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Year 18 • No. 5 Saratoga’s Daily Racing Newspaper since 2001 Friday, July 27, 2018
The aratoga
Laugh Track
Classic runner Hofburg
looms large in today’s Curlin Tod Marks
QUALITY
Consignors 2013-2015 with 100+ Yearlings Offered
(per The Blood-Horse, 2018 Summer Sales Guide)
Consignor Offered SW % offered Consignor Offered $100k+ Earners % offered
Claiborne 105 8 7.6% Claiborne 105 24 23%
Gainesway 572 41 7.2% Mill Ridge 178 40 22%
Mill Ridge 178 12 6.7% Woods Edge 209 38 18%
VanMeter-Gentry 143 9 6.3% Lane’s End 849 144 17%
St George 197 11 5.6% Bluewater 254 43 17%
Consignor Sold Avg Sale Price Consignor Offered Avg Earnings
Dromoland Farm 118 $174,945 Dromoland Farm 150 $134,478
Gainesway 485 $167,872 Claiborne 105 $103,369
Claiborne 94 $167,396 Gainesway 572 $97,499
Lane’s End 711 $124,917 Denali Stud 497 $78,608
Taylor Made 1,039 $114,320 Hill ‘n’ Dale 474 $65,111
ClaiborneFarm.com | Bernie Sams : (859) 987-2330
2 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018
here&there... at Saratoga
BY THE NUMBERS
2: Bicycle billboards that rolled by The Special office Thursday. One for XpressBet, the other for
a Janet Jackson concert. Now that’s diversified marketing.
1: Hall of Fame trainer playing tour guide to racing’s future on the Saratoga backside Thursday
morning. Nice job, Janet Elliot.
LICENSE PLATE OF THE DAY
UWON1, Kentucky.
ALYDAR, New York.
DLYDBL, New York
TYPO OF THE DAY
It’s Jordan Spieth, not Justin or Scott. Duh. Thanks reader (and editor now) Bill Clement.
WORTH REPEATING
“People from Buffalo don’t understand. I tell them, imagine every NFL team comes to Buffalo, Susie Raisher
they play games all summer and at the end it’s the Super Bowl. That’s Saratoga.” Three Up. And now we know how many photographers it takes to photograph a hawk
Kate Welshofer, former news anchor in Albany now working a similar (see page 6).
role in Buffalo. Look for her again this meet as a guest handicapper
NAMES OF THE DAY
“You just made the paper with that quote.” Night Owl, second race. Klaravich Stable’s 3-year-old filly is out of No Curfew.
5!
The Special’s Tom Law to Welschofer
Out Of Trouble, sixth race. Zilla Racing Stable’s 4-year-old filly is by Into Mischief and out of
“I hate you.” Take Me Home.
Spectrum News’ Matt Hunter, also a future returning
guest handicapper,to his former colleague Welshofer Wrong Ben, fifth race. Owner Alan Brodsky bought two yearlings by Here Comes Ben in 2015.
Guess what the other horse’s name is.
Yet another
darleyamerica.com
dazzling moment
for Medaglia d’Oro
No.5 Wonder Gadot – winner
of Canada’s greatest race,
the Queen’s Plate, and runner-up in
the G1 Kentucky Oaks – beats the colts
Darley
in the second leg of the Canadian
Triple Crown, the $400,000 Prince Of
Wales Stakes... by almost six lengths.
That’s five big wins in a matter of days. Collect the series.
It might be the G1 Alabama next.
Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 3
here&there... at Saratoga
and WORTH REPEATING
“If I don’t beat Annise this year I’m buying you a four-pack of the most expensive beer I can find
at Eddie’s Beverage.”
“Garlic” Rob Whitlock, set for another day of guest handicapping
next week, on Thursday’s guest Annise Montplaisir.
“She’s very sweet. She’s a people horse. She likes attention.”
Paul Sharp describing Monomoy Girl, a graduate of his training program
Now on Broadway. “He stresses, but the one thing he never does is leave an oat.”
Exercise rider Sean McDermott, steering a fretful
Overwhelming back to the barn Tuesday morning
“Keep your hands on the coffee.”
Bloodstock agent Steve Young to The Special’s Shayna Tiller, juggling a
Wear What You Love™ coffee in one hand and waving with the other Wednesday morning
“How’d you run today, buddy? You win?”
Racing fan (and Shayna’s boyfriend) Nate Hatalsky,
to the police horse guarding the track exit
EMBRACE THE RACE® “I’ll tell you in about 10 days.”
327 Broadway Trainer Chad Summers when asked how it was going
Saratoga Springs “Here’s your can’t-miss prospect of the meet.”
Lisa Bartkowski, jogging past on a free-moving bay (we didn’t catch his name)
embracetherace.com
“Castellano looks like Shaq.”
Tom Law, on the size of Vanderbilt favorite Imperial Hint
Mating that produced G1 winner,
COFFEE CLIQUE
NICOMA An affiliate of
®
®
Contact Price Bell at 859.321.5117 or visit www.nicoma.com
Portfolio Management Lee Thomas ©
Editors/Publishers The aratoga
Sean Clancy: (302) 545-7713. sean@thisishorseracing.com
Joe Clancy: (302) 545-4424. joe@thisishorseracing.com
Managing Editor
Tom Law: (859) 396-9407. tom@thisishorseracing.com 259 East Avenue
Writers: Ben Gowans, Sarah Newman, Shayna Tiller, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(the old feed store) The Saratoga Special, thisishorseracing.com
Brandon Valvo, David Woods.
Thoroughbred Racing Calendar, The Best of The Saratoga Special.
Handicappers: Charles Bedard, Donald Phillips, John Shapazian. thisishorseracing.com Call us about your editorial needs.
Design: Todd Koch. Published Thursday through Sunday Home Office: 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921
during the racing season. (410) 392-5867 • Fax (410) 392-0170
Photographers: Tod Marks, Dave Harmon, Connie Bush. Plus Monday, Aug. 6 and Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Distribution & More: Jane Crager, Kevin Murphy, Morgan Yaeger.
4 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018
The NY-sired NY-bred (by Freud) garnered The NY-sired NY-bred (by Disco Rico)
millionaire status winning the New York S-G2 world-record setter earned millionaire status
at Belmont Park on June 8. while becoming a two-time winner of the
Jaipur Invt’l S-G2 at Belmont Park on June 9.
With performance like this, shouldn’t you be buying and racing registered NY-BREDS?
Saratoga Selected Yearlings — Aug. 6-7 • Saratoga NY-Bred Preferred Yearlings — Aug. 11-12
nytbreeders.org 518.587.0777
Visit our website or call 518.388.0174
ADAM COGLIANESE PHOTOS
Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 5
QUOTE OF THE DAY
here&there... at Saratoga
“No race, I guess I’ll be the paperboy.”
Trainer Jack Fisher handing out The Special WORTH REPEATING
the morning of the postponed A.P. Smithwick Eric Guillot: “Is that the big horse?”
Sean Clancy: “It’s my big horse.”
“So, let me help you with your writing Tom.”
Sean Clancy, as he edited Tom Law’s column Wednesday night
“It’s not heavy enough to be Miles.”
Laird George, dropping off a package for Sean Clancy at The Special office
800-523-8143 “Maybe we can outnumber them.”
Steeplechase owner Ben Griswold IV, on why he and Perry Bolton
team up as partners on horses via their Armata Stable
Maryland, My Maryland “I’m going to give them a rake when they get back.”
Trainer Keith O’Brien, informed that the younger members of his staff
were drinking Monster Energy drinks in the track kitchen Thursday morning
Country Life Farm’s 2018 Foal Crop
“Is that a cat?”
Maryland-bred filly by The Special’s Sean Clancy, as the infant Alistair Delacour
squawked at the barn Thursday morning
BAYERN o/o Lawless
Love, by Not For Love.
Everybody loves a BC
Classic winner (Bayern).
Everybody loves Not For
Love broodmares
(California Chrome).
Everybody loves the
Maryland-bred program.
What’s not to love about
ELLEN B. PONS
this filly? Look for her at
Keeneland November.
Tod Marks
Josh Pons 443-807-0644 v Mike Pons 410-459-8517 v Christy Holden 410-808-1325 Target Acquired. The racetrack hawk surveys its domain Thursday afternoon (see
Bel Air, MD 21014 • 410.879.1952 v www.countrylifefarm.com v info@countrylifefarm.com page 3 for how this photo was taken).
ALBERTUS MAXIMUS by Albert the Great
MOHAYMEN by Tapit
TAMARKUZ by Speightstown
Kent Barnes, Stallion Manager
859-224-4585
www.shadwellfarm.com
6 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018
Help protect your
sport’s integrity Photo of the Day
Great Norton
The Maryland-bred (who goes Building two-year-olds
by “Mio” now) won one of
24 races. Now he’s a beloved one individual at a time
eventer for a junior rider.
MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Two-year-old prep,
If you suspect or know of sales, partnerships
any wrongdoing within the racing
community, send us an email
or call toll-free. All emails and calls (859) 312-3414
are treated confidentially and you kirkwoodstables.com
may remain anonymous.
Thoroughbred Racing
Protective Bureau Integrity Hotline
Proud to support Thoroughbred aftercare
Vispera Productions
410-398-3647
www.trpb.com
Email: integrity@trpb.com
También disponsible en español www.thoroughbredaftercare.org
The Chief . . . Day 5
“When a jock comes out and starts doing good, he’s a good prospect, but you have to
weather the storm, get in a million different jams, ride a million different horses, lugging
in, lugging out, you have to learn the habits of the jocks you’re riding with, who will let
For more than 40 years, you through, who will let you through sometimes, who will never let you through.
Engel Law Offices Arcaro was on a horse and I had a kid on my horse and he was running off with
has represented horsemen him, he couldn’t slow him down, he was screaming and hollering, he wound up
with their legal issues, winning. Arcaro got off the scales, and he said, ‘Look, I didn’t want to see you get
killed, now you know this horse, don’t get in that spot again.’ ”
and continues to do so.
– Trainer Allen Jerkens, 1929-2015
Licensing
Partnership Formation
Gaming Comm. Hearings
Other Legal Matters
“Lengths ahead of the field”
The New York Thoroughbred
Tod Marks photo
518-430-0005 Horsemen’s Association
855-677-5155 www.nytha.com | 516.488.2337
visit us on Facebook
www.engelatty.com
Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 7
Every day at Saratoga, The Special
with presents an exclusive Stable Tour
with a Saratoga trainer.
David Cannizzo See thisishorseracing.com
for the full season.
Six racing days into the 2018 meet seconds and four thirds. “She’s been knock-
at Saratoga Race Course and things are ing on the door, second or third every time I
off to a slow start for David Cannizzo. run her. She’ll run in a starter here in the next
Not for lack of want, mind you, sim- book.”
ply opportunity with turf races rained
off clobbering his horses’ schedules
Heldatgunpoint: Blackwood Sta-
bles’ 4-year-old Courageous Cat gelding, a
right when they’re ready to run. Fasig-Tipton Kentucky graduate in October
“I’ve got a lot of grass horses, and 2015, finished eighth in starter allowance July
with this weather . . . it’s killing me,” 22. “He’ll run in the next book. He’s a New
Cannizzo said from his office after York-bred and has competed in the open start-
training wrapped up in the rain Thurs- er races, he should be very good in the a-oth-
day morning. er-than New York-bred in the next book. He’s a
Cannizzo made seven starts through grass horse.”
Thursday’s card and he’s ready for
more, as long as the weather cooper- Taptaptap: Two Tone Farms’ homebred
ates. The string features a mix of es- is 5-for-13 with $251,817 in earnings. She won a Belmont op- 2-year-old son of Yes It’s True finished fifth in
debut July 12 in 5 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden at Belmont.
tablished New York-bred stakes competitors such tional claimer July 13. “Nice filly, been through a lot. She’s won
five races for us. Just won her last start at Belmont in 1:07 and “He’s for one of my bigger clients. Very nice 2-year-old, very
as Black Tide – the barn standout – starter, claiming talented, probably the best baby I have. He wants to go long.
and allowance runners and 2-year-olds. Coconut, change, second start on the turf. She’ll run here, back in the
two-other-than New York-bred.” We gave him one sprint, he chased, pressed the pace, took a
the barn mascot and his daughter’s Shetland pony, shot at Jason Servis’ horse (Lutsky), he won going away. He
didn’t make the trip north, but a full barn did and got a lot out of it and should be very tough when he runs back.”
Fox Rules: Multiple stakes winner was claimed for $40,000
is bedded down in Mike Hushion’s old barn inside in January 2017. Nine-year-old Roman Ruler gelding has won
Clare Court for the second straight year. two of 12 since, with two stakes placings. Sixth in a state-bred Plebe: Another homebred for Two Tone Farms, 2-year-old
Thursday morning Cannizzo flipped open his optional going 1 1/16 miles on the grass Wednesday. He goes Midshipman colt finished third in 6-furlong turf maiden in his
training chart and went through several members way back, as a $58,000 weanling purchase at Fasig-Tipton debut at Belmont June 30. “He was in the other day here and it
of the stable with The Special’s Tom Law. Kentucky’s November mixed sale in 2009. “He didn’t handle was rained off the turf. He’s strictly grass and will be in the next
the soft turf. Finger Lakes Horse of the Year like four years in New York-bred turf maiden race.”
China Rider: Ivery Sisters Racing’s and DJC Racing Sta- a row. I claimed him from Michelle Nevin. He’s run some big
bles’ Ontario-bred 4-year-old Majestic Warrior filly finished races in a few stakes for us. He’ll run back, hopefully get a fast Chublicious: Winner of the $78,000 Mr. Prospector at
fifth in the third race Thursday, an off-the-turf allowance-op- turf down the line. He needs it hard like a road.” Monmouth two starts back, Brittlyn Stable’s 7-year-old New
tional going 5 1/2 furlongs. She won a 6-furlong turf allowance Jersey-bred joined the barn this spring. Winner of the Grade
three starts back June 1 at Belmont. “She’s better sprinting on Virtual Machine: Entered in today’s eighth, a 9-furlong 3 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash last year, he’s 11-for-28
the grass, we took a shot. We’ll get her back on the grass later allowance-optional on the main track. Owned by Serjeant with earnings of $620,879. “He ran back in a stake at Delaware
in the meet. We bought her as a yearling for 30 (thousand) and Equine, 5-year-old son of Drosselmeyer has two seconds in that was part of the MATCH Series (Hockessin, July 14) and
she’s made 200. Solid filly.” three starts this year. “He was sent to us about a year and a didn’t really handle the track. He could be seen here later in
half ago. Nice horse, won two in a row then was second in the the meet.”
Black Tide: Asked for the horse in the barn with the big- Westchester. He had a small injury and now he’s mounting his
gest personality, Cannizzo didn’t hesitate picking the 6-year-old comeback. He was second in a two-other-than at Monmouth Belleville Spring: Homebred for Philip Birsh joined the
Hold Me Back gelding. A finalist for champion New York-bred (June 23). He’s doing well, ran big off the layoff.” stable this spring after being with George Weaver. He’s 1-3-
turf male honors, he won five of 10 last season, including the 1 in eight starts and finished eighth in a division of the New
Mohawk for Ivery Sisters Racing. “The most personality and Blessed Halo: Z R J Stables’ 4-year-old Kantharos gelding York Stallion Stakes at Belmont June 24. “We got him about
he’s got the biggest following. He’s a nervous horse, loves at- returned from lengthy layoff to win allowance at Belmont May a month ago. He’s a very fast horse, second in a New York-
tention. If someone stays by his side he’s very relaxed. Tough 13. “We bought him as a 2-year-old privately, ran like five or six bred stakes last year. Very speedy, should be very dangerous
to train, he’s all speed. You’ve seen him run, open up 10, 15 very big races for us, broke his maiden in the slop, got injured, in the New York-bred a-other-than going 5 1/2 on the grass
lengths, let him do his thing. He’ll run in a three-other-than came back off a year layoff and ran a 94 Beyer and won for fun next week.”
on Aug. 3 and then the West Point. He’s one of the best in the at Belmont. He’ll run in the next book here.”
barn.” Becker’s Galaxy: Our Blue Streaks Stable’s 8-year-old
Avery Maeve: DJC Racing Stables’ and Long View Stables’ gelding caught the worst of it when carried wide into the first
Royal Inheritance: A $32,000 buy at the 2016 Fasig-Tip- 5-year-old Awesome Of Course mare has raced in starter al- turn of 9-furlong state-bred optional claimer Monday. New
ton Midlantic May 2-year-olds sale, daughter of Regal Ransom lowance events in 10 of last 11 starts. She’s 2-for-15 with three York-bred by Greeley’s Galaxy, who owns 11 wins in 57 starts,
8 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018
Stable Tour – A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN
BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDER
Continued from page 8
CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP
wound up fifth. “Terrible trip last time, should
be all right.” DUBAI WORLD CUP FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY
Kavansberg: Unraced 3-year-old New York- GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP
bred son of Teuflesberg shows nine breezes
since May 6, including half-mile on Saratoga IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY
main track July 21. “He’s pretty talented, just
late maturing. He’s a handful. When he puts
all together he’ll be OK.”
KING’S
it Winning when it matters.
BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN
MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN MILE NEARCTIC STAKES
Dannie’s Deceiver: Nearly made the Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center horses
PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY
meet for the barn in 2016 when he finished
fast-closing fourth in the Grade 1 Forego at include 49 Individual Grade 1 winners.
SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST UNITED NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP
41-1 to complete a $6,465 superfecta behind WHI
favorite A. P. Indian. Off since late 2016, he’s
won three of 15 starts for Z R J Stables.NEY “He HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTO
got hurt and missed a year-and-a-half. He’s Just some ofBELMONTthe races they’ve won…BREEDERS’ CUP TURF
starting to make a comeback. He’s worked MILLION AWESOME AGAIN DERBY
like eight times. It’s been a long time. He was
fourth, flying in the Forego and then I ranBREEDERS’
him CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWAR
back in two other stakes and a three-other-
than at Aqueduct and he got hurt. Maybe HANDICAP
the DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETT
end of the meet, last week or so.”
FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE
HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE
thisishorseracing.com HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME
Home of The Special & more
GLORY HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH
METROPOLITAN MILE NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II
SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST
UNITED NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL
A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN
BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDER
CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP
DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK
KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATIO
Allan AL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF
Lavin CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE
MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN
Bloodstock MILE NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF
MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST UNITED NATIONS
ALLAN G. LAVIN, JR. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | AquaPacer | Cold Saltwater Spa | Dry Salt Room | Vibration Therapy | Training Center
VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDER-
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alavinbloodstock@gmail.com
BILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION
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(502) 773-0043 BY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY
PHOTO © KATHEE RENGERT
AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CU
FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY
Friday, July 27, 2018 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE The Saratoga SHASKELL
pecial INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF 9 CUP
Stable Tour Star
Hofburg tackles Friday feature
with eyes on Grade 1 Travers
BY SEAN CLANCY CURLIN STAKES PREVIEW
A year ago, Bill Mott agreed to do
a Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour for The the turf, she was a Grade 1 winner on
Special. It was the day before the Tra- the synthetic and the turf. He’s not a
vers Stakes, Mott juggled morning real bulky horse but he seems to han-
chores and five afternoon runners on dle the dirt, he gets over the ground
arguably the second busiest day of beautifully.”
the meet. Mott walked to each of his Positive words for any trainer. For
30 stalls and talked about his hors- Mott? Ebullient.
es – from Alabama winner Elate to “…he’s breezing well….he’s got
Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan, some talent…gets over the ground
from future jumper Cite to lead pony beautifully.”
Round. The 18th horse on the hour- Hofburg made his career debut
long tour received a long stare from eight days later, breaking slowly before
Mott. closing ground to finish a non-threat-
“This is a Tapit 2-year-old, he’s a ening fourth. It was a quintessential
half-brother to Emollient. He’s breez- Mott debut: show a little, learn a lot,
ing well, he could run the last week move forward, promise to be deliv-
of Saratoga. He’s got some talent,” ered later. The chestnut colt didn’t Tod Marks
Mott said. “She broke her maiden Continued On Page 12 Hofburg eyes up a visitor at Bill Mott’s barn.
on the dirt, won on the synthetic and
10 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 11
Curlin –
Continued from page 10
reappear until March when he broke
his maiden at Gulfstream Park. Af-
ter that, it was the deep end. Leaping
from a maiden to a Grade 1, Hofburg
made up 12 lengths to finish second
to Audible in the Florida Derby. Still
deeper, Hofburg made his fourth start
in the Kentucky Derby, taking more
bumps than peloton riders’ elbows
in the Tour de France; he wound up
seventh. Five weeks later, he chased
Justify again but wound up third in
the Belmont Stakes.
For any trainer, but especially
Mott, it looked like a risky, heady
move to try two legs of the Triple
MEET THE TRF HERD AMBASSADORS Crown with a horse so lightly raced.
Cogs My Man • Son of a Gun • Blown Save • Dusk to Dawn • Bold Mon Mott scoffed.
Come out to the farm and meet five of our beautiful “No. No. He was mature well be- Sean Clancy
retired thoroughbred racehorses, in Saratoga to yond his number of races,” Mott said. Madison’s Luna is the second choice.
represent the TRF herd of more than 750 horses Hofburg kicks off the second half
Every Tuesday during the Racing Meet | 11am–2pm of his 3-year-old season in today’s Mott shook his head, “Nah, I think
TRF SUMMER FARM AT SARATOGA Curlin. Owned and bred by Judd- he was over there last year.”
683 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY monte Farm, he takes advantage of We’ll take Mott’s word for it.
the conditions in the $100,000 stakes Hofburg walked to the front of the
Visit TRFinc.org | Appointments available
– for 3-year-olds which have not won stall, poked his head toward Mott
a graded sweepstakes over a mile in and accepted a carrot slice nabbed
2018. Breaking from the inside post from the hanging feed tub on the
with Irad Ortiz, Hofburg is the 1-2 fa- door. Not real bulky and still getting
vorite in the 9-furlong race. Hofburg over the ground beautifully, Hofburg
would have looked strong in Satur- has developed into the horse Mott ex-
day’s Jim Dandy, a Grade 2 stakes pected last summer.
GIFTS • MEMORABILIA • SOUVENIRS
worth $600,000. Instead, he looks “He’s done well, for running in
CLOTHING • HOME • ACCESSORIES
like a certainty in the Curlin. Both three races like that. Most horses if
races are preps for the meet’s signa- they were lightly raced would have
ture race, the Grade 1 Travers Aug. been set back after the first one, but
25. he’s done well through them all,”
Moments after handing Erma Scott Mott said. “We’ll see what you got
three halters – Cigar, Royal Delta and tomorrow. We’ll see what you got to-
Half Pint – soaked in neatsfoot oil, morrow.”
Mott was asked if he remembered Only Mott can talk to a writer and
mentioning Hofburg in the Stable a horse all at the same time.
Tour last year, the Hall of Fame train- Only five other horses crossed the
er smirked and didn’t say a word. entry box in the Curlin.
Asked if we could see him again, Mott Second choice Madison’s Luna
started walking. Across his courtyard won his first two starts, including the
near the Oklahoma Training Track to Grade 3 Hutcheson at Gulfstream
the second barn, Hofburg stood deep Park in March before losing his next
in straw, three stalls from the end. three, including drubbings over a
“Same stall as last year?” sloppy track in the Pat Day Mile at
Churchill Downs and a fast track in
the Woody Stephens at Belmont Park.
Trained by Philip Bauer and owned
by Rigney Racing, the gray colt fin-
thisishorseracing.com ished second in his turf debut against
Home of The Special & more allowance foes at Churchill June 24.
“We’re still kind of scratching our
Continued On Page 13
12 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018Curlin – finished third in the UAE Derby in
March and recently finished fifth in
the Mystic Lake Derby over the Can-
Continued from page 12 terbury Park turf.
Asmussen also aims Zing Zang to
heads about the Pat Day and the Bel- the Curlin. Owned by Jackpot Ranch,
mont race. He trained well enough the son of Tapit broke his maiden in
going into it and he didn’t show up. December before trying five consecu-
I was glad to see him kind of take a tive stakes, failing to land a blow in
step back in the right direction in his the Lecomte, Southwest, Rebel, Blue
last start,” Bauer said. “He’s come up Grass and Peter Pan. The gray colt
here and done well. I kind of put my finished second in a Belmont allow-
foot in my mouth on Derby Day and ance on Belmont Day.
told the owner, ‘I think he’ll love the Linda Rice entered Nicodemus and
slop.’ He’s an athletic individual but American Lincoln. The former went
sometimes there’s no rhyme or rea- through the recent Fasig-Tipton Hors-
son. He’s a horse that can get a little es in Training Sale but failed to meet
distracted sometimes and maybe the his reserve at $270,000. Since then,
overall crowd and experience affected the son of Candy Ride switched from
him.” WinStar Farm and trainer Rodolphe
With a win at 6 furlongs and a sec- Brisset to Everything’s Cricket Racing
ond going a mile on the turf, Madi- and Lawrence Goichman. Nicodemus
son’s Luna had options at Saratoga. broke his maiden at Ellis Park July 7.
“We nominated to the Amsterdam He breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.87 July
as well,” Bauer said. “Just with all the 21. Manny Franco has the call.
familiar foes in that heat, we didn’t American Lincoln makes his 11th
want to jump back and forth. We’re career start in the Curlin. The son
trying to give him a series of progres- of Street Sense owns two wins, two
sion and see where we go from there.” seconds and two thirds, recently fin-
Steve Asmussen entered Reride, ishing second in the Long Branch at
but also entered the four-time win- Monmouth Park July 7. Junior Al-
ner in Saturday’s Jim Dandy. Reride varado rides for Lincoln Stable.
empire m ak er
HO LDING CO URT A M O N G 2 0 1 8 L E A D I N G S I RES
1 Candy Ride $11,559,468
2 Scat Daddy $10,906,922
3 Kitten’s Joy $10,589,605
4 Into Mischief $7,803,720
5 E M P I RE M AKE R $7,678,143
6 Tapit $7,085,839
7 Curlin $7,068,805
8 Quality Road $6,995,878
9 More Than Ready $6,757,463
10 Flatter $6,638,514
11 Medaglia d’Oro $6,185,574
12 Malibu Moon $5,802,911
Source: theTDN.com, 7/25/2018, NH progeny of sires standing in NA
Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 13Friday, July 27.
6TH (3:48PM). $80,000, AOC $40,000, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 1 1/16M (INNER TURF)
1ST (1:00PM). $75,000, MSW, 2 YO, 5 1/2F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 5, Daily Double
Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 5, Daily Double 1 ..... 1.............Conquest Hardcandy....... J. Ortiz.............................. J. Ryerson..................... 5-1
1 ..... 1.............Analyzethisandthat.......... K. Carmouche................... R. Cash......................... 8-1 2 ..... 2.............Broken Border................. M. Franco......................... J. Servis........................ 2-1
1a ..... 8.............Center City...................... A. Lezcano........................ R. Cash......................... 8-1 3 ..... 3.............Out of Trouble................. L. Saez.............................. B. Cox........................... 3-1
2 ..... 2.............Sounds Good.................. I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... L. Rice........................... 3-1 4 ..... 4.............Bareeqa........................... R. Santana, Jr................... S. Asmussen............... 10-1
2b .... 3.............The Grand Canal.............. J. Ortiz.............................. L. Rice........................... 3-1 5 ..... 5.............Belle of the Spa............... D. Davis............................ B. Brown....................... 6-1
3 ..... 4.............Freudnme........................ J. Castellano..................... C. Englehart................... 8-1 6 ..... 6.............Table for Six.................... J. Alvarado....................... R. Nicks......................... 8-1
4 ..... 5.............Frosted Ice...................... L. Saez.............................. R. Moquett.................. 10-1 7 ..... 7.............Vortex Road.................... J. Castellano..................... B. Levine....................... 4-1
5 ..... 6.............Bret’s Legacy................... M. Franco......................... M. Nevin...................... 12-1
6 ..... 7.............Bankit.............................. R. Santana, Jr................... S. Asmussen................. 4-5 7TH (4:24PM). $50,000, CLM $25,000, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 1 1/16M (TURF)
7 ..... 9.............Coach Villa...................... J. Bravo............................ N. Zito......................... 20-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double
8 ..... 10...........Lumberer........................ J. Lezcano........................ C. Englehart................. 20-1 1 ..... 1.............Lakota............................. F. Geroux.......................... J. Sheppard................. 30-1
2 ..... 2.............Bonita Springs................ J. Castellano..................... L. Rice........................... 6-1
2ND (1:33PM). $70,000, CLM $50,000, 3 YO, F , 1M (INNER TURF) 3 ..... 3.............Saida............................... J. Lezcano........................ D. Gargan...................... 8-1
Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 4 ..... 4.............Glory to Kitten................. I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... J. Abreu......................... 5-2
1 ..... 1.............Night Owl........................ J. Castellano..................... C. Brown....................... 8-5 5 ..... 5.............Sugar Mags..................... M. Franco......................... R. Barbara................... 20-1
2 ..... 2.............Radiant Beauty................ I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... R. Rodriguez................. 4-1 6 ..... 6.............Silver Magnolia............... D. Cohen........................... G. Gullo....................... 12-1
3 ..... MTO.......Oldfashioned Style.......... . Rider TBA....................... G. Contessa................... 3-1 7 ..... 7.............Free N Clear.................... D. Davis............................ P. Quick....................... 15-1
4 ..... 4.............Classic Lady.................... D. Cohen........................... K. Rubley..................... 15-1 8 ..... 8.............Tearless........................... L. Saez.............................. D. Ryan....................... 20-1
5 ..... 5.............Sheputaspellonme.......... M. Franco......................... B. Lynch........................ 8-1 9 ..... 9.............Blasted Boss................... K. Carmouche................... W. Calhoun.................... 7-2
6 ..... 6.............Beach Waltz.................... J. Ortiz.............................. M. Maker....................... 2-1 10..... 10...........Miss Aja Brown............... J. Ortiz.............................. R. Rodriguez................. 3-1
7 ..... 7.............Hera................................ L. Saez.............................. D. Ryan......................... 6-1 11..... MTO.......Paula’s Pistol................... . Rider TBA....................... G. DiPrima..................... 5-2
8 ..... 8.............Pure Magic...................... K. Carmouche................... D. Ryan....................... 20-1
8TH (5:02PM). $92,000, AOC $62,500, 3 YO’S & UP, 1 1/8M
3RD (2:06PM). $44,000, CLM $25,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 6 1/2F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double
Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1 ..... 1.............Sir Ballantine................... K. Carmouche................... D. Gargan...................... 5-1
1 ..... 4.............Engineers Report............ I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... R. Rodriguez................. 3-1 2 ..... 2.............Casses Story................... J. Ortiz.............................. M. Casse....................... 6-1
1a ..... 8.............Wegotoldyougotsold....... M. Franco......................... M. Nevin........................ 3-1 3 ..... 3.............All About Ashley.............. R. Santana, Jr................... T. Amoss..................... 10-1
2 ..... 1.............Kingston Pike.................. J. Lezcano........................ K. Decker..................... 10-1 4 ..... 4.............Uncle Mojo...................... J. Velazquez...................... T. Pletcher..................... 5-2
3 ..... 2.............Ride On Faith.................. L. Saez.............................. N. Zito........................... 6-1 5 ..... 5.............Papa Shot....................... M. Franco......................... L. Rice........................... 8-1
4 ..... 3.............Vicar’s Legend................. J. Leparoux....................... O. Barrera, III.............. 20-1 6 ..... 6.............Powerful Ally................... J. Rosario......................... R. Moquett.................. 12-1
5 ..... 5.............Carmine’s Honor............. D. Davis............................ G. Contessa................... 5-1 7 ..... 7.............Flowers for Lisa.............. L. Saez.............................. J. Navarro..................... 7-2
6 ..... 6.............Change of Venue............. J. Castellano..................... L. Rice........................... 5-2 8 ..... 8.............Virtual Machine............... J. Lezcano........................ D. Cannizzo................... 9-2
7 ..... 7.............Hokulea........................... K. Carmouche................... G. Contessa................... 8-1
8 ..... 9.............Southeast........................ J. Rosario......................... B. Brown....................... 9-2 9TH (5:40PM). $100,000, STK - THE CURLIN, 3 YO, 1 1/8M
Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double
4TH (2:40PM). $53,000, CLM $50,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 5 1/2F (TURF) 1 ..... 1.............Hofburg........................... I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... W. Mott......................... 1-2
Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 2 ..... 2.............Madison’s Luna............... J. Leparoux....................... P. Bauer......................... 4-1
1 ..... 1.............Canadian Flyer................. J. Lezcano........................ W. Mott......................... 7-2 3 ..... 3.............Zing Zang........................ R. Santana, Jr................... S. Asmussen................. 8-1
2 ..... 2.............Shangroyal...................... J. Rosario......................... W. Ward........................ 2-1 4 ..... 4.............Nicodemus...................... M. Franco......................... L. Rice......................... 10-1
3 ..... 3.............The Queens Jules............ J. Velazquez...................... W. Ward........................ 8-1 5 ..... 5.............American Lincoln............ J. Alvarado....................... L. Rice......................... 12-1
4 ..... 4.............Rappel............................. M. Franco......................... R. Ribaudo.................... 9-2 6 ..... 6.............Reride............................. J. Ortiz.............................. S. Asmussen................. 6-1
5 ..... 5.............Fried Baloney.................. L. Saez.............................. N. Zito......................... 20-1
6 ..... 6.............Belgian............................ J. Ortiz.............................. M. Maker....................... 5-2 10TH (6:17PM). $39,000, MCL $25,000, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 6 1/2F
7 ..... 7.............Mini Miles....................... R. Santana, Jr................... A. Quartarolo................. 8-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta
1 ..... 1.............Lady Vicki....................... K. Carmouche................... D. Gargan...................... 6-1
5TH (3:14PM). $77,000, ALW, 3 YO’S & UP, 6F 2 ..... 2.............Gentle Annie.................... L. Reyes........................... G. Sciacca................... 30-1
Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 6, Daily Double 3 ..... 3.............Zecha.............................. J. Rosario......................... B. Levine....................... 8-1
1 ..... 1.............Charlie McCoy................. J. Velazquez...................... M. Nevin........................ 3-1 4 ..... 4.............Tequila Sunday................ M. Franco......................... D. Donk......................... 5-1
2 ..... 2.............La Cat Warrior................. D. Cohen........................... G. Gullo....................... 10-1 5 ..... 5.............Posse’s Paradise............. A. Lezcano........................ P. Quick....................... 20-1
3 ..... 3.............It’s Hot Out...................... K. Carmouche................... C. Englehart................. 10-1 6 ..... 6.............Third Card Down............. R. Maragh......................... C. Baker....................... 10-1
4 ..... 4.............D’yer Mak’er.................... L. Saez.............................. N. Zito......................... 12-1 7 ..... 7.............One Cool Kitten............... L. Saez.............................. M. Nevin...................... 12-1
5 ..... 5.............Stoney Bennett................ M. Franco......................... L. Rice........................... 7-2 8 ..... 8.............Very Charming................ J. Lezcano........................ G. Contessa................. 30-1
6 ..... 6.............Call Me a Star.................. A. Mariano........................ B. Dunham.................... 6-1 9 ..... 9.............Aly’s All Out..................... D. Cohen........................... G. Gullo......................... 6-1
7 ..... 7.............Neverindicted.................. A. Lezcano........................ M. Coffey.................... 30-1 10..... 10...........Trinni Ninja...................... E. Cancel........................... B. Parboo...................... 8-1
8 ..... 8.............Bluegrass Express........... J. Rosario......................... R. Vega....................... 20-1 11..... 11...........Wappinger...................... J. Ortiz.............................. D. Gargan...................... 7-2
9 ..... 9.............Wrong Ben...................... J. Ortiz.............................. M. Hennig..................... 4-1 12..... 12...........Misty Forest.................... I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... J. Kimmel.................... 20-1
10..... 10...........Freud’s Affair................... J. Rohena......................... C. Progno.................... 15-1 13..... 13...........Thirsty Gal....................... R. Santana, Jr................... D. Magner................... 20-1
11..... 11...........Candy Zip........................ I. Ortiz, Jr.......................... L. Rivelli...................... 12-1 14..... 14...........Frosted Mint Chip............ D. Davis............................ J. Terranova, II............ 30-1
15..... AE..........Lightworker..................... J. Alvarado....................... C. Caiazzo...................... 8-1
thisishorseracing.com Copyright 2018 EQUIBASE Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Home of The Special & more
14 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018the
Power
grid
John Charles Tom Donald Jude
Race # Shapazian Bedard Law Phillips Feld
Bankit Bankit Bankit Bankit Bankit
1 Rice entry
Cash entry
Lumberer
Freudnme
Rice entry
Frosted Ice
Rice entry
Freudnme
Lumberer
Analyzethisandthat
Night Owl Night Owl Night Owl Night Owl Night Owl
2 Beach Waltz
Oldfashioned Style
Beach Waltz
Sheputaspellonme
Beach Waltz
Oldfashioned Style
Beach Waltz
Radiant Beauty
Hera
Classic Lady
Change Of Venue Change Of Venue Dubb entry Change Of Venue Wegotoldyougotsold
3 Dubb entry
Southeast
Wegotoldyougotsold
Ride On Faith
Change Of Venue
Southeast
Wegotoldyougotsold
Southeast
Change Of Venue
Carmine’s Honor
Belgian Belgian Shangroyal Rappel Belgian
4 Shangroyal
Canadian Flyer
Rappel
Shangroyal
Belgian
Canadian Flyer
Belgian
Mini Miles
Shangroyal
Canadian Flyer
Stoney Bennett Charlie McCoy Candy Zip Charlie McCoy Call Me A Star
5 Call Me A Star
Candy Zip
Wrong Ben
Stoney Bennett
Stoney Bennett
Charlie McCoy
Wrong Ben
Stoney Bennette
It’s Hot Out
Charlie McCoy
Our fifth handicapper will be a special guest each day.
Out Of Trouble Broken Border Out Of Trouble Broken Border Vortex Road
6 Conquest Hardcandy
Broken Border
Table For Six
Vortex Road
Broken Border
Bareeqa
Vortex Road
Belle Of The Spa
Table For Six
Belle Of The Spa
Blasted Boss Paula’s Pistol Blasted Boss Blasted Boss Blasted Boss
7 Miss Aja Brown
Paula’s Pistol
Miss Aja Brown
Glory To Kitten
Miss Aja Brown
Glory To Kitten
Glory To Kitten
Bonita Springs
Glory To Kitten
Paula’s Pistol
Uncle Mojo Flowers For Lisa Uncle Mojo Uncle Mojo Uncle Mojo
8 Flowers For Lisa
All About Ashley
Uncle Mojo
Virtual Machine
Flowers For Lisa
Casses Story
Casses Story
Flowers For Lisa
Flowers For Lisa
Sir Ballantine
Hofburg Hofburg Hofburg Reride Hofburg
9 Madison’s Luna
American Lincoln
Reride
Zing Zang
Reride
Nicodemus
Hofburg
American Lincoln
Reride
Nicodemus
Lady Vicki Wappinger Wappinger Wappinger One Cool Kitten
10 Third Card Down
Wappinger
Aly’s All Out
Trinni Ninja
Misty Forest
One Cool Kitten
Third Card Down
Lady Vicki
Third Card Down
Trinni Ninja
2018 Records 20/59 11/59 16/59 11/59 6/40*
Guest Handicapper
Today’s guest handicapper is Jude Feld, a paddock reporter and analyst with Horse
Racing Radio Network since 2007. A former trainer in Southern California, Feld won
thisishorseracing.com 23 stakes and conditioned graded stakes winners Pewter Grey, Steff Graf and Vieille
Home of The Special & more Vigne. He was part of teams at Keeneland and HRRN honored with Eclipse Awards.
Thursday’s guest handicapper, Annise Montplaisir, picked one winner.
* The guest win total does not include Monday or Wednesday, when only The Spe-
cial’s regular handicappers picks appear at thisishorseracing.com.
Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 15JOHN MORRISSEY STAKES RECAP
4 More
Years
Weekend Hideaway
does it again at Spa
BY TOM LAW
Weekend Hideaway didn’t impress – not like the
Weekend Hideaway who won for the 13th time
and padded his seven-figure bankroll with his latest
victory in Thursday’s $100,000 John Morrissey at
Saratoga – in his early days in the care of Phil Serpe
and Lisa Bartkowski.
He was so lackluster in fact that Serpe and Bart-
Tod Marks
kowski, longtime personal and professional part-
Weekend Hideaway charges home in Thursday’s John Morrissey, repeating his win in the 2014 race.
Continued On Page 18
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Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 17Morrissey – Jessie was on him and he went in :47
and change. I’m like, ‘What’s that all
about?’
Continued from page 16 Bartkowski, on a workmate, saw it
all unfold.
ners, considered the then 2-year-old as “It was the way he did it, too,” she
a potential claiming prospect. Strange said.
as that seems now, with Weekend Serpe wanted to see it again, and
Hideaway as good at 8 years old as he Weekend Hideaway obliged. He
was four years ago winning the Mor- worked well again and again and
rissey for the first time, it’s a reality again. He’s still doing it, six years,
Bartkowski can’t forget. eight stakes, two graded-stakes plac-
“I said to Phil, ‘we only paid ings and another Morrissey win later.
$40,000 for him, if you have to run “After he did it a few times, that’s
him for $35,000 we can,” Bartkows- when I said, ‘Lisa, I don’t think we
ki, first-call exercise rider in the space should run this horse maiden 35.
they call Blue Heaven on the Saratoga Probably maiden special weight first.’
backstretch, said of those early days. It’s been great and it’s still great,” Ser-
“Sometimes you know immediately. pe said.
Sometimes you get on a horse and Hoffman, who beamed in the win-
you’re like, ‘Wow, this horse is going ner’s circle alongside his son Mike Jr.,
to be a champion.’ And sometimes still gets excited when Weekend Hide-
you’re not sure and they develop into away runs and wins. Maybe not quite
a good horse.” like his first stakes appearance, in the
Put Weekend Hideaway in the now defunct David Stakes, late in the
latter category, although the devel- 2012 Saratoga meet after Weekend
opment didn’t take as long as some. Tod Marks
Hideaway became Weekend Hideaway. Assistant trainer Lisa Bartkowski (right) accompanies Weekend Hideaway to the track before
Weekend Hideaway breezed well “I remember Mike Hoffman, we Thursday’s John Morrisssey.
enough head-to-head in the spring broke Weekend Hideaway’s maid-
and summer at Belmont Park and af- en here and we enter in the David vorite style. He tells you when he’s noon,” Hoffman said. “He sends me
ter shipping north to Saratoga for the Stakes,” Bartkowski said. “He’s 8-5 ready and he wasn’t quite ready with pictures and he says he’s in love with
summer of 2012. Then the proverbi- on the morning line. Mike said, ‘I the race. It was hard to pass it up. He the horse. I saw him before the race
al light went off, but only after being don’t even care if he wins, I’m just still ran well, he just didn’t win.” whispering in Weekend Hideaway’s
put in a different scenario. going to frame the program that he’s Bartkowski said it “seemed like all ear. I told my son, ‘The horse whis-
“He was very nervous at first,” 8-5.’ So of course he won. I’ll never systems were go” for the Morrissey. perer, he’s telling him to win.’ ”
Bartkowski said. “He still gets sweaty, forget that.” Drawn outside in the field of seven Serpe, who hosed off the dark
he would wash out all the time, very The David indeed was Weekend – reduced by one with the late scratch chestnut during the inquiry and again
nervous, never wanted to walk. We Hideaway’s first stakes victory and of Runaway Lute after he flipped in after the win photo, isn’t shy about
were thinking he could be OK, you he’s won at least one every year since. the paddock – Weekend Hideaway his affection for his horses and Bart-
could tell he was OK in his works. He won two in 2016 – the Commen- took the early initiative on the muddy kowski.
But just OK. tator and Affirmed Success – and and drying out surface. He clicked off “At this point in his career, we’re
“Then the first time we really put Thursday’s 1 1/4-length victory over fast splits of :21.77 and :43.93 – and just doing the best we can to take care
the screws to him breezing, we were Eye Luv Lulu ended an eight-race los- spurted away into the lane. of him,” he said. “It’s war out there,
all looking at each other, nobody said ing streak. Eye Luv Lulu made a run for the especially on these kind of tracks, and
anything, like ‘Wow.’ He sat behind Weekend Hideaway lost seven lead from the outside while Saez went these horses and these guys all over
some horses, then when we went to straight in 2015 before bouncing to his right-handed stick. Celtic Cha- him, you just don’t know what’s go-
go by he went, whew, right by. We back with four wins in six starts to os, last year’s Morrissey winner, and ing to happen.
were like, ‘Here we go.’ Nobody said bridge the end of that year and 2016. Eric Cancel tried to come up the in- “Lisa has done an incredible job
one word.” He won this year’s 6 1/2-furlong side into a narrow opening lost mo- with him. She’s been on him since he
Serpe, who helped Mike Hoffman Morrissey off a fifth 15 days ago in an mentum after appearing to shy from was a 2-year-old. We’re past the point
buy Weekend Hideaway out of the open company 7-furlong turf option- the rail. Saez held Weekend Hide- of expecting anything out of him,
Flying Zee Stable dispersal after the al that Serpe and Bartkowski felt they away together in deep stretch as Eye we’re just really glad he does this stuff
death of his longtime client Carl Liz- couldn’t pass up if they wanted a shot Luv Lulu nosed out Celtic Chaos for for us. Listen, I’ve trained thousands
za, took note of those early sessions. at a fifth Saratoga win with Weekend the place spot. Weekend Hideaway of horses and I’ve had a great connec-
“He comes back drenched in Hideaway. won in 1:15.18. tion with a lot of them. I’m personal
sweat, we have to get the vet to tranq “It seemed like things were a little Brad Cox, trainer of Celtic Chaos, with horses, she’s personal with hors-
him and he was like this big,” Serpe off track the last few starts,” Bart- claimed foul against the winner but it es. I always tell people Lisa’s first love
said, stretching his arm chest high. kowski said. “The whole year, he was was disallowed. Weekend Hideaway’s is not Phil Serpe, it’s getting on horses.
“I told Lisa, ‘We can run him for under the gun twice. He doesn’t mind number stayed up, just as it had for I said that a little while ago to Mike.
maiden 35.’ A couple weeks later she being on the lead but he doesn’t like four of his 10 prior appearances on All right, maybe I’m tied with the pick
and another guy who worked for us, when you have to send him to be on the dirt at Saratoga. six and her getting on horses. Really
Jessie, I’ll never forget it. You don’t the lead. We were on the inside twice “I know that Phil has a bond with though . . . when you get a connection
forget things. I watched him from the and (Luis Saez) was forced to use him this horse, he talks to him, he does all with horses it just comes along. He’s
backside and not the frontside and to not get in a box, that’s not his fa- this crazy stuff with him in the after- just one of those horses.”
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Friday, July 27, 2018 The Saratoga Special 19Stepping Up
China Horse Club, Pletcher
win allowance with Alberobello
Saratoga welcomes top trainers THURSDAY RACING RECAP
and horses from all over the country,
making every race competitive and
every win cherished. Stakes caliber Pletcher. “We’ve been looking for-
allowances fill the daily cards, featur- ward to getting her stretched out and
ing seasoned stakes horses and those just by circumstance we hadn’t been
able to until today. We’re very pleased
rising toward greatness. China Horse
with her effort and I think this is what
Club International’s Alberobello took
she’s been wanting to do.”
a step in the right direction for Todd Running against multiple stakes
Pletcher, battling fierce competition to placed Indy Union and regally bred
win the 1 1/8-mile allowance in the Hail, Alberobello held her own for
sixth. jockey John Velazquez. The daughter
A $475,000 purchase at the 2016 of Bernardini broke to the front and
Keeneland September yearling sale, extended her lead around the oval,
Alberobello lost her 6 1/2-furlong de- winning by 5 3/4 lengths. Tod Marks
but by a head at Tampa in March, fol- “We felt like first time going long Alberobello (4) finds her best stride early in Thursday’s sixth race.
lowed by a 6 1/2-length maiden win she would be prominently placed,” “She’s a filly we’ve always held in a time off. He’s had some minor issues
going 7 furlongs at Keeneland April said Pletcher. “She’s still learning a high regard and she’s starting to find he’s had in the past but he always
14. She cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs in little bit. You can see when she came herself now,” said the trainer. “We seems to run well up here. Hopefully
an allowance at Belmont May 31, and into the wire she was kind of looking definitely think she’s a graded stakes we can get his maiden broken.”
finished second by a three-quarters of at the tire tracks and maybe lost her type and hopefully we can prove Fully Vested put those issues be-
a length. focus a touch at the end.” that.” hind him with a 5 1/4-length victory
“Being out of a Carson City mare Pletcher hopes to run her back be- Pletcher tallied another win with in Thursday’s seventh, a 6-furlong
we thought she’d like the mud,” said fore the end of the meet. Repole Stable’s Guacamole in the maiden special.
10th, a 5 1/2-furlong maiden washed The 4-year-old was racing as a
– like the day’s other turf races – to gelding and with blinkers for the first
the main track. time. One or both of those changes
The daughter of Flat Out and clearly helped the Godolphin home-
Velazquez finished a nose behind Su- bred break his maiden in just his
per Simple and Ricardo Santana Jr., fourth start in twenty-two months.
but the victor was taken down after “You could see in the morning,
Velazquez claimed foul. The jockey’s he just never looked really focused.
objection was the third inquiry of the I think it helped him a lot today,”
day, but the only one resulting in a Albertrani said of the blinkers as he
disqualification. watched the replay alongside Godol-
“I wasn’t sure,” said Pletcher. “I phin’s Jimmy Bell. “He did get a lit-
think the one thing that was maybe tle weary legged maybe the last six-
different with this race than a couple teenth-of-a-mile. I didn’t think there
of the other ones today that were also was ever a time they were going to
close calls was the margin of victory. catch him after they passed the quar-
An inch.” ter pole.”
– Shayna Tiller Joe Bravo hustled Fully Vested out
of the gate from his inside post and es-
• It doesn’t happen often in racing, tablished command a furlong into the
but a trainer’s hope played itself out race. The son of Discreet Cat broke
Thursday afternoon. from his competition around the turn
“He’s been training forwardly,” and it was never in doubt.
Tom Albertrani said of Fully Vested It was the first win of the meet
Tuesday morning while being inter- for Albertrani, who has a string at
Tod Marks
viewed for The Special’s Fasig-Tipton Continued On Page 21
G Zap (left) charges to the front in Thursday’s eighth.
Stable Tour feature. “He’s had some
20 The Saratoga Special Friday, July 27, 2018You can also read
