Saratoga Notebook: August 14th, 2014
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Mitchell Friedman did something all Saratoga trainers would
envy Thursday at The Spa, as his charges ran 1-2 in the day’s feature race.
Carameaway recorded her first victory in more than a year in
the $100,000 Saratoga Dew. She stalked second choice Easy Living through
moderately fast fractions before assuming command around the far turn, and
while she made short work of the field from there, stablemate Dreaming of Cara
rallied for second money.
The win was Friedman’s first of the meet, and it was the fourth
triumph in 22 career starts for the 4-year-old filly by Lawyer Ron. Meanwhile,
Get Gorgeous stalked the early fractions and held third, while Tahoe Tigress,
who went off the even-money favorite, was never a factor.
- It’s difficult to quantify how much the best Schoodic was
in the opener, the Michael Walsh Novice Stakes at 2 3/8 miles over fences. Last
seen leaving the course earlier this meet, the 4-year-old gelding spotted the
field 10 or so lengths at the start.
Fortunately for the Jack Fisher trainee, though, there was
plenty of ground to cover. Jockey Paddy Young slowly moved the son of Tiznow
into contention and navigated around two horses who did not finish (one dumped
the jockey, the other fell going down the backstretch). When the field turned
for home, Schoodic dashed clear and cruised to the wire clear by four lengths.
It’s the fourth win in six starts over fences for the
gelding, and his second win in four starts this season. 9/5 favorite Address
Unknown completed the exacta, but suffered the first defeat of his young
steeplechase career.
- When the gates were sprung in Friday’s fifth race, Bar of
Gold looked more like fool’s gold. The first-time starter by Medaglia d’Oro
broke very slowly in the 5 ½-furlong affair, but an expert ride by Junior
Alvarado saw the filly slowly maneuver through the field.
After advancing into contention at the top of the lane, the
John Kimmel trainee dove to the rail in mid-stretch. She assumed command with
less than a furlong to go and held off 18-1 longshot Irish Heroine, prevailing
by a half-length.
A New York-bred, Bar of Gold sported several sharp
four-furlong workouts at The Spa in recent weeks. Out of the Lemon Drop Kid
filly Khancord Kid, she’s a Chester and Mary Broman homebred.
-
Blofeld was bet like he couldn’t lose the sixth race. He
didn’t, but it was far from easy.
The Todd Pletcher firster was bet down to 1/2 in the field
of five, but he didn’t break best of all. Signature Cat caught a flyer out of
the gate and spurted clear by several lengths entering the turn, forcing
Blofeld to rate in second.
However, the son of Quality Road gained ground at the top of
the stretch. Despite being a bit tough to handle in the race’s penultimate
furlong, Blofeld eventually caught and passed Signature Cat, who had to settle
for a strong second-place finish.
A $225,000 auction purchase earlier this year, Blofeld is
out of the Storm Cat mare Storm Minstrel. He’s owned by Glencrest Farm and JSM
Equine.
- Saratoga Hijinks: Unlike Wednesday, when spirits were
dampened by a pretty bad series of storms, Thursday brought several instances
of laughter, highlighted early by a maintenance worker in the infield chasing a
goose with help of a ladder. This is high comedy when seen from the press box.
Additionally, while local harness racing fans are captivated
by the presence of Foiled Again (who will run in Saturday night’s feature
across the street), the real news for the standardbred folks is that Tom Durkin
has a horse aiming to trot in next Wednesday’s opener at Saratoga Casino and
Raceway. I cannot name said horse, as it’s an Italian expression I cannot
spell, but if past outings are any indication, Durkin’s outfit that night will
be must-see TV.
C2 Racing Stable and Gary Barber issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the post-parade scratch of White Abarrio...
The Grade 3 Mother Goose Stakes on Saturday at Aqueduct is a competitive matchup between established Grade 1...
This week's Prospect Watch showcases young horses with elite bloodlines making their debuts and early career starts across...
While most attention was on the Breeders' Cup last week, several horses got their first wins in impressive...
The Triple Crown Tracker checks in with the horses who raced in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and...