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

Destination Saratoga.......duh, we know!

It seems every year, the Saratoga Racing season starts earlier and earlier. It hasn't been the "August to Be" in years! With the approach of the racing season, comes the yearly press conference unveiling the goings on of the historical track on Union Avenue. Every year it's something new, but the bottom line in my opinion is the racing product. That is first and foremost in my opinion, we all know that Saratoga Springs has been and always will be a destination vacation place, so it doesn't need the track to exist. So when the powers to be start talking about everything else besides the racing product at the Spa, I start to "zone out".

As I've stated many times, I'm all about tradition when it comes to summer thoroughbred racing in New York. We get 40 days of it, less than 40 miles from our front door. There have been many changes the past twenty years since the meet has expanded. Some good, others not so good. But, with new NYRA racing secretary; Martin Panza in charge, I see a change. And that change is a good one in my opinion.

First off, we have less racing than last summer. To this I say, thank god! There will be 15 to 20 fewer races, from the record 420 run last year. As a public handicapper for the last 16 years and handicapping the Saratoga meet overall since 1988, the 40 days at Saratoga has become very watered down. We have nine race cards on Monday's only and ten race cards on both Wednesday and Thursday. Those days include steeplechase racing start at 12:25 and there will be 12 races for the jumpers during the 40 day meet. A little more than I prefer, but at least on those days, the final race will be run at 5:15 (like on Mondays) . I agree with Martin Panza's assessment that, no one needs to be at the track 7 to 8 hours a day.

I also like the stakes schedule and the way it's set up this year. Everyday there is a stakes race and on week days, a new overnight stake. Putting the graded stakes together on the weekends and creating a "super card" much like on Belmont Stakes day is the way to go also. The creation of a N.Y. bred Showcase Day on the Sunday after the Travers is a great idea. Those races that were spread out during the meet, are better condensed for this one day event. The Whitney Handicap has become the equal to the Travers Stakes this year in purse and stature. The older handicap ranks is stronger than ever. The "win and your in" Breeder's Cup program has enhanced this race and many others. Tradition has stayed well with the Saratoga stakes schedule throughout the years and this is a good thing.

Other than the racing product, the upheaval at NYRA over the last decade has continued to hurt the organization. The constant changing of the guard with people in charge never gives stability to the company. This is a product of being run by N.Y. state and like most things regarding to that are never good! The Saratoga region has ALWAYS been a vacation destination spot. The popularity of the racecourse increased 30 years ago with the expansion of the backyard picnic area. The fusion-in of all the N.Y. "stuff" with the racetrack means little to me. I know all about the New York business products and don't need a day at the track to realize that stuff. The marketing of NYRA has gone beyond horse racing and this could be troubling in the future. A very well known business called the United States Postal Service, went that same route a few years ago with their marketing and see where they are at now. I hate to see the best thoroughbred racing in the world be overshadowed by other things can be showcased in other venues other at the track.

"Just the facts, ma'am" ~ save the sensationalism ...... PLEASE!

Everybody that knows me, knows I like to vent about things every so often. Sometimes more than others about certain subjects. But when it comes down to things I appreciate and follow, I'm a traditionalist. Since I've been around now fifty years on this earth, things have change and some of those "changes" haven't been for the better in my opinion. As a traditionalist, I'm also very conservative in my views about most everything. This tends to rub some people the wrong way in our ever changing world we live in now. Needless to say; if it isn't broken, it doesn't need fixing. Also, stick to the subject at hand and don't stray to the non-subjects that surround it. This brings me to the national coverage that was done during this year's Triple Crown trail, before and up to it's ending.

Too often today, the national media is all forms (print, television, socially) makes a bigger deal about subjects that really have little impact on the event they are covering. I guess it's the sensationalism that the modern day writer or reporter wants to bring to the table and wants the public to be aware of. This is so prevalent in today's society. We tend to make a big deal over something that has little impact on the subject being discussed. In many cases, news is not news anymore. Just a means to create a stir or buzz around the story and sometimes not for the better. It's off topic and shifts the attention away from the real story at hand.

The controversial "story" about trainer; Steve Asmussen just before this year's Kentucky Derby is the first example. A lot was made by a certain "special interest" controversial group in itself about his barn's treatment of the thoroughbreds in his care. A ten minute video filmed under false pretenses by a undercover "mole" took sounds bites of his assistant trainer, using foul language and candid statements about the goings on during a typical day at the barn. It was sensationalize when edited and presented by this group to the public. The outcries began about how cruel Mr. Asmussen was to his horses and the call for him beginning banned from the sport. Perfect timing just before a big day of racing and his nomination to the Racing Hall of Fame. The video did do enough to have the committee withdraw his Hall of Fame status, get his assistant trainer fired and give the sport another "black eye" just before it's biggest day. Nothing more was accomplished with this story as a result and was just the typical non-story
surrounding the events at hand.

Flash forward to right after the finish of the Belmont Stakes, when the next non-story raised it ugly head during the sports spotlight time on a national stage. The interview with the losing owner of Triple Crown hopeful; California Chrome. A out spoken, colorful new gentleman to the sport, one could cut him some slack for being a bit upset after failing to win the Belmont Stakes. This was understandable, but NBC took it upon themselves to create a bigger issue with his comments (which made no sense in how traditionally the Triple Crown races are run) and made a firestorm on a day when the focus should have been on the race itself. Even the "professional" Bob Costas question to the winning owner of the race after the fact, made no sense in the scheme of things. Instead of giving credit to the winning horse and his connections of the race and also giving credit to the valiant failed attempt of the horse who didn't accomplish the feat; we get the sound bite of a owner who was over-the-top, irate and sounded like a sore loser who made flawed logic statements which were viewed over and over again for the next few days on television. That interview took a little away from what California Chrome had accomplished in the first two legs of the Triple Crown unfortunately.

Once again, this is a product of today's media which cannot just focus on the story at hand and feels the need to bring attention the other non-stories surrounding the event. It's disheartening in my opinion that such a big deal is made about little things like this. Unfortunately, that is what the public will remember about this year's Triple Crown and not the things done on the track.

102,199 people can't be wrong ~ BELMONT Supercard & Stakes day 2014

One week ago, I did something probably that I've haven't done in at least 25 years. I was awake for 24 hours straight from 3:30am Saturday morning until 3:30am Sunday morning anticipating the excitement of Belmont Stakes day and Super card 2014. It was without doubt, the best 10 race stakes card ever assembled by NYRA in the 28 years that I've been playing the ponies. I decided right after this super card was announced last winter that I would be attending, because it was closest to a Breeder's Cup event in New York since the last one in 2005. So, my plans to go were made long before there was any thought of a three year old possibly racing for the Triple Crown. Needless to say, I was quite psyched to heading to New York the past few weeks.

You couldn't ask for a better weather day also, with no humidity and temperatures in the low 80's. I arrived via bus at Belmont Park about an hour before the first race at 11:35am and had nice seats right at the eighth pole in the grandstand. The crowd early on in the day wasn't that bad and wagering was quite easy to place with under 10 minutes to post each race. In the first stake of the day, Kid Cruz rebounded from his non-Preakness effort to a off the pace victory in the Easy Goer Stakes. He'll be a force to be reckon with this summer in three year old stakes and possible start in the Travers at Saratoga this summer. He was the first of several good three year old runners who were on the stakes undercard. Three races later, another sharp sophomore bounced back from a bad Preakness effort and stamped himself as a top three year old sprinter. Bayern, trainer by Bob Baffert donned blinkers-on and romped in the seven furlong Woody Stephens Stakes in near track recorded time. This was an improved effort from his previous two-turn effort and may either stay sprinting or stretch back out as the racing season continues.

Fillies shined both in the Acorn Stakes & Ogden Phipps, as Sweet Reason returned to her winning ways and Close Hatches held off Princess of Sylmar in a blanket finish of older Distaff runners. It was about this time that the crowds were getting bigger and tougher to wager on the races. An added element for me was the new wagering machines at Belmont Park. It took a little getting used to, plus the fact that many patrons were wagering ahead of time for the Belmont Stakes which was two hours later. One of the main reasons for my attendance for the days races was the addition of the Metropolitan Handicap at one mile. My favorite race of all time, it was switched to the Belmont Stakes undercard from the traditional Memorial Day running. It also featured the best horse (my opinion) in training; Palace Malice. Once again he was brilliant in victory with his fourth straight graded stakes victory.

As the Belmont Stakes approached, the 102 thousand in attendance beginning to rock! I finally made it back to my seat as the post parade went pass the eighth pole. My top selection; Wicked Strong was acting up a bit with the roar of the crowd, but the others were well behaved. As the horses broke, it was plain to see the California Chrome didn't get a clean getaway. From the inside he struggled and it was beginning to look from my advantage point that he wasn't getting that perfect trip he had in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Switching from the inside to the outside on the far turn, Chrome had his work cut out for him. I knew by this time, he wasn't winning. The finish was a close one with Tonalist winning by a head over the popular longshot; Commissioner. The 28-1 Todd Pletcher trainee was a dedication play by several DSS workers who pooled their money together for a $20 WPS wager in honor of their late boss, DSS Commissioner - William "Bill" Cranker. It was a pleasure for me to return $364 in remembrance of him.

It made up for a rather disappointing day of wagering and also not seeing a Triple Crown winner for the 36 straight year. Now was the fun battle to make it back to the bus, before the last race at 8:12 with 102, 199 people trying to leave the facility. That was a trip in itself and the only negative of the day for me when I had to nearly walk from one side of the track, to the parking lot (Blue) behind the training track by the mile and an eighth chute. I really felt bad for the older folks who had to walk so far, NYRA needs to address this situation for the future. The bus got back on Cross Island Parkway at 10:15pm and the long ride home was finally on after a very long day. I enjoyed it, although it would have been nice to cash a few more tickets and see history made. But, I've learned my lesson in hoping for a Triple Crown winner and will sit out another trip to see it in person. I'll leave that to the younger folks, they can deal with the crowds and disappointing history results.