Tag: saratoga

Weekend Lineup Presented By Monmouth Park: Derby, Oaks Points On The Line In Haskell, CCA Oaks

This first Grade 1 race of the 2020 Saratoga Race Course meeting takes place on July 18 when the Coaching Club American Oaks, which offers 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers, is contested over nine furlongs at the historic oval. Down the interstate, the 53rd running of the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on Saturday headlines a stacked Monmouth Park card featuring four additional graded stakes.

The Haskell will be broadcast live Saturday on NBC from 5-6 p.m. ET as part of their Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” series. The hour-long show will also broadcast the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes.
TVG will be live on site at Monmouth Park this weekend to feature the Haskell. In addition to Monmouth Park, TVG will be broadcasting racing from Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more all weekend.

Saratoga Live, the critically-acclaimed and award-winning television program, kicks off its fifth season broadcasting the 40-day summer meet at iconic Saratoga Race Course. Saratoga Live will feature more than 210 hours of live programming from Saratoga, which runs through September 7. Saratoga Live will appear each racing day beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports and MSG Networks and offer full-card coverage of the Saratoga meet. In addition to daily national coverage on FS2, Saratoga Live will air on FS1 for a total of 31 hours.

Saturday July 18

2:18 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Trainer Christophe Clement will saddle a formidable pair of graded stakes winners in Decorated Invader and Gufo, both of who will carry winning streaks into the 36th running of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame over the inner turf. Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, William Freeman, William Sandbrook and Cheryl Manning, Decorated Invader arrives at the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds off a victory in the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge on June 20 at Belmont Park, where the son of Declaration of War tracked the pace while saving ground along the rail, made his move at the quarter pole and drew off to a 4 ¾-length triumph.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR071820USA3-EQB.html

4:06 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Trainer Chad Brown is well represented with three entries in the Matchmaker, including morning-line choice Beautiful Lover. The daughter or Arch won the 2019 Boiling Springs at Monmouth last May but has failed to find the winner's circle in four starts since. Beautiful Lover will be joined in the starting gate by stablemates Nay Lady Nay (IRE) and Tapit Today.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA9-EQB.html

4:40 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Grade 1 winner-Math Wizard seeks his first victory since taking the Pennsylvania Derby last September when he faces nine challengers in the 1 1/8-miles Monmouth Cup. Math Wizard has been off the board in his two starts this season after ending his 2019 campaign with a fifth-place run in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Among those Math Wizard will face is multiple graded stakes-placed Bal Harbour, unraced since finishing sixth in the 2019 Grade 1 Cigar Mile, and Grade 3 winner Global Campaign.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA10-EQB.html

4:55 p.m.—$125,000 Grade 3 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

The Trillium Stakes has attracted eight starters, including 2019 multiple Sovereign Award finalist Amalfi Coast, graded stakes-placed Painting, who rallied impressively to finish second to Jean Elizabeth in the Grade 3 Whimsical, and Live Oak Plantation's multiple stakes winner Souper Escape.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071820CAN8-EQB.html

5:10 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on NBC

Less than a week after finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland, Grade 1-winner Arklow will wheel back against eight rivals in the United Nations Stakes. Arklow captured the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last October but is winless in four starts since. Breaking next to Arklow out of post No. 2 will be Standard Deviation, winner of the Jersey Derby at Monmouth last August.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA11-EQB.html

5:28 p.m.—$175,000 Grade 2 Royal North Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Summer Sunday, one of two Stuart Simon trainees in the field, seeks to defend her crown in Saturday's Royal North Stakes. Bred in Ontario by Trinity West Stables and owned by Anne and William Scott, five-year-old Summer Sunday will look to make a return to the winner's circle for the first time since her victory in the Royal North last July. A daughter of Silent Name (JPN) out of the Millennium Allstar mare Dancing Allstar, Summer Sunday heads into the Royal North off a third-place effort in the Grade 3 Whimsical on June 21 at Woodbine.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071820CAN9-EQB.html

5:46 p.m.—$1,000,000 Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on NBC

Multiple graded stakes-winner Authentic was installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite to extend Bob Baffert's record for victories in the Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park's showcase race. Unbeaten in his first three career starts, Authentic was second to Honor A.P. in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in his last start on June 6. Baffert has won the Haskell a record eight times. Dr Post, trained by Todd Pletcher, was made the 5-2 second choice. In his most recent start, Dr Post finished second in the Belmont Stakes on July 20.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA12-EQB.html

6:16 p.m.—$350,000 Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Multiple graded-stakes winner Tonalist's Shape, who boasts six wins from seven starts, returns to action in Saturday's Coaching Club American Oaks, a nine-furlong test for sophomore fillies. Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., Tonalist's Shape reeled off four consecutive wins including victories in the Hut Hut, Grade 3 Forward Gal and Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park. Following an off-the-board effort in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, she returned to winning form last out with a commanding 3 3/4-length score in the Hollywood Wildcat at 1 1/16-miles on May 15 at Gulfstream.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR071820USA10-EQB.html

6:51 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

She's a Julie, winner of the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes on June 13, looms the one to beat when she breaks from the rail in the 1 1/16-miles Molly Pitcher Stakes. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, She's a Julie snapped a five-race losing skid when she prevailed in the Ogden Phipps. The daughter of Elusive Quality previously won the 2019 edition of the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA14-EQB.html

Sunday July 19

5:46 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Stakes-winner Speaktomeofsummer will look to stretch out in distance in taking another crack against graded stakes company as part of a six-horse field of sophomore fillies in the Lake Placid. Off a seven-month layoff, the Summer Front filly made her 3-year-old bow on June 20, running fourth in the Grade 3 Wonder Again at Belmont Park. Owned by Waterford Stable, Speaktomeofsummer broke her maiden at second asking, posting a three-length score in a one-mile contest in her turf debut in September at Monmouth Park, and capped her juvenile campaign with a two-length triumph in her stakes debut in the one-mile Chelsey Flower over good turf in November at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR071920USA9-EQB.html

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Saturday’s Insights: $500K Into Mischief Juvenile Kicks Off Career in Spa Opener

1st-SAR, $72K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:10 p.m. ET

MO MISCHIEF (Into Mischief), purchased by Myracehorse.com and Spendthrift Farm for $500,000 after breezing a quarter in :21 at OBS March, makes his debut for Todd Pletcher. The 9-5 morning-line favorite is out of the multiple stakes-placed Montbrook mare Montessa G.

“He’s a horse that we really liked when we bought him,” said Spendthrift Farms’ General Manager Ned Toffey. “Saratoga is the best of the bests, it’s where people love to unveil their 2-year-olds and you better have your big boy pants on when you go to the starting gate at Saratoga.”

Fellow firster Momos (Distorted Humor), a $180,000 OBS March graduate (:21), was produced by a half-sister to GISWs Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy) and Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday). He is trained by Christophe Clement.

Repo Rocks (Tapiture), just a $70,000 KEESEP yearling, displays a flashy worktab for Hall of Famer Bill Mott for this debut run.

TJCIS PPs

The post Saturday’s Insights: $500K Into Mischief Juvenile Kicks Off Career in Spa Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Saratoga Regulars Bring the Spa to their Backyard

“And they’re off at Saratoga!”

Five words that hundreds, if not thousands, of people live to hear every July as the ceremonial phrase marks the beginning of another historic Saratoga Race Meet.

While most normal attendees were unable hear those Tom Durkin-inspired words in person this year, some did their best to make the most of the situation.

The enthusiasm from Mark Struffolino might be the example racing fans can look to emulate. Born and raised in upstate New York, the Rotterdam resident grew up spending summers at the Spa, and has attended opening day with the same group of friends for nearly 30 years.

Struffolino knew that his friends would be devastated when they couldn’t spend their summer weekends in Saratoga’s famed backyard as they have for decades, so he brought the tradition right to their hometown.

Over the past two months, the Saratoga fanatic has been busy building his own picnic area in his backyard. The project was finished on the eve of opening day, and is now complete with a TV kiosk, a red-and-white striped quarter pole and of course, a picnic table.

“This all started because of the pandemic,” Struffolino said. “My buddies were all down in the dumps, so I knew we had to do something. I took it upon myself to do something special for everyone and not waste an entire summer.”

The project was initially planned as a surprise for his friends, but Struffolino soon realized he would need some extra hands.

“When I got the idea, I put it all on paper and bought the material,” Struffolino said. “I started to build it, but then realized I was going to need more help. So I told my friends, and they all thought I was crazy.”

The most difficult part of the project was the kiosk umbrella. While the Saratoga version is comprised of steel, Struffolino and his team used framing lumber and plywood. Struffolino said the end result was a near-400 pound canopy.

“I had concrete brought in, I had to have a building permit and it was just a whole to-do,” he said with a laugh.

The finishing touch was the quarter pole, which was completed just this week.

“I saw one online and I was like no way, we have to have that,” Struffolino said. “Tuesday we finished putting in new fencing, so we wrapped up right in time for opening day.”

Quarter pole completed on the eve of opening day | Mark Struffolino

While his friends may have been doubters at first, they soon got in on the fun, even taking off work to ensure that the project was finished before the start of the race meet.

“We all agreed we needed to do more, we needed more,” Struffolino said. “We were so close to the deadline and when it went crazy on social media, we had to get it finished. The news has been here twice and Anthony Stabile wants to do a fundraiser here on a dark day. The guys are so excited.”

The group is not only a band of die-hard fans, they’ve also been involved in various partnerships over the years.

“I was in the first partnership with Parting Glass Racing with Tom Gallo years ago,” Struffolino recalled. “We’ve had a couple of our own horses and they’ve been trained by Carlos Martin.”

No matter if they have a horse running or not, the friends can typically be found at the Spa on any given race day, and are usually up before the crack of dawn to participate in the traditional run for the picnic tables.

“We’re usually at the track at 5:30 in the morning,” Stuffolino said. “And as soon as they open the gates we run in and start with mimosas and breakfast. It’s a big to-do.”

But Struffolino said the early mornings are more than worth it in order to fully experience the magic of Saratoga, a sentiment shared with most Spa-goers.

“You can’t beat the atmosphere,” he said. “It’s so upbeat, everybody is having a good time. I don’t think you’ll see a sad face in that place. It’s magical, everything about it. From opening day to Labor Day. You can go there on a Wednesday and hang out with 15,000 people who are all in a great mood. Where can you do that anywhere else?”

 

The finished project at dusk | Mark Struffolino

This year the friends were still able to have a great opening day, and certainly one that they will remember for many years to come. Struffolino reported that of course there were still mimosas in the morning, although this year they commenced at eight in the morning instead of six.

“Nobody works on opening day because it’s Christmas Day,” he said. “It’s nothing from the gambling standpoint for us, it’s the people we’ve met. Between ownership and friends of friends, we’ve met a lot of great people. So we’re going to do the same thing we normally do because it’s something to look forward to now. It’s difficult enough with the pandemic. The whole world has changed. So this was a way to gain some normalcy without it being one hundred percent normal.”

 

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Tradition Remains on Unusual Saratoga Opening Day

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Just like always, the bell in the winner’s circle was rung 17 minutes before every race at the Spa Thursday afternoon.

Of course. Exactly 17 minutes.

Even on the most unusual of opening days at Saratoga Race Course, tradition was served. It is Saratoga after all. Phil Linguiti did the honors, yanking the strap that moved the clapper to produce the sound. Linguiti, a former jockey and longtime white cap in the clubhouse, is a familiar figure at Saratoga. Since this 152nd season is racing in Saratoga Springs is being conducted without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Linguiti wasn’t needed in the empty box seats and became the masked bell man for the day.

The bell is a relic to a bygone era at a track that knows bygone well. Legend has it that the bell was used as a signal to trainers to bring their horses from the barns on the backstretch to be saddled under the trees behind the clubhouse. Trainers no longer have to rely on the bell for guidance, but the bell remains. Though the winner’s circle is no longer just simply a circle of chalk on the dirt racing surface near the finish line and huge video screens in the infield provide the tote information, fortunately some things don’t change at Saratoga.

Linguiti and the bell were a link to the past on a day that a link was welcome. Under overcast skies with a consistent light breeze there was very little connection to even the most low-key racing day at Saratoga in the past 40 or 50 years, certainly not the always-festive opener of the season. With only a small collection of horsemen and essential staff permitted on the grounds, it was eerily quiet aside from the in-house feed of public address announcer John Imbriale. Aside from the time that the horses were on the track, it was easy to forget that the season was officially in session.

While we are accustomed to seeing thousands of empty seats at Aqueduct and Belmont Park and at other major tracks, the sight of a completely empty Saratoga was, at the very least, odd. It’s not accurate to call it shocking because we have known for weeks that it had to be spectator-free to be open at all, but it was different. Still, historic Saratoga is open, giving owners and horsemen the opportunity to stay in business and compete. Even though there were no fans in the seats at the track and no action at the windows, the New York Racing Association has a wildly popular simulcast brand that will produce millions of dollars in betting handle during the 40-day meet. It did $19.1 million Thursday.

After Drawing Away Stable’s Grit and Glory (Malibu Moon) won the first race, veteran Linda Rice, still the only woman to capture a Saratoga training title, provided some perspective: “It’s very strange, but winning is still the same. Whether it’s Belmont or Saratoga, it’s exciting to win a race. The horsemen, like myself and my peers, are so happy to be back racing. We just need to support the industry. But we really miss the fans. It’s just not the same without them, and I sure hope when we come here next year that they are here with us.”

Grit and Glory was ridden by 23-year-old apprentice jockey Luis Cardenas, who for a while had a perfect record at Saratoga Race Course. Winning his Spa debut was akin to hitting a home run in his first at bat in the majors and the smiling Cardenas relished the moment: “This is a dream come true,” he said. “It another check off on the bucket list.”

Cardenas is a native of Peru and has lived in the U.S. for a about a decade. He worked as an exercise rider for a number of years and launched his career as a jockey in December. He said he was injured last summer and spent his recovery time watching races from Saratoga.

“It’s exciting. It’s my first year here and to win the first race at Saratoga it means a lot to me,” he said. “This is my first time at Saratoga. Even driving here, my heart was pumping really fast.”

Ohio-based trainer Tim Hamm picked up his first Saratoga stakes victory in the GIII Schuylerville S. when Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief) cruised to a six-length victory and paid $41.60.

“It’s great. Couldn’t be better,” Hamm said. “I wish there were 100,000 people here to enjoy it with, but it’s awesome.”

Hamm said the absence of fans in the stands did not diminish the victory for him.

“We’re so grateful as horsemen, and I’m sure everyone in the industry is, just to be here and able to race,” he said. “It doesn’t take anything out of it for me. There would probably be a bigger party downtown tonight if it was full of people, but other than that it’s great.”

Jockey Junior Alvarado picked up the mount on Dayoutoftheoffice and made the most of the opportunity. He said the empty stands made him appreciate Saratoga even more.

“When you come to Saratoga there are two things you are looking for,” Alvarado said. “One of the main things is to get horses like this, 2-year-olds, nice horses to keep going and win the big races. The second thing is the fans. There is nothing like the fans here in Saratoga. Even when you don’t win a race, you come back and people congratulate you still. They give you high fives. They keep your spirit up. That one of the things we are missing and hopefully we won’t take it for granted anymore.”

Three-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown is a native of Mechanicville, about 17 miles south of Saratoga, and spent many days in his youth with his family at the track. In 2008, he hit one out of the park, winning with the very first horse he saddled at his home track. Now one of the premier horsemen in the world, he has secured three of the last four Spa training titles. After Country Grammer (Tonalist) gave him a victory in the GIII Peter Pan S., Brown talked about this summer at Saratoga.

“It’s really nice to win this race but definitely a bittersweet day when this beautiful place is empty where I grew up,” he said. “We’ll try to get through the meet and hold out hope that maybe it will open more during the meet, but there’s no guarantees about that. We’ll do the best we can and we’re grateful they’re running here. Hopefully, this is the only year we have to do this.”

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