Super Saturday 2013 @ Belmont Park!

The biggest racing day at Belmont Park is Super Saturday, a prelude of preps for the Breeder's Cup races on November 1st & 2nd. We have six graded stake races for both turf races going a distance of ground, the sprint and Breeder's Cup dirt mile and the Distaff & Classic. Even though this year's races are at Santa Anita Park, the east coast horses will play a vital role for the championship racing days.

The Beldame Invitational Stakes (5th) is at the Distaff distance of a mile & an eighth. It's a two horse showdown between the top three year old filly; Princess of Sylmar (#2) and the defending filly & mare champion; Royal Delta (#4). The big edge goes to the older of the two, Royal Delta on all fronts. She's been 1st or 2nd in 10 of her last 12 starts and has two wins & a second in three Belmont career starts. Princess of Sylmar could have raced last weekend at PARX in the Cotillion Stakes for straight three year old fillies. Here she faces older for the first time in her career and even tougher with Royal Delta in the field. My selections are: 4-2-6-5.

The Kelso Stakes (6th) is run at one mile and is a prep for the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile. Formally ran on grass, horses who don't fit in the six furlong sprint or classic mile and a quarter distance fall in here. This marks the return of the Todd Pletcher trainee; Graydar (#2) who was last seen winning the New Orleans Handicap at the Fairgrounds on March 30th. After suffering a minor injury, he returns today at a distance he fits well at. But, I'm giving the edge to the Robert Lapenta entry of; Easter Gift & Jackson Bend (#1), with the Chad Brown runner showing two victories at a mile and his entry mate stretching out from sprint races. My selections are: 1-2-4.

The Vosburgh Stakes (7th) is the prep for the Breeder's Cup Sprint at the six furlong distance. Formally seven panels, this is now a turn back from the seven furlong Forego Stakes at Saratoga for older sprinters. A wide open event, I'm going with last year's winner of this event making his second start of a layoff and at a juicy 8-1 morning line odds; The Lumber Guy (#5) For second, I'll go to the far outside and California based shipper; Private Zone (#8) who is mighty quick and may lead them from the outside post. My selections: 5-8-2-1.

The first turf race is for filly & mares, the Flower Bowl Invitational (8th) at a mile and a quarter distance. These runners usually take turns beating each other and today should be no exception! With that said, my top selection is a runner who finally got her act together in her last start at Kentucky Downs, Mystical Star (#2). That victory was at a mile & five sixteenths in a field of 11 versus weaker competition though. Maybe that was the level she needed to get back on track. I'll use the entry for second; Tannery & Laughing (#1) with the filly facing boys in her last start finishing well and the mare on a three race win streak with last two coming wire to wire. My selections: 2-1-6.

The boys are next up in the Joe Hirsch Turf Invitational (9th) at the mile and half distance. There are seven betting interests with two entries and four grade I winners. But here I'm taking a shot with a runner who came off over a year layoff to win last time out at Saratoga . Slumber (#4) is now five years old and has a lot of gaps between starts. Trainer Bill Mott has thought enough of him to enter versus a tough group, so at the 6-1 morning line is worth a shot here! In the runner-up spot, the Ramsey entry of; Big Blue Kitten, Real Solution & Joe's Blazing Aaron (#2) look tough with the Sword Dancer & Arlington Million (placed first) winners. My selections: 4-2-1a-3.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (10th) is the biggest prep race for the Breeder's Cup Classic in New York . Eight runners are assembled with six grade I winners. The battle comes down between the "old timer" Flat Out (#6) who has five victories at Belmont Park and is considered a "horse for the course"and the "new" face is Cross Traffic (#8) who came into his own last time out in the Whitney Handicap victory at the Spa. So guess what, I'm not selection either horse "on top". My top pick is the Kentucky Derby hero; Orb (#2) who faces older horses for the first time. In fact, my second selections isn't either the two horses I mention first. Palace Malice (#7) had a tough trip in the Travers Stakes and with a better getaway today, may set the perfect trip behind the speed entered here. My selections: 2-7-6-8.

The last BIG Derby of the season!

One of the biggest thoroughbred racing series of the year is the Road to the Triple from mid-February until the first Saturday in May. The next five week’s after that we have the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes which comprise the Triple Crown. These are the major races of three year old colts, geldings and sometimes fillies. The second season for the sophomore runners begins in late July, with the Haskell Invitational, Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes. In the past, the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs kicked off the final leg of three year old races within their own age group before facing older foes before the Breeder’s Cup. But now a new race has emerged as the final “big” three year old race before the fall championship series.

After being moved on the racing calendar from Labor Day to mid-September, the Pennsylvania Derby at PARX (formally Philadelphia racetrack) has emerged as the possibly “third leg” of the mid-summer three year old races. This year, we have a rematch of the top two finishers of this year’s Travers Stakes at Saratoga. But, before we discuss this year’s edition, I’ll look back at a little history of this mile and a eighth race in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Back in the day when I first started following thoroughbred racing in 1986, the Saratoga race meet ended in mid-August. Racing switched back to Belmont Park for the Labor Day weekend and on Labor Day, the biggest race at Philadelphia Park was run. In the 1986 edition, the race was run on a very sloppy track. The favorite that year was; Broad Brush, ridden by Angel Cordero Jr. During the running of the race, Broad Brush wasn’t handling the sloppy surface very well and bore out on the turn before the stretch. It looked like he was going to be beaten with this incident, but was righted by Cordero and won the race even with an eventful trip. I remember watching the race from the kitchen table with my dad in Fort Plain. I was never a big Broad Brush fan, but still was impressed that he won the race with a skillful ride from a Hall of Fame jockey. That was my first exposure to racing at Philadelphia Park and it was one I’ll never forget!

Today we have the aforementioned top two horses from this year’s Mid-Summer’s Derby; the Travers in Will Take Charge and Moreno. Both were longshots in this year’s running and surprising to me that they finished one/two. They have returned here as the “rematch” of three year olds that lay claim to possible year end honors in the sophomore division. Standing in the way of that “chance” are six other runners including an entry that they faced last time out and four other “new” shooters. Even though Todd Pletcher doesn’t have either Verrazano or Palace Malice entered here, he has longshot; Battier who is winless since switched to his barn, but has raced well over the PARX surface (5-3/1/1), Speak Logistics who was 2nd in the Smarty Jones Stakes here that was a prep for this race and Java’s War, a “stone cold” closer and now trained by Barclay Tagg.

My selections for this race will be the Godolphin stable entry of; Transparent & Romansh (#1). Transparent showed nothing in the Travers after being the “wise guy” horse and Romansh (who was a separate betting interest in the Travers) weakened late. I love their 8-1 morning line odds and will showed an improvement at a price today. For second, I’ll go with the Travers winner; Will Take Charge (#7) and his late closing kick. He’s been an honest runner all season long, but you’ll take a hit on his odds and price today! For show, I’m going with a bit of a longshot in; Fury Kapcori (#6) who has race exclusively on polytrack in California and only one “real” dirt try, a victory at the Fresno state fair circuit nearly a year ago. I’ll not be using the Travers runner-up; Moreno at all in any of my plays. I’ll reserve judgment on his trainer’s accusations about the Travers running and Will Take Charge's jockey……unless he wins today!

SARATOGA 2013 - wrap up

Last week we discussed the reasons why I don’t think expanding the Saratoga race meet was a good idea. This week we’ll look back at the highlights, the “good” things that transpired during this historic 150th meet season. We got to see the racing future with a whole lot of two year old events during the 40 day meet. A talented group of young juvenile runners were showcased throughout the meet. New trainer; Michael Dilger presented us with Wired Bryan, who won the Sanford Stakes and was a very game 2nd in the Saratoga Special. Todd Pletcher was loaded for bear with all his young runners during the meet, but it took his mentor; D. Wayne Lukas to make a quiet meet with victories versus starters a big upset victory in the slop on closing day in the Hopeful Stakes with Strong Mandate. The two year old fillies were quite eventful with the Schuylerville Stakes having a dead-heat result, an upset in the Adirondack Stakes by a Kentucky Derby winning trainer and a “slop” loving victory in the Spinaway Stakes for Leah Gyarmati and Sweet Reason. But, the biggest effort by far from any two year old runner this past Saratoga meet was from this year’s Kentucky Derby winning trainer.

On the final Saturday of the meet, on a very sloppy track there was quite an impressive winning effort by a son of AP Indy. In a maiden special race, Honor Code broke well, but settled in the back of the pack far from the leaders. Actually, losing touch with the field and in dead last place. He rallied up the rail in the stretch and drew off to win, much the best. Quite an effort first time out from a trainer who usually doesn’t have them really “cranked” in their debut. Even more impressive is that this colt’s first start was at seven furlongs, a very tough distance to debut at. I predicted after the lack of juvenile races downstate that there would be an overabundance of baby races carded at the Spa.

We were very fortunate to see several champions from last year and would-be champions for this coming year. Horse of the Year; Wise Dan continued his quest for back-to-back titles with a victory on the grass here. Last year’s Breeder’s Cup Classic champion and Whitney 2012 winner; Fort Larned was on the other hand, unsuccessful with a dull effort in the Whitney Stakes and late scratch from the Woodward. The Breeder’s Cup “Ladies” champion; Royal Delta continued her march toward defending her championship with an easy win in the Personal Ensign Stakes. New stars like; Cross Traffic, Dance to Bristol and Kentucky Derby champion; Orb all look to lay claim to year end honors and all but the this year’s Kentucky Derby champion were successful.

In the “human” category, the usual suspects dominated the 2013 Spa scene. Trainers, Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown were one / two in the standings. The jockey race was a runaway with Javier Castellano out distancing John Velazquez and Joel Rosario who had a really good meet until he was injured. But, it was two very visible gentlemen who were the talk of this year’s meet. The very flamboyant Ken Ramsey won his first Saratoga owners title and all but locked up year-end honors of top owner of the year and the seventy eight year old, Hall of Fame trainer; D. Wayne Lukas only winning a hand full of races. But made it count when he won two of the biggest, in the Travers Stakes with Will Take Charge and Hopeful Stakes with Strong Mandate.

The “highlights” for myself was the victory of my racing partnership; Dee Tee Stables had with My Pal of Pals. It was great to have yet another winner’s circle photo at the Spa and to be in person there to witness it and have my picture taken. My WCSS “Play of the Day” wager garnering $250 in winnings for the flood victims of my hometown of Fort Plain, N.Y. and once again this year reaching 100 total winners from the 420 races run at Saratoga with R.O.I return of $710 for those winning picks (5-2 average odds). Never got on track with my own “personal” bankroll, but had a lot of fun spite that! Now, if we could cut back just a little with the amount of races and win a little bit more money, things would be perfect!

More, More, More ........ how do you like it?

Well, after 40 days and a record number of races run; 417, the 2013 150th celebration of Saratoga Race Track has come to an end! A meet that seemed to start in the heart of summer and end on a soggy note in early September, went quite quickly in my estimation. There was a lot of expectation with this years meet. The sesquicentennial of racing at the Spa was one of the major highlights leading up to the 40 day meet and beyond. The weather started out very hot early on, but by August things leveled off and handle with attendance was about even or slightly ahead. On track, the level of racing was not too bad even though the amount of races carded each day was at an all time high. During the 40 day meets there were only two days with 9 races or less. Thursday racing included two steeplechase races and 11 races overall. Handicapping the 40 days was quite a challenge, not only with the record amount of races carded, but with the number of "cheaper" types races featured.

The years past, when racing was scheduled for 24 or 30 days, the lowest claimer level was 25k. With the advent condition racing the last ten years or so, the were many more optional claiming or beaten claiming races. In fact, there were only a few traditional "straight" claiming races. While the purse structure has increased with added VLT monies, the quality of thoroughbreds in these races are cheaper than years where the meet was shorter with less races. The bottom line in my opinion is, if the Saratoga racing continues with 400+ races or extends longer than 40 days, what Saratoga showcased "on track" in years gone by, will certainly be a thing of the past and the Spa will have a Aqueduct / Belmont flavor.

The numbers presented by NYRA after closing day were mixed results in many ways. Both attendance and on-track handle dropped slightly. We have to remember that attendance increased greatly in the late 90's into the early 2000 era. At one point, the weekday attendance was between 20 and 25 thousand. With the economy as it is and number of daily races and race dates, we knew it would level off or even drop a little. Believe me, NYRA has no problem with 10 to 15 thousand in attendance during the week, when downstate at Belmont they are lucky to get five thousand people.

The handle figures are a little different. Once again, with the advent of on-line wagering, the on-track handle would see a decline. The overall handle from the Spa meet from all sources is even or a bit higher. The racing at Saratoga is the best daily run in the country, hands down! Even with the "cheaper" type race carded, the wagering handle will always be the strongest during any meet during the year. My problem with today's Saratoga meet is the thinking that more races carded and longer racing season will increase the revenue that NYRA is looking for. But, the exact opposite is going to happening.

Racing fans and tourist will ALWAYS flock to Saratoga Springs for all it has and especially it's racing. But, really does a increase in racing dates over 40 and increase of daily races carded going to increase handle totals to record levels? Doubt that will happen because with more race dates available, the "aura" of going to the track will be lessen with more chances to go. Handle will always be dictated by the wagering money available by the public. Since Saratoga is the best racing meet on earth, though the totals drop, they will always be more than the downstate tracks.

In closing, the current form of racing at Saratoga should NOT be extended beyond 40 racing dates. I think that the model followed by the downstate racetracks (Belmont & Aqueduct) of a five day race meet should be applied by Saratoga . Racing from Wednesday through Friday should be nine races only! Weekend races should be carded with 10 oraces only (with the exception Alabama , Travers and closing weekend dates) Take the steeplechase races and spread them out on weekends during the meet as added races. More races and longer meet will NOT increase handle in the long run. But, it will take away the historic flavor of Saratoga Race Course. Some say it has already!

The "feel good" story of the 2013 Saratoga meet ....... PAYNTER

The world of thoroughbred racing has it's ups and downs. Unfortunately, most of the time though we hear about the "dark side" or bad things that surround the sport we know and love. It's sad the with the world wide web and many media outlets today, the things that put racing in a bad light are the ones that get the most attention. Today, I have one of those "stories" that is the exact opposite! It's about the strength and courage of the equine beast. The thoroughbred who showed great talent on the track, but had to overcome great odds to return back after fighting for his life. This is the "feel good" story that should be more heard of, than the negative ones.

Last spring during the Triple Crown trail, a late blooming three year old arrival on the scene in California . After breaking his maiden first asking in February, he jumped into stakes action in the grade I - Santa Anita Derby . Naturally, it was tough sledding for him going from a sprint victory to a two turn event against seasoned three year old runners. But this did not deter this son of Breeder's Cup Classic winner; Awesome Again. He would regroup and run a good second on a sloppy surface at Churchill Downs and then win a entry level allowance race on the Preakness undercard. This would give him the foundation he was lacking after initially being "thrown to wolves" after his maiden win.

It was now on to the "big time' for this colt after his talented stablemate had to go to the sidelines. It was time for PAYNTER to show his stuff in the "Test of the Champions" in the Belmont Stakes. That he would do and nearly pulled off the victory getting beaten late by Union Rags coming up the rail. I was there to see this race and thought, next time out that he would be very tough to beat! His next start and ultimate goal was the summer time Derbies. He would race in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park . There he would run his career best with a nearly four length victory as the odds-on favorite. It would be on to the Mid-Summer's Derby with this victory, but something happened to derail this dream. Something no one saw coming.

Just a few days after his Haskell victory, Paynter got sick and had suffered colitis. This is a common disease in horses where they have a sudden onset of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, shock, and dehydration. A very serious disease, it can kill a thoroughbred quite quickly. Unfortunately, surgery was required for him and soon another disease cropped up which sometimes goes hand in hand with major surgery. Paynter was showing signs of laminitis also, which comes from unable to move during a traumatic injury or surgery. The blood flow is cut off the horses legs and the hooves. It's also called "founder and is usually fatal. Now, Paynter was fighting for his life!

He had surgery to repair the infected area and the next few days and weeks would be crucial for his survival. But, Paynter was a fighter and he started to show signs of improvement with weight gain. It was a long road ahead, but he was on his way to at least living. His owners were so impressive with how quickly he was recovering, that they decided to start him training again to race. By early spring, Paynter was getting back to his old self on the track and was scheduled to return to the races by early summer. On June 14th at Hollywood Park , the circle was completed with him returning in the starting gate and winning his first race in nearly a year! Paynter had made the return, that so many people thought he could not do. He recently was second in a stake at Del Mar and today comes to Saratoga to run in the Woodward Stakes. We get to see this now, very talented four year old colt who had overcome great odds to become a winner again! It's a special day at the Spa and a special "feel good" story has unfolded. I'll be rooting for Paynter today in the Woodward Stakes and I bet a lot of other people will be rooting too!

Mark Hoffman's 2013 graded Travers Stakes selections

War Dancer (#7) Garcia / McPeek (15-1)

Some would say that this is a tough spot to ask a horse to do something he hasn't done before in his career; break his maiden on dirt in a grade I event, but the entry of this son of War Front fascinates me in this spot. He has proved that he can get the mile & quarter distance, but the main track is the question. I couldn't separate the three classy betting interests, so I'm taking a leap of faith with this longshot!

Orb (#2) Rosario / McGaughey (4-1)

The Kentucky Derby hero has been training well since his no factor 3rd place finish in the Belmont Stakes, has a series of bullet works both here and at Fair Hill and his short freshening coming off a tough Triple Crown trail will be to his benefit today, improvement expected.

Verrazano (#3) Velazquez / Pletcher (2-1)

This talented three year old has been rock solid all year but in one start (Kentucky Derby) , his last race in the Haskell Stakes was a monster effort and best yet (116 Beyer speed figure) today he tries once again to get the "classic" mile and a quarter distance, definitely the "horse to beat" and moves to the top of the three year old class with a victory today.

Palace Malice (#8) Smith / Pletcher (5-2)

Winner of both the Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy Stakes has stepped it up after a sub par effort in the Kentucky Derby flashing early speed, proven he handle this distance and track, if he wins this race today, he becomes the top three year old runner in the nation, a must use here!

Transparent (#9) I. Ortiz / McLaughlin (10-1)

Had a nice victory in the restricted Curlin Stakes over the track earlier in the meet.....but was disqualified to 5th place due to interference on the far turn while making his move, may get lost in the wagering here and is dangerous off that last effort, price play here!

Will Take Charge (#5) Saez / Lukas (10-1)

Improved effort in last start finishing full of run in the Jim Dandy Stakes with late close for 2nd at 17-1, with Oxbow out for the year...... this is Lukas' only chance in the Mid Summer's Derby, the question is can he repeat that effort in grade I company & stretching out to this distance?

Romansh (#1) Castellano / McLaughlin (12-1)

Placed 1st in the Curlin Stakes after stablemate was D.Q. with wide rally after stumbling at the break, impressive effort first time versus winners, he is uncoupled today & will be a big price today!

Moreno (#6) J. Oritz / Guillot (12-1)

Pace setter in the Jim Dandy Stakes faded to third late, will be the target to chase and is very questionable going this distance, pass on him in your exotics.

Golden Soul (#4) Albarado / Stewart (20-1)

His only claim to fame is a "suck-up" 2nd place finish in the Kentucky Derby on the sloppy sealed surface, this plodder was no factor in the Belmont Stakes or Haskell Stakes, EASY toss for me here!

Travers '82 ........ a "redux" in 2013????

Well, unlike the past few running's of the Mid-Summer's Derby ; The Travers, we get the best three year olds of 2013. With the expectation of Oxbow and Normandy Invasion, all the other cast of characters are here. It's a big difference from last year with the historic "dead heat" between Alpha and Golden Ticket where each horse has done very little on the track since then and also three year's ago where Afleet's Express upset the field and was never heard from again. Yes, it seemed the days when "great" three year old runners like; Easy Goer, Holy Bull, Point Given and Bernardini had become a thing of the past!

This year we are very lucky to have the Kentucky Derby winner, the Belmont Stakes winner, the Haskell Stakes winner and Jim Dandy winner. Three very worthy and logical favorites that will make up the top three betting interests. All three have done very little wrong and seem not to have holes in the resume. Palace Malice won the final leg of the Triple Crown and came back to win the prep race for today; the Jim Dandy Stakes. Verrazano was quite impressive in the Haskell Stakes and his only question is the mile and a quarter distance. Orb won the Kentucky Derby at this distance and like the other two runners have been consistent all this year. I see these three runners all being in the betting range of 8-5 and 5-2. It's makes it tough for me to rate one above the other.

Looking back at the history of the Travers Stakes when three similar talented horses faced off, I went back to 31 years ago in 1982. That year, all three Triple Crown race winners appeared in the Mid-Summer's Derby . The Kentucky Derby winner; Gato Del Sol, Aloma's Ruler winner of the Preakness Stakes and Conquistador Cielo all made it Saratoga on August 20th facing off in a historic edition of this race. This was the first time that this happened and all eyes were on these three runners. But, a horse from Canada named; Runaway Groom, who himself was quite capable shipped down to the Spa and beat all three runners in a major upset. After watching the race, I thought to myself; can this same thing happened again this year?