Litfin's preview: Rain threatens turf races

Six of Sunday’s 12 races are scheduled for turf, including the Grade 3 Glens Falls (sixth), so horsemen and handicappers will be watching the skies due to a threat of wet weather. According to weather.com, after a partly cloudy start to Sunday, there is an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms developing through the afternoon.

With the exception of race 5, a sprint scheduled for the Mellon course at 5 1/2 furlongs, the five scheduled turf routes would all undergo a change of distance in the event of a switch to the main track. The one-mile races would shorten to seven furlongs, the 1 1/16-mile race would be run at 1 1/8 miles, and the Glens Falls would shorten up from 1 3/8 miles to 1 1/8 miles.

DURKIN’S FINAL CALL

After nearly a quarter-century as the track announcer on the New York circuit, Tom Durkin’s final race call will be the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway Stakes, which is carded as race 10 and set for 5:47 p.m. Eastern.

Following the Spinaway, there will be a special ceremony in the winner’s circle to honor Durkin, who is retiring after a 43-year career. Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen will issue a citywide proclamation declaring Sunday to be “Tom Durkin Day.”

PLETCHER PAIR IN SPINAWAY

Todd Pletcher sends out two of the principal contenders in the seven-furlong Spinaway, Angela Renee and Curalina.

Angela Renee comes off a runner-up finish in the Adirondack under John Velazquez, and the full sister to Woodward and Cigar Mile winner To Honor and Serve will be equipped with blinkers for the first time.

“Johnny seemed to think she was a little bit shy of horses and intimidated, so we worked her back in some blinkers and liked what we saw,” said Pletcher.

Curalina is still a maiden, but the 87 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for a rallying second in her debut on a muddy track is the top number in the field of nine.

Said Pletcher: “She ran a bang-up race … we felt like she did everything except win first time out, and thought that with the way she’s trained and the number she ran first time out, she fits in a race like this.”

Condo Commando, who won by a dozen lengths first out for Rudy Rodriguez, may wind up setting the pace if able to get away alertly from the rail.

GLENS FALLS WIDE-OPEN

Eight of the nine fillies and mares entered for turf in the Glens Falls are virtually inseparable on paper, with nearly identical Beyer tops in the range of 93-95. The steadily improving Cat’s Claw ran down Viva Rafaela in the Waya four weeks ago and will have that rival to catch again.

Stretch runs also figure to come from Aigue Marine, who comes in off a win in the Robert G. Dick Memorial for Christophe Clement, and Watsdachances, who will stretch out after returning at age 4 to run out of ground when second in the Gallorette and third in the Matchmaker for Chad Brown.

“She’s run terrific both her starts this year, but the way she’s been closing, and at a crucial point of her career … it might open up a few more doors for us if it works out,” said Brown.

Lady Cohiba, who won an off-the-turf renewal of the Glens Falls in the mud last year, is entered for the main track once again.

HORSE TO WATCH

FASHION FUND
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Last race: Aug. 29, 10th
Finish: 2nd by 4 3/4
Beyer: 82
Still eligible for preliminary allowance conditions, this 3-year-old filly was pinched back at the start, trailed for six furlongs, and rallied willingly to get second over the favored Granny Mc’s Kittten in the $100,000 Riskaverse Stakes.