueduct only had it once in 1985, when Gulfstream was remodeled lost important seating, it was left out. Hollywood Park will close after this year and hasn't been there in years. Woodbine, Arlington Park, Lone Star Park & Monmouth were one shot deals. So we are left with only two sites from here on out.

To make things worst (in my opinion) the event will be held the next three straight years at Santa Anita Park. The modern Breeder's Cup World Championships is NOT what John Gaines envisioned over thirty years ago! Plus, too many races, do not always equal "championship" events. Two races for the Juveniles are enough, the filly sprint, marathon and dirt mile aren't really needed. But, most of all the original rotation of sites and tracks brought forward the sport to every racing venue. Don't get me wrong, I love the day...... just isn't as meaningful anymore, that's my opinion!

Two year old Stakes take front and center toward the Breeder's Cup

The action this weekend is of the two year old variety, with four stake races for both sexes on dirt & turf. We have grade I races at a mile, both preps for the Juvenile Breeder's Cup championship races and two grade III races on the "proper surface Sunday, also BC preps. Along with these four races, today is a three year old turf race that could have possibilities for either the turf mile or turf classic. It's interesting that many of the two year olds who did well at Saratoga and were most successful, did it on off-track surfaces. Last weekend Belmont Futurity winner; In Trouble never raced on a off-track and the same could be said for the Matron winner; Miss Behaviour. This along with today's dirt races being a one turn mile, may come into play.

In the Frizette Stakes (9th) for the fillies, seven are entered with the rail horse; Sweet Reason (#1) winning both her career starts on a sloppy sealed track. Along with Stopchargingmaria (#4) and Repecta (#7) they also showed good efforts on off-track surfaces. We have a filly trying "real" dirt for the first time in; Ria Antonia (#5) for a new trainer today and shipping down from Woodbine. And Triple Crown winning trainer; Michael Matz has longshot runner; Tea Time (#3) entered. But, my top two selections have shown talent at this distance and with big time in debut at the Spa. Artemis Agrotera (#2) is my top selection after her smashing debut versus statebred at Saratoga this summer. My second choice is; Divided Attention (#6) broke her maiden in last start going this distance over the track. My selections are: 2-6-4-5.

The Foxwoods Champagne (10th) has nine runners entered and I'll dismiss the following horses; Casiguapo (#1), Long On Value (#6), Grand Arrival (#8). With these three I factor in their off-track efforts. Debt Ceiling (#4) and Strong Impact (#7) are already graded stake winners, but once again tend to dismiss them because of their better efforts on sealed sloppy tracks. Ride on Curlin (#2) had a good effort in his last start going two turns at Churchill Downs in stakes action, but don't know much about his trainer and Intense Holiday (#9) has a win at this distance, but that was a maiden effort at Monmouth Park. My top selection is; Honor Code (#5) who's maiden breaker at Saratoga in the slop was an eye catching one. I mention him in my Saratoga wrap-up column and go back to the NYRA replays on August 31st in the 3rd race and you'll see what I mean. For second, I'll go with Havana (#3) who had an impressive debut victory at Saratoga sprinting. My selections are: 5-3-9-2.

On Sunday in the first stake; the Pilgrim (9th) at a mile and a sixteenth for the colts, Bobby's Kitten (#5) gets my top billing after quite a interesting maiden breaker in his second career start at Saratoga . He was collared in mid stretch and re-rallied to win. My runner-up selection is; Blue Pigeon (#7) trained by top turf conditioner Christophe Clement. He was totally over looked in his debut and scored at 21-1. My selections are: 5-7-4-9.

In the Ms Grillo Stakes (10th) the filly equivalent of the above race, my top selection is Testa Rossi (#8) first time stateside from Chad Brown, shipping in from France where she has won three straight grass races. For second, Granny Mc's Kitten won the PG Johnson Stakes at Saratoga with a impressive late close. My selections here are: 8-10-4-7.

Going back to Saturday's card real quick, in the Jamaica Handicap for three year old colts on the grass going a mile & a eighth, my top pick is my Travers selection; War Dancer (#2) who didn't care for the dirt, but excels on the weeds with a powerful late kick. In this wide open, great betting event, my second selection is the ever consistent, Balance the Books (#4). Notacatbutallama (#12) always gives his best on any surface, but gets killed from the far outside post. Stormy Len (#7) always figures too and doesn't have to carry his track by racing five different venues. The picks in the Jamaica Handicap are: 2/4 with 2/4 with 5/7/12.

Super Saturday 2013 @ Belmont Park!

The biggest racing day at Belmont Park is Super Saturday, a prelude of preps for the Breeder's Cup races on November 1st & 2nd. We have six graded stake races for both turf races going a distance of ground, the sprint and Breeder's Cup dirt mile and the Distaff & Classic. Even though this year's races are at Santa Anita Park, the east coast horses will play a vital role for the championship racing days.

The Beldame Invitational Stakes (5th) is at the Distaff distance of a mile & an eighth. It's a two horse showdown between the top three year old filly; Princess of Sylmar (#2) and the defending filly & mare champion; Royal Delta (#4). The big edge goes to the older of the two, Royal Delta on all fronts. She's been 1st or 2nd in 10 of her last 12 starts and has two wins & a second in three Belmont career starts. Princess of Sylmar could have raced last weekend at PARX in the Cotillion Stakes for straight three year old fillies. Here she faces older for the first time in her career and even tougher with Royal Delta in the field. My selections are: 4-2-6-5.

The Kelso Stakes (6th) is run at one mile and is a prep for the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile. Formally ran on grass, horses who don't fit in the six furlong sprint or classic mile and a quarter distance fall in here. This marks the return of the Todd Pletcher trainee; Graydar (#2) who was last seen winning the New Orleans Handicap at the Fairgrounds on March 30th. After suffering a minor injury, he returns today at a distance he fits well at. But, I'm giving the edge to the Robert Lapenta entry of; Easter Gift & Jackson Bend (#1), with the Chad Brown runner showing two victories at a mile and his entry mate stretching out from sprint races. My selections are: 1-2-4.

The Vosburgh Stakes (7th) is the prep for the Breeder's Cup Sprint at the six furlong distance. Formally seven panels, this is now a turn back from the seven furlong Forego Stakes at Saratoga for older sprinters. A wide open event, I'm going with last year's winner of this event making his second start of a layoff and at a juicy 8-1 morning line odds; The Lumber Guy (#5) For second, I'll go to the far outside and California based shipper; Private Zone (#8) who is mighty quick and may lead them from the outside post. My selections: 5-8-2-1.

The first turf race is for filly & mares, the Flower Bowl Invitational (8th) at a mile and a quarter distance. These runners usually take turns beating each other and today should be no exception! With that said, my top selection is a runner who finally got her act together in her last start at Kentucky Downs, Mystical Star (#2). That victory was at a mile & five sixteenths in a field of 11 versus weaker competition though. Maybe that was the level she needed to get back on track. I'll use the entry for second; Tannery & Laughing (#1) with the filly facing boys in her last start finishing well and the mare on a three race win streak with last two coming wire to wire. My selections: 2-1-6.

The boys are next up in the Joe Hirsch Turf Invitational (9th) at the mile and half distance. There are seven betting interests with two entries and four grade I winners. But here I'm taking a shot with a runner who came off over a year layoff to win last time out at Saratoga . Slumber (#4) is now five years old and has a lot of gaps between starts. Trainer Bill Mott has thought enough of him to enter versus a tough group, so at the 6-1 morning line is worth a shot here! In the runner-up spot, the Ramsey entry of; Big Blue Kitten, Real Solution & Joe's Blazing Aaron (#2) look tough with the Sword Dancer & Arlington Million (placed first) winners. My selections: 4-2-1a-3.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (10th) is the biggest prep race for the Breeder's Cup Classic in New York . Eight runners are assembled with six grade I winners. The battle comes down between the "old timer" Flat Out (#6) who has five victories at Belmont Park and is considered a "horse for the course"and the "new" face is Cross Traffic (#8) who came into his own last time out in the Whitney Handicap victory at the Spa. So guess what, I'm not selection either horse "on top". My top pick is the Kentucky Derby hero; Orb (#2) who faces older horses for the first time. In fact, my second selections isn't either the two horses I mention first. Palace Malice (#7) had a tough trip in the Travers Stakes and with a better getaway today, may set the perfect trip behind the speed entered here. My selections: 2-7-6-8.

The last BIG Derby of the season!

One of the biggest thoroughbred racing series of the year is the Road to the Triple from mid-February until the first Saturday in May. The next five week’s after that we have the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes which comprise the Triple Crown. These are the major races of three year old colts, geldings and sometimes fillies. The second season for the sophomore runners begins in late July, with the Haskell Invitational, Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes. In the past, the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs kicked off the final leg of three year old races within their own age group before facing older foes before the Breeder’s Cup. But now a new race has emerged as the final “big” three year old race before the fall championship series.

After being moved on the racing calendar from Labor Day to mid-September, the Pennsylvania Derby at PARX (formally Philadelphia racetrack) has emerged as the possibly “third leg” of the mid-summer three year old races. This year, we have a rematch of the top two finishers of this year’s Travers Stakes at Saratoga. But, before we discuss this year’s edition, I’ll look back at a little history of this mile and a eighth race in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Back in the day when I first started following thoroughbred racing in 1986, the Saratoga race meet ended in mid-August. Racing switched back to Belmont Park for the Labor Day weekend and on Labor Day, the biggest race at Philadelphia Park was run. In the 1986 edition, the race was run on a very sloppy track. The favorite that year was; Broad Brush, ridden by Angel Cordero Jr. During the running of the race, Broad Brush wasn’t handling the sloppy surface very well and bore out on the turn before the stretch. It looked like he was going to be beaten with this incident, but was righted by Cordero and won the race even with an eventful trip. I remember watching the race from the kitchen table with my dad in Fort Plain. I was never a big Broad Brush fan, but still was impressed that he won the race with a skillful ride from a Hall of Fame jockey. That was my first exposure to racing at Philadelphia Park and it was one I’ll never forget!

Today we have the aforementioned top two horses from this year’s Mid-Summer’s Derby; the Travers in Will Take Charge and Moreno. Both were longshots in this year’s running and surprising to me that they finished one/two. They have returned here as the “rematch” of three year olds that lay claim to possible year end honors in the sophomore division. Standing in the way of that “chance” are six other runners including an entry that they faced last time out and four other “new” shooters. Even though Todd Pletcher doesn’t have either Verrazano or Palace Malice entered here, he has longshot; Battier who is winless since switched to his barn, but has raced well over the PARX surface (5-3/1/1), Speak Logistics who was 2nd in the Smarty Jones Stakes here that was a prep for this race and Java’s War, a “stone cold” closer and now trained by Barclay Tagg.

My selections for this race will be the Godolphin stable entry of; Transparent & Romansh (#1). Transparent showed nothing in the Travers after being the “wise guy” horse and Romansh (who was a separate betting interest in the Travers) weakened late. I love their 8-1 morning line odds and will showed an improvement at a price today. For second, I’ll go with the Travers winner; Will Take Charge (#7) and his late closing kick. He’s been an honest runner all season long, but you’ll take a hit on his odds and price today! For show, I’m going with a bit of a longshot in; Fury Kapcori (#6) who has race exclusively on polytrack in California and only one “real” dirt try, a victory at the Fresno state fair circuit nearly a year ago. I’ll not be using the Travers runner-up; Moreno at all in any of my plays. I’ll reserve judgment on his trainer’s accusations about the Travers running and Will Take Charge's jockey……unless he wins today!

SARATOGA 2013 - wrap up

Last week we discussed the reasons why I don’t think expanding the Saratoga race meet was a good idea. This week we’ll look back at the highlights, the “good” things that transpired during this historic 150th meet season. We got to see the racing future with a whole lot of two year old events during the 40 day meet. A talented group of young juvenile runners were showcased throughout the meet. New trainer; Michael Dilger presented us with Wired Bryan, who won the Sanford Stakes and was a very game 2nd in the Saratoga Special. Todd Pletcher was loaded for bear with all his young runners during the meet, but it took his mentor; D. Wayne Lukas to make a quiet meet with victories versus starters a big upset victory in the slop on closing day in the Hopeful Stakes with Strong Mandate. The two year old fillies were quite eventful with the Schuylerville Stakes having a dead-heat result, an upset in the Adirondack Stakes by a Kentucky Derby winning trainer and a “slop” loving victory in the Spinaway Stakes for Leah Gyarmati and Sweet Reason. But, the biggest effort by far from any two year old runner this past Saratoga meet was from this year’s Kentucky Derby winning trainer.

On the final Saturday of the meet, on a very sloppy track there was quite an impressive winning effort by a son of AP Indy. In a maiden special race, Honor Code broke well, but settled in the back of the pack far from the leaders. Actually, losing touch with the field and in dead last place. He rallied up the rail in the stretch and drew off to win, much the best. Quite an effort first time out from a trainer who usually doesn’t have them really “cranked” in their debut. Even more impressive is that this colt’s first start was at seven furlongs, a very tough distance to debut at. I predicted after the lack of juvenile races downstate that there would be an overabundance of baby races carded at the Spa.

We were very fortunate to see several champions from last year and would-be champions for this coming year. Horse of the Year; Wise Dan continued his quest for back-to-back titles with a victory on the grass here. Last year’s Breeder’s Cup Classic champion and Whitney 2012 winner; Fort Larned was on the other hand, unsuccessful with a dull effort in the Whitney Stakes and late scratch from the Woodward. The Breeder’s Cup “Ladies” champion; Royal Delta continued her march toward defending her championship with an easy win in the Personal Ensign Stakes. New stars like; Cross Traffic, Dance to Bristol and Kentucky Derby champion; Orb all look to lay claim to year end honors and all but the this year’s Kentucky Derby champion were successful.

In the “human” category, the usual suspects dominated the 2013 Spa scene. Trainers, Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown were one / two in the standings. The jockey race was a runaway with Javier Castellano out distancing John Velazquez and Joel Rosario who had a really good meet until he was injured. But, it was two very visible gentlemen who were the talk of this year’s meet. The very flamboyant Ken Ramsey won his first Saratoga owners title and all but locked up year-end honors of top owner of the year and the seventy eight year old, Hall of Fame trainer; D. Wayne Lukas only winning a hand full of races. But made it count when he won two of the biggest, in the Travers Stakes with Will Take Charge and Hopeful Stakes with Strong Mandate.

The “highlights” for myself was the victory of my racing partnership; Dee Tee Stables had with My Pal of Pals. It was great to have yet another winner’s circle photo at the Spa and to be in person there to witness it and have my picture taken. My WCSS “Play of the Day” wager garnering $250 in winnings for the flood victims of my hometown of Fort Plain, N.Y. and once again this year reaching 100 total winners from the 420 races run at Saratoga with R.O.I return of $710 for those winning picks (5-2 average odds). Never got on track with my own “personal” bankroll, but had a lot of fun spite that! Now, if we could cut back just a little with the amount of races and win a little bit more money, things would be perfect!

More, More, More ........ how do you like it?

Well, after 40 days and a record number of races run; 417, the 2013 150th celebration of Saratoga Race Track has come to an end! A meet that seemed to start in the heart of summer and end on a soggy note in early September, went quite quickly in my estimation. There was a lot of expectation with this years meet. The sesquicentennial of racing at the Spa was one of the major highlights leading up to the 40 day meet and beyond. The weather started out very hot early on, but by August things leveled off and handle with attendance was about even or slightly ahead. On track, the level of racing was not too bad even though the amount of races carded each day was at an all time high. During the 40 day meets there were only two days with 9 races or less. Thursday racing included two steeplechase races and 11 races overall. Handicapping the 40 days was quite a challenge, not only with the record amount of races carded, but with the number of "cheaper" types races featured.

The years past, when racing was scheduled for 24 or 30 days, the lowest claimer level was 25k. With the advent condition racing the last ten years or so, the were many more optional claiming or beaten claiming races. In fact, there were only a few traditional "straight" claiming races. While the purse structure has increased with added VLT monies, the quality of thoroughbreds in these races are cheaper than years where the meet was shorter with less races. The bottom line in my opinion is, if the Saratoga racing continues with 400+ races or extends longer than 40 days, what Saratoga showcased "on track" in years gone by, will certainly be a thing of the past and the Spa will have a Aqueduct / Belmont flavor.

The numbers presented by NYRA after closing day were mixed results in many ways. Both attendance and on-track handle dropped slightly. We have to remember that attendance increased greatly in the late 90's into the early 2000 era. At one point, the weekday attendance was between 20 and 25 thousand. With the economy as it is and number of daily races and race dates, we knew it would level off or even drop a little. Believe me, NYRA has no problem with 10 to 15 thousand in attendance during the week, when downstate at Belmont they are lucky to get five thousand people.

The handle figures are a little different. Once again, with the advent of on-line wagering, the on-track handle would see a decline. The overall handle from the Spa meet from all sources is even or a bit higher. The racing at Saratoga is the best daily run in the country, hands down! Even with the "cheaper" type race carded, the wagering handle will always be the strongest during any meet during the year. My problem with today's Saratoga meet is the thinking that more races carded and longer racing season will increase the revenue that NYRA is looking for. But, the exact opposite is going to happening.

Racing fans and tourist will ALWAYS flock to Saratoga Springs for all it has and especially it's racing. But, really does a increase in racing dates over 40 and increase of daily races carded going to increase handle totals to record levels? Doubt that will happen because with more race dates available, the "aura" of going to the track will be lessen with more chances to go. Handle will always be dictated by the wagering money available by the public. Since Saratoga is the best racing meet on earth, though the totals drop, they will always be more than the downstate tracks.

In closing, the current form of racing at Saratoga should NOT be extended beyond 40 racing dates. I think that the model followed by the downstate racetracks (Belmont & Aqueduct) of a five day race meet should be applied by Saratoga . Racing from Wednesday through Friday should be nine races only! Weekend races should be carded with 10 oraces only (with the exception Alabama , Travers and closing weekend dates) Take the steeplechase races and spread them out on weekends during the meet as added races. More races and longer meet will NOT increase handle in the long run. But, it will take away the historic flavor of Saratoga Race Course. Some say it has already!

The "feel good" story of the 2013 Saratoga meet ....... PAYNTER

The world of thoroughbred racing has it's ups and downs. Unfortunately, most of the time though we hear about the "dark side" or bad things that surround the sport we know and love. It's sad the with the world wide web and many media outlets today, the things that put racing in a bad light are the ones that get the most attention. Today, I have one of those "stories" that is the exact opposite! It's about the strength and courage of the equine beast. The thoroughbred who showed great talent on the track, but had to overcome great odds to return back after fighting for his life. This is the "feel good" story that should be more heard of, than the negative ones.

Last spring during the Triple Crown trail, a late blooming three year old arrival on the scene in California . After breaking his maiden first asking in February, he jumped into stakes action in the grade I - Santa Anita Derby . Naturally, it was tough sledding for him going from a sprint victory to a two turn event against seasoned three year old runners. But this did not deter this son of Breeder's Cup Classic winner; Awesome Again. He would regroup and run a good second on a sloppy surface at Churchill Downs and then win a entry level allowance race on the Preakness undercard. This would give him the foundation he was lacking after initially being "thrown to wolves" after his maiden win.

It was now on to the "big time' for this colt after his talented stablemate had to go to the sidelines. It was time for PAYNTER to show his stuff in the "Test of the Champions" in the Belmont Stakes. That he would do and nearly pulled off the victory getting beaten late by Union Rags coming up the rail. I was there to see this race and thought, next time out that he would be very tough to beat! His next start and ultimate goal was the summer time Derbies. He would race in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park . There he would run his career best with a nearly four length victory as the odds-on favorite. It would be on to the Mid-Summer's Derby with this victory, but something happened to derail this dream. Something no one saw coming.

Just a few days after his Haskell victory, Paynter got sick and had suffered colitis. This is a common disease in horses where they have a sudden onset of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, shock, and dehydration. A very serious disease, it can kill a thoroughbred quite quickly. Unfortunately, surgery was required for him and soon another disease cropped up which sometimes goes hand in hand with major surgery. Paynter was showing signs of laminitis also, which comes from unable to move during a traumatic injury or surgery. The blood flow is cut off the horses legs and the hooves. It's also called "founder and is usually fatal. Now, Paynter was fighting for his life!

He had surgery to repair the infected area and the next few days and weeks would be crucial for his survival. But, Paynter was a fighter and he started to show signs of improvement with weight gain. It was a long road ahead, but he was on his way to at least living. His owners were so impressive with how quickly he was recovering, that they decided to start him training again to race. By early spring, Paynter was getting back to his old self on the track and was scheduled to return to the races by early summer. On June 14th at Hollywood Park , the circle was completed with him returning in the starting gate and winning his first race in nearly a year! Paynter had made the return, that so many people thought he could not do. He recently was second in a stake at Del Mar and today comes to Saratoga to run in the Woodward Stakes. We get to see this now, very talented four year old colt who had overcome great odds to become a winner again! It's a special day at the Spa and a special "feel good" story has unfolded. I'll be rooting for Paynter today in the Woodward Stakes and I bet a lot of other people will be rooting too!

Mark Hoffman's 2013 graded Travers Stakes selections

War Dancer (#7) Garcia / McPeek (15-1)

Some would say that this is a tough spot to ask a horse to do something he hasn't done before in his career; break his maiden on dirt in a grade I event, but the entry of this son of War Front fascinates me in this spot. He has proved that he can get the mile & quarter distance, but the main track is the question. I couldn't separate the three classy betting interests, so I'm taking a leap of faith with this longshot!

Orb (#2) Rosario / McGaughey (4-1)

The Kentucky Derby hero has been training well since his no factor 3rd place finish in the Belmont Stakes, has a series of bullet works both here and at Fair Hill and his short freshening coming off a tough Triple Crown trail will be to his benefit today, improvement expected.

Verrazano (#3) Velazquez / Pletcher (2-1)

This talented three year old has been rock solid all year but in one start (Kentucky Derby) , his last race in the Haskell Stakes was a monster effort and best yet (116 Beyer speed figure) today he tries once again to get the "classic" mile and a quarter distance, definitely the "horse to beat" and moves to the top of the three year old class with a victory today.

Palace Malice (#8) Smith / Pletcher (5-2)

Winner of both the Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy Stakes has stepped it up after a sub par effort in the Kentucky Derby flashing early speed, proven he handle this distance and track, if he wins this race today, he becomes the top three year old runner in the nation, a must use here!

Transparent (#9) I. Ortiz / McLaughlin (10-1)

Had a nice victory in the restricted Curlin Stakes over the track earlier in the meet.....but was disqualified to 5th place due to interference on the far turn while making his move, may get lost in the wagering here and is dangerous off that last effort, price play here!

Will Take Charge (#5) Saez / Lukas (10-1)

Improved effort in last start finishing full of run in the Jim Dandy Stakes with late close for 2nd at 17-1, with Oxbow out for the year...... this is Lukas' only chance in the Mid Summer's Derby, the question is can he repeat that effort in grade I company & stretching out to this distance?

Romansh (#1) Castellano / McLaughlin (12-1)

Placed 1st in the Curlin Stakes after stablemate was D.Q. with wide rally after stumbling at the break, impressive effort first time versus winners, he is uncoupled today & will be a big price today!

Moreno (#6) J. Oritz / Guillot (12-1)

Pace setter in the Jim Dandy Stakes faded to third late, will be the target to chase and is very questionable going this distance, pass on him in your exotics.

Golden Soul (#4) Albarado / Stewart (20-1)

His only claim to fame is a "suck-up" 2nd place finish in the Kentucky Derby on the sloppy sealed surface, this plodder was no factor in the Belmont Stakes or Haskell Stakes, EASY toss for me here!

Travers '82 ........ a "redux" in 2013????

Well, unlike the past few running's of the Mid-Summer's Derby ; The Travers, we get the best three year olds of 2013. With the expectation of Oxbow and Normandy Invasion, all the other cast of characters are here. It's a big difference from last year with the historic "dead heat" between Alpha and Golden Ticket where each horse has done very little on the track since then and also three year's ago where Afleet's Express upset the field and was never heard from again. Yes, it seemed the days when "great" three year old runners like; Easy Goer, Holy Bull, Point Given and Bernardini had become a thing of the past!

This year we are very lucky to have the Kentucky Derby winner, the Belmont Stakes winner, the Haskell Stakes winner and Jim Dandy winner. Three very worthy and logical favorites that will make up the top three betting interests. All three have done very little wrong and seem not to have holes in the resume. Palace Malice won the final leg of the Triple Crown and came back to win the prep race for today; the Jim Dandy Stakes. Verrazano was quite impressive in the Haskell Stakes and his only question is the mile and a quarter distance. Orb won the Kentucky Derby at this distance and like the other two runners have been consistent all this year. I see these three runners all being in the betting range of 8-5 and 5-2. It's makes it tough for me to rate one above the other.

Looking back at the history of the Travers Stakes when three similar talented horses faced off, I went back to 31 years ago in 1982. That year, all three Triple Crown race winners appeared in the Mid-Summer's Derby . The Kentucky Derby winner; Gato Del Sol, Aloma's Ruler winner of the Preakness Stakes and Conquistador Cielo all made it Saratoga on August 20th facing off in a historic edition of this race. This was the first time that this happened and all eyes were on these three runners. But, a horse from Canada named; Runaway Groom, who himself was quite capable shipped down to the Spa and beat all three runners in a major upset. After watching the race, I thought to myself; can this same thing happened again this year?

The ONLY other day of racing that matters.......during the 40 days at the Spa!

Usually mid July and all of August, the racing focus and my columns are on the 40 days of racing at Saratoga . The Haskell Stakes at Monmouth and Arlington Million Day are the only times I stray away from the best thoroughbred racing in the world! The ONLY wagering I concentrate on is the Spa, very few other plays are made during this special time of the year. Today is one such day, when the finest grass thoroughbreds in the world gather in Chicago for the Arlington Million and three other turf stakes. Big fields and plenty of inexpensive exotic wagers are available on their biggest event of the racing season.

The one thing that has concerned me in recent years on this day was that NYRA would card their biggest older horse grass marathon race (the Sword Dancer Invitational) the same day as the Arlington Million. Fortunately with turf racing being a premium going distance of ground in recent years with major stars, this year's two fields have drawn nice big fields (both with 13 entries). Which brings up the question; why has the Breeder's Cup Turf field in recent years been under 10 runners? But more on that down the road when we get closer to that race in the Fall. Today we have two fantastic grade I races on the weeds and as a local handicapper would say; "the proper surface".

In this year's Million, there are six runners with European flavor with five of those making their U.S. debuts. The fine Arlington turf course, the prestige and one million payout are the reasons that this race is the premier turf race in the country. It's going to be the European flavor that I gravitate toward in the 31st edition of this race. My top selection draws the far outside post, he did race here stateside last year as a three year old in California and was successful. Grandeur (#13) trained by Jeremy Noseda makes his first start off the layoff today after a nice 2nd place finish in a group II event at York . Four for five at the mile and a half distance with two victories, this gray gelding gets the call for me at the 7/2 morning line odds. For 2nd in my exacta box; I'm going with another import, this time a Argentina bred who won a mile turf restricted stake at Del Mar recently. Indy Point (#7) trained by Richard Mandella (who has good success with these South American imports) wheels this colt back quickly after that July 24th victory. Although he has more victories on dirt, one of his two turf victories was at the Million distance.

With this 13-7 exacta box, I'll be using these three horses underneath in my exotics and multi-race plays; Rahystrada (#12) recent winner of the Arlington Handicap (prep race for this) and who has four victories in seven races over the Arlington turf course. Real Solution (#1) this Chad Brown / Ken Ramsey trainee was a even 3rd in the Manhattan at Belmont on a yielding surface. Lightly raced, this Pennsylvania bred who raced in Italy before coming stateside may improve today & Hunter's Light (#3) who gets lasix first time stateside for Godolphin and has back class in turf marathons in Europe .

My exotic play in the Arlington Million All-Stakes Pick Four starting in the 7th race is; 1/4 with 7/9 with 6/7 with 7/13 (50 cent play = $8.00 ticket) and "saver" ticket : 8 with 10 with 2/4 with 9/12 (50 cent play = $2.00 ticket).

First 20 days ....... in the books!

Today marks the mid way point in the 2013 historic 150th Saratoga Racecourse meet. The first 20 days have seemed like forever for me since the meet started the earliest in recent memory. The July 19th opening day Friday was a hot one, much like our summer has been most of this season. Though there was much fanfare about the "heat" and how it would effect the horses by the masses who know little about the sport, all the equine athletes who raced on the ninety degree open day card......survived! Once again the general public (and some media outlets) don't give enough credit to the horseman and people in charge of the thoroughbred product that runs racing in New York and throughout the country. NOBODY wants to see these thoroughbreds endangered in any way.

The one thing that did bother me though as I made the rounds throughout the Spa facility was, the many new food vendor trucks around the outside of the clubhouse and grandstand area. In recent years, NYRA was made a point of giving the racing public a wide variety of different food items. This is all well and good, but the number of mobile canteen food trucks is a little ridiculous. In the area around the carousel, where the handicapping seminars are and the NYRA pre-race show is taped, there are a half a dozen different food trucks lined up along the walk area behind the grandstand. It's a little overkill and space is taken away from the picnic area. What bothers me the most is with this influx of available food vendors, the possibly that in the future, NYRA may limit what items can be brought into the track. I hope I'm wrong, but the "flavor" of historic Saratoga has had a bit of it taken away with all these new vendors.

The one thing that Saratoga has always presented over Belmont and Aqueduct has been it's old time historic flavor. It has been even more apparent this year with the 150th celebration of the track. The entire calendar of events since this spring has been wonderful. We owe a big thank you of gratitude to Marylou Whitney and her husband John Hendrickson for all they have done for this historic birthday celebration. Last Saturday, the events on track before, during and after the races were what a day at the races should be like all the time. Showing the rich history, pageantry and beauty of thoroughbred racing and how it relates to the people involved. It was like going back in a time machine. THIS is how the sport should be promoted.

As far as the equine athletes on-track, we've seen a lot of talented two year old runners. I knew we would because of the lack of "baby" races downstate at Belmont Park . The three year old runners in both sexes are gearing up for the Alabama and Travers Stakes in two and three weeks from now. We'll see the Kentucky Oaks winner; Princess of Sylmar, Kentucky Derby winner ; Orb and Belmont Stakes winner; Palace Malice plus the very talented; Verrazano who won the Haskell Stakes. Newcomer superstar; Cross Traffic has leaped onto the scene with his Whitney Stakes victory and how many times to you see the reigning Horse of the Year at Saratoga? Today Wise Dan meets his foes in the Fourstardave Handicap and totes the assigned high weight of 129 lbs. It may have seem like an eternity the first 20 days with the heat, but it was well worth it!

The name WHITNEY and it's rich Saratoga history!

With the rich historic past of Saratoga Race Course, there is one name that comes to mind, especially during this 150th anniversary celebration. A family that has major ties to thoroughbred racing at Saratoga the last hundred years. As owners and philanthropist to the sport, the Whitney's have been one of the most recognized names at Saratoga . CV Whitney was one of the most prominent thoroughbred owners since the turn of the last century. In 1928 the now famous race at Saratoga was named after his family; the Whitney Handicap. Through the years, many famous thoroughbred have won this mile and an eighth event for the older horses. Today, the Whitney Handicap is a major summer race with implications for the Breeder's Cup Classic ran in the Fall and usually winners of that race become candidates for "Horse of the Year".

CV Whitney past away in 1992, but his former wife; Marylou Whitney continues the tradition to the sport and along with her husband; John Hendrickson have made many generous donations for this year's 150th race course celebration. This weekend is exact date of the Sesquicentennial celebration for Saratoga Race Course and also marks the 86th running of the race named after the family that has done so much for thoroughbred racing and the City of Saratoga Springs .

This grade I race which is a Invitational, has had many famous horses win this two turn route event. Names like; Discovery (three time winner), War Admiral, Stymie, Kelso (also three time winner), Dr. Fager, Onion (who defeated Secretariat), Alydar, Lady's Secret, Personal Ensign, Easy Goer and many others. This year we have the returning winner of this race last year; Fort Larned . His victory last year propelled him into a Breeder's Cup Classic victory in the Fall. His last race at Churchill Downs in the Stephen Foster Handicap earned him a high Beyer speed figure of 115. His runner up foe in the Breeder's Cup Classic; Mucho Macho Man faces him again making his third start off a layoff and looks to improve to his 2012 form. Newcomer Cross Traffic looks to make his mark in grade I competition with his brilliant speed. The race may not have the current "Horse of Year" Wise Dan, but his stablemate; Successful Dan is a worthy opponent in this spot. Add grade I winner; Ron the Greek with last year's "dead heat" winner of the Travers Stakes; Alpha and you have assembled the best older handicap horses in the country!

This is a tough field, filled with speed. It looks like Cross Traffic may be the pace setter with Fort Larned and Mucho Macho Man not far behind. Successful Dan, Alpha and longshot Csaba will also be just behind the front runners. The closers like Ron the Greek and Fast Falcon will have an impact if the fractions are fast up front. Fort Larned should be the post time favorite, I expect him to be around 8-5 to 2-1 odds range. He is the "horse to beat" and must use in all exotics. The 2nd choice in the betting will be between, Cross Traffic and Mucho Macho Man. The speedy Pletcher trainee will be over bet in my opinion and must show he can get the route distance. Ron the Greek will be a solid price around 7 or 8-1 and the others will have double digit odds. I'm going to take a shot (one more time) with the closer; Ron The Greek. He needs to stay in contact with the field and if the fractions are quite quick up front, he can score the minor upset. Underneath him, will be both Fort Larned and Mucho Macho Man. The others finishing in the top two spots would be a surprise in my opinion.

Trust your own instincts .......... your 1st instincts!

The quote of this young meet so far for myself is; "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone elses." This quote from famous American director, Billy Wilder comes into play when it comes to selecting and handicapping thoroughbred runners. It couldn't be more clear than this past Wednesday as I worked on creating a "Pick 6" ticket for a double carryover going into the card. As I discussed in last week's column, my "play of the day" wager will have ALL the winnings donated to the victims of recent flooding in the Fort Plain area. With such a big carryover, I thought of putting a little pick six ticket together for a chance of possibly making a huge score and nice little donation to my hometown people. It was a tough sequence, but with a little work I came up with a $24.00 ticket.

I worked on different versions in creating how many horses I would use in races 5 through 10. The 1st leg was quite a "head banger" to say the least! Race #5 was a six furlong maiden claiming race that was wide open. I loved the #7 Lady Halite which was 10-1 on the morning line and eventually went off at 5.70 to 1 odds. I figured to use two other horses also, the #4 Mama Zee and #6 Inaflash, which these two runners ran first and second. By using three horses in leg #1, I was alive with a $11.60 horse.

Race #6 was a very good high priced optional claimer for 100k with a lot of familiar names entered. Here was my 1st "single" play with the #10 Mr. Commons (2-1) dropping from stakes action to this level. This race was won a 10-1 shot, Seal Cove for Shug McGaughey and halted my chances of hitting the pick 6 all by myself. Still with four legs to go, there was a very good chance of getting 5 out of 6 consolation payout. Race #7 was the first of two races taking off-the-turf and this is where I made my first change, which I would regret later

I still used my "top" selection which was a turf runner; #9 Corinthianna, but also used a horse with the best main track "dirt" form; #3 My Cousin Zinny who went off as the post time favorite. When I made this change, I took one horse out of the final leg in the 10th race which also came off-the-turf. This would keep my dollar amount the same ($24.00) for the play, just by adding in the 7th and deleting one in the 10th. Needless to say, I should have just stuck to my original instincts and just use the #9 who won and paid $11.20 to win.

The next two legs (8th & 9th) were won by the favorites, so heading into the finale 10th, I was alive with 4 out of 5 winners. I was getting a little excited with the prospect of possibly having a winning 5 out of 6 consolation pick six ticket that was a 1.2 million dollar pool. But, unfortunately the ticket I created the night before was subjected to change by myself because of the two races being taken off-the-turf. I said to my wife Karen, anyone but the #5 can win this race and if the #5 wins....... I'm going to be real upset!

The dirt form in the 10th maiden claimer was much like the 1st leg of today's pick 6. In fact, the post time favorite went off at final odds of 4.30 to 1. I needed the #3 Show Some Lovin to win and he sat second until mid stretch and faded to 3rd in the end. Unfortunately, the horse I tossed out late, #5 Where's Danny, who had NEVER raced on dirt, came charging up and won going away. The result was a $388.50 "5 out of 6" payout, which if the races stayed on the turf in the 7th and 10th, would have gave the people of Fort Plain a nice donation of help from yours truly. I should have trusted my instinct and have no one to blame but myself! This will be a tough one to get over, but I promise to make it up and have 35 more days to keep my promise to my hometown and win them some money!

They're off........ at SARATOGA!

To say that the beginning of 2013 Saratoga race meet got off to a "hot" start, would be a understatement! It was day #5 of a 90 plus degree heat wave when the starting gates opened for the 40 day meet that runs through Labor Day. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) supposedly opens a "new" era with new leadership in place. New faces, new directions are all what it's about when it comes to NYRA and they want to show the public and so course; New York State Government exactly that. But, I've heard this same "song and dance" the last ten years or so and in the end, state government has the LAST say!

This week, new NYRA President / CEO, Christopher Kay met with the press and talked about the direction he wants to see the racing association go into the future. But, talk is cheap IF his hands are tied by the "powers to be" much like the past decade by the state. After all, no matter how you cut it, the bottom line is that Saratoga is a RACE track! We can present it, with all the bells and whistles and new fangled ideas. In the end, it's the money that pass through the windows that counts the most. And the state is worrying about that the most.

I'll be starting my 16th season handicapping the six day a week meet for the Amsterdam Recorder and 26th over all. I've seen it all in that time frame. Opening day is STILL special though. Even though I'll be at the "century" mark (50 years old) in 2014, this time of the year still excites me. The best in thoroughbred racing in the world, comes to upstate New York during the summer months and the area economy thrives with thousands of people coming to the area. Generally a economically depressed area, the Capital District gets a much needed shot in the arm for month and a half. It's something we should be grateful for and should embrace it.

Besides my handicapping of the daily nine (or so) , I'll also have a vested interest with some of the equine flesh that will appear here at the Spa. In fact, on today's card; Dee Tee Stables has two horses entered. In today's 5th race; our N.Y. bred gelding; TOY CANNON continues to try and get his 2nd career victory. Co-owned with Paul Pompa (of Big Brown fame) he's been a steady contender this year and unlucky in his past few starts. Later on the card in the 11th race finale, our other statebred gelding; CORYBANT drops into a open company beaten claimer and gets a BIG jockey switch to Rosie Napravink. Going from the rail, he could land a piece and at a big price! We also had another runner for the grass, MY PAL OF PALS who is trying to get through his non winners of one condition.

This year's Saratoga meet will also have a special place in my heart with my "Play of the Day" which I give out every week day after the 8am news on WCSS 1490am radio during the Mike Mancini Show. My hometown of Fort Plain , New York was devastated by deadly flood which destroyed much of the town. It affected family, friends and broke my heart to see the damage that was done. So, the winnings from my play of the day wager will ALL be donated to the flood victims of Fort Plain. It's my little part in giving back to the community I spent 25 years of my youth and grew up in. It's a special time of the year for me, I'll enjoy it and invite you to come along for the ride until Labor Day!

I'm back !!!!!!!!!!! and just in time for Saratoga!