"The Champ is here!" ~ American Pharoah makes Saratoga, "Pharoahtoga!"

In the immortal words of John Cena, "the champ is here!" Around noon time Sunday afternoon, trainer Bob Baffert gave the ok that Triple Crown champion; American Pharoah would contest the Travers Stakes. The wait was over, the greatest horse in over 35 years confirmed he would race at the greatest racetrack in the world. The hype that surrounded Saratoga Springs the past month had come true! Not since 1978, would a three year old who won the Triple Crown make an appearance in the Mid-Summer's Derby. Everything I thought couldn't come true, has.

Being around this sport for nearly thirty years, I've seen it's share of ups and downs. But one thing was constant. The aura of Saratoga and it's direct correlation with history. A race meet which was short with stature. Where only the best thoroughbreds would come to race. A place deep with history of the sport. The ultimate showcase for the equine runner. Yes, Saratoga Racecourse was the place to be in the middle of summer.

Like I said before, the heyday of racing was at it's peak during the 70's. By the time I got interested in it, those days had faded fast. But, at Saratoga they only got bigger and improved. The addition of the picnic area in 1983, it made the flat track the place to be for families to come. The crowds from downstate now flocked to upstate New York for a month in the sun and a turn back in time. The "Summer Place to Be" it was dubbed. My memories of thirty years have been many, but the events of today are even bigger on a wider scope.

Back in the day, media was just in print or on radio and television. Today, social media is king with the internet. Events happen live and to the second. This makes American Pharoah's presence here at Saratoga even bigger. Something thoroughbred has been lacking for many years. The excitement that this horse has generated since his Kentucky Derby win three months ago has done such good for the sport that is sorely needed. The chances of him winning the Triple Crown were slight, but the potential was there. He proved to be that horse. His most recent victory in the Haskell Stakes showed that he was truly one of the greats.

Now today here, He'll show the world just what kind of an animal he truly is. On a local stage, American Pharoah will not disappoint his legion of fans. No "graveyard of favorites" today, this horse is too good! It's just another stepping stone to immortality. This is script all fans of thoroughbred racing wanted. To see the greatest horse of our time, race at the greatest racetrack in the world. History has already been made, the result will have the masses talking for decades.

If you are one of the lucky ones to be there in person this afternoon, remember all the great horses who stood on track at this historic place. History and making history always rules a sporting event. You will be a part of something special. You can tell your grandkids about it. It's an event, a special time to see a great competitor. While I sometimes tend to down play such things, especially in today's environment. I will not this time! Saturday, August 29th 2015 will be remembered as a once and a lifetime day at the old Spa. A day that racing's greatest athlete made an appearance at racing's greatest venue. Savior the moment, remember the event, you are part of history. No matter what the outcome.

Mark Hoffman's 2015 Travers undercard selections

Personal Ensign Stakes (6th) - mile & eighth / older filly & mares

Stopchargingmaria (#4) - Saratoga "horse for the course" with four victories in five starts here, also five for six at this distance, an overlooked & underrated distaff runner!

Untapable (#6) - runner up to top pick last time out here in the Shuvee Handicap at this distance, consistent this year but without the dominance she had as a three year old.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Got Lucky (#5) - Sheer Drama (#2)
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Ballerina Stakes (7th) - seven furlongs / older filly & mares

Dame Dorothy (#6) - lightly raced four year old filly hasn't finished out of the money in nine career starts, four for four at this seven furlong distance.

Street Story (#8) - consistent filly has been knocking at the door in her last four starts, may get overlooked in the betting here & can set close to the speed up front, square price today.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Unbridled Forever (#7) - Room for Me (#4)
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King's Bishop Stakes (8th) - seven furlongs / three year old males

Holy Boss (#7) - winner of four straight and most recently the Amsterdam Stakes here as a prep for today, should have no problem with the extra half panel & is the horse to beat!

Watershed (#4) - impressive maiden winner first time out of the box, wheels back in grade I competition off that victory, could be any kind.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Classy Class (#8) - Competitive Edge (#3) - Mr. Z (#5)
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Forego Stakes (9th) - seven furlongs / older males

Private Zone (#7) - hottest sprinter in training makes his Saratoga debut, speedy runner is as gutsy as they come, they'll have him to run down!

The Big Beast (#5) - lost the whip & lost the bob in the AG Vanderbilt Stakes last time out which a prep race for this, winner of the King's Bishop here last summer at this distance.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Tamarkuz (#6) - Salutos Amigos (#10) - Den's Legacy (#11)
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Sword Dancer Stakes (10th) - mile & half turf / older males

Messi (#6) - sharp winner over the track versus optional claimer company going a bit shorter, first time stakes stateside.

Red Rifle (#4) - career best last time out in the Bowling Green Handicap at 6-1, showed speed in previous starts and came off the pace in that win, versatile runner.

Exotic & multi-race runners : War Dancer (#8) - Twilight Eclipse (#5) - Imagining (#1)
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Ballston Spa Stakes (12th) - mile & sixteenth turf / older filly & mares

Tepin (#1) - just missed in the Diana Handicap going a bit longer, rock solid this year.

Coffee Clique (#8) - won a grade III stake at PARX last time out, bullet works at Belmont for first start at the Spa.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Dacita (#4) - New Providence (#9) - Kitten's Queen (#7)

Mark Hoffman's 2015 graded Travers Stakes selections

American Pharoah (#2) Espinoza / Baffert (1-5)

First, I'll admit that I didn't think he was coming to Saratoga and race in the Mid-Summer's Derby. Second, this colt has generated the most excitement at the Spa since the last time a Triple Crown winner raced here in 1978. His colt made me a believer after his win in Belmont Stakes and his next start in the Haskell at Monmouth, which was little more than a public workout. Today he continues his legacy in front of a capacity crowd and millions watching across the world. Today, Saratoga becomes "Pharoahtoga"!


Smart Transition (#10) Velazquez / Shirreffs (20-1)

Recent winner of the restricted Curlin Stakes going a mile & eighth over the course, this son of Smart Strike drew off to win by nearly five lengths. Improving runner may be value using underneath the prohibited favorite. Lots of upside with the colt.


Frosted (#6) Rosario / McLaughlin (6-1)

Second best in the Jim Dandy Stakes after finishing right behind our Triple Crown winner in the Belmont. Right now he is second fiddle to the champion. Looking for that break through race with him. A must use in all your exotic plays!


Texas Red (#4) K. Desormeaux / J.K. Desormeaux (8-1)

Winner of the Jim Dandy Stakes versus four foes in last start here. Runner-up two year old champion behind the Pharoah. Proved he's back to his two year old form and can still improve in his third start off layoff.

Waiting to hear ........ Alabama Getaway ........ Rachel's family ~ SARATOGA 2015

The most asked question by everyone I meet lately is whether, American Pharoah will be racing in the Travers Stakes one week from today. As we approach the date, it's become much like when Lebron James was making his decision to leave Cleveland as a free agent and go to Miami. A lot of hype has surrounded this through social media and the press. There have been many tweets from the owners, speculation by the press and actions by NYRA to lure him here. The decision has come down to his trainer; Bob Baffert and his next workout on Sunday if he'll make the cross country trip back to the east coast and run in the Mid-Summer Derby. Speaking for myself, I'll be glad when the decision is made. My gut tells me that he won't be coming because of the trip and possibility of staying on the west coast to give his fans there one last race in front of the hometown crowd. Remember, American Pharoah hasn't race this year in California where he is based. So, with all the preparation that NYRA has done expecting him come to Saratoga, I think there will be some disappointed people.

The second biggest three year old race at the Spa is contended today. The Alabama Stakes is the female equivalent of the Travers Stakes. At one time, the Alabama was a bigger race than the Mid-Summer Derby. A short, but equally matched field has been assembled with four graded stakes winners. Today's race may determine this year's three year old filly champion. It will likely come down between the first two finishers in the Coaching Club American Oaks, which was run here on opening weekend. There we saw one of the many disqualifications take placeat this meet. A border line call in my opinion, when the front end leader; I'm a Chatterbox got leg wary late and drifted into the hard charging Curalina. The call to disqualify the winner and place the second place horse first could have gone either way. It was likely that Curalina would have gone past I'm a Chatterbox if the race was a bit longer. Today, Curalina gets that eighth of a mile distance longer and should be just what she ordered for victory.

Speaking of fantastic fillies who raced at the Spa, on Monday we get to see a sister of the great Rachel Alexandra make her stakes debut and the long awaited debut of her second foal, Jess's Dream. In the 6th race, maidens go a mile and an eighth and the field includes the three year old son of Rachel Alexandra making his debut; Jess's Dream(#3). He is the first foal from great filly and second one to race here this summer. His sire was a two time horse of the year - Curlin and is a home bred. It's very interesting that they chose to spot him going long instead of a sprint for his first race. I know he's a late bloomer and there are high expectations of him. It's a tough spot versus more seasoned runners who have already raced in two turn route events. The paddock will be full of people and he'll take money at the windows. He also has the expectation of winning first out just like his younger sister (Rachel Valentina) did earlier in the meet.

Later on Monday's card, Rachel's full sister; Samantha Nicole (#5) makes her first stakes appearance in the Summer Colony Stakes (8th) going the same route distance as her younger nephew. She's been consistent, but not as brilliant as her sister in seven career starts. She meets a field of average filly and mares and fits well in this spot. It's a family affair on Monday afternoon at the Spa as we begin a very busy Travers week and the decision whether we'll see the Triple Crown champion race one week from today in Saratoga's biggest race.

HONOR CODE ....... pegged him from the start!

As the racing world waits with baited breath whether Bob Baffert enters his Triple Crown winner; American Pharoah in the Travers Stakes two weeks from today, we saw first hand last Saturday in the Whitney Stakes, the best older thoroughbred in the country! Many including myself, didn't think that Honor Code would have that same late kick going two turns like he did in his Metropolitan Mile victory. But, he proved us all wrong with the patented late close, just getting up at the wire to beat Liam's Map and catapulted himself to the top of the older horse ranks. This is no surprise to yours truly, I've pegged this son of AP Indy since his debut nearly two years ago at the Spa.

It was a sloppy track on the final Saturday of the meet and in the third race of the day. Shug McGaughey had this first time starter going seven furlongs. Now, Shug is not noted for doing well with his runners first time out. But, this horse just relished the off going and uncharacteristically it was from a come from behind style. Lagging far behind early on, Honor Code rallied up the rail to draw away in the stretch and win by over four lengths. It was a visionally an impressive race, but was it the off track that he excelled on or did this horse have talent?

It was straight to grade I competition in his next start and stretching out to a mile in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park where he lost by a neck with his usual late close. He tried his first two turn race in the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct that Fall and won in a dog fight which he was closer to the pace than usual. It was that race which pointed him to the three year old classics of 2014 and my top pick for the Kentucky Derby. His first race as a three year old at Gulfstream Park, March of 2014 was an eventful one to say the least! He acted up when loaded into the gate and chased a runaway winner finishing a distanced second. After that effort, Honor Code went on the self and never made the Triple Crown races and wouldn't be seen until late in his three year old season.

He came back at Aqueduct and in a sprint, which he returned to his old form and gave hope to his fans as a top handicap horse in the future. At the beginning of this year, redeemed himself at Gulfstream Park, winning the grade II - Gulfstream Park Handicap and once again, coming from the clouds to victory. The Honor Code which I fell in love with at the Spa was back and only good things were yet to come. This is where his running style came into play. Next in the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs going a two turn route, he was compromised by a slow pace. This brought up a big question mark whether Honor Code could get it done in races over a mile.

This did not deter his trainer putting Honor Code back versus grade I competition and his next start would remain at one turn, in the Met Mile. This was his coming out party and with his impressive victory, he was a force in the handicap ranks. Needless to say, I made a lot of money with that victory and his next target would be the Whitney Stakes and a return to two turns. To be honest, I questioned whether he could get the job done and have the same effort going a route as he did going a mile or less. Well, last Saturday he answered that question, in a grade I race versus a stellar field. He stamped himself as the top older handicap horse in the nation with that win.

Honor Code is a horse that has shown that he can; handle any surface either dry or wet, a sprint or a mile and a route test in which the fractions are fast up front. I'm looking forward so much to a match up between the Triple Crown champion; American Pharoah, with his free running style, versus the ultimate closer; Honor Code. It would be something if these two were on a collusion course in the Breeder's Cup Classic at Keeneland this Fall. Only time will tell and you know who I'll be rooting for!

"Seen at Saratoga" ...... you'll never know, who you will run into!

When watching thoroughbred racing "live", there are three things important to me. Number one are the horses, after all that's the reason we are at the track. Number two, the atmosphere and the people. Whenever you gather at a place and your interests are common, that's when you have a good time. And last but not least, success and winning. Nothing is better when your horse finishes first and you win your wager. These are the main elements for me when attending this magnificent sport.

A few years ago, the Recorder ran a column called "Heard on the Street". It was about the columnist thoughts and views with things going on in the city and people he saw and interacted with in his travels. Here's my similar version, only at the track and with the people I met in my past two visits. We'll called it; "Seen at Saratoga", you'll never know who you will run into there!

Last Saturday, I went over for the Jim Dandy Stakes. I decided to hang out by the clubhouse entrance near the paddock area. Around 12:30, I get a text message from Spike, who I grew up with in Fort Plain. He and several other of my friends who I knew were at the track and we decided to spend the day together, reminisce about the good old days and play the ponies. Most of these guys live in the Capital District area still, but my buddy; Scott had traveled from North Carolina to upstate N.Y. and has a camp on Stoner Lake which he spends summer at. He was at the track this day, celebrating his girlfriend's birthday. It was the sixth race when things got interesting for our group. After both Spike and I had singled out the longshot speed horse in the 6th turf race (Almasty) , our focus turned to the 7th race which was also on the grass. Spike had used four horses in this final leg of a pick three which he was alive in to win. I decided myself, to "box" his four runners in a dime superfecta and hopefully not jinx him on his chances to cash the ticket. Our other buddy; Cosmo used runners we need in our bets in a exacta and Scott had the good fortune to get a win ticket on the #5 - Go Around, that somebody had left in the SAM machine. Needless to say, we all walked away winners after that race. Spike had the pick three for around $500, I had the dime superfecta for just under $100, Cosmo had the exacta box ($120) and Scott had an exacta birthday present for his girl, a $10 win ticket on the #5 ($52). Yes, it was a fun and profitable day for the gang from Fort Plain and one that could only happen, at the track!

Monday, I was back there again for the Low Roller Handicapping contest and get the "free" Saratoga cooler bag giveaway. In my travels, I ran into the Monday crew from Ripepi's Restaurant and also saw an old co-worker from the county. It was nice catching up with those guys and discussing the current events, both on and off the track. Shortly after that, I caught up with a group of horse players from the Southside (Port Jackson). These people know how to have fun at the track and went all out with their picnic set up for the day. That's one of the best things about the Spa, you can bring in your own food and drink. Hope it ALWAYS stays that way! It was later in the day and so far in the contest, I hadn't pick winner. The Southside group was doing ok and one of them liked the #6 - Den's Legacy in the 8th race and the longshot. We couldn't figure out why the horse was 21-1, but it didn't matter...... he won! He was one of my $2 WPS plays in the contest (which returned $65 for me) and that guy from the Southside had $40 to win on him ($900) not a bad day for him and myself!

This is just a few examples how things, unplanned can develop into great memories at the track. Even though I do my share of complaining how things are run there now, nothing can take away the pure fun and excitement of friends gathering together with mutual interests. Plus, the winning helps too!