Hello All! Much like the Belmont meet, the Saratoga turf ran quick all summer with the weather, for the most part, being hot and dry. Of 197 turf races run during the meet, only 27 were taken off the grass. In the Adirondacks, they call that spectacular weather. Let’s begin at the end. Race # 1 on 9/3 was a MSW for 2 yr. old males at the distance of 1 1/16th miles and was NOT a FHF fast race. But races for maiden 2 yr. old's are where you find your future investments, and Saratoga is the place to find the best two yr. old's. From that race, Noble Tune stands out. After a pedantic pace the last quarter was run in a quick 23.22 and he personally cut the last 16th in a sizzling 5.65 on his way to the wire after splitting horses in deep stretch. This son of Unbridled’s Song running for the amazing Chad Brown will need to be reckoned with down the road. And that road leads no doubt, to Belmont, Keeneland and Gulfstream Park. I should also make note of runner-up Draw Two, who remained covered up until deep stretch, was swung 5 wide and accelerated very well in a short time to win the place photo. The son of Macho Uno (Holy Bull) should be a short price in his next start but if not, I’ll be on it. A race of lesser note but still interesting was the 5th, a restricted claiming 20K affair on the turf at 5 ½ F for girls. Lea the Punisher was no doubt, placed into this race with intent by David Jacobson, only to have a tough trip while recovering late into fast fractions to pick up the show position. Her history is to disappoint as the favorite, a knock on the handicapping public more than the horse. Regardless, be advised and watch the tote…and consider yourself warned! But between her failure in an off the turf affair 2 back as the favorite, and her 3rd place finish here, she may be a little bit of a price downstate. Just remember that the purses at the Spa were inflated, and the company in these races reflected that. A rise in class this fall may be an illusion, which will likely help our price. Another maiden affair to keep in mind was run on 9/1 as race #4 and was fast. My eye is on Evening Garden, another offspring of Unbridled’s Song but this time, with the king, Storm Cat on the dam’s side. The rider lost the whip in deep stretch while she attended fast fractions the entire way, and even re-rallied to gain the 4th spot. She was 50-1. I would check out the chart for this race and keep an eye on the top 4 runners. Race # 4 on 8/22 was an optional claimer for fillies and mares and was run fast late with Adjacent setting all the fractions, and while pressed by a familiar foe in Sylvestris (Ire), was able to accelerate and hold her off by the a neck. Sylvestris stumbled out of the gate and still almost won. Further, Ramon ‘I can win anytime I want’ Dominguez saw fit to ride Sylvestris for Robert Barbara, a rare trainer-jockey combo. If he decides to stick with her in her next start downstate, take a long look. Lastly, I’ll finish up where I began back in June and July. As I posted back on July 7th, my horse to watch out of the Belmont meet was Madame Giry. She won both her starts at the Spa in impressive fashion and if she continues to move forward, isn’t done winning. In her last start on 8/24 she ran against a horse I had written about back in June, Ballistic Sue. who just came back to win on Memorial Day at Monmouth Park. From the Saratoga meet, my horse to watch is Revolutionary. A colt by War Pass out of the A.P. Indy mare Runup The Colors, he runs for Todd Pletcher and Winstar Farms. War pass stands for $15,000 but this colt sold for $235,000 and looked the part in his first start. The chart says he was "clobbered at the start and forced hard into MONSIGNOR then checked..." and spotted the field six or seven lengths at the start...as the favorite. No question his price will be short but this horse looks to be a runner, and we are looking towards the future and not just the next race. I have already marked him in my notebook, and he will be a Slew key horse down the road. Of the 46 races that Slew finds were the fastest of the fast, only 10 were on the dirt. I’m not sure what that will mean for big Sandy, but beginning Saturday September 8th expect more of the same on the turf at Belmont. That’s how I see it. However you see it…good luck and good ‘capping! - Slew http://SlewsFastHorses.com
Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.