Mott hoping to give himself the gift of a win

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Bill Mott often marks the occasion of his birthday with a trip to the Saratoga winner’s circle. Mott, who turns 63 on Friday, has won at least one race at Saratoga on his birthday in 15 of the last 20 years that racing was conducted on the day. In four of the last 24 years, the track was dark.

Mott, who went winless with his only starter last year on his birthday, sends out two runners Friday. Danny’s Rush runs in the fifth, a 2-year-old New York-bred maiden turf sprint. Daring Duchess runs in the eighth, a $35,000 claimer on turf.

Danny’s Rush is by U S Ranger and out of the 25-year-old mare Merion Miss, who has produced 12 winners from 15 previous foals. Among them are Albany Stakes winner Private Emblem and two-time stakes winner Rhum.

“He’s been okay,” Mott said of Danny’s Rush, one of eight first-time starters in an 11-horse field. “He’s been very straightforward. We’re happy with him.”

Daring Duchess, a 4-year-old daughter of Arch, is dropping to the lowest level of her career after going 0 for 3 at the second-level allowance condition this year. Her last two Beyer Speed Figures (83-81) are higher than the best number earned by eight of her 10 rivals.

“It looked like she needed a little bit [of class relief],” Mott said. “It looked like she’s been a big price in those allowance races.”

Mott said trying to win on his birthday used to be fun. Now, it’s become “a pain in the ass.”

“Initially, it was an in-house deal – let’s try to win one on our birthday,” Mott said. “It became bigger.”