Nolan’s Horse
When a Dogwood Stable horse named None Like Nolan won Thursday’s second race, I just wanted to say congratulations and find out who Nolan was.
Joe Clancy
With Feeling: Makari delivers in A.P. for Voss
Elizabeth Voss hosed off her horse’s chest, shoulders and face while standing on the Saratoga Race Course dirt track early Thursday afternoon. She finished, shook the water from her hands with a flick, took three steps and let out a long breath.
Carrying On: Voss takes on her father’s job too soon
Gary Murray will be on the farm in Maryland, trying to get something done about a horse, a piece of equipment, a fencepost, anything and he’ll see Tom Voss.
Higher Math: Divine Fortune seeks another A.P.
Jonathan Sheppard needed help Tuesday morning while sorting out a work for two of his three entrants in today’s $100,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial steeplechase stakes.
Helping Herd
Paul Saylor laughs when you ask him how he got into racing, then asks you a question. “You really want to know?” Thirty-odd years ago, Saylor was at a charity auction run by former Texas Gov. John Connally in Houston. The auction items included western art, Santa Gertrudis bull sperm and Quarter Horses. By the end of the night, Saylor hadn’t bought anything so he bid on the last horse in the ring. And kept bidding. Connally loved it.
Jumping Again: Harrods Creek returns in tough spot
Steeplechaser newcomer Harrods Creek, arguably the best horse to convert to American jump racing in years, continues his progress with a Saratoga start today as one of nine in a $65,000 optional claimer. Post time is 12:25 p.m.
Track Stars
The Ortiz brothers (1 and 1A) are 8-5. Mike Luzzi and John Velazquez are 15-1. Manuel Franco is 2-1. Leading jockey Javier Castellano is 6-1.
Nice Return
You’ve seen Kieran Norris before. You gasped, you might have screamed. You probably elbowed your neighbor and screamed, “DID YOU SEE THAT!”
We shrunk The Special
Honey, they shrunk The Special. If you’re keeping score at home or adding to a collection you’ve kept in your basement over the years, yes The Special is smaller this year.
Saratoga Jumps Day 2: Tough novice on tap
We’re back. The steeplechasers go postward again today for the first with a post time of 12:25 p.m. (make it a short brunch). A good field signed on for the $75,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes, and the race features a little bit of everything – imports, divisional champions, Saratoga winners and more.
