American Pharoah & Saratoga success highlight the 2015 season ........ hard act to follow for next year

With this being the second to last column of 2015, I thought we would look back at this banner year for the sport and if the year can be duplicated in 2016. Needless to say, the world of thoroughbred racing in 2015 was one for the record books. We had the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. The excitement started in March when the two year old champion of 2014; American Pharoah made his three year old debut at Oaklawn Park. It began a journey that would have the racing world mesmerized straight through the end of summer.

Winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes was one thing that several other horses had accomplished since the last Triple Crown winner. But, none had done the "hat trick" of winning all three. The first leg was the toughest and most impressive of his quest for the crown, the Kentucky Derby. In this race, he proved to be the goods with a workman like victory in the toughest of the Triple Crown races. In Preakness, he got the sloppy track he loves and relished it with a impressive victory. Two down, one to go and thirty seven years in the waiting!

The Belmont Stakes , the "test of champions" was just that with a tour de force and a unchallenged victory. It couldn't be easier for this son of Pioneer of the Nile, completing the three race test. After a minor hiccup at Saratoga in the Travers Stakes, he ended his racing career much like he won the Triple Crown. A uncontested win in the Breeder's Cup Classic and becoming the first "Grand Slam" winner of thoroughbred racing.

American Pharoah will be a very tough act to follow for this year and years to come. There isn't a stick out two year old so far this season and a runner will need to get on a roll to match American Pharoah. But then again, American Pharoah had it easy from early Fall to late winter and still pulled off history. It will take a lot to capture the masses who do not follow thoroughbred racing if the Kentucky Derby winner of 2016, doesn't win the second leg of the Triple Crown. I think it's a longshot if any horse comes even close to what American Pharoah accomplished in 2015, this upcoming year.

With what American Pharoah achieved on track and his appearance at the greatest racing venue in the world; Saratoga, it made it a banner season for NYRA's crown jewel track. The 40 days of Saratoga in 2015 may have been the best ever. The anticipation of a Triple Crown winner appearing there and great stakes racing were just two of the keys in Saratoga being the place to be this summer. But more so, the beautiful summer weather we endured here in upstate New York played a huge part. This was the biggest factor of success that may put the association in the "black" this year.

But, this year's home run for NYRA may not be duplicated if the weather and lack of any real thoroughbred superstar doesn't materialize in 2016. The golden goose is always the Saratoga meet. But the numbers from 2015 may be a once in a lifetime thing. Racing needed a year like this year for the sport. Whether it brought new fans to the sport or not is debatable. I wonder sometimes if thoroughbred racing didn't have the story of American Pharoah this year, would we just go through a year where the sport was carried by the hardcore, everyday players. After all, from now until early spring, horse racing will be regulated to just that; the everyday, hardcore players. I know I'll be doing my part in supporting the sport until the Triple Crown races this spring...... will you?

On top of the world, one moment ...... out the door the next.

Next to American Pharoah, the biggest story from this year's Breeder's Cup was the feel good story of trainer Maria Borell and her horse; Runhappy. The story began in mid August and the colt's rise to prominence two weeks ago was tempered only 24 hours later, when the fairytale story took an abrupt change.

When handicapping the Travers day race card during Saratoga, I saw an entry in the grade I - King's Bishop Stakes that got my attention. This three year old sprint race was loaded with many interesting runners and while going over the past performances, I recognized a name. There was a lightly raced colt who ran two huge races at Indiana Downs and Ellis Park and he earned two monster Beyer speed figures. I saw the name of the trainer and it rang a bell with me. Six year's ago when I first joined Facebook, I received a friend request from racing fan from the Syracuse area, who was also involved breeding horses and training them. That person was Maria Borell, the trainer of this impressive runner.

While stepping up in class, Runhappy showed his brilliant speed and was victorious in the grade I race at 11-1. Not only did his win give Maria her first stakes victory, it was the only runner in her barn. Maria, who has been a licensed trainer since 2013 had never had a victory, that was until Runhappy. This son of Super Saver has been everything to Maria, which has been chronicled on her Facebook page and throughout the thoroughbred world on the internet. After winning the King's Bishop, he followed that up at Keeneland with another sprint stakes victory and it was on to the Breeder's Cup Sprint.

Maria had made the "big time" with this horse and even was highlighted with an interview piece on NBC just before the race. In the race, Runhappy was made the favorite and he did not disappoint. While not showing his usual front end speed, he came slightly off the pace and found the winner's circle and giving Maria Borell the biggest day of her life. This thirty two year old naive of Syracuse, that relocated to Kentucky did something few trainers have ever achieved, take one horse and become a household name.

Happy smiles were all in the winner's circle from the connections, especially Maria. But there was one face that didn't look that joyful. That was from the sister in-law and former trainer of Runhappy; Laura Wohlers. Wohlers trained Runhappy in his first two career starts and then the horse was transferred to Maria. It was Maria who took this horse to the top of his game. But less than 24 hours later, Runhappy was no longer under the care of Maria Borell.

Owner James McIngvale informed Maria that Runhappy would be turned over to Wohlers immediately and the joy of less than 24 hours would turn into sadness. No reason was given for the change in trainers and rumors were abound. The racing world was shocked as much as Maria, having Runhappy taken away from her. A few days later, Maria made a statement to the press and at first echoed the sentiments that McIingvale said; it was a mutual agreement that she would part ways with the horse. But, soon the truth would come out and it was anything but mutual.

She has filed a lawsuit against McIngvales's stable for money owed to her from Runhappy's victory in the Sprint, breach of contract and defamation of character. As of the writing of this column, she has not been paid any of the money from Runhappy's Breeder's Cup victory. The feel good story of Runhappy and Maria Borell didn't have a happy ending. The racing world has embraced Maria Borell and defended her, while the villains are the McIngvales for their actions. This story is far from over and the unfortunate thing is that the bond between Runhappy and Maria Borell is no more. This is the sad result of owners who don't know when they have it good, with winning results. Unfortunately, blood is thicker than water.

The perfect Hollywood script ........ and can't make this stuff up!

Some may call it a "fairytale ending", a glimpse of greatness we have not seen in decades. A thoroughbred who captured the minds and hearts of the American public. One horse who accomplished something no other has done since the heyday of the sport over 35+ years ago. Yes, it's been that type of season for one, American Pharoah. And the masses have been pumped up!

I cannot added much more than what this horse has done the past six months. Revitalizing horse racing to new levels. Other than his little "hiccup" in the Travers at Saratoga, he did everything right. All the people around him, also did everything right with campaign of this animal. But most of all, the racing gods were on this horse's side in two of his "life alternating" races that changed the face of the sport. Those were the Belmont Stakes and Breeder's Cup Classic. There is no doubt in my mind that, these two races had a perfect scripted Hollywood ending.

You can't deny what this horse has done on the track, his efforts and results speak for them self. But, you also can't deny that American Pharoah had it his own way not once, but twice in the two biggest races of his career. He worked hard to earn his Kentucky Derby win, he relished the "off going" in the Preakness Stakes and was victorious. But in the Travers Stakes, he was pushed and came up short. The key word here is; "pushed", made to work in his effort that day. But, when it came to completing his Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes, everything went his way. Once again this past Saturday afternoon in the Breeder's Cup Classic, it was " Deja Vu all over again!"

If a horse with the talent of American Pharoah is allowed to set his own race fractions and not be pushed by other runners, 99% of the time that horse will win! There is no denying that in the Belmont Stakes, he had everything his way going the marathon distance of a mile and a half. No other three year old male has been in the same class as he this year. In the Travers though, Frosted made him work just a wee bit and the results showed it was just enough for him to be defeated.

But, in the Breeder's Cup Classic it wasn't going to happen again. The whole completion of the race, set up for him to show his greatness. Here are the examples; the choice of the speedy Liam's Map to race in the Breeder's Cup Mile the day before. Yes, this older more seasoned runner at the top of his game would have given American Pharoah a target to chase and just may have made him work more going the mile and quarter. The mare; Beholder who has a similar racing style to American Pharoah, would have added to the mix if she didn't declare from the race a few days before. These two major defections from this race, gave the green light for American Pharoah to do his thing without any competition.

And we know, the rest is history and the fairytale ending is completed. But, I truly believe that if things were different in both races and the competition engaged Pharaoh like he was in the Travers, this great horse possibly would not be dubbed the "greatest" horse in our lifetime. Only speculation on my part and I've taken a lot of heat for my stance. American Pharoah came along at the right time and was the right horse. His talents showed that on the track. But we as handicappers and students of the sport, tend to analysis things more. We do it with horses that win races. American Pharaoh is no different in my opinion. While I agree that he changed the sport in 2015, it would have been interesting if his two biggest races of his career, which altered history, were more like his Travers race and he had to work for that victory. That we'll never know!

N.Y. bred Showcase Day III ~ Belmont Park

Today is New York bred Showcase Day at Belmont Park, the third of these race cards solely for registered N.Y. bred horses. This event has been hosted for over twenty years and was the catalyst for many other exclusive state bred racing days throughout the country. Many of the horses entered today are well known at NYRA and may have raced in the two other showcase days that were held at Belmont in late May and Saratoga in August.

Nine two year old colts racing a flat mile on dirt are going in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes (2nd) to start the stakes action off. The two morning line favorites seem to stick out in this group; Get Jets (#4) and Sudden Surprise (#6) have running one/two in a seven furlong stakes race for statebreds here on September 27th. We'll key these two in the top spots and use underneath in triples and superfectas : Forever in Love (#1) - Celtic Chaos (#3) - Inside Straight (#5).

Older statebred sprinters goes six and a half furlongs in the Hudson Handicap (3rd). Once again, a full field is assembled with the morning line favorite; Palace (#9) possibly scratching for next week's Breeder's Cup Sprint at Keeneland. With that said, I'll past on him in today's play and not include him in my selections. The Mike Hushion trained uncoupled entry are my top two selections; Loki's Vengeance (#1) and Captain Serious (#2) , both have shown capability in these statebred sprint stakes and are a juicy 6-1 & 8-1 on the morning line. I'll boxed these two and use underneath in my exotics : Ostrolenka (#5) - Noble Cornerstone (#7) - John's Island (#8).

It's the filly and mares turn next up in the Iroquois Stakes (4th) going the same distance. Once again here, the morning line favorite; La Verdad (#9) is pre-entered in the Breeder's Cup Filly & Mare Sprint next week. She is the best in here at 3-5, but again I'll leave her out, on the assumption she races next weekend. Just like in the Hudson Handicap, the race is wide open without these major players. Willet (#5) and Tricky Zippy (#8) both drop from open company stakes and have run well in the past versus statebred stakes company, they are my top two picks. The triple and superfecta players will be : Women Win (#2) - Isabelle (#3) - Hot City Girl (#7).

The formerly featured race of the today, the Empire Classic (#5) is now midway through the card and ends the early pick 4 stakes play. This route race for older males has been the staple for showcasing the top NY bred runners of the year. We have a wide open field with questions who will get the mile and eighth distance over the Belmont racing surface of one turn. The lukewarm morning line favorite; Saratoga Snacks (#3) and out-of-town "new face"; Warrioroftheroses (#9) are my top two selections. Underneath these two, I'll be using : Beyond Empire (#3) - Good Luck Gus (#4) - Royal Posse (#5).

We head to the turf for the first of two grass races on today's stakes card, the Mohawk Stakes (7th) going a mile and a sixteenth on the weeds with the usual cast of characters in these type races. Kharafa (#3) was a solid winner of the Ashley T. Cole Handicap going a bit longer for these state breds and the favorite in that same race; Lubash (#6) who disappointed, are my top two picks today again. Underneath players are Runaway Posse (#1) - Iron Power (#2) - Notacatbutallama (#5).

The late pick three finishes off the stakes action today (races #9 thru #11) with the filly two year old counterpart to the Sleepy Hollow Stakes, the Maid of the Mist Stakes (#9) going the same distance with an overflow field of 12 runners. She's All Ready (#10) drops back to statebred company and has a solid class edge over this group. She's my top pick along with Trappe Play (#1) who broke her maiden first out at 13-1 and draws the rail. Underneath my top two picks : Frosty Margarita (#3) - Melodic (#5) - Super Surprise (#7) the beaten favorite in the Joseph Gimma prep race for this.

The Empire Distaff (10th) are the gals equivalent to the Empire Classic, going a sixteenth of a mile less though. Hot Stones (#8) tired versus grade I open company in last start, back versus statebreds which she had dominated in her two previous starts. She gets the top pick, along with Wonder Gal (#9) who returns versus NY breds for the first time since her last victory as a two year old in July of 2014. With these two, I'll be using : Tahoe Tigeress (#1) - Temper Mint Patty (#5) - Jc's Shooting Star (#7).

The day wraps up on the grass with the ladies in the Ticonderoga Stakes (#11). Discreet Marq (#5) failed as the favorite last time out at the Saratoga NY bred showcase day, makes amends today on class alone with the "in form" Neck of the Moon (#2) who's on a roll and faces stakes company for the first time. Wide open underneath as most all these races are today ; Selenite (#3) - Swear By It (#8) - The Tea Cups (#10) are the runners I'll use in triple and superfecta slots. Today, is a good day to pad your phone-a-bet account for next week's championship day in racing at Keeneland. Good luck!

The Breeder's Cup & NYRA

We mention last week that this year's Breeder's Cup World Championships would be at a new, different venue. For the first time since Monmouth Park in 2007, the two day event was being held somewhere else other than Santa Anita Park or Churchill Downs. It's the first time for Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington Kentucky and in 2017, the event will be held at Del Mar Racecourse in California. But, conspicuously by it's absence for over a decade is the event being held in New York.

The original rotation from 1984 to 1995, the Breeder's Cup was held at California, New York and Florida based tracks only. In 1996, it was held at the first new venue other than the three original states. Also, it was the first and only time held outside the Untied States at Woodbine Racetrack in Canada. During that next ten year span, courses like Arlington Park, Lone Star Park and Monmouth Park were added. But, it has been ten years since the two day festival of championship races has appeared at a NYRA based track.

There were five year internals where the Breeder's Cup was conducted in New York. The first was in year two of the event, at Aqueduct in 1985. Then five years later, the first time at Belmont Park in 1990. That was twenty five years ago this month and it was the first Breeder's Cup I attended. One word could sum up that day, COLD! It would be every five years after that (1995, 2001, 2005) with the exception of 2001 that the race would be on this rotation of sites. But since 2005 the last time it was here, the Breeder's Cup World Championships organization has ignored the NYRA racing venue.

There are two factors that stick out why the event is no longer conducted here in New York. The first is a lame excuse that has out lived it's usefulness, in my opinion. The upheaval within the racing organization the last several years This has been a excuse used by Breeder's Cup Ltd. in the past why they overlook having the event here in New York. It's gotten to the point in the last few years that NYRA hasn't even applied to be considered hosting the two day event. Whatever transpired a decade ago with NYRA is done and over with and the Breeder's Cup should give a shot having the event here in New York. But, the main and biggest reason that it's not here anymore is because of the weather.

It was a damp dreary day in 1985 with the temperature at 54 degrees when the event was held at Aqueduct on November 2nd in it's second running. Five years later in 1990, it was sunny with a brisk wind and a cold 43 degrees on October 27, a week early than 1985. In 1995, the post times were earlier because of a conflict with the NBC broadcast and Notre Dame football. It was 66 degrees that day, but it had rained the night before and there was moisture in the track. The 2001 edition was surreal because it was held only a few weeks removed from the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It was a cool crisp 50 degrees that day and I spent most of it inside the Belmont Park grandstand with my father. The last time the event was held there in 2005, the weather conditions were the same as four years before; 46 degrees and windy. With Belmont Park being an open-air facility, weather conditions play a big factor the last weekend of October. This is the main reason the Breeder's Cup isn't held in New York anymore.

With all this said, the purpose of having this event was to showcase championship caliber thoroughbreds across the many racetracks in this country. I guess the Breeder's Cup World Championship seems fit that New York does not fall under that criteria anymore. To me, this has taken away the flavor and usefulness of their mantra, "World Championships".

Breeder's Cup latest venue ...... KEENELAND

The 2015 edition of the Breeder's Cup World Championships deviates from the norm this year. After three straight years at Santa Anita Park and five of the last seven, the two day event is at Keeneland Racecourse for the first time. It will be a whole new ball game for wagering, not seen since the last time it was held at a new site. That was in 2007, the year it expanded to two days and at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Those two days were a turning point in where the event was held because of what transpired. After last weekend's weather, the result could be much like it was in 2007 unfortunately, if mother nature doesn't cooperate.

The weather was a major factor the first time it was held at this new east coast site eight year's ago. Late Fall weather in the northeast can be tricky and that year it was at Monmouth Park. There was pretty much non-stop rain from Friday afternoon until well into the Saturday card. Not the way Monmouth Park wanted it to be for the first time they were holding the Breeder's Cup. Top that off with it being the inaugural expansion of more races and having two days instead of one. It was a washout and one of the reasons that the move to Santa Anita was put in place. We've seen it too, that weather in Kentucky can be brutal this time of the year also.

When the races were held in Kentucky in the past, there were times that they too had off track conditions. This past weekend at Keeneland and New York, weather wasn't favorable and conditions not the best. With the possibly of inclement weather, the size of the Keeneland Racecourse facility for the attending fans, it could be very interesting. Keeneland isn't as large as most host tracks for this event. Much like what NYRA did for the Belmont Stakes and Travers this year, Breeder's Cup is limiting the amount of on-track patrons to the event with a cap on attendance. This is a factor only if you plan on going, but the weather will play a big role on the success of this year's Breeder's Cup Championship day, away from sunny Southern California.

Our handicapping segment this week looks at two turf races that may be affected weather again this week. In New York, the Knickerbocker Handicap (9th) a mile and eighth on the weeds and at Keeneland, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (9th) for three year old filly turf runners. While the New York is while open, in Kentucky a very sharp three year old filly sticks out over her rivals.

A field of 11 with one (MTO) is scheduled for the route event at Belmont Park which includes the winner from the previous year. I'm leaning toward the two inside horses as my top selections; Middleburg (#1) and Messi (#2) with the later coming off a bad effort going longer at Saratoga in his last start. I'll box these two in my exacta and use underneath; War Dancer (#7) - All Included (#10) - Mr. Speaker (#9). I'm leaving out last year's winner of this race; Legendary (#8).

At Keeneland, a soft turf may be at hand also in their featured event going the same distance as the Knickerbocker in New York. Here the outside filly is head and shoulders best over her competition. Sentiero Italia (#9) is two for two in stakes competition at this level and has been great in winning both those starts. She goes from the outside today and should set a good stalking trip. She's my top pick and underneath I'll use; Olorda (#6) - Blond Me (#7) - Miss Temple City (#3) and longshot - Return to Grace (#5).

SUPER SATURDAY II @ Belmont Park ~ superfectas / pick 4 / pick 6 plays

Today is round #2 of Belmont Park's Super Saturday Stakes action with prep races for the Breeder's Cup at Keeneland on October 30th and 31st. There are six stakes races today that encompass races five through ten. The Saturday pick six at Belmont, starts in the sixth and guaranteed pick four in the 7th race. With the success in two of my five superfecta box plays from Super Saturday I (Turf Classic Day) and three out of four in my stakes pick four play, we'll use the same format on the five stakes today with another pick four play and pick six play.

The Kelso Handicap (5th) starts things off for older males going a mile on dirt. The 3/5 favorite is my old friend; Honor Code (#2) who has become the top older male handicap older with his big effort in the Whitney Handicap. While he is turning back in distance, today in this race is a better spot that in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at a longer distance later on in the card. Hopefully, there will be enough speed leading the way for his late closing kick. My superfecta box play is : 2 with 4/5/6.

It's a battle of stateside versus European runners in the Flower Bowl Handicap (6th) for older filly & mares going a route distance on the turf. The North American runners have taken turns beating each other, so I'll go with the European class runner; Curvy (#8) who has four victories in nine career starts. This three year old faces older America foes for the first time and is a new face among distaff turf runners. She is my top pick and I'll use with her; 8 with 1/5/7.

The first of two races for two year olds is the Frizette Stakes (7th) with an evenly matched field of seven fillies. I'm taking a page from the last race and going with a European runner from a trainer who has done well in the past with first time stateside runners. Nemoralia (#3) is trained by Jeremy Noseda, whose claim to fame was with Wilko, who won at 28-1 over Afleet Alex in the 2004 edition of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile. This horse makes in dirt debut after wins on turf and polytrack across the pond. My superfecta box play is : 3 with 1/2/7.

The boys are up next in the Champagne Stakes (8th) with another evenly matched field. Going with a price here and my man Shug McGaughey who saddles, Sail Ahoy (#4) at 12-1 morning line odds. This regally bred Phipps runner has a victory at this mile distance over the Belmont strip (only one of two with a victory longer than a sprint). With this black & pink runner, I'll be using : 4 and 1/2/5.

Much like last weekend's three year old filly race on the weeds, the Hill Prince Stakes (9th) for the boys is wide open! The Japanese bred from the connections who campaigned Main Sequence to top turf eclipse honors is my top selection; Tale of Life (#11). In his stateside debut, he was victorious at Saratoga and steps up to stakes action today. With him, I'll use : 11 and 4/6/10.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup (10th) is a short, select field that is minus the two best older males on the east coast (Liam's Map & Honor Code) with that said, it's Tonalist (#6) race to lose. I can't go pass him and the superfecta play in this short field is: 6 with 1/3/4.

The all-stakes pick four wager today starts in the (7th) race and is : 1/2/3 (7th) with 4/5 (8th) with 11 (9th) and 6 (10th) = $3.00 for a fifty cent play. The pick six play starting in the (6th) is : 8 with 1/2/3 with 4 with 11 with 6 and ends in the (11th) with Life Imitates Life (#7) = $6.00 pick six wager.