The 2019 Travers Stakes (G1) is a bit more than a week away, and all the major preps have been run. There are a dozen horses seriously considering the mid-summer Derby at this stage. It promises to be the biggest horse racing event of the summer.
Check out my Travers video below! This week's video looks at the possible pace scenario for the mid-summer Derby.
Laughing Fox photo above courtesy of Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of my 3-year-old division reports on my Triple Crown 2019 page, and my daily full cards from Del Mar can be found on my Runaway Horse Salespage.
Fast main track and firm turf course. No front running winners on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at five panels, a closer at one mile, and two stalkers at one mile (rail at 24 feet).
Turf riding double for Flavien Prat. Training double for Leonard Powell.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $103,166, and one winning single jackpot ticket paid $373,586.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation payoff was $562.40.
August 7 Claims: Race 3 - Ack ($32k, Anna Meah), Soul Beam ($32k, Jorge Periban). Race 6 - Camino de Estrella ($12.5k, Mark Glatt), Crown the Kitten ($12.5k, Steve Knapp), Excavation ($10.5k, Jonathan Wong), Tiz Love ($12.5k, Steve Miyadi).
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Wednesday (8-7-19) DMR 1 Encoder/K P Indy Quinella ($19.60) DMR 4 RATTLE ($8.40) Double (races 3-4, $500.40) Pick 3 (races 2-4, $1,726.55) Double (races 4-5, $16.00) Pick 3 (races 3-5, $144.05) DMR 6 Crown the Kitten/For Him Quinella ($21.80), Superfecta ($15.85) Pick 3 (races 4-6, $9.20) SAR 9 Mr. Buff/Dynamax Prime Exacta ($8.30)
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Del Mar Recap for Thursday (8-8-19)
Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at five furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a closer at one mile, a front runner at five panels, and a front runner at 8.5 furlongs (rail at 24 feet).
Mark Glatt saddled two winners.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $46,731, and one winning single jackpot ticket paid $3,565.40. The 5 out of 6 consolation payoff was $28.00. The single ticket jackpot carryover stands at $5,348.
August 8 Claims: Race 2 - Moonshine Annie ($32k, Ed Moger Jr), Tog Tog ($32k, John Sadler). Race 3 - Fast Cotton ($16k, Brian Koriner). Race 5 - Aced ($25k, Vann Belvoir), Emtech ($25k, Steve Knapp).
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Thursday (8-8-19) DMR 2 PLAYA CHICA ($4.80), Trifecta ($7.80) Double (races 1-2, $10.40) DMR 5 ACED ($6.00), Trifecta ($18.10) Double (races 5-6, $18.20) DMR 7 SENORITA POWER ($3.80) Double (races 6-7, $13.40) Pick 3 (races 5-7, $8.50) You can read the rest of this article at The Runaway Horse
Week five of the 2019 Saratoga meet is officially in the books so let’s take a look at our weekly rewind:
Jockey Highlights: Jose Ortiz booted home seven more during the week and regains the top spot with 35 wins (22% Win, 54% ITM).Irad Ortiz won eight more and did run at Arlington on Saturday.He sits in second with 30 wins (21% Win, 55% ITM).Javier Castellano secured the third spot as he racked up five more wins and now has 22 for the meet.Luis Saez won four more and is now in fourth with 21.Joel Rosario and Jose Lezcano are tied in fifth with 18 wins apiece.Junior Alvarado follows with 15, then Ricardo Santana with 13, Tyler Gaffalione with 9 and Kendrick Carmouche and Manny Franco both have eight wins apiece.John Velazquez only got one home this week but still only have six-total for the meet (8% Win).
Trainer Highlights: Chad Brown retained the top trainer spot but only got home two winners during the weekf.He has 20 for the meet and 66% of his runners are hitting the board.Todd Pletcher got one winner during the week and is tied for second with Steve Asmussen (both have nine).Asmussen only had four wins entering the week but picked up five more and in route to his second place standing.Four trainers trail them with eight wins apiece: Bill Mott, Jeremiah Englehart, Jason Serivs, and Christophe Clement.Mark Casse, Danny Gargan, and Linda Rice follow with seven.
Course Highlights: We saw the track play fair for dirt sprints as horses set a variety of trips to find the winners circle.Dirt routes went back to strictly stalker and speed types so its safe to say this is probably the biggest trend we are seeing through the first five weeks.Only one closer won a turf sprint as all others were won by early speed / stalker types.We did see a couple closers win turf routes as well.
Notable Winners: Some horses to note are Gozilla who broke his maiden by four-and-a-half lengths in his first start for Steve Asmussen.The Zayat Stable-owned colt went 6F in 1:09.59 and sure looked professional as Ricardo Santana looked like he was driving a Corvette.Got Stormy came back off a seven-day layoff to beat the boys in the Gr. I Fourstardave.She was the first filly in history to do so and posted a course record for 8F in 1:32.00.Green Light Go looked great in the Gr. II Saratoga Special as he won by more than three lengths and crossed the wire in 1:15.68 for the 6.5F contest.Stretching out should not be a problem as he has the pedigree to handle more so this one should certainly be on everyone’s 2020 Kentucky Derby radar.
About Josh:
Originally from Upstate New York, Josh (also referred to as Dr. Atlas in racing circles) has been a long time follower and supporter of the "Sport of Kings".
Mr. Chicorelli worked for Horse Racing Nation and DerbyWars from 2011-2013 and has been a local at the Saratoga Race Course for over a decade. In his spare time, Josh writes handicapping articles and has worked part-time for the NYRA Bets Squad over the past two years.
Josh received his BS in New Media Marketing from RIT in 2011 and recently completed his Masters in Business Administration from RPI (May 2018).
Archidust figured to sit a nice outside stalking trip, and that is exactly what happened. Longshot Fully Loaded and Pyron showed the way early, and Archidust was in the right spot behind them. He pounced in the lane and rolled home by 3-lengths under Javier Castellano. Neverland Rock also stalked the pace ended up a clear 2nd. Pyron easily held 3rd, and Elektronic was along for 4th. The Black Album was next, followed by Fully Loaded, disappointing returnee Uncle Benny (stumbled badly start), and Dunph.
Evan Shipman Stakes Recap (8-7-19) - Winner: Mr. Buff ($3.20)
Mr. Buff loves a mile and an eighth and was just too good for these. He likes to set the pace but could not go with Sea Foam and Gio d’Oro. He tracked those two early, took over after six furlongs, and smartly pulled clear to win by 3-1/2 lengths. Dynamax Prime made a sustained inside run to finish a clear 2nd, and Winston’s Chance was best of the rest in a strung-out field. Sea Foam was well clear of the others in 4th, and Vincento, Gio d’Oro, Twisted Tom, and Evaluator trailed.
Saratoga Dew Stakes Recap (8-8-19) - Winner: Out of Orbit ($11.60)
Out of Orbit got to the front from the inside post as expected. The nine furlong distance was the main concern, but she had a very easy trip and had no intention of stopping. She was in complete control throughout and scored by 2-1/4 lengths under Luis Saez. Held Accountable outmaneuvered Lucky Move for the place, and Cartwheel was miles in front of trailers Turn and Bern and Fetching. You can read the rest of this article at The Runaway Horse
The 2019 Travers Stakes (G1) is still two weeks away, but all of the major preps have been run, and there are ten horses seriously considering the mid-summer Derby at this stage. It promises to be the biggest horse racing event of the summer, and it might have major implications on the 3-year-old title.
Check out my Travers video below! This week's video looks at the key prep races for the mid-summer Derby.
Saratoga Race Course photo above courtesy of Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of my 3-year-old division reports on my Triple Crown 2019 page, and my daily full cards from Del Mar can be found on my Runaway Horse Salespage.
NYSS Statute of Liberty Recap (7-31-19) - Winner: Kid Is Frosty ($5.20)
Subsidiary was supposed to be on or near the lead, but he was pinched at the start and never got involved. That allowed Kid Is Frosty to get a very easy front running trip is this flat mile state bred affair on good ground (inner turf course). He was never in danger of losing this race at any point, and he coasted home by three lengths under Irad Ortiz Jr. Post time favorite Niko’s Dream needed pace help and did not get it. He took up chasing duties for the second half of the race and was clearly second best in a solid effort. Sterling Beauty was an even 3rd, and following him across the line were Rosselini, Dancing Slippers, Bangle Gal, and Subsidiary.
Shine Again Stakes Recap (7-31-19) - Winner: Special Relativity ($6.60)
This extended sprint for fillies and mares was scratched down to four runners. Special Relativity stalked from the outside post, pushed to the lead in the stretch, and pulled clear to win by 2-1/2 lengths. She is now 3-for-3 at Saratoga. Saguaro Row ran a decent race as the slight favorite. She broke slow, settled in last, raced wide, and ended up 7+ lengths clear of dueling front runners Awestruck and Mr. Al’s Gal.
Birdstone Stakes Recap (8-1-19) - Winner: King Zachary ($18.80)
King Zachary just had too much stamina for this group. He stalked front runner Marconi, took over after a mile and a half, and won by more than eight lengths. Marconi never quit trying and safely held 2nd over race favorite Rocketry. It was another 19+ lengths back to Patch in 4th, and a good eleven back to Curlin Road in 5th. Talk about a strung out field! Third Day was another 9+ lengths behind in 6th, and tack on a couple of more lengths to last place finisher Royal Albert Hall. You can read the rest of this article at The Runaway Horse
Week four of the 2019 Saratoga meet is officially in the books.It was the first official full, five-day week at the SPA and was highlighted by some great stakes action that took place Friday through Sunday.Here is our week four rewind:
Jockey Highlights:
Jose Ortiz continues his dominance at the SPA as he racked up nine more wins during week four.He now has 27 for the meet (23% Win and 55% ITM).His older brother Irad had a huge week as he tallied 11 wins with five of those coming on Wednesday’s card.He moves into second place with 22 for the meet (19% Win and 54% ITM).Luis Saez only found the winners circle twice this past week but sits in third with 17 wins.He is joined by Javier Castellano who notched three more as well.Jose Lezcano won five more which puts him in fifth place with 16, followed by Joel Rosario with 14 wins and Junior Alvarado with 10.Manny Franco and Tyler Gaffalione are tied with eight wins apiece.Johnny V did land two winners during week four but only has five total for the meet (8% Win). You can read the rest of this post at The Runaway Horse
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running winners on dirt (6f, 5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet).
Check out Today's Racing Digestfor handicapping products, analysis, and more! Kingly capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair. Doug O’Neill saddled five winners and Bejarano rode two.
The $2 Pick 6 pool was $129,387, and tickets with all six winners paid $13,824.80. The 5 out of 6 consolation payoff was $149.60. The single ticket jackpot carryover stands at $224,098.
CTBA Stakes Recap (7-31-19) - Winner: Bulletproof One ($3.00)
Bulletproof One was just plain too fast for her rivals in this CA-bred juvenile filly stakes event at 5.5f. Norberto Arroyo Jr. put the Peter Miller trainee on the lead in 21.64, and that was all she wrote. She was coasting out front following a half-mile in 45.22, and she won by 6+ lengths while stopping the clock in 1:04.70. Unchain Her Heart chased from 2nd throughout, and Wise Rachel flew late to snatch the show away from Cholula Lips. None of Your Biz was 5th, followed by Roses for Laura, Bella Renella, and Acai.
July 31 Claims: Race 1 Grey Lady ($40k, Alfredo Marquez). Race 5 - Tammy’s Window ($25k, Peter Miller).
Del Mar Full Card Highlights for Wednesday (7-31-19) DMR 6 BULLETPROOF ONE ($3.00) Double (races 6-7, $10.20) SAR 9 Special Relativity/Saguaro Row Exacta ($8.70)
The 2019 Travers Stakes (G1) is still three weeks away, but all of the major preps have been run, and there are eleven horses seriously considering the mid-summer Derby at this stage. It promises to be the biggest horse racing event of the summer, and it might have major implications on the 3-year-old title.
Check out my Travers video below!
Tacitus photo above courtesy of Josh Chicorelli
You can read all of my 3-year-old division reports on my Triple Crown 2019 page, and my daily full cards from Del Mar can be found on my Runaway Horse Salespage.
Two of my top five sophomore fillies square off in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August, 3, 2019. The seven furlong Test is a rematch between Serengeti Empress and Bellafina. The former took down the latter in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on the first Friday in May at Churchill Downs. The shorter distance of the Test Stakes might favor Bellafina, and she is fresher than her nemesis this time.
Check out Today's Racing Digestfor handicapping products, analysis, and more! Bellafina capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.
SAR 8 (G1 Test, 7f ) #2 BELLAFINA (2-1) is 6-for-9 with a 2nd, and her only two below par efforts were at Churchill Downs as the beaten favorite in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1). She runs well fresh and is 2-for-2 at this distance. She might sit a great trip stalking fast fractions. #5 Royal Charlotte (3-1) is 4-for-4 for Chad Brown, and she easily made the grade as the 3-2 favorite in the Victory Ride (G3) July 5. Javier Castellano should have options with the early-pressing filly. #4 Trenchtown Cat (12-1) switched to dirt and earned improved numbers in her last pair, and today’s rider Irad Ortiz Jr. guided her to a pair of turf wins at Gulfstream Park earlier this year. She figures to stalk the pace and can spice up the exotics. #3 Covfefe (5-2) is very fast early, and she was brilliant in the Miss Preakness (G3) at Pimlico May 17. I am not sure she wants to go this far, especially with #1 Serengeti Empress (7-2) and #6 Please Flatter Me (15-1) breathing down her neck. #7 Jeltrin (20-1) rounds out the field. The Davona Dale (G2) winner landed the show in the Acorn (G1) and Mother Goose (G2) in her last pair. A minor award is not impossible. Wagers: #2 to win, Exacta 2/4-5, Exacta 4-5/2, Trifecta 2/4/ALL, Trifecta 2/ALL/4
