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!

Lots of 3 year olds ........ and all trying to avoid the Pharoah!

It's all about the three year old runners once again in my weekly column. I guess you can say, Triple Crown fever has remain since that epic victory by American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes. Because, all we have yesterday, today and tomorrow is three year old restricted races to talk about! Things got started early Friday afternoon, when the latest three year old race added to NYRA's Saratoga schedule; the Curlin Stakes with seven runners entered. This was for sophomores who haven't won a stake race this year. Second and third tier horses pointed to this one with the hope of making the Travers field in a few weeks down the road.

But, it's today and tomorrow we'll see no less than 23 thoroughbreds entered in three different races with many of them cross-entered in multiple spots. The question is, who's going where and who's avoiding American Pharoah on Sunday evening at the Jersey shore! Let's "try" to sort things out with who is going where, among the contenders. The cross-entered runners are; Stanford - (Curlin / West Virginia Derby), Tommy Macho (Curlin / West Virginia Derby), Tekton (Curlin / Jim Dandy or West Virginia Derby), Upstart (Jim Dandy / Haskell), Competitive Edge (Jim Dandy / Haskell). Three of these cross-entered horses hail from the Todd Pletcher barn. He has three types in the pecking order; 2nd stringer - Competitive Edge, 3rd stringer - Stanford and "bench warmer" - Tommy Macho. My guess is that, Tommy Macho is better suited to race in the Curlin Stakes (yesterday) because he fits the conditions best. Stanford would be more likely to go in graded stakes competition in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park. Competitive Edge has committed to the Haskell taking on the Pharoah and going two turns for the first time, dangerous spot for him!

As for the other two of the five cross-entered runners, Tekton is a third stringer at best and will stay at Saratoga racing in either of the stakes there, to avoid the Pharoah. As for Upstart, I believe it's worth a shot for him to face the Triple Crown champion. Not seen since his poor Kentucky Derby effort, Upstart needs to prove he can beat American Pharoah to cement reasoning that he is the 2nd best three year old behind the champion. If not, the current runner-up and 2nd place Belmont Stakes runner; Frosted will stay in that spot. Then again, these two could square off in today's Jim Dandy right here and again in a few weeks down the road in the Travers Stakes. That would be "good for racing" as they say.

So with all this stated, here are my selections for the three, three year old races today and tomorrow. West Virginia Derby (Mountaineer 8th) post time : 5:10 ~ Bent on Bourbon (#8) recent sharp winner of the Iowa Derby, Madefromlucky (#10) no factor 6th in the Belmont Stakes and another of Plecther's second tier runners. With the 8/10 I'll use underneath 11/6/5. Next up the Jim Dandy Stakes (Saratoga 10th) post time : 6:25 ~ Frosted (#7) second best three year old out there at this moment, Japan (#2) late blooming sophomore faces tougher competition today and underneath these two; 3/4/6. As for tomorrow's Haskell Invitational (Monmouth 12th) and the American Pharoah show, I'll take a stab and try to beat him with; Competitive Edge (#2). A good horse racing friend of mine said that this runner may have done well if he raced in the Belmont Stakes versus the champion. Well today, this Pletcher runner who disappointed greatly in the Wood Stephens Stakes at seven furlongs, gets to redeem himself today going two turns for the first time. American Pharoah (#4) will hold 2nd and the runners to use underneath my two top picks will be; 6/7/5.

The almighty BUCK!

Hope springs eternal every opening day, every year that the Saratoga Race course season begins. The finest racing in the world makes it's way less than 30 miles from us. These 40 days during the peak of summer are the focus of the racing world and put Saratoga Springs on the map. It's no denying that this is the biggest sport event for our area, year in and year out. It's always been about the racing, but in the world we live in today sometimes that's just not enough. It becomes about the almighty dollar and how much of it the state can get from it from the track.

I know I sound like a broken record, but Saratoga has changed so much just the last ten years. Many changes were for the good, then there are others that have changed the landscape of this historic track, forever. With these more racial changes, they have came at price and involve a price. None more so than this year. Two glaring major changes trackside have put the Saratoga experience at a more costly one. The need to put a premier price tag on select picnic tables in a special area and the limiting access to the lower level carousel bar area.

Since the New York Racing Association came under charge of the state of New York, it's all been about one thing; making money. If on track attendance and low wagering handle comes into play, there will be a need to make up the money elsewhere. That is what comes into play with these two new Saratoga improvements. You can reserve a picnic table at cost and cut out trying to hunt one down in the wee morning hours. You can sit in an area and not only wager on the ponies, but also watch other sports broadcasted.

For some, this is great. But, when I go to the track, want to play the ponies and nothing else. I guess I've been used to spending my $2 or $3 at the gate, bring some food and drinks with me and spend my money, betting! It's as simple as that. When you're used to something that for many years didn't cost anything, it's sometimes tough to accept that change of a fee. But make one thing clear folks, these changes are for one thing and one thing only..... making money for the state and keep them happy. NYRA's biggest job now and the immediate future is to turn a profit for the state. Don't let anybody tell you anything different. It's a sad, but true fact and we got to get used to it!

While it's true that Triple Crown winner; American Pharoah, may or may not be making an appearance at the Spa this racing season, two of his likely opponents will definitely not. This past week, Tencendur a talented three year old NY bred colt unfortunately fractured a sesamoid in his left front leg and will be sidelined indefinitely. He recently was a sharp 2nd in the Ohio Derby and had set his sights on possibly a Jim Dandy and Travers run. He was locally based on a farm in nearby Galway N.Y. and trained by George Weaver. Also, late Thursday it was announced that Tampa Bay Derby winner; Carpe Diem had been retired due to a knee chip injury. He made a very good impression breaking his maiden at Saratoga last summer and was one of the top Kentucky Derby prospects going into that race. He had a disappointing effort, but was recently freshened up and was also pointing to the Spa. These two three year olds, along with the laminitis issues for the three year old turf filly; Lady Eli, have left a void in the Saratoga stakes schedule for the sophomore runners. Hopefully this trend of racing stars getting hurt mid-season will cease before the Fall championship road starts toward the Breeder's Cup.

Saratoga ........ one week away!

With the racing year at the midway point on the calendar, time to look at the divisional leaders in their respective categories. We'll give an emphasis on horses who will point toward the Saratoga meet, a preview of things to come!

In the Sprint division, Private Zone is the clear cut leader off his recent dominating victory in the Belmont Sprint Championship. This versatile runner can win from six furlongs to a mile. The AG Vanderbilt and Forego are the major sprint preps at Saratoga.

The Turf filly division is always wide open and especially now since the talented three year old filly; Lady Eli is sidelined with an injury. Stephanie's Kitten looks to rebound off a dull effort last start at Belmont Park, but Tenpin is the current "hot" lady coming off a big win in the Just A Game Stakes. The Diana Handicap on opening weekend may include these two.

The Turf colts division got a bad hit last week when defending divisional champion; Main Sequence was retired due to an injury in his last start. Big Blue Kitten and Slumber have taken over going route marathon distances and we may see the return of Wise Dan coming back from an extended layoff in the shorter distances. The Sword Dancer and Bernard Baruch Handicap's are the major races in this division toward the end of the meet.

The three year old filly division is most wide open, especially since Kentucky Oaks winner; Lovely Maria was off the board in the Delaware Oaks last weekend. Curalina is ready to take charge off her impressive Acorn Stakes victory and also the return of two year old champion; Take Charge Brandi to the races sometime during the Saratoga meet, most likely early. The Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama Stakes headline the female sophomore races here.

The colts division of the three year olds are hoping that Triple Crown winner; American Pharoah will make an appearance in the Travers Stakes. While that's highly unlikely, others will take his place in the Curlin, Jim Dandy Stakes or the Mid Summer's Derby - Travers. Frosted, Materiality and the return of Carpe Diem and Upstart will be contenders along with newcomer's Speightster and another Baffert runner; Gimme Da Lute.

The Distaff division seems to be evenly matched with no clear cut leader. Wedding Toast, Stopchargingmaria and Don't Tell Sophia are the top contenders for Shuvee Handicap and Personal Ensign Stakes.

The older handicap division should be led by Belmont Stakes winner and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner from last year; Tonalist. Honor Code winner of the Met Mile, tries two turns again in the Whitney Handicap and Lea, along with the current "hot" runner; Noble Bird as his opponents.Maybe, the Woodward Stakes on closing weekend just MIGHT attract own Triple Crown hero!

The two year old stakes make up a lot of the Spa meet. We have three major races for both sexes throughout the meet. Contenders from Kentucky, California and the mid Atlantic region will be pointing to Saratoga and the future in these sprints.

This along with the many New York bred stake races as well as two graded stakes over the hurdles in the steeplechase ranks make up a forty day stakes schedule at the Spa, second to none! While some of the top ranked horses hail from the west coast, Kentucky and Florida runners will travel to upstate New York and the finest thoroughbred racing in the world. No other racing meet in the world, showcases the best thoroughbreds in training. Saratoga will play big in the year end honors for many of the above horses I have mention.

American Pharoah @ the Spa ......... his best & only shot now!

The worst kept secret in thoroughbred racing was announced late last week, when the connections of Triple Crown winner; American Pharoah said that his next start would be in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on August 2nd. This should come as no surprise to anyone that follows the sport. With the success that trainer Bob Baffert has had in this race and the Zayat owners who reside in New Jersey, it was the more logical step for him to make his first start off his Triple Crown victory. With this announcement, the window of opportunity seeing him at Saratoga Race Course this meet has shrunken quite a bit. There was even a online petition through Capital OTB to sign trying to have him appear here this summer. But, now it looks like the chances of that happening are getting dim. Although his start at Monmouth will be against straight three year old competition, it's highly unlikely he'll wheel back in the Travers at the end of the month, again just facing three year olds. But, there is an alternative that he "could" race at the Spa and face older horses for the first time and that scenario could play out here!

Each year, Saratoga has two races that highlight older horses going the route distance of an mile and an eighth. The first is the grade I - Whitney Handicap, one of the premier races at Saratoga. It's usually a stepping stone for the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park at the end of September. The other race once was that same stepping stone when it was run at Belmont Park in years past. The Woodward Stakes was transplanted on the Saratoga schedule a few years ago and ran on the closing weekend Saturday. With the race switched to Saratoga, it became a less important race for runners pointing to the final classic prep for the Breeder's Cup in New York.

Since being relocated to the Spa in 2006, the only high profile Breeder's Cup Classic runner to win the race was Curlin in 2008. With bigger named runners choosing to wait for later on at the Belmont Fall meet, it opened the door for two outstanding fillies to compete and win this race (Rachel Alexandra 2009 & Harve de Grace 2010). Since then, top level players waited to go a mile and a quarter down the road. This spot would be an excellent way for American Pharoah to face older horses for the first time, against somewhat lighter competition.

By running in New York and staying on the east coast, American Pharoah would be facing slightly tougher well seasoned handicap horses. On the west coast, in either the Pacific Classic at Del Mar or in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita, he would be facing the same group of older handicap horses who are a notch below the handicap runners on the east coast. The west coast graded stakes handicap division would fit well in the Woodward Stakes type events, rather than the grade I stake downstate at Belmont. It would be the best of both worlds, American Pharoah would be showcased at the greatest race track in the world and he would face older easier foes for the first time. All this is just conjecture on my part, although it makes perfect sense. It would depend on how he came out of the Haskell and if his connections wanted one last race at a California track. This could be the case, since this year's Breeder's Cup is being run at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky. But, it's food for thought as everyone tries to map out American Pharoah's final races in his great career. Unfortunately, it's the only logical way he'll have a chance to race at the Spa.

A 4th of July to remember ....... Stars & Stripes festival @ Belmont Park

It's a 4th of July celebration at Belmont Park with six graded stake races today. It's NYRA's second edition of the; Stars and Stripes Festival, one of thier two big events during the summer race meet. With these races, this would be a good way of introducing my new handicapping format for the upcoming Saratoga meet. All the stake races like today and during Saratoga will be my main focus each racing day. It's my traditional format that I've been using the past few years, my top two picks and three runners to use underneath in exotics will be selected every day during the 40 day meet. I will not be handicapping the entire race card this year, instead I'll be choosing an exotic play each day that will consist of either; exacta, triple, superfecta, double, pick three or grand slam play. It will vary each time, but those type of wagers will make up the six day week selections along with the stakes play. So here's a "dry run" of sorts on how my Saratoga 2015 wagering and plays will look this summer in the Recorder.

Race (#6) - the Victory Ride for three year old fillies will introduce my exacta play of the day example. This short field has two stick out runners in my opinion. The formerly undefeated (#1) Promise Me Silver and (#5) Irish Jasper currently on a two race win streak in stake races both at a price. These two I would "box" heavily in a exacta.

Race (#7) - the Dwyer Stakes for three year old males will start a pick 3 play example wager. In leg #1 (this race) - the layoff horse (#4) Texas Red is the "key" play here or single, Leg #2 - I'll be going three deep with selections; (#2) Bolo who has speed, (#3) Divisidero the class and likely favorite, (#7) Postulation a European import for classy trainer Dermot Weld, Leg #3 another "single" with (#6) Tonalist who just missed in the grade I - Met Mile in his last start. So the play will be : Texas Red (#4) with Bolo (#2) / Divisidero (#3) / (#7) Postulation with Tonalist (#6)

Race (#8) - the Belmont Derby going a mile & a quarter on the grass and will be my double wager play. I'll be using the three horses stated above in my pick 3 play; 2/3/7 with 6 in the Suburban Handicap race #9.

Race (#9) - the Suburban Handicap going a mile & a quarter on dirt is my triple play; I will "key" on top Tonalist (#6) and use in the place spots, both Pletcher runners; Coach Inge (#2) and Mylute (#3) and for show, both the remaining runners; 1/4/5 or ALL. This "key" triple play will cost $8.00 for a buck or $4.00 for a 50 cent triple play.

Race (#10) - the Belmont Oaks features the top three year old filly; Lady Eli in a full field of 14 runners. A excellent spot for a dime superfecta play! We'll do a couple different variations since the wager is in dime increments, with "keying" Lady Eli on top and saver wagers "boxing" her with other likely contenders. First play is a "key" superfecta with Lady Eli (#2) in the first leg, Spanish Queen (#6) winner of the American Oaks at Santa Anita in her last start going this distance and Outstanding (#10) European invader for Aidan O'Brien in the place spot, using both those two also in the show spot along with Pine Needles (#1), Consumer Credit (#7) and the above four runners (1/6/7/10) for the bottom superfecta leg, including Sentiero Italia (#11) & Strict Compliance (#14) also. Making the play; 2 with 6//10 with 1/6/7/10 with 1/6/7/10/11/14 which will cost $2.40. The "saver" boxed dime superfecta play will be - 2/6/10/11 and that will be the same price ($2.40) as the above play, but in any order.

Race (#11) - the Belmont Sprint Championship, I'll use my standard play for all stakes races this Saratoga meet. Two picks in a exacta with three horses underneath for exotic plays. Top two selections are; Private Zone (#3) and The Big Beast (#2) with Bay of Plenty (#1) - Stallwalkin' Dude (#6) - C. Zee (#7) as the three runners to include with my top two picks.