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Spa Notes: Country Grammer Possible for Runhappy Travers

Paul Pompa, Jr.’s GIII Peter Pan S. hero Country Grammer (Tonalist) could make his next appearance in the GI Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga Aug. 8, the owner told the NYRA notes team Friday.

“If he comes back well, the Travers would be the logical spot. It’s coming back a little soon but so far, so good,” Pompa, Jr. said. “We always have liked this horse, but the COVID-19 situation has created gaps, just due to lack of racing.”

A $60,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $450,000 OBS April breezer, Country Grammer broke his maiden going nine furlongs over the Aqueduct last November and resumed with an even fifth to Ete Indien (Summer Front) in the GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. Feb. 29. He was a wide-trip third in Belmont allowance company June 4, but enjoyed a smoother run in transit in Thursday’s Peter Pan, sneaking through at the rail turning for home before outlasting ‘TDN Rising Star’ Carocaro (Uncle Mo).

Country Grammer became the second graded winner for his second-crop sire in the Peter Pan. The other, Tonalist’s Shape, is the morning-line favorite for Saturday’s GI CCA Oaks at Saratoga.

Dayoutoftheoffice Likely to Reappear During Meet…

Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief), who gave trainer Tim Hamm his first Saratoga stakes winner when upsetting Thursday’s GIII Schuylerville S. at odds of 19-1, is likely to contest one or both of the graded races for juvenile fillies at the Spa over the course of the next six weeks.

“The [GII] Adirondack S. [Aug. 12, 6 1/2 furlongs] is a possibility and the [GI] Spinaway [Sept. 6, seven furlongs] is possible. I don’t know if we would do both or [just] one of the two. But we’ll probably run her up back there at least once.”

Owned by Hamm in partnership with breeder Siena Farm, Dayoutoftheoffice–who led home an Into Mischief exacta–posted a front-running, 4 3/4-length debut victory over 4 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream May 14. Hamm was confident that his filly would relish the extra real estate in the Schuylerville.

“It’s the kind of read we had on her training up to her first race. We thought the 4 1/2 [furlongs] might be too short for her,” he said. “But she got that down, and I was optimistic she wanted to run farther than that. I believe if she stretches out, she’ll be able to handle that as well. If you don’t look good there, it closes a lot of doors. But if you win, you have options open, and you just want to lay out a good schedule now and get her where she needs to be.”

Tap It To Win Aiming For Jerkens…

Live Oak Plantation’s Tap It To Win (Tapit), who defeated GIII Peter Pan S. hero Country Grammer in the aforementioned June 4 allowance ahead of a low-odds fifth to Tiz the Law (Constitution) in the GI Belmont S. 16 days later, breezed a half-mile in :48.09 Monday morning and will shorten back up for the seven-furlong GI H. Allen Jerkens S. presented by Runhappy at Saratoga Aug. 1.

“He’s looking good. We’re going to the Allen Jerkens with him and he should fit well in there,” said Jamie Begg, assistant to trainer Mark Casse. “I think the cutback to seven-eighths is good and we’ll be able to sit off the speed and make a run.”

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Commemorative Bottle to Honor Bassett

Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark have announced the 2020 limited edition Maker’s Mark bottle from the Charity for Champions program which will honor former Keeneland and Breeders’ Cup president James E. ‘Ted’ Bassett. The Charity for Champions program began in 2015, with the goal of helping to raise money for Thoroughbred industry charities.

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, has been named as one of the official charity beneficiaries. Old Friends is home to former Breeders’ Cup champions Alphabet Soup, Eldaafer, Little Mike and Amazombie. Old Friends cares for over 200 retired Thoroughbreds in six locations.

“Old Friends is honored to team up with the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America to pay tribute to Ted Bassett,” said Old Friends President and founder Michael Blowen. “Mr. Bassett, who has visited Old Friends on numerous occasions, is an enthusiastic supporter. His ambassadorship on behalf of these great Thoroughbreds is unparalleled and we are overjoyed that Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark are saluting him with this magnificent bottle.”

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AIM Services Holds Saratoga Fundraiser

Ramon Dominguez will serve as the honorary committee chairman for AIM Services’ annual Saratoga fundraiser, held in town from July 26-Aug. 2. AIM is the area’s largest provider of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and its re-imagined annual fundraiser will be a door-to-door downtown event called “Croquet OFF the Green,” aimed to bring foot traffic to recently re-opened Saratoga retail shops and restaurants while raising awareness and funds for AIM Services.

The event also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act which coincides with the launch date. All activities are being conducted according to the NY-Forward COVID-19 recommendations.

AIM is seeking croquet “players,” honorary committee members ($100 donation), and sponsors for the event.

“Among the people who receive quality innovative services from AIM are those with traumatic brain injuries,” said Dominquez, a Saratoga Springs resident. “As a jockey who had to retire early due to a head injury, I am just one of 54 million people annually who experience a traumatic brain injury. AIM gives people with TBIs a chance at living the most independent life possible.”

Anyone over 18 years of age can register to be an AIM Services Croquet OFF the Green player. Thirty participating Saratoga businesses will have croquet wickets on display on their entrance door or front display windows. Inside they will have scorecards and stamps to mark that you visited their store. Patronage at a store with a wicket counts as a croquet score. Every stamp gives the player an entry into the grand prize drawing. There is no limit to the number of stamps a player can receive.

“We knew that the event had to be drastically different this year and we are thrilled with the positive response we have received from Saratoga business owners and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce,” said Chris Lyons, Executive Director of AIM Services, Inc. “We hope that as the players go from store to store to complete their wickets, they support each store and also take the opportunity to support AIM.”

“We have all had to figure out a new normal as we go about our lives in the shadow of this pandemic, and a large part of that is rethinking how we can support the community around us,” said Stacy De Garay, sales Manager at Savory Pantry in Saratoga Springs. “AIM Services has always provided invaluable resources to people of diverse abilities in Saratoga and the surrounding counties, so it is important that we continue to help out with their fundraising efforts, as different as they may be this year.”

The grand prize drawing will include chances to win an overnight package in Saratoga Springs, private boat rental on Saratoga Lake, retail and dining gift certificates, a Lake George Holiday Inn Resort stay with two cruise passes from the Lake George Steamboat Co., a custom corn-hole kit and various retail and dinner gift certificates.

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Prairie Meadows Institutes New Jockey Policy

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is updating their jockey policies. The new policy goes into effect July 17 at 6:00 p.m.

The following restrictions will be implemented:

No new jockeys will be allowed into the current jockey colony at Prairie Meadows. Anyone in the current jockey colony that accepts a mount at another track must self-quarantine for a 14-day period. The quarantine period will start the day following the jockey’s most recent mount outside of Prairie Meadows. Once the self-quarantine period is over, the jockey must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 5 days to be allowed to ride again at Prairie Meadows. This protocol is in effect until further notice.

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