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.

The 3 year old ladies in the spotlight ....... what's new?

Just a few short years ago, the thoroughbred world was mesmerized by two wonderful and talented gals. These two ladies were the talk of the racing world with their performances on the track. In a two year span just five years ago, no male could accomplish the impact these fillies had on the sport. They captured the hearts of every racing fan and are still talked about to this day. Their names were; Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra and they were at the top of our sport.

It seems that the opposite sex in thoroughbred racing tends to gather more popularity each and every year. When a filly or mare is talented, their efforts on track sometimes outshine their male counterparts. The Breeder's Cup Distaff in recent years proves that. This year, those talented ladies have returned to the track and two very talented three year old girls are making their mark too. It could be a very interesting Saratoga meet, if these two gals attempt to steal the spotlight from their male counterparts and challenge them in the biggest race of the summer.

Untapable ~ the three year daughter of Tapit, trained by Steve Asmussen has electrified her racing ranks with two eye-opening victories in the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont last time out. Undefeated this year as a three year old, she may take on the boys next in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park the end of this month. She has proved to be the most consistent three year old thoroughbred in training at this time. She gets a track that speed tends to be kind to in New Jersey if she decides to go there. With the Monmouth meet only racing three days a week this summer, the usual suspects from the Triple Crown trail may be using the Haskell as a prep for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August. I think, if Untapable wins the Haskell quite easily, her trainer may take a shot a second time versus the boys in the Mid-Summer Derby at the Spa. Other than California Chrome and Tonalist, the men's side of the three year old ranks has been thinned by injured horses and lesser talent. Why not take a shot if she wins the Haskell and a longshot wins the Jim Dandy. It's worth a look, because right now Untapable is the best three year old in North America.

Speaking of three year old fillies versus their male counterparts in stake races, a talented Canadian bred who won her biggest race versus her own sex and came right back this past Sunday and beat the boys in Canada's version of the Kentucky Derby. Lexie Lou ~ a daughter of Sligo Bay and trained by Mark Casse became the 35th filly to win the Queen's Plate Stakes and only the sixth to sweep both three year old championship races for Canadian bred sophomores. Having run all her races on Woodbine's synthetic polytrack, it's less likely she will race at Saratoga in the Alabama. But this proves once again that the fillies are much more sharper at three than the boys are. With the trend of trainers sitting on their talented two year olds and lightly racing them until mid Kentucky Derby trail, maybe more trainers with highly talented three year old fillies will take that chance versus the boys in their major races. Rachel Alexandra did it three times in 2009 versus her own age group and older late in the summer. I see no reason that Untapable couldn't do the same if she has a explosive Haskell victory. That could make a interesting Travers Stakes, with a filly in it! Sometimes it's good to mix things up.

Stars & Stripes Festival ....... with a little European flavor!

The future of thoroughbred racing is trending toward big race days with multiple stake races carded. With the advent of the Breeder's Cup and special days with prep races grouped together, we now have holiday racing with several stake races included. This is the future of getting more people to the sport, attracting them to these type days and seeing the finest thoroughbreds in the country. We had one such day at Belmont a month ago, now we return this 4th of July weekend with such another super day of racing.

The Stars and Stripes Festival showcases five stake races with two of them now becoming invitational races. Not only are the finest North America horses here, but several European runners have come stateside to race in these stakes. NYRA has reorganized their stakes racing schedule to create these days where top thoroughbreds race and gather points for the Breeder's Cup this Fall. For many years this weekend has been light on major race action, until now. There are three stake races exclusively for the sophomore runners, plus two stakes for older runners sprinting and going the classic route distance.

The Belmont (4th) the mile and a sixteenth - Dwyer Stakes is a possible prep for our Travers Stakes prep ; the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. My top selection here is the winner of the Easy Goer Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard at the same distance; Kid Cruz (#1). He came off the pace to victory and has improved the most of any three year old colt this spring. For second, I'll go with Churchill Downs shipper; Ulanbator (#3) who rallied for 2nd last time out in his graded stakes debut going this distance also. Selections for the (4th) : 1-3-4

The Belmont (6th) the seven furlong - Belmont Sprint Championship (formally know as James Marvin Stakes) has nine evenly matched runners entered. Central Banker (#2) who was supposed to race in the grade I - Metropolitan Mile on the Belmont Stakes undercard, but had to scratch because of a medication violation is my top pick here. The "horse to beat" is my 2nd choice; Palace (#9) who has been razor sharp since claimed last summer. Selections for the (6th) : 2-9-3-7

The Belmont (7th) is the first of two new invitational races, this one for the boys - The Belmont Derby (formally know as the Jamaica Handicap) at a mile and a quarter on the turf. European flavor is the way here and I'm going against the prohibited favorite; Bobby's Kitten. Adelaide (#4) ships in for Aidan O'Brien and gets lasix for his debut, he is my top selection here. Gailo Chop (#7) rides a four race win streak coming in from France and gets my runner-up spot. Selections for the (7th) : 4-7-3-9

The Belmont (8th) the traditional 4th of July feature race - the Suburban Handicap returns this year to the classic distance of a mile and a quarter. Last Gunfighter (#5) who was second in this race a year ago, gets the call today. His only two blemishes the past year in half, were in grade I races and no worst than 2nd in any others. Romansh (#6) rallied in the Met Mile last time out at 19-1 and should enjoy this addition distance. Selections for the (8th) : 5-6-4-10

The Belmont (9th) it's the fillies turn on the weeds in the Belmont Oaks (formally the Garden City Stakes) in a wide open event. I'm taking a shot with the rail horse, Goldy Espony (#1) who runs first time for Chad Brown coming stateside and gets lasix. Xcellence (#7) ships in from France after running 3rd in her last two races in group I company, she's my second pick. Selections for the (9th) : 1-7-11-5