Rolling right along into the heart of March and the start of spring, we’re back with another installment of The Saturday Special. Stakes announced at Saratoga Race Course for 2024 and steeplechasing gets underway in Aiken, more signs of the season, plus plenty of Kentucky Derby preps on tap. Lots to keep you busy, especially if the forecasts prove correct and snow comes to the Northeast.
By the Numbers
71: Stakes offered at Saratoga this summer (book your advertising now).
20.75: Millions in stakes purses offered at Saratoga this summer.
2: Wildcards added to the Tattersalls March Sale March 27.
Names of the Day
Be Here Now. Newcastle. Race 3. Something we should all remember as we navigate the ever-increasing world of distraction.
Karaoke. Tampa Bay Downs. Race 5. The 3-year-old is out of Singsong.
Sabatini. Turfway Park. Race 2. As you know we love one-word names and this filly is out of Gabriellestoblame.
Don’t Look Back. Turfway Park. Race 2. Ah, Peter Blum and his brilliance. This homebred filly is out of Elope.
Yellow Brick. Santa Anita. Race 8. The 4-year-old colt is by Quality Road.
Handicap the Derby with Tom Law
The Keeneland Library rolled out a slate of springtime events for all ages, including a handicapping seminar led by The Saratoga Special’s Tom Law. Here’s the scoop on the event:
Handicap the Derby with Tom Law
Racing fans both novice and knowledgeable are invited to join veteran handicapper and award-winning Turf writer Tom Law on Wednesday, May 1 for a night of handicapping the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Law, winner of the Red Smith Kentucky Derby Writing Award and multiple Eclipse Awards will discuss the leading contenders for this year’s Derby and the undercard races at Churchill Downs.
“Unlocking the Kentucky Derby puzzle is one of the most anticipated challenges every year for horseplayers and fans, whether they are longtime gamblers or newcomers,” Law said. “Everyone has an opinion on who will win – and who won’t – and it will be great to discuss both for this year’s 150th Kentucky Derby. We’ll have some fun, talk traditions new and old and hopefully give out plenty of winners for the big day.”
The event will be held 6-7:30 p.m. at the Library. For more information and tickets, visit keeneland.com/library.
Worth Repeating
“He’s keeping me in the game, I’m in my 70s now and you start wondering when it would be a good time to throw it in but as long as he’s around, I’m in. He just leaves us all in awe. In the barn and in the mornings, he is just all class. I never would have dreamed I would have a horse of his caliber that just keeps going. I’ve had some good, almost brilliant horses that lasted for a while but not like this.”
Eric Kruljack on The Chosen Vron, who won the Grade 3 San Carlos last weekend for his 16th victory
“I got a second chance; he sent a top guy [doctor] in there and he fixed me. There wouldn’t have been any Triple Crowns if he hadn’t saved me.”
Bob Baffert on Sheikh Mohammed after his heart attack prior to the 2012 Dubai World Cup
“If you had told me that number five years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Duggan said, with a smile. “It’s been a long road, but I have been too blunt and too stubborn to quit. There’s always pathways to success, but you find them in small places sometimes.”
Trainer David Duggan after coming off his best two years in earnings to date in 2022 and 2023 and in midst of hot start to 2024 with five wins from 26 starters
“I don’t want to send her away – we love her. But, I’m sure she’ll head down south. Brad ships where they’ll fit, and I think she can bounce right back from this. She does everything so proper and she’s a very classy filly.”
Dustin Dugas, Brad Cox’s New York-based assistant, about Cicada Stakes winner Ghalia Princess most likely shipping out of town for her next start
“The Wood is a very strong possibility although we’re keeping all options on the table, including maybe training him straight to the Derby,”
Trainer Christophe Clement on Gotham winner Deterministic
“If her genius trainer can look at the fact that she’s sprinted three times on the dirt and won three times, then he might figure out where to run her next.”
Trainer Phil Serpe after Leave No Trace returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2022 Spinaway Stakes in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance-optional March 17 at Aqueduct
Handicapper’s Corner
Plenty to choose from this week, as you’ll see below, and the handicappers will tackle the Louisiana Derby Day card at Fair Grounds. Check out the picks from the team at The Saratoga Special.
John Shapazian (11/48):
1-Chad’s Flashy Ways, Alvarado Cat, Causeway.
2-My Pal Mattie, Custom Bobby’s, Brian’s Iron Mike.
3-Accommodate Eva, Clearly A Test, Lightofmaine.
4-War Siren, Without Cause, Justify Perfection.
5-Corporal, Devilsgotacause, Mister Lincoln.
6-Beaumont Red, Calicoco, Athens Moon.
7-El Dinero, Blue Eyed George, Gamer Nate.
8-Spirit And Glory, Delahaye, Oeuvre.
9-Touchuponastar, Money Supply, Super Corinto.
10-I’m Very Busy, Strong Quality, Webslinger.
11-Tarifa, Intricate, Our Pretty Woman.
12-Hall Of Fame, Track Phantom, Agate Road.
Tom Law (9/48):
1-Alvarado Cat, Causeway Benny, Sant Gabriel.
2-Swot Analysis, Brian’s Iron Mike, Unified Report.
3-Accommodate Eva, Lightofmaine, Sister Ella.
4-Win For Speight, War Siren, Without Cause.
5-Corporal, Stinger Bee, House United.
6-Battle Scars, Solid Country Gold, Calicoco.
7-Blue Eyed George, El Dinero, Spinning Ace.
8-Spirit And Glory, Delahaye, Hidden Connection.
9-Best Actor, Money Supply, Red Route One.
10-Webslinger, I’m Very Busy, Strong Quality.
11-Tarifa, Intricate, Our Pretty Woman.
12-Track Phantom, Agate Road, Catching Freedom.
Charles Bedard (8/48):
1-Causeway Benny, Bobby Two Shot’s, Alvarado Cat.
2-My Pal Mattie, Autumns Strong Man, Brian’s Iron Mike.
3-Accommodate Eva, Platinum Minit, Lightofmaine.
4-War Siren, Union Mist, Carnane.
5-House United, Corporal, Stinger Bee.
6-Battle Scars, Solid Country Gold, Quaternion.
7-Blue Eyed George, Good And Stout, El Dinero.
8-Tufani, Flatter Me Silly, Spirit And Glory.
9-Lure Him In, Best Actor, Touchuponastar.
10-Gigante, Point Proven, I’m Very Busy.
11-V V’s Dream, Intricate, Tarifa.
12-Track Phantom, Agate Road, Common Defense.
Rob Whitlock (6/36):
1-Orleans Tourist, Causeway Benny, Jackson D.
2-Autumns Strong Man, Unified Report, My Pal Mattie.
3-Lightofmaine, Platinum Minute, Pip Squeak.
4-Emily’s Bullet, Saranac Lake, Win For Speight.
5-House United, Coach Campbell, Fast Solution.
6-Beaumont Red, Solid Country Gold, Athens Moon.
7-El Dinero, Take Charge J J, Good And Stout.
8-Tufani, Flatter Me Silly, Delahaye.
9-Gasoline, Black Belt, Best Actor.
10-Irish Aces, Beatbox, Strong Quality.
11-Our Pretty Woman, Tarifa, Alpine Princess.
12-Next Level, Common Defense, Track Phantom.
Jessica Paquette (14/48):
1-Causeway Benny, Alvarado Cat, Navarrian.
2-Relentless Dancer, Flower Cat, Custom Bobbys.
3-Sister Ella, Pip Squeek, Lightofmaine.
4-Carnane, War Siren, Without Cause.
5-Stinger Bee, Corporal, Mister Lincoln.
6-Brown Liquor Man, Athens Moon, Moment Of Stardom.
7-Blue Eyed George, Sonofaship, Sounds Like Power.
8-Watch This Birdie, Tufani, Delahaye.
9-Red Route One, Gasoline, Super Corinto.
10-Strong Quality, Gigante, Irish Aces.
11-Intricate, Tarifa, Our Pretty Woman.
12-Antiquarian, Track Phantom, Hall Of Fame.
Now for the races…
Doncaster. Race 1. 9:20. The start of the flat season. The real flat season. British turf racing returns with the Doncaster Mile.
Doncaster. Race 2. 9:50. Two-year-olds make their debuts in the Brocklesby Stakes.
Doncaster. Race 3. 10:24. The Spring Mile attracts an eclectic group of 18. They range from 4-year-old Helter Skelter, making his fifth foray, to 9-year-old Hortzadar, making his 66th trip to the post.
Doncaster. Race 4. 11:00. Marshman tangled with the best last year. The son of Harry Angel drops a notch in the Cammidge Trophy Stakes.
Newbury. Race 4. 11:15. The Grade 2 “NH” Mares’ Novice Hurdle provides a sweet spot for fillies and mares who swerved Cheltenham.
Doncaster. Race 5. 11:35. Twenty-two line up in the Lincoln Mile Handicap.
Newbury. Race 5. 11:50. The Goffs UK Spring Sale offers a cool $120,000 to sales graduates who can conquer 2 miles on the turf.
Turfway Park. Race 1. 12:45 p.m. Strong card at Turfway starts with maidens going a mile.
Aiken Steeplechase. Race 1. 1:00. Don’t forget the jumpers. The training flat race lights the fuse on the 2024 season. Check out our preview and picks.
Fair Grounds. Race 2. 1:30. The $100,000 Costa Rising for Louisiana-breds sprinting on the grass.
Fair Grounds. Race 3. 2:00. Field of nine sophomore state-breds for the $125,000 Crescent City Oaks.
Gulfstream Park. Race 6. 3:37. No Nay Mets returns for his first start since the Breeders’ Cup. The Irish-bred takes on seven rivals including impressive maiden winner Bonus Move in the Texas Glitter.
Hawthorne. Race 1. 3:40. Don’t forget Hawthorne. Chicago’s Thoroughbred season starts here.
Turfway Park. Race 7. 3:43. The Animal Kingdom kicks off the stakes docket. Frankie Dettori picks up the favorite Valentine Candy for Steve Asmussen.
Fair Grounds. Race 7. 4:00. Blue Eyed George bypassed chance to run in the Jeff Ruby on synthetic and ships south for the $125,000 Crescent City Derby.
Laurel Park. Race 8. 4:02. Determined Driver faces five rivals in search of her first stakes in the Beyond the Wire.
Turfway Park. Race 8. 4:13. Full field converges in the Rushaway.
Aiken. Race 6. 4:20. West Newton leads a small but strong field in the Imperial Cup.
Fair Grounds. Race 8. 4:32. Spirit And Glory returns to New Orleans for the $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial after winning Albert M. Stall Memorial in mid-February for Robert Falcone Jr.
Laurel Park. Race 9. 4:33. Speed Runner exits the Withers while taking on eight foes in the Private Terms.
Turfway Park. Race 9. 4:43. The Latonia Stakes. Who remembers when it was called Latonia?
Fair Grounds. Race 9. 5:04. Touchuponastar, 11-for-14 and on a four-race win streak dating back to October, takes on graded company for the first time in the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic.
Turfway Park. Race 10. 5:13. Wolfie’s Dynaghost tries to win back-to-back editions of the Twinspires Kentucky Cup Classic.
Oaklawn Park. Race 8. 5:22. Nash goes 7-5 in the Hot Springs for Brad Cox and Godolphin.
Fair Grounds. Race 10. 5:36. Back to the grass for the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes. Beatbox, Strong Quality and Johny’s Fireball meet again after 1-2-3 finish in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds as a prep for this spot. Chad Brown ships Pegasus World Cup Turf runner-up I’m Very Busy from Florida with eyes on taking down the $300,000 turf stakes.
Turfway Park. Race 11. 5:43. Wow, what a card. The Bourbonette Oaks continues the stakes skein.
Oaklawn Park. Race 9. 5:55. The Nash team tries to double it up with First Mission in the Essex Handicap.
Sam Houston. Race 9. 6:05. Can we watch or bet Sam Houston again? If so, the Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby highlights a seven-stakes card in the Lone Star State.
Fair Grounds. Race 11. 6:08. Tarifa ran lights out in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra and looks tough again here in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks.
Fonner Park. Race 9. 6:22. Arthurian returns from a year layoff in the Tondi.
Turfway Park. Race 12. 6:25. The Jeff Ruby Steaks completes the stakes card. Michael McCarthy sends Endlessly from his West Coast base to try to win his fourth stakes.
Fair Grounds. Race 11. 6:42. Headliner of the day – the $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby with all kinds of points on the line for a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Hall of Fame looks to bounce back from Risen Star effort, Todd Pletcher ships in the longshot trio of Triple Espresso, Antiquarian and Agate Road and Track Phantom and Catching Freedom figure to appreciate absence of Sierra Leone.
Santa Anita. Race 7. 7:00. The San Luis Rey sends them 12 furlongs down the hill and around for $100,000. Missed The Cut, Planetario and Balladeer finished in that order in the San Marcos.
