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).
2019 FULL CARD SCHEDULE - DEL MAR
AUGUST 17 thru SEPT. 2
DEL MAR INDIVIDUAL FULL CARD PRICES:
WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS - $5.00
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS - $10
Please visit The Runaway Horse Sales page to purchase our Del Mar picks.
