Now that was a weekend. Two thrilling conference title games in the NFL – Who Dey, go Bengals – and scores of top performances on the track. We’ll try and forget the US men’s soccer team’s 2-0 defeat in Canada.
Life Is Good stole the show in the Pegasus World Cup, taking advantage of an early lead and just the slightest of non-rapid starts for Knicks Go and went all the way. He stamped himself the leading contender for Horse of the Year in 2022, with a long way to go. Tip of the cap to Knicks Go and especially his connections, who gave the fans one more chance to see him run. Just like the folks who designed the Pegasus intended.
No rest for the weary though this week, with plenty of stakes on tap at Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Tampa and Santa Anita, plus the Louisiana Premier Night at Delta Downs.
We’ll be back later this week with all you’ve come to enjoy from The Special, including some full-card handicapping. Have a great week.
By the Numbers
79.10: Mythical dollars accumulated by The Special’s Sean Clancy to finish third in the NTRA/NHC Charity Challenge presented by Four Roses Bourbon that was part of the National Horseplayers Championship. Sean’s big winner was Wolfie’s Dynaghost ($42) in Saturday’s sixth race at Gulfstream. The Special’s Tom Law finished 28th of 71 with a total of $26.30.
7: Winners on Saturday’s Pegasus Day card for The Saratoga Special’s John Shapazian, one more than Tom Law. John sits in a three-way tie for second with Rob Whitlock and Jessica Paquette with 10 on the season, two behind Tom.
4: Points needed to make the top 20 cut for the Kentucky Derby through Jan. 31. Eight 3-year-olds have that amount, with Pappacap and Epicenter the current co-leaders at 14.
449: Races assigned grades for February 2022 to January 2023 by the American Graded Stakes Committee, four more than the previous year.
3: Races upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and New York Stakes at Belmont Park.
2: Races downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2 – Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park and Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
101: Total Grade 1 stakes scheduled for February 2022 to January 2023, representing 22.5 percent of all graded stakes.
164: Days until Opening Day at Saratoga Race Course.
Worth Repeating
“I don’t want to get in trouble with any other owners I have trained for, [but] I can’t think of one that is better than him. What makes him so special is his ability to run fast, the high cruising speed and [then] keep going. He’s just got tremendous mechanics. Just a phenomenal talent.”
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher on Pegasus winner Life Is Good
“He’s been super good to us. We’re proud of him and we’re happy and excited that he’s retiring sound and healthy and I look forward to training some of his babies in a couple of years. He’s 6; it’s time for him to go off to stud. Hopefully he’ll pass on his heart and determination and be a good sire.”
Trainer Brad Cox on Pegasus runner-up and likely 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go
“Hopefully, she’s Groupie Doll incarnated. It’s only one race but a good start.”
Mandy Pope, owner and breeder of Doll Baby, a 3-year-old daughter of two-time champion Groupie Doll who won her debut Sunday at Gulfstream
“She was in a state-bred program, mostly in Pennsylvania. Once you come out of that environment, the water is going to get deeper on our circuit. And bottom line she was able to swim on this circuit.”
Trainer Brad Cox on Grade 2 Inside Information winner Just One Time
“This is an absolute life-changing score. I’m a middle-class, middle-income, hard-working guy. This is going to help me hopefully retire a little bit earlier than I’d planned. I’m totally overwhelmed and don’t even know what else to say.”
David Harrison of Webster, N.Y., who topped a field of 643 entries to win the $725,000 first-place prize and an Eclipse Award as Horseplayer of the Year at the 23rd annual National Horseplayers Championship
