King’s Bishop: Caleb’s Posse catches Uncle Mo
Like most trainers, Donnie Von Hemel reacted pragmatically when he saw Caleb’s Posse for the first time.
Ballerina: Hilda’s Passion speeds to Grade I
Six times Javier Castellano rode Hilda’s Passion. Four wins, two seconds, impressive every time. Then came the Bed O’ Roses at Belmont Park July 3, where they struggled home sixth at 2-5.
Ballston Spa: Daveron kicks clear late in turf stakes
Before Saturday’s Ballston Spa, jockey Eddie Castro thought about Daveron, her ability, her temperament. The key, he said, was patience. To get the most from the 6-year-old mare required light hands but a firm mind. She needed to be controlled, without her feeling it.
Good Night Irene: No racing Sunday, No Special either
Because of the pending storm headed north, racing has been canceled at Saratoga Race Course Sunday and with that, there will be no Saratoga Special Sunday either. We’ll take a rain day, regroup and publish again on Wednesday with full coverage of Saturday’s racing including the Travers won by Stay Thirsty.
Bit and Pieces
Thoughts and observations . . .
Waiting Game
Ian Wilkes bends down on one knee and feels the right hoof, then the left, then the right, then the left. Over and over, the trainer feels the horse’s hooves. Hoping for nothing, hoping they feel cold.
Horse Work: Mott assistants prove point
Ever run a horse? One you rubbed, groomed, walked, cared for like a family member? It’s work, real work, but the reward comes when your charge heads to the racetrack and performs the way she can.
Monday: Neil Howard and Allen Jerkens
Neil Howard sat in a clubhouse box, staring at his phone, a few minutes before Monday’s opener where Howard’s 3-year-old Wilkinson was due to make his turf debut. Howard was due to commentate the race to Wilkinson’s owner, Ed Gaylord. Make no mistake, Howard is no Tom Durkin, but he delivered good news to Gaylord as Wilkinson rallied from fourth in the four-horse race to win comfortably over Chad Brown’s pair Asphalt and War Hoot. Sent off the longest price in the field, Wilkinson won for the fourth time in his career and first time on the turf, finishing 1 1/16 miles over soft turf in 1:47.85.
Porch Day
The last race goes off, audible in the distance but only when the light turns green and the cars fade, heading to town or to the Northway, the harness track or the eastside of town.
Trash Day: Trainer to Garbage Man to Trainer
Dan Conway hesitated a beat, then dove right into the subject of what he did for 10 years away from the racetrack.
