The last BIG race day in New York for 2014

We wrap up my weekly column for 2014 with the last major race card in New York and the NYRA circuit with their annual Fall Fest weekend including Cigar Mile Day, the last grade I stake until spring of next year. With six stakes races in three days, we see talented two year old runners and some of the best older handicap horses going a flat mile at Aqueduct. After this weekend, everything on the NYRA circuit goes into hibernation mode somewhat for the next four months. We'll try to give out some winners before we also go into sleep mode until we're back in March with the march toward the 2015 Triple Crown trail.

First up in the 4th race at the Big A (post 1:24) three year old fillies are going a two turn, mile and an eighth in the grade III ~ Comely Stakes. Nine go to the post in a evenly matched field with only one grade stake winner in the bunch and a three prong Godolphin blue entry which even isn't the morning line favorite. That goes to the undefeated Todd Pletcher runner and only graded winner here; Dame Dorothy (#3). She has been lightly raced this year with gaps between all her starts. I'll select her second and go with the NY bred who solidly won a statebred restricted race last start by over five lengths; Princess Violet (#5). She's only had one bad start this year and this distance suits her well. The best I can place the Godolphin entry (#1) is third because I'm not sure which of the three will race or possibly all three. The selections for the Comely (4th) : 5-3-1.

The duo of two year old stakes start with the 8th race (3:19) ~ the Demoiselle Stakes also at the mile and an eighth distance. A field of eight are assembled with two graded stakes winners in another wide open betting event. Here Godolphin has just one entry and she has been a bit of a wise guy horse in her first three starts and my top selection here. Gap Year (#5) just broke her maiden last start at Keeneland, but showed enough in her first two starts (including a stake) to be the wagering favorite. Today she's at the juicy morning line odds of 4-1 and may get overlooked. For second, I'll go with the NY bred who also won a restricted stake on New York Showcase Day back in October at Belmont Park. Quezon (#3) is undefeated in her short career winning both her starts by a combined 16 lengths. She also gets first time lasix today. Using underneath my top two picks are : Condo Commando (#6) & Jacaranda (#8) for a 5-3-7-8 selections.

The boys are next in a very wide open edition of the Remsen Stakes (9th ~ 3:48) also at a mile and an eighth. In recent years, this race has had short fields with standout favorites. Not the case this year with 14 horses entered including two coupled entries. Keeping with the NY bred flavor among my picks, my top selection here is another winner from NY Showcase Day; Ostrolenka (#11). After being a non factor in the slop in his debut, he's reeled off two straight victories going a flat mile. He's listed at 4-1 on the morning line, but being trained by Todd Pletcher he'll be a shorter price. For my second pick, I'll go with the far outside runner next to him, Frosted (#12). He comes off a solid maiden breaker going a mile and gets lasix first time for his Godolphin connections. With these two, I'll be using underneath them : the Casse entry (#1) and Chad Brown entry (#2) for a 11-12-2-1 selections.

The final grade I in New York for 2014 is the Cigar Mile (10th ~ 4:17) with nine runners entered including several exiting Breeder's Cup races and one runner making his final career start. California shipper from Bob Baffert is my top selection; Secret Circle (#6) is making his third start off a layoff and stretches out to a mile today. He had success as a three year old up to this distance and Baffert wouldn't have shipped here if he didn't think the horse had a decent chance. Itsmyluckyday (#2) makes his final career start today and tries to rebound off a bad effort in the Kelso Stakes on Super Saturday at Belmont in October. It would be nice if he goes out a winner, we will see! Underneath these two classy horses I'll be using : Private Zone (#1) & Transparent (#5) for a 6-2-1-5 selections. That's a wrap for 2014, see you in the spring Racing fans!

Trackside ........ for now & the future

As we wind down 2014 thoroughbred racing season, we look back at the state of the game. It was a year with the closure of many famous race tracks like; Hollywood Park, Suffolk Downs and Colonial Park. The later, technically isn't "officially" close but did not conduct a racing meet this past summer. Hollywood Park closed it's doors a year ago and the bulk of California racing has been conducted at Santa Anita with a short meet at Los Alamitos and two meets at Del Mar Racecourse. Suffolk Downs fell victim to a state gaming bill which did not pass in Massachusetts, something that many racetracks across the country who are partially funded by VLT revenue may endure in the future.

Thoroughbred racing still exists in this country, but the times haven't gotten better for the sport. Handle and on track attendance has dipped again this year at most of the major racetracks. The need for the VLT revenue for some tracks is sometimes the only reason they stay open. The battle for the wagering dollar between casinos, lotteries and the racetracks has gotten thin especially with the state of the U.S. economy. There's not of money to go around and sometimes it's the track's marketing to attract people there that is the difference whether they survive or not.

The premier race meet in the world, Saratoga has done a good job of that through the years. Even with NYRA being unstable the past decade, the "Summer Place to Be" continues to be the leading race meet each and every year. But even Saratoga has a hard time putting up the "numbers" to keep NYRA's head above water. The expansion of the meet has work well so far, but the overall handle is what counts in the end. There is no doubt about it that Saratoga's 40 days during the summer is what keeps NYRA in the black.

Another reason that handle has maintain an even kneel is because of simulcast wagering and online wagering. Simulcast wagering is the leading revenue for many small race tracks. But a cost comes with that revenue in the form of signal fees from the other racetracks. Sometimes it's a price war between what tracks charge other tracks for their product. The main tracks and OTB's survive, but others can't afford certain track's signals. Online wagering seems to be the most lucrative product out there that benefits all parties in common.

With the advent of online wagering the past few years, there is less of an need for off-track wagering outlets and it has hurt on-track attendance at the lesser race meets. When I first started wagering nearly thirty years ago, you could either wager at an OTB or open a phone betting account. But since online wagering has been made available, it's easier to sit home and place your wager via the computer. Many OTB branches have also closed and attendance at the major betting parlors has dropped off significantly. If you are close to a racetrack, it's easy to attend live. But, it's even easier just to place funds in your online account and wager that way.

Who really knows what the future brings for the "Sport of Kings". If it has stars the public can relate to, the sport will remain popular with the mainstream public. But, it's the everyday wagering player and the follower of the sport which will keep thoroughbred racing alive. As volatile as the sport can be with the almighty dollar, the excitement it brings on track is what it's all about. Through thick or thin, thoroughbred racing will survive. There will always be horses and races to be run.

The Breeder's Cup Classic ....... and it's aftermath

Who would have thought, the biggest race of the thoroughbred season would have an outcome that sent the race world into a frenzy. The start and finish of this year's Breeder's Cup Classic not only had an effect in the wagering aspect of the race, but also did on year end honors in several thoroughbred categories.

According to California steward rules; the start of the race and any inference no matter how blatant it was, does not matter in the outcome of the race. Horses will swerve, come out, bear in or generally not break cleanly at the start and under California rules are not disqualified automatically. This is a general rule and under this circumstance was the reason that Bayern was not disqualified in the Classic. But, by bearing in he did interfere with Shared Belief, which in turned knocked the other speed in the race; Moreno off stride. This left Bayern alone on the lead and the one to catch. Runner up in the race; Toast of New York also cut in front of Shared Belief shortly after the start and also could have been moved down in the finishing order. So, technically both Bayern and Toast of New York could have been a double disqualification. But, the stewards let the finish stand and Bayern holds on for victory and not only upsets in the race, but upsets the apple cart in the three year old male division and possibly Horse of the Year honors.

Going into the Classic, Bayern was a longshot of sorts for the three year old championship. Even though he had a solid year, his dismal efforts going two turns in the Preakness Stakes and Travers made him vulnerable going a distance of ground in grade I company. But when he's left alone on the lead, like in the Haskell at Monmouth and Pennsylvania Derby at PARX, he is dangerous! With six victories in ten starts this year, Bayern jumps back into the picture for top three year old of the year honors. California Chrome finished a good third in the Classic, rebounding from two previous sub par efforts in the Belmont Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby. He had a six race winning streak previously to both those off the board starts. He'll return in the Hollywood Derby making his grass debut in a few weeks. With a bad effort there, it's quite possible that Bayern, steals the show again and wins the three year old championship.

California Chrome was leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors if he won the Classic. It would have been hard to deny him this honor with winning two thirds of the Triple Crown and the biggest older race of the year. But by racing third, even a victory in the Hollywood Derby isn't enough to get him this reward. Bayern's two bad efforts cost him the big prize, even though he still has a shot at top sophomore honors. There are no older dirt males left after retirements that did anything remotely enough to be top horse of the year. Possibly, Untapable the three year old filly who won the Kentucky Oaks and Breeder's Cup Distaff has an outside chance at Horse of the Year honors, but the caliber of fillies she faced this year weren't the best. This leaves a European import who didn't even race in this country until mid summer. But this five year old gelding son of Aldebaran reeled off four straight grade I victories on the weeds going a marathon distance and made a name for himself. The Graham Motion trained; Main Sequence is the leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors and could make a grass horse a three time top horse of the year after Wise Dan has captured the honor the past two years. 2014 has been a interesting year with formful horses leading the way, up until two Saturday evenings ago. Now, it's anyone's guess who will take home the honors. And like the start of the Classic, it won't be a clean getaway for the winners!

A tale of two days ....... Breeder's Cup 2014

The 2015 edition of the Breeder's Cup World Championships can best be described as a tale of two days in Southern California. It was the third straight year that the event was held at Santa Anita Park and the wide open fields assembled for the 13 races that encompassed the two days played out much that way. But, it was the two marquee races that ended both days that were the highlight of this year's cup.

Friday's four race card of championship races was the shortest in recent years. Formful could be the word that best described the races Friday evening. Europeans still hold a stranglehold on the Juvenile Turf for the colts when Hootenanny stretched out to a mile and a sixteenth and scored at 6-1 for absent trainer; Wesley Ward. Ward was in Florida watching his teenage son compete in a state cross-country tournament and missed both days of the action. The $14.00 win mutual for this son of Quality Road was the biggest payout of day one. The next three races had solid favorites win impressively with a repeat champion, a highly talented two year old filly on the weeds and a three year old miss with a storybook ending to her sophomore season.

Goldencents won his second Breeder's Cup Mile in wire to wire fashion much like he did last year. Lady Eli is a filly with a huge future especially on grass with a dominating victory in the Juvenile Filly Turf. But the highlight of day one was the victory of Untapable in the Distaff for the ladies. This three year gal faced older foes for the first time and was impressive in winning capping a great three year old season. After her victory was the surprise announcement from her jockey; Rosie Napravink that she was retiring from the sport and starting a family with her husband; trainer Joe Sharp. What a way to cap off the Friday festivities. What could top that announcement, drama wise for this year's Breeder's Cup? Stick around for late Saturday evening to see!

While Friday was somewhat "chalky" in the results, the first race on Saturday produced a huge $125.40 payout when the longshot in the Juvenile Fillies, Take Charge Brandi won for Hall of Fame trainer; D.Wayne Lukas. In the wide open Filly and Mare Turf, the classy N.Y. bred; Dayatthespa took them wire to wire for Mechanicville native trainer Chad Brown. The only favorite of the nine race card (and lukewarm at 3-1) was Judy the Beauty and she was victorious in the Filly & Mare Sprint. In the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint going down the hill course at Santa Anita, produced the highest post time favorite of the card at 7-2 and was won with the incredible late close of Bobby's Kitten, once again for the Chad Brown barn.

Longshots would go on a tear in the next five races with a surprise impressive Juvenile winner; Texas Red over big favorite; Carpe Diem. The overlay of the day, Main Sequence in the Turf winning a fourth straight grade I race since shipping over from Europe, Work All Week, who shipped in from the Midwest and now is 10 for 10 on dirt winning the Sprint at 19-1. He rounded the parade of longshots with a 30-1 winner from the far outside post by the name of Karakonite in the turf mile.

In the Breeder's Cup Classic, it was a three year old that was victorious. But, not the one I expected would win. It was the speedy Bayern, who took a sharp left turn of out of the starting gate and impeded favorite; Shared Belief (which cost him all chance) and held off European import; Toast of New York and Kentucky Derby & Preakness champion; California Chrome at the wire as the winner and surviving a stewards inquiry. The chain reaction at the start also affected the other speed; Moreno who ended up dead last. After looking at the start of the race, the California stewards said that Bayern's actions did not affect the outcome of the race, based on past practices when handling similar events at California tracks. A unpopular decision by many, including myself who have my top four selections finish second through fifth in the race. This was a controversial ending to the Breeder's Cup which took a little away from the overall event and the non-D.Q. which most will remember about the day. It made a tough Breeder's Cup for myself and also for others I'm sure. With the switch of venue next year to Keeneland racetrack, just maybe the Breeder's Cup will produce some different results and not the same old, same old!

Three year olds ~ the best in the 2014 edition of the BC Classic

There is an old saying; "what goes around, comes around". In this case, it's a good thing. My first column of this year in March was the subject of the Triple Crown trail and three year old horses pointed to it. Spring hopes eternal for the future and eight months ago, there were over two dozen horses vying for a spot in the gate the first Saturday in May. We mention horses like; New Year's Day, Honor Code, Havana, Cairo Prince, Strong Mandate and Top Billing, all who failed to make the Kentucky Derby or even any Triple Crown races. While others like; Intense Holiday, Tapiture, Wildcat Red, General A Rod and Vicar's in Trouble all made one dance or another and without major success. When the smoke cleared though and we've reached year's end, it is the class of 2014 three year olds that stand tall in this year's biggest race; the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Of the 14 horses entered in the 20th edition of the Classic, over half of the field are three year old runners. Included is duel Triple Crown winner; California Chrome, the horse that foiled his Triple Crown bid; Tonalist, last year's two year old champion and likely Horse of the Year 2014 with a victory today; Shared Belief, the speedy; Bayern, Travers winner; VE Day, European invader; Toast of New Year and longshot; Candy Boy. Five grade I winners and two others who are grade II, a group of sophomores who face the older handicap horses that lack runners like; Will Take Charge, It's My Lucky Day, Palace Malice and Game on Dude, all retired. If any year can be the year of the three year old, this year is the year!

Who would have thought eight months ago that a horse that didn't race in the Breeder's Cup last year and didn't appear in any Triple Crown race would be the top candidate for Horse of the Year honors. But if Shared Belief wins the Classic, not only does he remain undefeated, but is the top horse in the thoroughbred world. California Chrome remains the leading candidate for top honors also, off his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. We have the Cup on the west coast and it's fitting that the best thoroughbred in 2014 is also based in California. But, a east coast invader may upset the apple cart if he has anything to do with it. Tonalist who upset California Chrome's Triple Crown bid by winning the Belmont Stakes and beat older in the premier Fall race in New York (Jockey Club Gold Cup) last time out, may the one to do it. These three should be the top three betting choices.

Then there is the other four three year olds entered here. Bayern could be the one to catch, the biggest question mark with him is; does he want to go the classic distance of a mile and a quarter? His two previous tries going that long were bad. VE Day has been a second half runner who overcame the shadow of his stablemate; Wicked Strong. It was a last minute decision to enter him in this spot and has a lot to prove today versus this field. Candy Boy hasn't lived up to his expectations and it would be a major upset if he turned it around and win in this spot. That leaves the European runner; Toast of New York as the wildcard with him making his real dirt debut in this spot.
The older horses in this race seem a cut below their younger counterparts. Moreno on paper is the best of the bunch competition wise with his speed. The NY bred; Zivo is as classy as it gets with his late closing style only out of the money once in his career. Cigar Street has only two starts this year and could be any kind, but he gets the "acid test" today versus this competition. As far as the remaining runners; Majestic Harbor, Imperative, Footbridge and Prayer For Relief, are longshots at best. The 2015 20th edition of the Breeder's Cup Classic goes through the "youngsters" with my selections being; Tonalist #11 ~ Toast of New York #9 ~ Shared Belief #6 ~ California Chrome #13

30 years of the Breeder's Cup ...... what to look for!

We're one week away from thoroughbred racing's biggest day, the Breeder's Cup World Championships. It's once again at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It's been a familiar theme since 2008, with the Cup only rotating between Santa Anita Park and Churchill Downs. We get a reprieve from the west coast Cup next year when it's at Keeneland Racetrack, but it returns to Santa Anita in 2016. The days of the championship day revolving track to track are long gone in the memories of most players. What was originally set up to showcase thoroughbred racetracks throughout the country, has become a event for good weather with Hollywood influence plus a three hour time difference from the east coast. The perfect mix for promoting the sport in the eyes of Breeder's Cup Limited. I've told you in the past how I feel about this situation and how much it has gotten away from it's original intent. Nevertheless, when it comes to making money on the sport, the Breeder's Cup is the way to go!

Other than the Kentucky Derby with twenty horses entered almost each year, only the Breeder's Cup do you get full fields in each race and great payouts each time. Plus with the advent of exotic and multi-race wagering, the right combinations can sometimes be life changing events. I've also found with knowing the pre-entries 10 days before the event can be a useful tool in sorting out the contenders in each race. A two day event since 2007 also gives you a chance at building a bankroll for the Saturday card, the day before. You don't have to go "deep" into the fields to make money these two days. Also with fifty cent minimum bets, you can score a nice play with minimal investment.

In races with lukewarm favorites, payouts score several hundred dollars if not more. This year, the prospects of "odds-on" runners will be at a premium. We don't have either a Wise Dan or Beholder in two of the marquee races this year. Some of the other highly talented runners from earlier in the year (Close Hatches and California Chrome) have tailed off in their last start and could be a square price this time around. There is always the European flavor also, which this year will play a major outcome in many of the races in my opinion. Fields in all the Juvenile races are wide open and may be the best paying fields in my opinion. Take advantage of the dime superfecta plays and fifty cent pick three and pick four wagers, little investment could have major payouts when including the right odds runners.

When it comes to the straight; win, place and show wagers, it doesn't hurt sometimes making a show wager on a longshot in these full fields. In the past I've have double digit show prices with logical runner up horses. Anyway you look at it, Breeder's Cup Day is a event where money can be made with a little work and a minimum money investment.

I'll be giving my plays for Breeder's Cup Friday in Thursday's edition of the Recorder. There only four races on Friday this year; the Juvenile Turf for colts (6th) post time 5:25pm EST, the Dirt Mile (7th) 6:05pm, the Juvenile Turf for fillies (8th) 6:50pm and the Distaff (9th) 7:35pm with these four races shown on the NBC Sports Network (channel 44 ~ TWC). The format I'll be using for my selections will be like I use for Saratoga with my top two selections plus comments and three horses to use underneath in exotic and multi-race wagers.

The toughest job in thoroughbred racing

Many times when I talk about the "Sport of Kings", it's about the gallant thoroughbreds who grace us with their presence. But, today it's about the human aspect. The jockeys who ride these magnificent animals. Without the skill of these hundred pound athletes, the thoroughbreds are just like a car without a driver. The credit is never given enough for the men and women who make the sport of kings, what it is. This past week, our sport lost three up and coming stars in the jockey world. Two of the young and finest women jockeys in Australian died in separate racing incidents. Carly-Mae Pye and Catlin Forrest both were killed riding on the Australian circuit this week. While neither were well known here stateside, on Tuesday evening a talented young ride here would become a victim of a horrific accident at Indiana Downs.

Seventeen year old apprentice rider; Juan Saez , brother of Luis Saez who has ridden here on the NYRA circuit was killed in a spill at Indiana Downs. Saez's horse clipped heels and he was thrown from his mount. Gravely injured, he was thought dead from the impact and was revived several times on track before being sent to a never by hospital. Late Tuesday evening, Juan succumbed from his head injuries and was pronounced dead. He was the 153rd jockey since 1940 to be killed in a race in North America. He is the first to lose his life since Jorge Herrera died in July 2012 at Pleasanton in Northern California. The young jockey from Panama started his riding career this past June at Ellis Park in Kentucky. He was the leading rider there for the summer meet and had been turning heads in the sport in just a short time. It was just this past weekend, when a well known and respected racing writer said that Luis Saez could be the top apprentice jockey this year and a future superstar. But in a blink of an eye, that all changed.

It was 29 years and one day to the time that veteran NYRA jockey; Mike Venezia was killed in a race at Belmont Park 1988. I remember the day well. When the race calls were broadcast on WWWD 1240am in Schenectady, the staff announcer from Capital OTB said that the remainder of the Belmont race card was cancelled because jockey Mike Venezia had succumbed from his injuries in the previous race. I was in a state of shock that a jockey had died on the racetrack during a race. It gave me a new perspective on the sport and also showed me how dangerous it could be for jockeys.

Just a few weeks ago, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup there was a similar incident to the one that killed young Juan Saez. Jockey Rajiv Maragh's mount, Wicked Strong clipped heels during the running and he was thrown from the mount. He was very lucky to escape with just a broken arm. But, most time horses going down in tight quarters and the jockey is thrown, the outcome is much worst. This was the case of the young talented Juan Saez. So, next time the horse you played doesn't run well and your upset about your wager and blame the jockey for the ride, think about Juan Saez. Think about all the jockeys who put there life on the line every time they get on a horse. Remember, these little guys on thousand pound animals and what they do. It will give you an new perspective on the sport most people don't think about.

2014 Empire Showcase Day @ Belmont Park - 20th edition

Sleepy Hollow (2nd) 2-5-3-1
Maid of the Mist(3rd) 5-9-7-6
Mohawk (4th) 3-9-8-1
Iroquois (5th) 8-4-2-7
Empire Distaff (7th) 5-4-1-10
Empire Classic (8th) 8-2-3-5
Ticonderoga (9th) 5-9-10-7
Hudson (10th) 10-4-5-7

"The unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable ...... Cigar"

We are very fortunate and blessed to have so many stars in the sport of thoroughbred racing. After all, they are what make the sport what it is. Today we have Wise Dan and he's showed this past weekend why he's is the reining two-time Horse of the Year. In recent years, fillies like; Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra captured the sport with their brilliance. When I started following the sport nearly 30 years ago, the "heyday" of the fantastic 70's with runners like; Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid were a distant memory. While the Breeder's Cup was created to showcase thoroughbreds in the mid 80's, there wasn't just one horse to capture the sport of kings attention. That was until Fall of 1994.

There was a very mediocre turf runner from the west coast, who changed trainers and shipped to New York trying to find an identity. It was apparent that grass wasn't his game with only one victory in eleven starts. So, his new trainer Bill Mott decided to switch him to dirt for the first time since his two year old season. That was October 28, 1994 at Aqueduct in a non-winners of two allowance test at a mile. That was the birth of a superstar and his name was Cigar.

This past Tuesday, the two-time Horse of the Year - Cigar past away at the age of 24 after complications from neck surgery. The scope and impact this son of Palace Music had on the sport in a time when it needed a superstar was just the shot in the arm thoroughbred racing needed. That surface switch started an incredible journey that lasted through the summer of 1996 and a streak of 16 straight victories. Cigar along with Bill Mott and Jerry Bailey became a household name.

After winning on dirt for the first time since his two year old season, he ran next in the 1994 NYRA Mile (a race which is named for him now) and that would be the last time he ever paid over $10 to win. He took the torch from Holy Bull by winning the 1995 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park and only ran in grade I events after that expect his two Massachusetts Handicap wins at Suffolk Downs, who closed down for good also this past weekend. His 1995 season was one for the record books, 10 straight wins at six different tracks. Beside the Donn Handicap, he won the Gulfstream Park Handicap, Oaklawn Handicap, Pimlico Special, Mass Cap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Woodward Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Quite a resume for any horse. The wonder year of '95 was topped off by his victory in the Breeder's Cup Classic at Belmont Park. I was there in person to see the "the unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar" as Tom Durkin called it, complete an undefeated racing season. That streak would continue four races into the summer of '96 with aim to break Citation's consecutive race win streak from 1948. But in the Pacific Classic, Dare and Go defeated him and stopped the streak at 16. After racing 13 of the last 17 months, Cigar would only race three more times after the streak ending defeat. He ended his career with two straight loss and 19 victories in 33 lifetime starts, earning just under 10 millions for his career.

He would retire to stud in 1997, only unable to successful cover any mares. He spent his remaining years at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champion until his death. Cigar was a horse that truly saved thoroughbred racing during a time the sport was trying to find a identity. He became a household name and transcended the sport. Even though he never had any offspring to carry on his legacy, Cigar was a champion both on and off the track. Cigar captured the mines of the fans with his will to win. Cigar brought the sport of thoroughbred to many people, Cigar saved racing.

Juvenile two year old action - gearing up for the Breeder's Cup in less than a month

It's all about the two year old runners this weekend as we march toward the Breeder's Cup which is less than one month away. Last weekend, the west coast juveniles cemented their spots with victories at Santa Anita, who plays host to the championship days once again. In both races, it was the favorites prevailing with the Bob Baffert runner; American Pharoah going wire to wire in the mile and a sixteenth, FrontRunner Stakes and Angela Renee (trained by Todd Pletcher) in the Chandelier Stakes for the girls as the second choice stalking the pace. Today and tomorrow both at Belmont and Keeneland, these young lightly raced runners will try to punch their ticket to California.

The Fall Keeneland meet opened yesterday with a new main track surface. After trying polytrack the past few years, the Kentucky boutique meet returned to a "real" dirt surface in preparation of hosting next year's Breeder's Cup Championships. The mile and a sixteenth Claiborne Breeder's Futurity (8th) assembles a evenly matched field of 12 runners. Lots of speed is signed on here and in the past Keeneland always tended to favor front end horses. Last time out in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs, Bold Conquest (#6) made the lead in mid stretch just to be beaten at the wire going this distance. It was his first time going two turns and he'll be my top pick here today. Selections for the Keeneland (8th)

6-5-10-1.

Belmont Park hosts four two year old races the next two days. Today, are the major preps for the Juvenile Breeder's Cup races with the Frizette Stakes for the girls and Champagne Stakes for the boys both races at a one turn mile. The ladies are first up in the Frizette (6th) with a field of seven nice looking runners. My top pick here, Cavorting (#1) was flattered with Angela Renee's victory last weekend. She looked good winning the Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga sprinting and should have no problem stretching out to the mile distance. Picks for the Belmont (6th) 1-4-6-5.

In the colts division, the Champagne Stakes (8th) Churchill Downs recent maiden breaker; Holy Boss (#5) was impressive in his debut winning by 10 lengths. With Competitive Edge on the sidelines until next year, this runner is nicely spotted here and my top selection at a decent price. Selections for the Belmont (8th) 5-3-1-6.

Tomorrow, the more sprinter oriented runners will be on showcase in the Futurity Stakes for the colts and Matron Stakes for the gals going six furlongs. The Futurity (4th) has only five colts entered and Cinco Charlie (#1) looks tough to go past here with the experience of five career starts under his belt including three victories. PARX undefeated shipper; Hebbronville (#5) is my second choice in this short field. The Matron Stakes (10th) is a little more wide open with eight entered. Empressive Humor (#7) was no factor in the Adirondack Stakes with a rough trip. I'm taking a price with her and hoping she'll improve off that effort. Picks for the Matron Stakes (10th) 7-4-3-2.

Also on Sunday at Keeneland on the turf, nine two year old colts are entered on the grass in the Bourbon Stakes (8th) going also a mile and a sixteenth. Conquest Tsunami (#7) is a Woodbine shipper who is undefeated in four lifetime starts and is a major speedster. He's the one to catch and top pick here. Selections for the grassy Bourbon Stakes (Keeneland 8th) 7-8-9-3.

Belmont Super Saturday '14 & "live" wager challange

Today is TVG Super Saturday at Belmont Park, the five grade I races and one grade II event bring together many of the nation’s top thoroughbreds for a spectacular day of racing. The centerpiece of the card is the grade I - one million Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at a mile & quarter, a race that has produced winners like; Man o’ War, who won the second running in 1920, Kelso, who won it five straight times from 1960-64, and Curlin, whose back-to-back victories in 2007 and 2008 won him consecutive Horse of the Year honors. All six graded stakes races serving as “Win and You’re In” events for the Breeders’ Cup in November at Santa Anita Park.

Along with today's races, Capital OTB has a special contest consisting of the stakes races. A "live" money handicapping contest, much like the Monday events at Saratoga this past summer with a $80 entry fee which $60 of it are "live" wagering plays of $5.00 win / place in each of the stakes race events. I'll give my selections for each of the races and my "live" money play of $10 for the contest which will be a price horse outside my top selections.

The grade II - Kelso Invitational Handicap (4th) at a mile on dirt is the first stake of the day. A field of seven are entered with the winner gaining a place in the starting gate for the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile. My selections here are : It'smyluckyday (#7) - Bradester (#5) - River Rocks (#4). The contest play is : Vyjack (#3) who drops from sprints and stretches out to a mile, 12-1 morning line seems best choice of runners with a chance entered here.

The grade I - Beldame Invitational Stakes (5th) is for older filly and mares going a mile & a eighth. Seven are in here too for a birth in the Breeder's Cup Distaff. My picks here are : Stopchargingmaria (#3) - Endless Chatter (#1) - Toasting (#2). For my contest play, it came down between Endless Chatter & my choice; Fiftyshadesofhay (#5) who has a victory over the course in the Ruffian Handicap at a mile coming off the pace back in May.

The grade I - Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (7th) is for the girls going a mile & a quarter over the Belmont Inner turf course. A win here gets the lady in the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf. My top three choices here are : Stephanie's Kitten (#9) - Viva Rafaela (#3) - Abaco (#1). It came down between two runners here also for the contest win / play wager. I went with Watsdachances (#6) over Alterite (#7). This Irish bred filly is making her third start off a layoff and may have a chance with her closing kick, IF fractions are quick up front.

The grade I - Vosburgh Invitational Stakes (8th) at six furlongs gathers the best sprinters on the east coast. Once you get past the morning line favorite; Palace (#1) my top choice, it's wide open. The two runners I'll use underneath him are; Salutos Amigos (#4) and Coup de Grace (#2). For the contest play, I'm going with a 20-1 morning line, first time Belmont runner; Ribo Bobo (#8). It's all about a price play here, with a consistent sprinter who is as hard hitting as they come!

The grade I - Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (9th) has the boys going the marathon distance of a mile & a half on the weeds. Top pick here is a runner who has done me no wrong in his starts here stateside; Main Sequence (#5) winner of back to back grade I races going this long distance. For second is the Kenneth Ramsey / Chad Brown duo entry of Big Blue Kitten & Real Solution (#1) and round out the top three ; Twilight Eclipse (#2). The "live" money wager here goes to the outside and Medal Count (#7) who was out finished in his last race at Kentucky Downs, price once again rules here again in this short wagering field.

The grade I - Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Stakes (10th) at a mile & quarter wraps up the day with a full field of 12 in a wide open betting event. Entered here are a Jim Dandy winner, a Suburban Handicap winner, a Belmont Stakes winner, a Travers Stakes winner and Whitney Handicap winner. Here I'm going with a Belmont loving runner; Tonalist (#8) as my top selection, Wicked Strong (#3) as the runner up and speedster Moreno (#11) holding on for third. When looking for a play here to round out my live plays, I couldn't really with any of the double digit odds horses. None were consistent enough for me, so it came down to me with the two single odds horses I didn't use in my top three selections. V.E. Day came into his own at Saratoga with two victories and a big one in the Travers Stakes. But, we're back at Belmont and there's a N.Y. bred who just loves the Belmont Park strip. Zivo (#4) who won the Suburban at 13-1 back in July, gets the call here. Honest as they come, he'll be flying down the lane late.

Derby winner...... Oaks winner ...... PARX winner!

A familiar theme every September the past few years is the exciting day of racing at a track that races year round and isn't one that gets much press..... expect this weekend. Philadelphia Park or better known as PARX racetrack in Bensalem PA, host two very big races for both sexes of the three year old class. The Cotillion Handicap for fillies and the Pennsylvania Derby for the males are the feature races of the day and since these races have moved away their traditional Labor Day date, they have attracted the best of their class in preparation for the Breeder's Cup in a little over a month from now.

This year both races have assembled the top runners in their respective classes. The Cotillion Handicap (11th) is a mile and a sixteenth and has produced winners five Eclipse award winners since it's first running in 1969. Great fillies like; Susan's Girl, Jostle, Ashado and most recently, Havre de Grace and Close Hatches. Today a field of nine is assembled with a Kentucky Oaks winner and Alabama Stakes heroine.

Untapable (#8) returns versus her own sex after a non-effort against the boys in the Haskell Invitational as the favorite. Up until that race, she was unbeatable this year. A strong candidate for three year old Eclipse filly honors, she's been working well and may prove tough to beat today if she bounces back to her winning form. Stopchargingmaria (#9) has taken over the reins as the best three year old filly off her three straight graded stake victories. She draws the far outside post with her rival just inside of her. Sweet Reason (#2) ranks just behind the top two fillies mention. She has won two grade I races at a mile and seven furlongs and today tries a route versus the best. Add with these three the Alabama longshot runner up; Joint Return (#4), graded stakes California invader; Jojo Warrior (#7) and "now horse" Cassatt (#1) from the rail and you have the makings of the best three year old filly race of the year. My selections here are : 1) Joint Return (#4) running down the leaders late. 2) Untapable (#8) bouncing back, but getting caught late after fending off the challengers. 3) Sweet Reason (#4) showing that she can run with the big girls, but coming up a little short.

The Pennsylvania Derby (12th) marks the return of Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness champion; California Chrome (#1). He draws the rail and has been working up a storm ever since his Belmont Stakes flop. He meets second tier runners here, but the main goal is the Breeder's Cup Classic. Once again, Bayern (#4) tries two turns after his flop as the favorite in the Travers Stakes. Not sure if he's a two turn horse, I'll gladly pass with him here! Tapiture (#7) was well thought of along the Derby prep trail early last spring. He has won two minor three year old stakes and returns again versus the big boys. Candy Boy (#2) rounds out the list of contenders here with two runner up finishes and hasn't came back to his early three year old and two year old form. My selections here are : 1) California Chrome (#1) he finds a good spot for his return and hopefully he handles the sometimes quirky PARX surface. 2) CJ's Awesome (#8) the much improved three year old, who looks like a nice price horse to use underneath the "chalk". 3) Candy Boy (#2) he runs his usual race and will get a piece. 4) Tapiture (#7) rounds out your superfecta plays!

The Incredible WISE DAN!

“To horses, everyday is a new day to survive. It's a natural instinct. They don't think of the past or the future, only the present." Survival of the fittest takes a special being; one who has a heart of a champion, over comes life threatening obstacles and comes back with grit and determination to win again. These are the attributes of a champion racehorse, one who we've known very well the past three years. He is the two time defending Horse of the Year ~ Wise Dan.

This gelded son of Wiseman's Ferry harkens back to the time of other great gelding runners like; Forego, John Henry and more recently Lava Man. Starting out his career in somewhat obscurity for little known trainer; Charlie Lopresti, he broke his maiden as a three year old at Turfway Park in the dead of winter sprinting on their polytrack. Lightly raced, he attempted the Breeder's Cup Sprint off of just four career starts. Unsuccessful then and in his next four starts after that, he made a career switch to turf on July 4th 2011 and the legend was born.

Since winning the Firecracker Handicap, he has been nearly unbeatable winning all but one of his grass starts with 14 victories! In addition with these graded stakes victories on the weeds, he's excelled on polytrack with a first & second on dirt in the Clark Handicap and Stephen Foster. Since his off the board effort on October 11th 2011 in the Shadwell Turf Mile, Wise Dan has started 18 times running no worst than 2nd with 16 victories. An amazing record for a gutsy chestnut who has been nearly unbeatable for almost four years. For his near perfection, he has been the best horse in training and won two straight Horse of the Year titles. Everything has been going this horse's way until mid May when something went drastically wrong.

His trainer Charlie Lopresti noticed something wrong with Wise Dan after his gutsy win in the Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Derby undercard. One of the worst things imaginable next to a leg injury is colic in a thoroughbred, which Wise Dan had developed. A life threatening issue for horses, Wise Dan was taken to Rood and Riddle equine hospital for emergency surgery. On May 16th a procedure was done to correct the flip portion of his small intestine. Miraculously, the flip part returned back to normal and the surgery was very simple. Now, was the recovery time and how long it would take for Wise Dan to get back in training and hopefully make it back to the races.

He returned to training in less than two months and would be pointed to return to the track sometime during the Saratoga meet. Unable to defend his Fourstardave Handicap title, it was in the Bernard Baruch Handicap on the final weekend of the meet. With the world watching, how would he be after his three month ordeal away from the races. Well, the old timer showed he didn't miss a step, like he was never away or a horse that had major surgery. He was victorious in the only style he knows, game as ever! Now, once again he is in the picture to defend his Horse of the Year title. If he can win the upcoming Shadwell Mile at Keeneland and repeat in the Breeder's Cup Mile, his connections could return to dirt in the Clark Handicap and cap an unbelievable season. This with either of the three year old runners faltering (California Chrome & Shared Belief) and Wise Dan would be a shoe in for a hat trick with top horse honors. Anyway you look at it though, Wise Dan is a champion on track and a champion with a big heart under all circumstances.

Another year in the books ......... bright days ahead????

The 151st season of Saratoga Race Course is now in the books. Another 40 days of "world class" thoroughbred action has flown right by as most of the meets do when you have handicapped the races for as long as I've have. It's been 26 straight years of daily handicapping between 9 and 14 races a day. The meet was the "August Place to Be" right up until the early 90's. But for nearly twenty years, the Saratoga thoroughbred meet has gone through many changes. The racing days of the meet went from 24 to 40, the daily cards are never usually under nine races and the "cheaper" events that are present at Aqueduct and Belmont, now fill the race cards at the Spa. Lots of changes throughout these years I've been following the "Summer Place to Be" and most of you know how I feel about it.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has gone through itself many changes the past fourteen years. The powers to be at NYRA say they have "turned the corner" and made the organization a better company with the newest implications they have made. But, watching racing on the New York circuit as long as I've have, it may look good on paper with all the changes. But, the revenue that the state gets from wagering is only as good, when people playing it.

If you listen to NYRA CEO - Chris Kay, all is well with the organization under his guidance. NYRA is now in the "black" financially and the state of New York seems happy that they have gone in this direction. Finally, after over a decade it seems that thoroughbred racing in New York has stabilize. Racing cards have gotten better this summer with big day events grouping together several stakes races. Fans have gone back to the races "on track" both at Belmont and Saratoga. The daily handle rose this past Saratoga meet on track, a good sign for NYRA with their changes the past year. So, I guess the new man in charge has learned a lot the past year and deserves credit. But, for someone like myself who has been around the sport for over 25 years, things can change in a hurry. Especially if this sudden success wears off!

Ever since the State of New York has gotten deeply involved with thoroughbred racing, the bottom line is how much money NYRA can return to the state coffers. And at this time, the state is happy with NYRA and the people in charge of running it. But, like most things the state of New York does, it becomes a contest of what have you done for me lately. It's also a contest on how you bring those things to the powers in Albany. Money is the main objective and when they produce, all is well. But, we live in a gambling environment today that has it's ups and downs. While on track handle was up just a bit, overall all sources handle was down quite a bit. A sign that people are not wagering as much in a bad economy. We all know the story with the Atlantic City casinos and New York's big rush to place casinos in this state. But, the reality is that there is just so much gambling money to go around. Thoroughbred racing during the Triple Crown, Saratoga and Breeder's Cup does well with the public and their gambling dollar. Maybe that's enough for NYRA to survive with favoritism from state. But, as we know in the past, that can all change quickly. Stay tuned my friends.....

As he heads into the stretch, the FINAL time ........ the Legend makes his Final call

Just a few weeks ago, one of the most famous television announcers of all time past away at the age of ninety six years old. Don Pardo, television announcer at NBC for 70 years and most notable for his work on Saturday Night Live was one of the most recognizable voices in our life time. While sometimes you might not recognize the name or the face, when you here the voice , you know it well. It was Pardo on television, Kasey Kasem in music and Bob Sheppard at Yankee Stadium. In the thoroughbred world there is one such voice and it has been associated with every event on track for over 25 years. He was the voice of the Breeder's Cup and the voice of NYRA the past twenty four years; Tom Durkin.

Anyone who has follow the sport, knows Tom Durkin. He started with calling races at county fairs in Wisconsin in the early 70's, he was the track announcer at most of the Florida thoroughbred tracks and chosen as the announcer for the Breeder's Cup in 1984. He was the voice of racing's championship day from it's inception in 1984 until 2005. He also was exclusively the racing announcer for NBC until 2011. But Tom Durkin will be most known as the announcer that called races at the "Mecca" of thoroughbred racing based in New York at NYRA tracks.

Whether it was calling races where horses had funny sounding names or classic exciting finishes, Tom Durkin was the master. For most people, he was the voice you always heard. He told a story and it's always had humor and he had a masterful way of telling it.

Here are some of his classic calls throughout the years. The 1991 Breeder's Cup Juvenile when European import; Arazi made that gigantic winning move that made him "Indeed a Superstar", the 1994 Travers Stakes where there was "Cause for Concern" when the closer; Concern put in his run on Holy Bull just to come up short in the end, the 1995 Breeder's Cup Classic where "The unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar!" continued his historic winning streak for the ages, the 1998 Belmont Stakes when Durkin said "It's too close to call, was it Real Quiet or was it Victory Gallop? A picture is worth a thousand words, this photo is worth five million dollars! Oh, no History in the waiting! ", the 2001 Breeder's Cup Classic at Belmont Park just a few days after 9-11 when the champion from the year before, ran down his European counterparts and "Tiznow wins it for America!", the 2004 Belmont Stakes when a little horse from Philadelphia Park tried to make history "Smarty Jones enters the stretch to the roar of 120,000! But Birdstone is gonna make him earn it today! The whip is out on Smarty Jones! It's been 26 years, it's just one furlong away!" unfortunately, we know the rest of the story! Fillies have played a big part in some of Durkin's greatest calls like; the 2007 Belmont Stakes where "A filly is in front at the Belmont! But Curlin is right there with her! These two, in a battle of the sexes in the Belmont Stakes, they're coming down to the wire! It's going to be very close! And it's going to be..... a filly in the Belmont! Rags to Riches has beaten Curlin and a hundred years of Belmont history! The first filly to win it in over a century" and just two years later; "They are coming to the finish, it's gonna be a desperately close, here's the wire, Rachel won, she is indeed Rachel Alexandra the Great..... Rachel Alexandra raises the rafters here at the Spa!" These are what made Tom Durkin the race caller who will always be the greatest in the minds of the fans.

Tomorrow, Tom calls it quits in announcing and the final race on Sunday afternoon will bring the curtain down a fabulous career. It's the day before the final race day at the Spa for the year and on Monday, Tom will be a fan with the fans, just enjoying the races with the people who enjoyed his calls for nearly 45 years!

Saratoga Springs DOESN'T need NYRA ....... as much as the "powers to be" think

In today's world, there are a lot of catch phrases out there. While many of them are very annoying, some are appropriately fitting. One such is "reinventing the wheel" when it comes to making changes that really have no effect on the task at hand. Case in point, this past Tuesday evening somewhere in downtown Saratoga Springs, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) decided to switch the Travers Stakes post position draw from the traditional Wednesday morning paddock event to the night before. I found out about the change the night before (Monday) on the local news. There were no press releases to the media covering Saratoga (at least I didn't get one). Ever since I've been involved in the coverage of thoroughbred racing, NYRA always drew the post positions for the Mid Summer's Derby at 11am that Wednesday before the race at the track paddock. It's never been a big deal for NYRA when conducting these race draws, unlike Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby and Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes. Changes have been made through the years for these track venues when showcasing their big days. But, it has always been low keyed for New York with both the Belmont Stakes and Travers, also very traditional. Until Tuesday night.

First of all, the event was held at a private facility or business (which I've never heard of) at 6:30pm in the evening. Actually it looked like it was behind one of the buildings on Broadway. I watched the "live" streaming event, not on the NYRA website, but from a local television's website. You would think that NYRA would have also streamed it live on theirs. Retiring track announcer; Tom Durkin was the master of ceremonies and he always does a great, entertaining job at these events. But while watching it, the set up seemed a little chaotic and Tom was a bit confused on the order it was going to be presented. The 2014 Travers post position board where the jockey silks were place to the post position numbers was a bit confusing too. There were 11 numbers listed, but only 10 horses running. After doing a little research, I figured out the Ken McPeek runner; CJ's Awesome who was nominated to the race, decided not to run. The members of the NYRA racing office, that drew the listed horses and post position pills, had their backs to the camera (switch Tom Durkin commented on and had them move). There was even a little confusion when drawing the pills and making sure that they matched up with the board. It all seemed a little hastily put together at the last minute and just another unnecessary part by the new NYRA officials to put a spin on something that has been basic to horse racing for years.

Saratoga, is what is it when it comes to thoroughbred racing in the summer months. While change is good in some aspects, others like moving the post position draw downtown are really unnecessary. This "reinvention of the wheel", when it comes to the new NYRA people in charge is a little over done in my opinion and this is another example, one of many the past year. Saratoga Springs is the TOP resort area in the Capital District during the summer, bar none! People go there whether the track is open or not. NYRA doesn't need to feed off of downtown and the business there and vice versa to attrach people. A good product does that for both companies. The popular Twilight race cards the first Friday and last Friday are gone because of the "downtown" influence. That is been a big mistake for NYRA in my opinion. Saratoga Race Course has been around for 150 years and done quite well. It's the Golden Goose of the three tracks owned by the association. Can we stop with all the changes and remember it's main purpose is for thoroughbred racing? Downtown Saratoga Springs will survive quite well just with that and so will the track.

The ALABAMA STAKES ....... the memories!

Today is the 134th running of the Alabama Stakes for three year old fillies, considered by some as the biggest three year old filly race on the NYRA circuit. So rich history, it's had such winners as; Beldame, Maskette, Top Flight, Vagrancy, Busanda, Tempted, Gamely and Shuvee all which have had stake races named after them. More recently Hall of Fame runners like; Mom's Command and Go For Wand have won this mile and a quarter test around the Saratoga oval. The first graded stakes race I saw in person was the 1987 edition of the Alabama Stakes which Up the Apalachee defeating a slew of D.Wayne Lukas runners. Twelve years later, one of the greatest efforts by a three year old filly was showcased in the 1999 edition of the Alabama. Silverbulletday destroyed the field by nine lengths in her return from a ill-fated effort versus the boys in the Belmont Stakes that year only a few weeks before.

This year the "big" filly entered was supposed to be Untapable, winner of this year's Kentucky Oaks. She too faced the boys, but not in the Belmont Stakes. It was the Haskell at Monmouth and her result was much like Silverbulletday's with a losing outcome. Unfortunately though, Untapable won't be competing today. But we have a nice field of nine fillies. Todd Pletcher has two runners, the probable favorite Stopchargingmaria is the only grade I winner in the field after winning the Coaching Club American Oaks here over the track and Get Lucky who also has a victory over the track. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has entered three runners (America, Miss Besilu and Size). Four other nice three year olds round out the field with seasoned stakes runners and lightly raced ones. With the leader of the three year old filly class, Untapable not entered today, it's a wide open event worth taking a shot with a priced horse.

That priced horse has a trainer who is no stranger to the winner's circle in this event. In 2000, four years before he trained Smarty Jones to a near Triple Crown bid, John Servis from his Philadelphia Park base brought a three year old filly to the Alabama named; Jostle. Just like Stopchargingmaria, She won the Black Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico and Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont before winning the Alabama. It could be said that Jostle was the first horse that put John Servis on the map. Today, he sends a daughter of Include attempting the mile in a quarter distance by the name of Joint Return. This closer was second best in the Delaware Oaks behind Fortune Pearl (in this race also) and fourth behind Stopchargingmaria in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes. Today she gets blinkers on and in the odds department is at 15-1 morning line with the two horses that beat her at 2-1 and 8-1. Just maybe John Servis can capture a little of that magic from fourteen years ago and at price with Joint Return winning this year's edition of the Alabama Stakes.

We also have stakes action at Arlington Park today with their Arlington Million Day that includes six graded stakes on the grass. Here are my selections for the All Stakes pick 4 in races 7 through 10. The American St. Leger Stakes (7th) at a mile and eleven sixteenths : Danino (#2) - Eye of the Storm (#9) - Havana Beat (#7). The Secretariat Stakes (8th) for three year olds : Adelaide (#6) - Belisarius (#3) - Divine Oath (#7). The Beverly D. (9th) for older filly and mares : Stephanie's Kitten (#5) - Alterite (#9) - Sparkling Beam (#10). The Arlington Million : Smoking Sun (#2) - Real Solution (#6) - Finnegans Wake ((#4).

The half way point ....... of the 2014 Saratoga meet

Well, today marks the half way point of the 2014 Saratoga racing season. With the exception of a few days, the weather has been fabulous. The racing on track has been good with large fields and decent wagering opportunities. On the quality side, the weekend stakes action has continued to trend much like the Belmont Summer meet with high talented horses entered in the graded stakes. During the week though, there has been many statebred contests, lots of maiden races for all ages and the return of straight claiming events at a lower level. This trend of "cheaper" races is inevitable with 40 days of racing and ten plus races carded five days a week. I shutter to think how the racing will look the final week of the meet leading up to Labor Day.

After starting off a bit slow the first four "mini" days of the meet, my handicapping has improved with about the same amount of "winners on top" at the half point this year, compared to last year. The Todd Pletcher barn continues to roll on as expected and the jockey race will go down to the wire with half a dozen or so top jockeys. My biggest disappointment for the first 20 days, was last weekend's Whitney Handicap and the dull effort from Palace Malice. Seemingly with no apparent excuse, he may return during closing weekend in the Woodward Stakes and face the same cast with a few other big names.

Attendance is up slightly and handle about the same, which seems to make NYRA happy at this time. The atmosphere on track has been full of energy the times I have been present there. The New York Racing Association has been really "playing it up" with their results for the first half. Sounding like a carryover from Belmont Stakes day, the people in charge at NYRA are all smiles at this present time. But as we know in the past, that can change at the blink of an eye!

With mid way point here, it's relatively quiet stakes weekend. In today's Fourtstardave Handicap at a mile on the turf, we lost it's main star when Two-time Horse of the Year ~ Wise Dan came down sick several weeks ago. We have a short six horse field and it's the only stake race on today's Saturday card. Tomorrow, two year old stakes action for both the girls and boys combined for the first time this year with the Saratoga Special & Adirondack Stakes. On Monday, NYRA has a unique handicap contest for the "low rollers" who like a little action at a smaller price. The "live money" tournament has a $40 entry fee, which $30 goes toward live wagers with five $2.00 WPS wagers on five different horses and $10 into a players prize pot for most money won for the day. The breakdown is 70% for first, 20% for second and 10% for third. I'll be participating in this Monday's contest and there will be one on each Monday during the meet.

It looks like Bayern will be pointing toward the Travers Stakes in two weeks off his wire to wire victory in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. But, the same cannot be said for the three year old filly; Untapable for the Alabama Stakes next weekend. Her off the board effort has her pointing for the Cotillion Stakes at PARX racetrack (Philadelphia Park) in late September. The top three finishers of the Jim Dandy (Wicked Strong, Tonalist & Kid Cruz) will be in the Travers, along with possibly the Shug McGaughey trainee; Mr. Speaker who has excelled on turf and polytrack this year. Trainer Bob Baffert said, when coming to Saratoga "why come for the small race (the King's Bishop at seven furlongs) when you can come for the big one (Travers).

The richest Whitney Handicap ever ...... with a possible Horse of the Year candidate

Every so often, a good horse comes around at the right time. And it so happens that the right time is during one of the biggest racing days at the best track in the country. The new re-tooled Whitney Stakes day has five great stakes races and one of them showcase's the best horse in training.

NYRA has had the knack of creating showcase days with several stake races assembled on one race card. Today we have such a day with the main event being a race for older handicap division. The Whitney Stakes is historical in itself with rich tradition throughout the years. But this year it's rich in value too. It has become the biggest purse race at Saratoga during the 40 day meet this year. With this year's edition, the best current horse in training headlines today's race. He's no stranger to Saratoga and keeps improving from his three year old season of last year, to his form this year.

Palace Malice has captured the spirit of the handicap dirt division with four straight graded stakes victories, at three different venues. Last year's Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy winner has been better than ever this year. Winning his seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park early in March, he then shipped to the Fairgrounds and won their top handicap race, the New Orleans Handicap impressively with a career best Beyer speed number of 114. It was then on to Belmont Park where he won two one-turn mile races, including the grade I ~ Metropolitan Mile on the Belmont Stakes under card. Today he faces eight rivals which include last year's Travers winner and Breeder's Cup runner-up ;Will Take Charge, Itsmyluckyday winner of three straight races, dead heat co-winner of the 2012 Travers; Golden Ticket and five other worthy handicap opponents.

There are only a few named horses missing from this cast today. But, Palace Malice is head and shoulders the "horse to beat" today. He reminds me of the top older handicap horses of the mid 90's who improved during their three year old season and got even better versus older foes the following year. While many fans of the sport enjoy the Triple Crown races, it's the older handicap ranks that have a major impact on the Breeder's Cup Classic in the Fall. Today, in the rich tradition race we see the "best" horse in training show his stuff and make a statement in the thoroughbred world.

With a third of the meet in the books, the weather the past week has played a factor in the racing with sudden downpours causing turf races to be taken off the grass. The racing office has not hesitated switching these races to the main track. Safety is always a priority when it comes to the horses and jockeys when inclement weather arises. But if that weather arrives after wagering has begun at noon, bets that were made could be affected. In most cases, off-the-turf events will be scratched horses. That's not a problem with most types of wagering. But in the pick 4 and pick 5 wagers and your horse is scratched, you get the post time favorite and no refund. This is a problem to me. If you wager early on the pick 4 in the 2nd race and the weather forces the race off the turf and horses are late scratches, you should receive a refund. I've made plays before the early pick 4 and a storm rolled into Saratoga taking races off the turf that were in the sequence and unfortunately I had a "dead" ticket before the first race in the leg was run. If you can have refunds on most other wagers, the same can be made for the multi-race wagers. It's only right.

3 races for the 3 year olds ...... the 2nd season has begun!

It was just seven weeks ago when the dreams of having a 12th Triple Crown winner in California Chrome were vanquished by Tonalist in the Belmont Stakes. It was the culmination of a somewhat fragmented Triple Crown trail where many of the top contenders either got hurt before the three major races or failed to live up to their expectations. It gave a clear path for California Chrome to climb a top of the three year old rankings. But after the "Test of the Champions" at Belmont Park, the horse from the west coast proved that he to was mortal. Now, we've reached the summertime and second season for the sophomore runners. After the next few weeks, these horses will be facing older foes in route to the Breeder's Cup Classic this Fall at Santa Anita. But until then, the three year olds will battle this week for their spot to attempt to over throw California Chrome as top dog.

We have three major prep races this weekend for the Mid Summer Derby ~ The Travers on August 23rd at Saratoga. The second tier runners battled in the Curlin Stakes yesterday going a two-turn route of a mile and an eighth. Kentucky Derby runner-up; Commanding Curve was crossed entered in that race and today's Jim Dandy Stakes at the same distance. He has to reproduce his effort the First Saturday in May to be a real threat in the Travers and any stake for contending top honors in his age group. Of the "new shooters" looking to make an impact against the "big boys"; Cousin Stephen, Joint Custody and Life in Shambles look to be the best contenders.

In the Jim Dandy Stakes today; the main prep race for the Travers, we have the return of the Belmont Stakes upset hero; Tonalist, along with Wicked Strong and the "hot horse" Kid Cruz. There are 17 horses entered between these two Travers preps with questions where the major contenders will go between the two races. But the "main speed" in the Jim Dandy will be Cousin Stephen, if he chooses this spot today. It's likely Commanding Curve goes in today's race and quite possibly that another contender; Kid Cruz races in the West Virginia Stakes next week. This leaves both Tonalist and Wicked Strong as the major plays at Saratoga for the Travers in a few weeks.

Meanwhile tomorrow at Monmouth Park in the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes, nine three year olds will also try to make their claim for the Travers Stakes and with a twist. A three year old filly is included in the mix by the name of Untapable. She skipped the Coaching Club American Oaks last Sunday at Saratoga and is trying to follow the footsteps of another Steve Asmussen three year old filly of the past; Rachel Alexandra and beat the boys. One only knows if she wins tomorrow and sets her sites on either the Alabama Stakes (August 16th) or the Travers the following week. But there is a couple of other high class runners who were no strangers along this year's Triple Crown trail. The speedy Bob Baffert runner; Bayern, returns to a route after an explosive victory in the seven furlong; Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park. There is even more speed entered in the Haskell by the name of Social Inclusion and Wildcat Red. The latter, Wildcat Red was taken out of his element in the Kentucky Derby with a non-effort and returned with a wire to wire overnight stakes victory at Gulfstream Park a few weeks ago. With all this speed entered in the Haskell, logic would dictate that the race would set up for a closer. That closer just could be, Medal Count who rallied in the Belmont Stakes late for third. We got a lot of three year old superstars on stage this weekend, with one goal in mind. That's becoming the top three year old heading to the biggest race at Saratoga every year; the Travers Stakes!

Opening day at SARATOGA ........ it NEVER gets old!

Some things never grow old. When you were a kid, you couldn't wait for Christmas morning. As a teenager, you couldn't wait for the last day of school and summer vacation. When you were older, the times you spent with good friends at special events are everlasting memories. And the things you look forward to the most, are the things that will always be a special part of your life. Yesterday, even though I lived through it 15 years in a row, still holds a special place in my heart. Opening day at historic Saratoga Racecourse is not only the "Summer Place to Be", but one of my favorite places to be!

It's something that has never gotten old, even though the face of Saratoga, NYRA has gone through many changes in this time period. What once started in August, now begins six weeks before Labor Day. Some people think it's earlier every year. But it's still 40 racing days, enough in my book! To live only 40 miles and less than an hour, from the Mecca of thoroughbred racing is a dream come true for the lover of the ponies. The funny part of this is, I was in my mid twenties before I truly appreciated it. My first trip when I was sixteen years old in 1980, I could have cared less! But, that all changed when I became an adult, met others who loved the sport and most importantly, had a job that could give me money to wager with.

The experience even grew more in the 90's, when the novice bettor started to follow the sport each day and became an expert. Knowledge is power and the more knowledge you have and learn about the sport, the better chance you have to improve and even make a little money. But, my "big break" was in 1998, when I started writing for The Recorder and was a public handicapper in print. I can remember that first opening day at the Spa, I was excited like a kid on Christmas morning. It was a feeling that I really never had before. I could say up to that point in my life, there wasn't anything that I felt passionate about as a hobby or special interest more than horse racing. I look back and sometimes wonder, why thoroughbred racing would be so interesting to me.

I guess the passion isn't out of the ordinary. When I find something interesting and enjoyable, I stick with it. Maybe that's why my years of work with the county, coincide with the same amount of years I've followed the sport. I met a lot of wonderful people throughout the years and made a lot of good friends. Seen I lot of exciting races and great thoroughbreds. Been a part of history on many occasions at Saratoga. Had the thrill of cashing that "big ticket" and the excitement of being in the winners circle with a horse I've part owned. It's been a lot of long nights handicapping the races, tough wagering beats in photo finishes and even sad moments of horses getting hurt while doing what they love.

Opening day at Saratoga is the pinnacle of all this for myself. It's something that will always have a special part in my heart. I'll always remember the memories of the track on Union Ave. It's been a big part of my fifty years on this earth. Saratoga, it's truly MY favorite place to me!

For the next 40 days, my selections for Saratoga Race Course will be here in The Recorder each racing day and my "Play of the Day" will broadcast on 1490 WCSS Amsterdam each week day morning (expect Tuesday) at 8:05am. This year, the daily selection will be on the feature race of the day.