News

Far Hills, the greatest show in American steeplechasing, goes to the post Saturday with an all-stakes card worth $550,000. In anticipation, ST will do a daily online update this week. Check back often for news and notes on the course, the horses, the people, the history.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tugging at the reins while sitting second, Good Night Shirt saw a sliver of daylight and attacked – launching from cruising speed to passing gear just before the seventh fence. One, two, three strides, he ran past his takeoff spot and stabbed at the fence – scraping through the plastic brush, landing awkwardly and losing precious momentum.

Sheila Williams' Seer, who made two starts on the flat last year at Monmouth Park, rallied past pacesetter Dr. Bloomer and favorite Be Certain in the final furlong to win the $75,000 Monmouth County Hunt Novice Stakes at Monmouth Park Saturday.

 Carl Gessler's phone rang and he immediately expected the worst.

Jack Fisher was calling, undoubtedly the bearer of bad news after another disappointing performance from Gessler's Quem Se Atreve.

An original oil painting of Saratoga staple Sam the Bugler (aka Sam Grossman) was stolen from artist Terry Lindsay’s Equidae Gallery in the downtown Holiday Inn on Broadway, where it had been displayed by the front door.

Finally, he’s here.

Curlin makes his long-awaited Saratoga debut in today’s 55th running of the Woodward, feature on the final Saturday of the meet.

News of Benny The Bull’s sudden retirement Wednesday shook up the Grade I Forego and the entire sprint division, but did little to jolt Kiaran McLaughlin from his office chair. The trainer, who sends out Shadwell Stable’s Lucky Island in the $250,000 stakes, feels his Argentinian-bred colt is a force in his own right.

John Iracane pointed to the rambunctious and misbehaving Bittel Road in the paddock before Friday’s With Anticipations Stakes and remarked to a group of friends that the first time he saw the colt he was waist-high. The breeder and co-owner got a closer look a few minutes later after Bittel Road prevailed in a prolonged stretch duel over Skipadate in the $82,400 stakes.

In sports, no agony stings like losing when you thought you were winning. Robby Albarado has stomached that ache since last Saturday’s Travers. The jockey had guided Mambo In Seattle to a head advantage over Colonel John in the $1 million classic. The duo hit the wire together, Albarado stood up and waved his whip in celebration.

Matt McCarron and Willie Dowling looked at each other going into the first turn of the New York Turf Writers Cup; they still had over 2 miles to go in the Grade I steeplechase.

“We’re going some gallop,” said Dowling, aboard 29-1 shot Luongo.

“Ridiculous,” said McCarron, aboard 8-1 Dark Equation.