The final Saturday racing card of the 2013 Saratoga meet will be held tomorrow, and -- fittingly -- it will contain two of the best races of the meet; the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and the $500,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I). Both races have drawn deep, competitive fields, and should certainly be interesting from a handicapping perspective. But for many racing fans, the highlight of the day will not be handicapping these star-studded events -- it will be simply watching Paynter and Jackson Bend compete against all odds.
The stories of both horses have been well-documented during the last year. Paynter's battles with two life-threatening illnesses were remarkable not just because he recovered -- a miracle in and of itself -- but because he actually made it back to the races, an unprecedented outcome that would have been completely inconceivable one year ago. Yet here he is, about to make the third start of his comeback campaign, and favored against a top-notch Woodward field that includes Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Ron the Greek, two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Flat Out, Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Alpha, Whitney Handicap (gr. I) runner-up Successful Dan, and Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) runner-up Mucho Macho Man.
The presence of Jackson Bend in the Forego Stakes is equally remarkable. The now six-year-old veteran won the Forego in 2011, but suffered a frightening training accident in 2012 when a loose horse ran into him with such force that Jackson Bend was knocked to the ground, seemingly lifeless. But after a few minutes later, he got up -- none the worse for wear.
Well, not quite. Although Jackson Bend suffered no obvious injuries, outside of a swollen and sore back, his next start yielded a dull last-place finish in the 2012 Forego, after which his connections chose to retire him. Whether due to lingering effects of the accident, or from the mental shock of it, Jackson Bend just didn't seem to care for racing anymore.
Things changed during the winter. After Jackson Bend was deemed unsuitable for breeding due to the lingering effects of his accident, the stallion began a light exercise program, which progressed to the point where his zeal for running suddenly returned.
So what do you do with a stallion that wants to train and can't be bred? Why, you return him to the races!
Jackson Bend made his return in June of this year, finishing an even fifth in the Ponche Handicap at Calder Race Course. This was followed by an exceptional third-place finish in the prestigious Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II), in which Jackson Bend missed second place by just a nose to 2012 Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Trinniberg.
His most recent start yielded another third-place finish, this time in the Housebuster Stakes at Gulfstream Park. As a result, Jackson Bend is going to be a bit of a longshot in the Forego. He has not won a race since April 2012, his last effort was fairly unremarkable, and he will be facing some very good sprinters on Saturday, including Fast Bullet, Justin Phillip, and Sage Valley. But the simple fact that Jackson Bend is entered in the race makes this year's edition of the Forego extra special.
Win or lose, it doesn't matter. Paynter and Jackson Bend are already winners just for being here, and even if they both finish last, it will do nothing to dampen the spirits of those who appreciate just the chance to see these horses race again.
-Keelerman
Friday, August 30, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Travers Recap: Palace Malice may have been best
The results of the Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga yesterday afternoon did little to sort out the muddled three-year-old division, which has been desperately searching for a leader ever since three different horses won the three Triple Crown races.
The victory by Will Take Charge put him square in the mix, for although he was sent off at 9-1, his credentials are fairly good -- he also won the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park during the winter, and one more major victory would make him an interesting contender for division honors.
That said, I came away from the Travers with the impression that Palace Malice was the best horse in the race -- and perhaps by a wide margin.
Palace Malice got the kind of trip that doesn't look particularly bad on first viewing, but which becomes worse and worse upon further scrutiny. After stumbling at the start, Palace Malice found himself in last place early on, a position that was surely uncomfortable for the usually speedy colt. This change in running style also resulted in Palace Malice being caught very wide throughout the race. That's why I give him a ton of credit for rallying in the stretch to finish fourth, beaten just three-quarters of a length. This performance becomes even more impressive when one realizes that the final quarter-mile was run in a respectable :25 1/5, during which Palace Malice made up just over four lengths. That puts Palace Malice's personal final quarter time at about :24 2/5, a very good clocking indeed.
It is my belief that had Palace Malice broken more alertly, he would have settled into third or fourth place early on, just behind Verrazano, and pounced on the far turn to take command of the race. From there, I think he would have had enough in the tank to put away Moreno and Orb and win in clear-cut fashion.
Of course, this is all just speculation. But with Palace Malice scheduled to make his next start in the ten-furlong Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), over the same Belmont oval upon which he won the Belmont Stakes, I must say that I honestly believe he is capable of beating his elders under those circumstances. I firmly believe that he is the best colt of his generation.
Now -- having said all that, I'd like to give some credit to Will Take Charge, Moreno, and Orb, the threesome who beat Palace Malice to the Travers finish line. Will Take Charge has come a long way since finishing last in the 2012 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II), and his late-running win in the Travers was vindication of trainer D. Wayne Lukas' belief that Will Take Charge was capable of running with the best of his crop. After being beaten double-digit lengths in all three Triple Crown races, it would have been understandable had Lukas sent him to the Ohio Derby, or some similar race at a smaller track. But Lukas persevered, removed his colt's blinkers, and watched as Will Take Charged blossomed to finish second in the Jim Dandy and win the Travers.
Moreno also turned in an exceptional performance, lulling his rivals to sleep through fractions of :48.88 and 1:13.43, turning back a stern mid-stretch challenge from Orb, and just falling to defeat in the final stride of the race. He will shorten up in distance next time out for the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), where he looms as the early and solid favorite to win.
Orb, making his first start since the Belmont Stakes, ran a much-improved race this time out, settling into fourth-place early on before slipping through an opening along the rail to grab the lead in midstretch. True, he did flatten out a bit in deep stretch, but this was a very good performance for the Kentucky Derby winner, who seems to be returning to peak form after sub-par efforts in the Preakness and Belmont.
I would also like to take a moment to mention Verrazano, who failed to fire as the favorite and wound up finishing seventh. Some will claim that this proves his inability to successfully negotiate ten furlongs, but I don't see it that way at all. If Verrazano was beaten by the distance, and only by the distance, he should have been in contention at least to the eighth pole, the supposed limit of his distance capabilities. Furthermore, it wasn't like he was tracking a taxing pace that would tire him out -- three-quarters in 1:13.43 should have left Verrazano with plenty of stamina for the final furlongs. Instead, Verrazano never looked like a win contender at any point in the race, and dropped out of contention as soon as the real running began. Something else was bothering Verrazano yesterday, and I would expect him to return to form next time out.
-Keelerman
The victory by Will Take Charge put him square in the mix, for although he was sent off at 9-1, his credentials are fairly good -- he also won the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park during the winter, and one more major victory would make him an interesting contender for division honors.
That said, I came away from the Travers with the impression that Palace Malice was the best horse in the race -- and perhaps by a wide margin.
Palace Malice got the kind of trip that doesn't look particularly bad on first viewing, but which becomes worse and worse upon further scrutiny. After stumbling at the start, Palace Malice found himself in last place early on, a position that was surely uncomfortable for the usually speedy colt. This change in running style also resulted in Palace Malice being caught very wide throughout the race. That's why I give him a ton of credit for rallying in the stretch to finish fourth, beaten just three-quarters of a length. This performance becomes even more impressive when one realizes that the final quarter-mile was run in a respectable :25 1/5, during which Palace Malice made up just over four lengths. That puts Palace Malice's personal final quarter time at about :24 2/5, a very good clocking indeed.
It is my belief that had Palace Malice broken more alertly, he would have settled into third or fourth place early on, just behind Verrazano, and pounced on the far turn to take command of the race. From there, I think he would have had enough in the tank to put away Moreno and Orb and win in clear-cut fashion.
Of course, this is all just speculation. But with Palace Malice scheduled to make his next start in the ten-furlong Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), over the same Belmont oval upon which he won the Belmont Stakes, I must say that I honestly believe he is capable of beating his elders under those circumstances. I firmly believe that he is the best colt of his generation.
Now -- having said all that, I'd like to give some credit to Will Take Charge, Moreno, and Orb, the threesome who beat Palace Malice to the Travers finish line. Will Take Charge has come a long way since finishing last in the 2012 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II), and his late-running win in the Travers was vindication of trainer D. Wayne Lukas' belief that Will Take Charge was capable of running with the best of his crop. After being beaten double-digit lengths in all three Triple Crown races, it would have been understandable had Lukas sent him to the Ohio Derby, or some similar race at a smaller track. But Lukas persevered, removed his colt's blinkers, and watched as Will Take Charged blossomed to finish second in the Jim Dandy and win the Travers.
Moreno also turned in an exceptional performance, lulling his rivals to sleep through fractions of :48.88 and 1:13.43, turning back a stern mid-stretch challenge from Orb, and just falling to defeat in the final stride of the race. He will shorten up in distance next time out for the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), where he looms as the early and solid favorite to win.
Orb, making his first start since the Belmont Stakes, ran a much-improved race this time out, settling into fourth-place early on before slipping through an opening along the rail to grab the lead in midstretch. True, he did flatten out a bit in deep stretch, but this was a very good performance for the Kentucky Derby winner, who seems to be returning to peak form after sub-par efforts in the Preakness and Belmont.
I would also like to take a moment to mention Verrazano, who failed to fire as the favorite and wound up finishing seventh. Some will claim that this proves his inability to successfully negotiate ten furlongs, but I don't see it that way at all. If Verrazano was beaten by the distance, and only by the distance, he should have been in contention at least to the eighth pole, the supposed limit of his distance capabilities. Furthermore, it wasn't like he was tracking a taxing pace that would tire him out -- three-quarters in 1:13.43 should have left Verrazano with plenty of stamina for the final furlongs. Instead, Verrazano never looked like a win contender at any point in the race, and dropped out of contention as soon as the real running began. Something else was bothering Verrazano yesterday, and I would expect him to return to form next time out.
-Keelerman
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Ballston Spa Handicap: Laughing looms as a standout selection
In today's Ballston Spa Handicap (gr. II) at Saratoga, a 1 1/16th miles turf race for fillies and mares, I believe that Laughing is an absolute standout to win. I have been a fan of Laughing ever since she arrived in the United States nearly two years ago, and watched with frustration through 2012 as she managed to win only the Matchmaker Stakes (gr. III) and an allowance race, despite the vast potential I felt she had.
This year, the story has been different. Laughing seems to have put it all together, and is 2-for-2 thus far this year, with victories in the Eatontown Handicap (gr. III) and Diana Stakes (gr. I). In the Diana, she beat Dream Peace and Stephanie's Kitten, arguably two of the best female turf horses in the country. So why is she only the third choice in the Ballston Spa Handicap?
One reason may be that she was the lone speed in the Diana, and capitalized on that advantage to win by a diminishing head. This may be true, but what's to stop Laughing from getting another moderate pace again? Of the eight horses in the field, she and Pianist are the only two to have shown any real interest in having the early lead, and I just can't envision them getting into a speed duel. Furthermore, I don't believe that Laughing needs a slow pace to be successful, nor do I believe she is a one-dimensional front-runner. Check out her victory in the Eatontown Handicap two starts back -- look at the way she chased Dayatthespa through that blazing :22.84-second third quarter, and still wore her down to win by three-quarters of a length -- all while making her first start in eight months!
There's one other thing I'd like to mention. In the Diana, Laughing's opening half-mile may have been a moderate :49.19, but from that point to the finish, she ran faster with every passing furlong. Her third quarter elapsed in :23.34, her fourth quarter in :23.27, and her final furlong in a blazing :11.44. In my opinion, this ability to accelerate that powerfully off of a moderate pace, coupled with her tactical ability to run faster early on if necessary, makes Laughing a standout in the Ballston Spa Handicap.
-Keelerman
This year, the story has been different. Laughing seems to have put it all together, and is 2-for-2 thus far this year, with victories in the Eatontown Handicap (gr. III) and Diana Stakes (gr. I). In the Diana, she beat Dream Peace and Stephanie's Kitten, arguably two of the best female turf horses in the country. So why is she only the third choice in the Ballston Spa Handicap?
One reason may be that she was the lone speed in the Diana, and capitalized on that advantage to win by a diminishing head. This may be true, but what's to stop Laughing from getting another moderate pace again? Of the eight horses in the field, she and Pianist are the only two to have shown any real interest in having the early lead, and I just can't envision them getting into a speed duel. Furthermore, I don't believe that Laughing needs a slow pace to be successful, nor do I believe she is a one-dimensional front-runner. Check out her victory in the Eatontown Handicap two starts back -- look at the way she chased Dayatthespa through that blazing :22.84-second third quarter, and still wore her down to win by three-quarters of a length -- all while making her first start in eight months!
There's one other thing I'd like to mention. In the Diana, Laughing's opening half-mile may have been a moderate :49.19, but from that point to the finish, she ran faster with every passing furlong. Her third quarter elapsed in :23.34, her fourth quarter in :23.27, and her final furlong in a blazing :11.44. In my opinion, this ability to accelerate that powerfully off of a moderate pace, coupled with her tactical ability to run faster early on if necessary, makes Laughing a standout in the Ballston Spa Handicap.
-Keelerman
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Princess of Sylmar, Fiftyshadesofhay battle for division leadership in Alabama
Princess of Sylmar and Fiftyshadesofhay, arguably the two leading three-year-old fillies in the country, are set to square off for division leadership in Saturday's $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
Princess of Sylmar is the current leader of the sophomore fillies, having won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I), Busher Stakes, and Busanda Stakes this season. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by King of Prussia Stable, a victory in the prestigious Alabama would virtually assure Princess of Sylmar the Eclipse award as champion of her division, regardless of what happens during the remainder of the year.
But standing in Princess of Sylmar's way will be Fiftyshadesofhay, a well-traveled filly from the barn of Bob Baffert. After winning the Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) in January, Fiftyshadesofhay placed in both the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) and Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) at Santa Anita, then powered to impressive victories in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) and Iowa Oaks (gr. III). True, she has not yet won a grade I race, but victory in the Alabama would remedy that, and set her up for a late-season run at the division title.
The other four Alabama entrants would need to step up in a major way to contend against the top two contenders. Tell a Great Story has won three of six starts, including the Go For Wand Stakes at Delaware Park, but could only manage a third-place finish in the Delaware Oaks (gr. II) last time out. Montana Native was impressive in winning the Broom Dance Stakes at Saratoga last month, but is taking a large step up in class. Galloping Giraffe has only one victory to her credit, in a maiden claiming race, but finished a strong second in a nine-furlong allowance race here at Saratoga last month and could be coming on strongly at the finish. Lastly, there is Carnival Court, who has won two of her three starts, including a one-mile allowance race at Belmont last time out.
PP/Horse/Jockey
1 Tell a Great Story/Junior Alvarado
2 Montana Native/Junior Alvarado
3 Galloping Giraffe/Rajiv Maragh
4 Princess of Sylmar/Javier Castellano
5 Carnival Court/Irad Ortiz, Jr.
6 Fiftyshadesofhay/John Velazquez
-Keelerman
Princess of Sylmar is the current leader of the sophomore fillies, having won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I), Busher Stakes, and Busanda Stakes this season. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by King of Prussia Stable, a victory in the prestigious Alabama would virtually assure Princess of Sylmar the Eclipse award as champion of her division, regardless of what happens during the remainder of the year.
But standing in Princess of Sylmar's way will be Fiftyshadesofhay, a well-traveled filly from the barn of Bob Baffert. After winning the Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) in January, Fiftyshadesofhay placed in both the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) and Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) at Santa Anita, then powered to impressive victories in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) and Iowa Oaks (gr. III). True, she has not yet won a grade I race, but victory in the Alabama would remedy that, and set her up for a late-season run at the division title.
The other four Alabama entrants would need to step up in a major way to contend against the top two contenders. Tell a Great Story has won three of six starts, including the Go For Wand Stakes at Delaware Park, but could only manage a third-place finish in the Delaware Oaks (gr. II) last time out. Montana Native was impressive in winning the Broom Dance Stakes at Saratoga last month, but is taking a large step up in class. Galloping Giraffe has only one victory to her credit, in a maiden claiming race, but finished a strong second in a nine-furlong allowance race here at Saratoga last month and could be coming on strongly at the finish. Lastly, there is Carnival Court, who has won two of her three starts, including a one-mile allowance race at Belmont last time out.
PP/Horse/Jockey
1 Tell a Great Story/Junior Alvarado
2 Montana Native/Junior Alvarado
3 Galloping Giraffe/Rajiv Maragh
4 Princess of Sylmar/Javier Castellano
5 Carnival Court/Irad Ortiz, Jr.
6 Fiftyshadesofhay/John Velazquez
-Keelerman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)