saratoga | Horse Racing Free Tips

Tonalist’s Country Grammer Delivers Game Peter Pan Victory

Paul Pompa’s Country Grammer (Tonalist) was ultra-game in securing his first black-type score in the rescheduled and relocated GIII Peter Pan S. on Saratoga’s opening day Thursday. Saving ground in fourth, the 4-1 shot sat a few lengths off the longshot pacesetter Mo Hawk (Uncle Mo) through a :23.24 opening quarter and closed the gap a bit, moving into third as the half went in :48.13. The bay inched up the fence as 22-1 shot Celtic Striker (Congrats) ranged up outside the leader with Caracaro (Uncle Mo) hot on his heels. Punching through on the fence exiting the bend, Country Grammer was briefly headed by Caracaro, but he quickly wrestled the lead back from his foe and the duo battled to the wire with Country Grammar holding Carcaro at bay by a neck. With its new position on the calendar, the Peter Pan, which is typically a prep for the GI Belmont S. held downstate in May, offered 50 points towards the Sept. 5 GI Kentucky Derby.

“Irad [Ortiz] gave him a beautiful ride,” winning trainer Chad Brown said. “He took advantage of his inside post. He trains that way and he’s a bit of a grinder. He’s a long distance horse and we’ve been wanting to get him back out to a mile and an eighth. Additionally, in his last race, this horse has never really trained good at Belmont. We ran him there because that’s where he was, but he just didn’t like the track that much. He had a nice work over the track here [at Saratoga] last week and we were optimistic he was going to run much better.”

When asked if the GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 8 was next, Brown said, “Obviously, the logical thing is to point him to the Travers at a mile and a quarter. I don’t think he’ll have a problem with the distance. We’ll have to see if he’s good enough. He hasn’t run many times and there’s room for improvement there. It’s a race we hoped to get him to and I’ll talk to Mr. Pompa about it.”

Fourth when unveiled on the turf at Belmont in October, Country Grammer earned his diploma next out with a decisive victory going nine panels on dirt at Aqueduct Nov. 11. Checking in fifth in Gulfstream’s GII Fountain of Youth S. Feb. 29, he checked in third behind Tap It to Win (Tapit) in a Belmont allowance June 4.

Pedigree Note:

Country Grammer is the second stakes winner and second graded winner from the first crop of MGISW Tonalist, following the filly Tonalist’s Shape. His dam Arabian Song has a now-2-year-old filly named Joyful Cadence (Runhappy), who was purchased by William Simon for $235,000 at Keeneland September, and the mare was subsequently sold to Abdul Aziz Al-Ateeqi for $5,000 in foal to Wicked Strong at the 2018 KEENOV sale. The resulting foal was a filly and is her most recent produce. The winner hails from the family of Group 1 winner Etoile Montante (Miswaki) and MGSW Starformer (Dynaformer).

Thursday, Saratoga
PETER PAN S.-GIII, $100,000, Saratoga, 7-16, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.79, ft.
1–COUNTRY GRAMMER, 120, c, 3, by Tonalist
1st Dam: Arabian Song, by Forestry
2nd Dam: Prima Centauri, by Distant View
3rd Dam: Willstar, by Nureyev
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($60,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR). O-Paul P. Pompa, Jr.; B-Scott and Debbie Pierce (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Irad Ortiz Jr. $55,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1, $117,320. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
2–Caracaro, 120, c, 3, Uncle Mo–Peace Time, by War Front. ($95,000 Wlg ’17 KEENOV). O-Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing, LLC; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado. $20,000.
3–Mystic Guide, 120, c, 3, Ghostzapper–Music Note, by A.P. Indy. O/B-Godolphin, LLC (KY); T-Michael Stidham. $12,000.
Margins: NK, 3 1/4, 4 3/4. Odds: 4.10, 3.20, 1.75.
Also Ran: Celtic Striker, Modernist, Chestertown, Candy Tycoon, Mo Hawk, Katzarelli.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

The post Tonalist’s Country Grammer Delivers Game Peter Pan Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Into Mischief Filly All Business in Schuylerville, Leads Home One-Two for Leading Sire

Tim Hamm and Siena Farms’ Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief) was completely dismissed at 19-1 in the GIII Schuylerville S., the first graded stakes of the Saratoga meet Thursday, but she will not be overlooked again after a dominant victory.

Ignored by the bettors despite a 4 3/4-length debut graduation at Gulfstream May 14, the dark bay stalked from a two-wide third as Make Mischief (Into Mischief) led Hara (Hard Spun) through an opening quarter in :22.29. Inching closer as the half went up in :45.57, Dayoutoftheoffice collared the pacesetter in early stretch and charged clear with fury for an emphatic six-length score. Make Mischief, a 16-1 shot, held second and Hopeful Princess (Not This Time) completed the trifecta. Heavily favored Beautiful Memories (Hard Spun) stumbled at the start and was pulled up approaching the far turn.

“We knew there would be a lot of speed, but I thought if we could be third or fourth early, we’d have a big chance,” said Hamm, who is the winner’s conditioner as well as co-owner. “When I saw her coming into the turn laying third, I thought we had a shot. We got the trip we were hoping to get. In the paddock, he [jockey Junior Alvarado] said to me, ‘into the turn if you could pick a spot for me to be, where would that be?’ I said third right outside the speed. When I saw him laying there, I said, ‘wow we’re still alive.'”

As for the beaten favorite, jockey Jose Ortiz said, “She stumbled out of the gate and was traveling OK, but she was getting a lot of dirt in her face. Going into the turn, she switched leads and I noticed she wasn’t traveling well, so I decided to take care of her. It was a tough decision to make. She had a small cut on her right front. I don’t think it’s serious.”

Her trainer Mark Casse, who also the conditioner of runner-up Make Mischief, tweeted, “Want to let everyone know that Beautiful Memories is fine. She stumbled hard at the start and has some minor scrapes. We are thankful for Jose Ortiz putting her safety first, easing her up when concerned.”

Pedigree Notes:

Dayoutoftheoffice is the 31st graded winner and 73rd black-type winner by her red hot sire Into Mischief, who also sired the Schuylerville runner-up. She is also the 16th graded winner and 58th black-type victor out of a daughter of Indian Charlie. Her dam Gottahaveadream, a half-sister to GISW Here Comes Ben (Street Cry {Ire}), produced a Carpe Diem filly in 2019 and a Bolt d’Oro colt Mar. 15 of this year. The winner also hails from the family of Grade I winners Daredevil (More Than Ready), Albertus Maximus (Albert the Great) and King Charlemagne (Nureyev).

Thursday, Saratoga
SCHUYLERVILLE S.-GIII, $100,000, Saratoga, 7-16, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.43, ft.
1–DAYOUTOFTHEOFFICE, 120, f, 2, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Gottahaveadream, by Indian Charlie
2nd Dam: Chasetheragingwind, by Dayjur
3rd Dam: Race the Wild Wind, by Sunny’s Halo
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Tim E. Hamm and Siena Farm LLC; B-Siena Farms LLC (KY); T-Timothy E. Hamm; J-Junior Alvarado. $55,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $79,000. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Make Mischief, 120, f, 2, Into Mischief–Speightful Lady, by Speightstown. ($285,000 Ylg ’19 SARAUG). O-Gary Barber; B-Avanti Stable (NY); T-Mark E. Casse. $20,000.
3–Hopeful Princess, 120, f, 2, Not This Time–More Than Magic, by More Than Ready. ($27,000 RNA Ylg ’19 KEESEP). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Elm Tree Farm, LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $12,000.
Margins: 6, 1, 10. Odds: 19.80, 16.60, 2.95.
Also Ran: Hara, Queen Arella, Quinoa Tifah, Beautiful Memories. Scratched: Sunny Isle Beach.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

The post Into Mischief Filly All Business in Schuylerville, Leads Home One-Two for Leading Sire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Speaktomeofsummer Ready For ‘Ambitious Spot’ In Sunday’s Lake Placid

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 Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Lake Placid at historic Saratoga Race Course.

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. The Christophe Clement trainee capped her juvenile campaign with a two-length triumph in her stakes debut, earning a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for her win in the one-mile Chelsey Flower over good turf in November at Aqueduct Racetrack.

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. After identical four-furlong works in 49.20 seconds on Belmont's inner turf, Clement said she is again ready to face high-caliber competition in her first attempt over the Spa's grass.

“It's a bit of an ambitious spot, but she's been working very well so we're giving it a go,” Clement said.

A $135,000 purchase at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale, Speaktomeofsummer will retain the services of jockey Joel Rosario, drawing the inside post.

Trainer Graham Motion has twice won the Lake Placid, capturing the 2009 edition with Shared Account, and last year when Varenka dead-heated the Chad Brown-conditioned Regal Glory. In this year's edition, Motion will saddle a pair of contenders in Cat's Pajamas and Blame Debbie.

Cat's Pajamas, owned by Larkin Armstrong and Jack Swain, transferred to Motion's care after two off-the-board finishes over the main track under Hall of Famer Bill Mott to start her career. Motion switched the Street Sense filly to grass, resulting in back-to-back wins, starting with a 1 1/16-mile route on May 17 at Churchill Downs before besting allowance company by a half-length on June 14 at the same distance over Belmont Park's grass.

“I think being able to stretch her out as a 3-year-old and getting her on the grass has helped her,” Motion said. “She's been impressive in the mornings since we had her. The time off has helped her, too. I think she can handle the mile-and-an-eighth. It's always encouraging when they can come back and duplicate their performances against winners.”

Hall of Famer John Velazquez, a three-time Lake Placid winner who has been aboard for both of her turf wins, will be in the irons again, breaking from the outermost post 8.

Motion will also send out Blame Debbie, who earned graded stakes blacktype to end her juvenile campaign with a third-place effort in the Grade 2 Demoiselle on the main track in December at Aqueduct.

The daughter of Blame made her first four starts on the main track before trying turf or the first time in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks, where she finished 11th on March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs. Dropping down in class, she ran third against allowance company at 1 ¼ miles on June 21 at Belmont, setting her up for another stakes appearance on turf.

“I thought her last race was very impressive against older fillies,” Motion said. “The key with her can be the distance. She likes to go longer and I think she's at her best on the grass.”

Jose Ortiz picks up the mount for the first time, exiting post 2.

Ken Geren's Mirabell Mei, eighth in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks last out, broke her maiden in the race prior, posting a 2 ½-length victory in February at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer John Terranova.

The daughter of Palace Malice, purchased for $100,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Sale, Mirabell Mei made her first start at the Spa last September, running fifth. She returns to famous track and will have Jose Lezcano pilot her from post 7.

Cindy Hutson and Robert Masterson's Lashara has only three starts to her credit but won at second asking in April at Gulfstream Park before running second to Lake Placid-rival Cat's Pajamas by a half length in an allowance race on June 14.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse will see the English-bred daughter of Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah step up to stakes company for the first time, drawing post 3 with Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano.

Rounding out the field is Stunning Sky, sixth last out in the Grade 3 Regret on June 27 at Churchill, for trainer Mike Maker [post 6, Irad Ortiz, Jr.]; Key Biscayne, making her first stakes start in her nine attempts, for trainer Juan Alvarado [post 5, Manny Franco]; and Queens Embrace, a first-time stakes starter for trainer Kathleen O'Connell [post 4, Tyler Gaffalione].

The 37th running of the Lake Placid is slated as Race 9 on Sunday's 10-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

The post Speaktomeofsummer Ready For ‘Ambitious Spot’ In Sunday’s Lake Placid appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

ESPN to Broadcast Live Races From Saratoga

ESPN 104.5 The Team, the Capital Region’s radio home for sports, will feature live, full card coverage of all the action from Saratoga Race Course each weekend during the 2020 season.

Live coverage from Saratoga will begin each Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. and include every race through final post broadcast on 104.5 FM and streamed worldwide at 1045theteam.com or by downloading the free 104.5 The Team App.

Presented by NYRA Bets, NYSCOPBA and Bud Light, the weekend broadcasts will simulcast a portion of Saratoga Live, the award-winning horse racing telecast produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports. The audio simulcast will feature expert commentary and analysis from the paddock to post time of each race from Greg Wolf, Andy Serling, Maggie Wolfendale, Richard Migliore, Acacia Courtney, and Jonathon Kinchen.

On Fridays, the station will also air the live race calls by NYRA track announcer John Imbriale during the Levack and Goz show which will originate from Saratoga beginning at 3 p.m.

The post ESPN to Broadcast Live Races From Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post