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!
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