Friday, August 03, 2012

The Juveniles at Saratoga -- August 1-2, 2012

Two more juveniles races, two more strong efforts from Todd Pletcher-trainees, including a very promising debut from the Indian Charlie filly Corail, who looks like a future stakes competitor to me.

August 1st

Race 5: Maiden Special Weight
5-1/2 furlongs for 2yos

Corail was the odds-on favorite for Pletcher and owners Wertheimer and Frere. With John Velazquez in the saddle, Corail broke on top from post position three and went straight to the lead, setting a moderately quick pace of :23.16 and :46.76 before accelerating in good fashion to win by a decisive 3 1/2 lengths, running her final three-sixteenths of a mile in the strong time of :17.76. Liquid Lunch raced second throughout under Jose Lezcano, but couldn't keep up with the winner inside the final eighth. Graceful Rage tracked the leaders in third before tiring in the stretch, but did hang on to secure third. Zazz showed some speed for trainer Michael Matz, but gave way to finish seventh.

August 2nd

Race 11: Maiden Special Weight
1 1/16th miles on the turf for New York-bred 2yos

Pletcher's entrant in this race was Notacatbutallama, a first-time starter with John Velazquez aboard. The colt ran well but greenly, tracking the early leaders from fourth through fractions of :48.68 and 1:13.41 before encountering a bit of traffic in the homestretch. However, he did finish up strongly enough to nab second from Holy Endeavor, who set the pace from the start before tiring to finish third. In the end, the winner was Archer Hill, a first-timer starter from the barn of Lisa Lewis that rallied from well off the pace to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The son of Big Brown really looked great in victory, and finished under a hand ride, so a good effort in one or more of the juvenile turf stakes races coming up later in the year would not be surprising.

-Keelerman

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