Two weeks in a row. We’re making progress. The Saturday Special is back. The Saudi Cup leads the international buffet (root for Jimmy Jerkens with runners in three races) while Oaklawn Park offers the Rebel for 3-year-olds and three additional stakes.
By the Numbers
4998: Career wins for jockey Scott Spieth. Based at Tampa Bay Downs, he had one mount Friday and was booked on one Saturday.
84: Starts by Sir Chauvelin. The 12-year-old takes on 12 rivals in a handicap at Southwell.
88: Nominees to the Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland April 5.
108: Nominees to the Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland April 6.
Names of the Day
Kipp Kelly. Race 3. Southwell. Anything that reminds of us of The Chief.
Infiltrator. Race 6. Oaklawn Park. Willis Horton Racing’s 5-year-old is out of Agent Romanoff.
Big Hat Willie. Race 6. Oaklawn Park. Anybody know Willie? Tell us the story and win a prize.
Seize The Night. Race 10. Oaklawn Park. Another Willis Horton runner, the 5-year-old is by Carpe Diem out of Candle Maker.
Beer of the Week
Everyone knows our team at The Special likes a good craft beer – some better than others judging by the generous drop-offs at various points of the season – and nothing could be better for an aficionado than this weekend’s event in Saratoga Springs.
The Saratoga Beer Summit goes down Saturday at the Saratoga City Center and it’s become an almost annual tradition for my eclectic crew. We always hit the early session, which goes from 1-4 p.m. then venture out for dinner. Henry Street Taproom, another favorite of The Special, will be our landing spot after a day of sampling. Responsible sampling of course.
This year’s Summit takes on special meaning since it’ll be the first we’ve attended without our dear friend and former cross country and track teammate Jeremy Briell. An ex-Marine with a heart of gold, Jeremy died last spring after a tremendous battle with cancer.
Word came that Jeremy was in his final days shortly into my twice-a-year trip back to Kentucky for the tail end of the Keeneland meet and Kentucky Derby Week. He passed April 29 at home, surrounded by his beloved family and a week and a day later we said farewell during a service featuring full military honors at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.
Jeremy will be in our thoughts and we’ll no doubt tell some classic tales featuring our fun-loving friend as the central character. Gone too soon. Rest in peace my friend. – Tom Law
Worth Repeating
“We gave him a little bit of a break after the Breeders’ Cup. He had a long campaign, and we were very happy with what he was able to accomplish at the age of 2. Just excited about what lies ahead for him. He’s really turned it on over the last two weeks with his works. We feel like we’ve got him about as good as we’re going to get him.”
Trainer Brad Cox about Timberlake in Saturday’s Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park
“A huge loss to the industry and all humans and horses involved in our industry. She worked tirelessly for The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation protecting the health, welfare and safety of both. She will be dearly missed.”
Jamie Haydon, President of The Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, about Nancy C. Kelly
From the pages of The Saratoga Special
Greg Tramontin’s Alys Beach makes her 2024 debut – and first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades in early October – in Saturday’s Grade 3 Honeybee. The daughter of Omaha Beach won her debut in late July last summer at Saratoga and The Special’s Joe Clancy caught up with trainer Tom Amoss and Tramontin to talk about the $120,000 yearling in our Saratoga Sensations feature presented by Keeneland Sales.
Here’s a sample, and if you want to read the whole piece go to Page 48 of the August 5, 2023 edition.
Power House: Alys Beach delivers in Saratoga debut for Amoss, Tramontin
Hidden Brook Farm’s Sergio de Sousa thought back to a little more than a year ago, when recent Saratoga Race Course debut winner Alys Beach was part of the farm’s Keeneland September consignment.
“She was always a very powerful filly, kind of Quarter Horsey looking,” he said, with a small laugh. “She was not very tall and leggy, but she looked like who she was bred to be. It’s interesting because sometimes people say a horse is a little short or something, but that’s just the way she was built as a yearling.”
Trainer Tom Amoss, shopping for client Greg Tramontin, saw plenty in the daughter of first-crop sire Omaha Beach and the Bernardini mare Pray For Leslie. Bred by Jeff Kerber, the filly (Hip 773 in the catalog) was the first registered foal for her dam – who won twice in three starts – and from the family of stakes horses Hidden Connection, Capo Bastone and others. Nobody knew then that Omaha Beach would have five 2-year-old winners by August (two at Saratoga), but Amoss was looking at the horse first, the catalog second.
“I really liked her,” Amoss said. “She was a medium-sized horse. The thing that really captured me was her hind end, her engine. I said she was going to have to have an awful lot wrong up front for me to not be interested. I was interested.”
She cost $120,000, and has done nothing but reward Amoss and Tramontin since.
“She developed into a beautiful filly and I’m really proud of the way she ran,” Amoss said of a July 30 win in a $136,500 maiden special weight.
Read the rest here.
Stable Tour Flashback
Some were already established, while others hadn’t totally come on the scene. Every year we talk with Saratoga trainers about their established stars and promising prospects in the Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour. Several are running Saturday, including Bold Journey in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia, Whittington Park in the Haynesfield at Aqueduct and Timberlake in the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn. Check out what their trainers said last summer:
Bill Mott on Bold Journey, a New York-bred son of Hard Spun who brings a three-race win streak to the $1.5 million sprint in Saudi Arabia. The eventual stakes winner appreciated the visit. “He’s got his ears up like he wants to be nice, but I don’t always trust him. He’s just a little tough in the stall and aggressive lately. He’s manageable, but he’s a colt.”
Brad Cox on Timberlake, after 9 1/4-length victory that earned him a start in the Grade 1 Hopeful. WinStar Farm’s son of Into Mischief finished second in the Hopeful before a victory in the Grade 1 Champagne and a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. “Nice colt, by Into Mischief. Received some good figures. We’re going to point for the Hopeful. We think he’s that type. He’s a good colt, big, looks the part, good mind and we added blinkers last time. That didn’t hurt. He seemed to move forward with a little more ground. His first race he kind of got outrun early, he broke from the outside and didn’t quite break as sharp as expected. I’m trying to make a million excuses for him but inside speed was really good at Ellis that day.”
Jeremiah Englehart on Whittington Park, Ten Strike Racing’s 5-year-old New York-bred son of Midnight Lute who comes in off a victory in an open-company allowance going a mile at Aqueduct. Before our visit with Englehart, Whittington Park had finished fifth in the Commentator Stakes and third in an early July allowance, both at Belmont Park. “We just ran in an open allowance and he finished third. Hopefully he can break the ice in the 1X condition up here or a New York-bred stakes. Since I’ve gotten him and as he’s gotten older, he’s gotten better and better. Just a fun horse to work with. The plan was to send him to Finger Lakes. He was just immature. I think he ran well first time … but just couldn’t get over the hump. I had his sister, Critical Value. Him being by Midnight Lute, he seems like he didn’t want to be a 2-, 3-year-old. As he gets older, he’s going to be a nice horse. He ran his best number in his last start and hopefully that continues.”
Milestones
Trainers Ken McPeek and Larry Smith celebrated milestone victories this past week.
McPeek sent out his 2,000th winner Wednesday when Winnable scored at Turfway Park. The trainer of 1999 Belmont
McPeek won his first race in his sixth start when Final Destroyer won a maiden claiming race Oct. 27, 1985 at River Downs. Since then he’s racked up purse earnings of $117 million, won 21 Grade 1 stakes, conditioned major stars Swiss Skydiver, Sarava, Golden Ticket, Take Charge Lady and Harlan’s Holiday. He’s on the Triple Crown trail again this year, led by recent Grade 3 Southwest Stakes winner Mystik Dan.
Smith picked up his 1,000th winner when Come See About It – named for the catchy phrase uttered by the University of Kentucky football player Lynn Bowden Jr. during a pre-game smack-talk session a few years back – won at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
Smith also won his first race at River Downs – sending out Always Swift in a $2,500 claiming race May 31, 1980. Along the way he’s trained the earners of more than $11 million including Big Truck, My Pardner Cal, Arathorne and Ol’ L B.
Handicapper’s Corner
We’re bringing the handicapping team back for our run-up to the spring classics and Saratoga seasons, and start things off with the stacked Rebel Day card at Oaklawn Park. Check out the picks from the handicappers at The Saratoga Special.
John Shapazian
1-Imperial Gun, Seize The Grey, Footprint.
2-Sir Otto, Stronsino, Excitable Boy.
3-Motown Dynamic, Bang Bang Fury, Cruise Missile.
4-Unraptured, Breslau, Gunflash.
5-Happy Talk, Enigmatic, Midsummer March.
6-Sun Thunder, Underhill’s Tab, Cosmo.
7-Haulin Ice, Linnie Mae, Kava.
8-Mucho Macho Girl, Zeitlos, Adaline Julia.
9-West Omaha, Alys Beach, Tapit Jenallie.
10-Ain’t Life Grand, Octane, U.S. Army.
11-Timberlake, Carbone, Northern Flame.
12-Crushed It, Give Me A Reason, Charleston.
Tom Law
1-Imperial Gun, Seize The Grey, Footprint.
2-Sir Otto, Mo El Grande, Run Jalen Run.
3-Cruise Missile, Bang Bang Fury, Motown Dynamic.
4-Unraptured, Favorite Outlaw, Gunflash.
5-Enigmatic, My Favorite Girl, Midsummer March.
6-Sun Thunder, Cosmo, Underhill’s Tab.
7-Snow Flurry, Queen Mallard, Kava.
8-Sarah Harper, Mucho Macho Girl, Zeitlos.
9-Alys Beach, West Omaha, Midshipman’s Dance.
10-Speed Bias, Ain’t Life Grand, Octane.
11-Timberlake, Carbone, Time For Truth.
12-Crushed It, Give Me A Reason, Thousand Springs.
Charles Bedard
1-Imperial Gun, Maximus Magic, Footprint.
2-Run Jalen Run, Sir Otto, Coach Jimi D.
3-Cruise Missile, Motown Dynamic, Bang Bang Fury.
4-Favorite Outlaw, Unraptured, W W Scouts Honor.
5-Enigmatic, Happy Talk, My Favorite Girl.
6-Cosmo, Pledgeofallegience, Sun Thunder.
7-Haulin Ice, Snow Flurry, Linnie Mae.
8-Mucho Macho Girl, Zeitlos, Let’s Be Clear.
9-Band Of Gold, West Omaha, Nemo Beach.
10-Magic Tap, Ain’t Life Grand, Octane.
11-Just Steel, Timberlake, Carbone.
12-Crushed It, Gotta Have Dreams, Give Me A Reason.
Jessica Paquette
1-Blown Cover, Imperial Gun, Seize The Grey.
2-Sir Otto, Rocky Top Mischief, Run Jalen Run.
3-Motown Dynamic, Cruise Missile, Bellofthebluegrass.
4-Efficiency, Gun Flash, Sinner’s Sin.
5-Who’s Ticket, Midsummer March, Enigmatic.
6-Mr. Keating, Sun Thunder, Cosmo.
7-Haulin Ice, Snow Flurry, Cava.
8-Zeitlos, Mucho Macho Girl, Pillbox.
9-Band Of Gold, West Omaha, Neom Beach.
10-Midnight Rising, Magic Tap, Octane.
11-Dimatic, Timberlake, Time For Truth.
12-Sicilian Defense, Crushed It, Give Me A Reason.
Jockey of the Week
A panel of experts vote on the Jockey of the Week honor, presented by the Jockeys’ Guild. Joel Rosario, who hit a couple spots in the South and Southwest last week, earned the award for his accomplishments, which included six stakes wins including the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes aboard Beatbox.
Here’s the edited recap from the Guild:
Six stakes wins leads to Jockey of the Week honor for Joel Rosario
Top jockey Joel Rosario spent the week riding at two diverse racetracks, Fair Grounds in New Orleans, where he won two stakes including a Grade 3 and Sunland Park in New Mexico, where he won four stakes. The impressive six-stake race haul was recognized by the panel of racing experts as the week’s top achievement voting Rosario Jockey of the Week for February 12 through February 18.
The weekly award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Rosario opted this year to be based at Santa Anita Park while occasionally riding at tracks around the country. He started the week at Fair Grounds with mounts Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday which was billed as “Louisiana Derby Preview Day” with six stakes races carded.
Riding for trainer Tom Amoss, Rosario was aboard Minnesota Ready in the Colonel Power Stakes, originally carded for 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf but switched to the main track rated as sloppy and sealed. Off as the favorite in the field of seven 4-year-olds and up, Minnesota Ready tracked the leaders through the far turn then went five wide at the top of the stretch collaring Just Might to win by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:03.05.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux next gave a leg up to Rosario on Beatbox in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes. Breaking from post nine in the field of 11, Rosario guided Beatbox to the rail by the first turn. Saving ground throughout, Beatbox went on to post a neck victory over the favorite, Strong Quality in 1:49.96 for 9 furlongs on the soft turf course for 4-year-olds and up.
“Turning for home, I had to make a quick decision to go outside or take the chance and go up the rail,” Rosario said. “The decision to stay inside really worked out for us in the end.”
It was then off to Sunland for Sunday’s 10-race card.
Riding for trainer Todd Fincher, Rosario won the Harry Henson Handicap piloting the favorite, Flying Connection. Trainer Steve Asmussen gave a leg up to Rosario on Jaxon Traveler to win the Bill Thomas Memorial. Riding again for Steve Asmussen, Rosario won the Sunland Park Oaks aboard co-favorite, Recharge, who earned 20 points towards a spot in the Kentucky Oaks. Rosario capped his day at Sunland Park with the win aboard favorite, Payingoffmymarker for trainer Todd Fincher in the Enchantress Stakes.
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week were Antonio Fresu who won the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby, Tyler Gaffalione with two graded stakes wins at Fair Grounds, Fernando Jara with three stakes wins at Sam Houston and Sheldon Russell with two graded stakes wins at Laurel Park.
Now for the races…
King Abdulaziz. Saudi Arabia. Race 3. 8:20 a.m. “Hey, Ron, I’ve got two…” Jimmy Jerkens tabs John Velazquez for My Frankel and Joel Rosario for Finest Sound in the NHC Saudi International Handicap.
Kempton. Race 2. 8:50. Life before Cheltenham. The Grade 2 Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle offers $96,000 to a talented group of six. Givemefive has dominated rivals in his first two hurdle starts for trainer Harry Derham and jockey Paul O’Brien.
King Abdulaziz. Saudi Arabia. Race 4. 9:00. New Jersey-bred Book’em Danno takes on the world in the Boutique Saudi Derby. The stakes continue every 40 minutes from here.
Newcastle. Race 3. 9:08. We like Cruz Control at 15-1 in the Eider Chase.
Kempton. Race 2. 9:27. Strong card continues with the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase. Arclight is undefeated in three chase starts for trainer Nicky Henderson. She takes on the boys here.
Kempton. Race 4. 10:00. The red-hot Ben Pauling and Ben Jones send out Fiercely Proud in the Grade 2 Coral Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.
Southwell. Race 2. 10:20. Ten-time winner Lord North returns to defend his crown in the Grade 3 Betuk Winter Derby. The 8-year-old hasn’t run since winning the Grade 1 Dubai Turf 11 months ago.
Kempton. Race 5. 10:37. Another group of stoic chasers converge for the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase.
Fairyhouse. Race 5. 10:50. The gallant foursome I Am Maximus, Fury Road, Minella Crooner and Vanillier clash in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase.
King Abdulaziz. Saudi Arabia. Race 9. 12:40 p.m. White Abarrio, National Treasure, Senor Buscador, Saudi Crown and Hoist The Gold represent the U.S. in the feature, the $20 million Saudi Cup.
Oaklawn Park. Race 1. 1:00. Kick off Rebel Day with two-turn allowance-optional for 3-year-olds.
Oaklawn. Race 4. 2:31. How about these purses? No wonder there’s a field of 12 since it’s worth $150,000.
Laurel Park. Race 7. 3:19. Can the New York-bred filly Roanan Goddess win again? She took the Xtra Heat going 6 furlongs and stretches out to 7 here in the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes against six others led by Miss Harriett and Kissedbyanangel.
Tampa Bay Downs. Race 7. 3:32. How about our man Leinster? The multiple graded stakes winning turf sprinter gets two races named for him, the first the $100,000 Leinster Lightning City for fillies and mares. See below for the next.
Laurel. Race 8. 3:50. The $100,000 Mircale Wood puts local sophomores one step closer to the Federico Tesio, or dare we say it, the Preakness Stakes. They’re not all local here though but they might be running to beat Regalo.
Tampa. Race 9. 4:24. As promised, the $100,000 Leinster Turf Dash Stakes for 4-year-olds and up. Leinster, an 8-year-old son of Majestic Warrior, stands for $5,000 at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Morrison, Florida.
Aqueduct. Race 8. 4:49. The $100,000 Haynesfield at 1 mile for older New York-breds. Dr Ardito returned to the win column last time in the Alex M. Robb at the same track and trip. He’ll be a tough foe for Maker’s Candy, who brings three-race win streak in stakes return.
Oaklawn. Race 8. 4:35. First stakes of the day, the $150,000 Carousel for fillies and mares. Zietlos versus Mucho Macho Girl on paper. Fortunately races aren’t run on paper.
Gulfstream Park. Race 11. 5:07. Field of 10 for the $125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes. Multiple graded stakes winner Candy Man Rocket leads the way, making his first start since a third in the Grade 3 John A. Nerud back in July at Belmont Park.
Oaklawn. Race 9. 5:10. The Grade 3 Honeybee, with 50 points to the winner toward a spot in the Kentucky Oaks. West Omaha ships from New Orleans for Brad Cox while Band Of Gold stays home for Ken McPeek.
Oaklawn. Race 10. 5:45. Bulky field of 13 for the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback. Yes, you read that right. Strong purse for the older horse division.
Fonner Park. Race 9. 6:22. Ah Fonner. We’re still thankful for those days helping everyone through the pandemic. The Opening Day feature is the $20,000 Grasmick featuring Thatsafactjack, who was bred by the late Toby Keith’s Dream Walkin’ Farms. Rest in peace to the legend of Red Solo Cup.
Oaklawn. Race 11. 6:23. Another 50-point race – and perhaps more importantly, a $1.25 million pot – looms for the players in the Grade 2 Rebel. Grade 1 winner Timberlake makes his return against the likes of Southwest runner-up Just Steel, Gun Runner’s impressive maiden winner Dimatic, Northern Flame and others.
Santa Anita Park. Race 7. 6:29. Linda’s Gift, Khinjani and Musical Rhapsody headline the Grade 3 Santa Ana going 10 furlongs on the grass.
