Mohawk: Tuesday 8/25 Analysis
Garnet Barnsdale's analysis of the Tuesday 8/25 card at Mohawk Racetrack.
Garnet BarnsdaleAug 24, 2015
Garnet Barnsdale's analysis of the Tuesday 8/25 card at Mohawk Racetrack.
Trainer George Weaver had high hopes for his up-and-coming 3-year-old sprinter Requite in Saturday’s Grade 1 King’s Bishop. But those dreams went down the drain after Requite injured his foot in a stall accident late last week.
Bob Baffert said American Pharoah was “a happy guy” on Monday morning here at Del Mar, the day after a strong workout sealed the Triple Crown winner’s participation in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday.
It’s been one year since Holiday Star just got beat by Tricky Hat in the 2014 John’s Call Stakes, but his trainer, Graham Motion, still cringes at the mere mention of that race.
With plenty of speed lined up, Salsa Express could get the perfect trip in a $25,000 optional-claiming race at Northlands Park on Wednesday evening. The six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares drew seven horses, and if the race unfolds as expected, Salsa Express has an excellent chance of getting her picture taken for the 26th time.
Kingsport has had a productive start to his 2015 campaign and is on track to make his next start in Sunday’s $125,000 Vice Regent Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year olds on the turf.
Motown Men is in a zone this summer at Del Mar, where he looks formidable on Wednesday in the $80,000 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes.
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and the other horses expected to compete in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday will be required to be on the track’s grounds by Wednesday and will be subject to around-the-clock surveillance until the race.
From purely a racing fans perspective the door appears wide-open for a second half to the season that may look nothing like the first.
Trip Notes for August 22-23: Alabama, Pacific Classic, Del Mar Mile, and more by Michael Hammersly.