We’re down to single digits.
That’s the countdown to Opening Day at Saratoga and of course the first edition of The Saratoga Special for 2022. Fast and furious at our ST Publishing outposts, including Saratoga, where we’re settling into our usual office space and readying the team for another spectacular season.
One last weekend and one more edition of The Saturday Special to keep you busy while packing for Saratoga – or Del Mar if you prefer – and the best days of the summer season.
Here’s The Special for Saturday, July 9. Enjoy, good luck and see you down the road.
Worth Repeating
“Bill Mott likes to have horses on win streaks, like Cigar. This horse has started one of his own and he’s been such a pleasure every time he’s run in our care in Kentucky. The whole team did a great job to get him back here and it’s very special to win the Stephen Foster again. He has such a big stride and it’s so powerful in the late stages of his races.”
Kenny McCarthy, Kentucky-based assistant to Mott, on Stephen Foster winner Olympiad
“We’re glad he got his feet back underneath him. He ran into some stiff competition in his last two starts and he was coming off the layoff. Our goal is to get him back to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Today, we started our way back by getting his confidence back. Joel had to ask him a little bit early in the race just to keep his position since he was inside of horses.”\
Trainer Wayne Catalano on Aloha West
“It wasn’t 10 minutes after the announcement was made this race was going to be run on dirt that Mike (Mackin) called me and asked if we could supplement him to this field. I thought it was good idea. We didn’t even breeze him between races, just galloped him. He didn’t have to face the likes of Cyberknife or Howling Time today. I wouldn’t say he’s at the top of the 3-year-old class but he isn’t chopped liver either.”
Trainer Kenny McPeek on American Derby winner Rattle N Roll
“It’s great, isn’t it? I’ve never really thought too much about it until just recently when it’s been so much written about it. I don’t know where it works out on the amount of runners I’ve had, but you know, lots of people have won 2,000 races, but most of them run a lot of horses, too. So, I’m very proud of it.”
Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield on crossing the 2,000-win plateau last week at Woodbine
“We love watching Joseph work. He’s some kind of horseman. The apple did not fall far from the tree. He’s had some success here. The Breeders’ Cup is back at Keeneland this year, so he’s got his eye on that.”
Scott Heider, owner of Belmont Oaks contender Agartha, on trainer Joseph O’Brien
The Saratoga Special Play of the Day
Belmont Park. Race 9. Take a flyer on Implementation in the Belmont Derby.
Riverdee Stable Names of the Day
Stolen Base. Belmont Park. Race 9. The 3-year-colt is out of Running Wild.
Limited Liability. Belmont Park. Race 9. Did we spotlight this last summer? The 3-year-old colt is out of Hold Harmless.
Hudson Overpass. Belmont Park. Race 11. The New York-bred is by Verrazano. Of course.
Collins Ave. Wyoming Downs. The 6-year-old is by Quality Road. They don’t call it Millionaire’s Row for nothing.
Handicapper’s Corner
One more weekend for the handicappers away from the NYRA circuit. Our fearless five wade into the Indiana Derby and Indiana Oaks card from Horseshoe Indianapolis, less than a week before Opening Day at Saratoga Race Course and Day 1 of The Saratoga Special’s 22nd season.Tom Law leads the winter-spring-summer “season” heading into the final day, with 68 winners to 63 for John Shapazian. The others? They’re probably too far back to make a dent, but you know they’ll be fired up for next week.
Here are the picks for Saturday, July 9. Good luck.
John Shapazian (63/259):
1-Milan’s Girl, Easy To Love, Faith’s Reward.
2-Unbridled Victory, Brookville Storm, More Approval.
3-Starlett Express, Amazingness, Hoosier Premium.
4-Misty Veil, Lovely Ride, Semble Juste.
5-Navratilova, Hendy Woods, Lake Lucerne.
6-Healing Waters, Starlite Run, J’s Naughty Boy.
7-Climber, Louder Than Words, Holy Justice.
8-Thomas Shelby, Runnin’ Ray, Mr. Wireless
9-New Year’s Fever, Latigo, Mr Chaos.
10-Somelikeitbrown, Duke Of Hazzard, Attentive.
11-Interstatedaydream, Patna, Candy Raid.
12-Best Actor, King Ottoman, Rattle N Roll.
Tom Law (68/259):
1-Easy To Love, Sammies Samurai, Milan’s Girl.
2-More Approval, Brookville Storm, Unbridled Victory.
3-Amazingness, Starlet Express, Lieutenant Kitty.
4-Misty Veil, Lady Frosted, Semble Juste.
5-Navratilova, Flippant, Hendy Woods.
6-Healing Waters, Starlite Run, Imploding.
7-Louder Than Words, Cactus Flower, Climber.
8-Thomas Shelby, Helium, Spa City.
9-Mr Chaos, New Year’s Fever, Mowins.
10-Somelikeithotbrown, Ivar, Duke Of Hazzard.
11-Interstatedaydream, Patna, North Country.
12-Rattle N Roll, Best Actor, Actuator.
Charles Bedard (60-259):
1-Faith’s Reward, Miss Everything, Milan’s Girl.
2-Brookville Storm, Unbridled Victory, More Approval.
3-Lieutenant Kitty, No More Fake News, Starlet Express.
4-Misty Veil, Lovely Ride, Semble Juste.
5-Flippant, Hendy Woods, Timeless Rose.
6-Runaholic, Miss Oro, Healing Waters.
7-Louder Than Words, Poetic Verse, Climber.
8-Thomas Shelby, Helium, Runnin’ Ray.
9-Mowins, Mr Chaos, New Year’s Fever.
10-Ivar, Somelikeithotbrown, Gray’s Fable.
11-Interstatedaydream, Runaway Wife, North County.
12-Rattle N Roll, Best Actor, King Ottoman.
Rob Whitlock (60/259):
1-Miss Everything, Faith’s Reward, Easy To Love.
2-More Approval, Unbridled Victory, Quick And Easy.
3-Starlet Express, Hoosier Premium, Amazingness.
4-Lovely Ride, Misty Veil, Lady Frosted.
5-Navratilova, Take Charge Ro, Flippant.
6-Healing Waters, Runaholic, Mas Oro.
7-Climber, Holy Justice, Louder Than Words.
8-Mr Wireless, South Bend, Thomas Shelby.
9-Jeopardy Theory, Mowins, Latigo.
10-Somelikeithotbrown, Ivar, El Kabong.
11-Interstatedaydream, North Country, Runaway Wife.
12-Actuator, Rattle N Roll, Un Ojo.
Jessica Paquette (58/259):
1-Miss Everything, Faith’s Reward, Easy To Love.
2-Unbridled Victory, Quick And Easy, More Approval.
3-Song Of The Siren, Starlet Express, Lightupjustice.
4-Misty Veil, Semble Juste, Temper Time.
5-Flippant, Waliyak, Hendy Woods.
6-Healing Waters, J’s Naughty Boy, Runaholic.
7-Climber, Cactus Flower, Poetic Verse.
8-Thomas Shelby, Mr. Wireless, Helium.
9-Mowins, Jeopardy Theory, Bella’s Prayer.
10-Ivar, Cavalry Charge, Dukes Of Hazzard.
11-Interstatedaydream, Candy Raid, Runaway Wife.
12-Actuator, Rattle N Roll, King Ottoman.
As for the races …
Newmarket. Race 1. 8:30. a.m Stellar Saturday card begins with 2-year-old fillies
Newmarket. Race 2. 9:05. Kidwah puts her undefeated record on the line for Shadwell and William Haggas.
York. Race 2. 9:20. John Leeper, Thunderous and Without A Fight clash in the Silver Cup Stakes. That’s it, just those three but, oh, what a three.
Newmarket. Race 3. 9:40. Name of the Day? Jimi Hendrix jams his way into this handicap for Chelsea Thoroughbreds.
Newmarket. Race 4. 10:15. The undefeated trio Isaac Shelby, Lion Of War and Victory Dance rumble in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes.
Ascot. Race 4. 10:35. Chindit has chased the irrepressible Baaeed in his two most recent races. The Summer Mile looks like a sweet spot without the superstar.
Newmarket. Race 5. 10:50. Nothing like the Bunbury Cup. Millionaire 8-year-old Accidental Agent takes on 3-year-old Samburu and 18 others in a thriller.
York. Race 5. 11:05. Twenty-two strong in the John Smith’s Cup, a 10-furlong handicap worth $270,000.
Newmarket. Race 6. 11:25. Wow, what a renewal of the July Cup. Australian Artorius returns for another try after finishing third in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot. Godolphin continues its barrage with Creative Force and Naval Crown. And then there’s Perfect Power, winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 4. 1:52 p.m. The $100,000 Mari Hulman George Memorial for older fillies and mares leads off the Indiana Derby Day stakes portion of the program.
Delaware Park. Race 5. 2:30. Tax entered again for his return in the $100,000 Battery Park going 1 1/16 miles. He hasn’t run since the 2021 Pegasus World Cup in late January and if he runs he’ll take on Phat Man, Magic Michael and six others.
Belmont Park. Race 4. 2:32. The Grade 2 Suburban leads off the Stars and Stripes Day stakes. Todd Pletcher looks to keep rolling with Untreated and Dynamic One while First Captain tries to add another stamina-testing stakes to his resume.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 5. 2:23. Navratilova will appreciate class relief in the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly Distaff.
Delaware. Race 6. 3:00. Field of 10 for the Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial for older fillies and mares on the grass.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 7. 3:23. Stay on the grass for the $100,000 Ellen’s Lucky Star for Indiana-bred fillies and mares.
Delaware. Race 7. 3:30. One of the Mid-Atlantic region’s storied events, the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap offers $500,000 and plenty of prestige. Field of seven tries the 10 furlongs and the group is led by the Obeah Stakes 1-2 in Miss Leslie and Battle Bling, along with Bess And Honey from trainer Shug McGaughey’s barn.
Ellis Park. Race 5. 3:42. The Pea Patch is back with the – of course – $60,000 Pea Patch Overnight Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass.
Belmont. Race 7. 4:06. Chad Brown sends out three (McKulick, Haughy and Consumer Spending) in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks gainst European imports With The Moonlight, Hot Queen, Know Thyself, Agartha and Concert Hall. Brendan Walsh might have the best of the group in Edgewood Stakes winner New Year’s Eve.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 8. 4:14. South Bend makes his way to Hoosier country for the $100,000 Michael G. Shaeffer Memorial.
Woodbine. Race 7. 4:27. The $100,000 Alywow for 3-year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass.
Belmont. Race 8. 4:38. The Grade 3 Victory Ride. Pretty Birdie cuts back a bit while Happy Soul, Smash Ticket, Hot Peppers and Sterling Silver try to punch their ticket to the Grade 1 Test next month at Saratoga.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 9. 4:47. Back to the grass for the $100,000 Snack for Indiana-bred 3-year-olds.
Belmont. Race 9. 5:12. Another overseas invasion for the Grade 1 Belmont Derby with Implementation, Machete, Royal Patronage, Nations Pride and Stone Age taking on the likes of Emmanuel, Tiz The Bomb and Stolen Base.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 10. 5:22. Multiple New York-bred champion Somelikeithotbrown takes his show to Indiana for the $100,000 Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial. Grade 1 winner Ivar is also in the field along with Duke Of Hazzard, El Kabon and Peace Achieved.
Gulfstream Park. Race 10. 5:27. The $75,000 Carry Back, formerly run on the Summit of Speed Day card, brings together a field of eight sophomores going 7 furlongs.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 11. 6:05. Interstatedaydream looks to build on victory last time out in the Black-Eyed Susan here in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks. Brad Cox also sends out Juddmonte’s Patna, while Kentucky Oaks also-ran Candy Raid and Untappable Stakes winner North Country could also factor.
Horseshoe Indianapolis. Race 12. 6:40. The headlining Grade 3 Indiana Derby. Kenny McPeek runs Rattle N Roll back on a week’s rest after winning the American Derby while Un Ojo makes his belated return following setbacks that cost him a shot at the spring classics. Don’t count out Actuator, Best Actor, King Ottoman or Trademark.
Los Alamitos Race Course. Race 9. 9:07. Bob Baffert is back – did you notice? – and he runs Doppelganger and High Connection in the $125,000 Los Alamitos Derby against Win The Day, Got Thunder and Slow Down Andy.
Prairie Meadows Racetrack. Race 6. 9:11. James Chapman, Steve Asmussen, Mike Maker and Paul McEntee ship runners from Kentucky for the $100,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile. Maker’s Top Recruit ran fast winning debut June 9 at Churchill Downs and merits favorite’s role.
Prairie Meadows. Race 7. 9:40. Todd Pletcher sends Falconet, the winner of her last two in Kentucky, to the Midwest for the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks.
Prairie Meadows. Race 8. 10:09. Check your scratches with several here in the $225,000 Iowa Derby cross-entered earlier in the day in the Indiana Derby. Conagher isn’t cross-entered and could be tough for trainer Michael Tomlinson off back-to-back victories going short in Kentucky.
Prairie Meadows. Race 9. 10:38. No Knicks Go this year but still a good group for the Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap. The trio of Warrant, Silver Prospector and Rated R Superstar will be tough to handle in here.
