Saratoga Snacks appears fit for Commentator
ELMONT, N.Y. – The first of three programs on this circuit devoted to New York-breds takes place Monday at Belmont Park with a 10-race Memorial Day program billed as Big Apple Showcase Day, featuring six stakes worth $900,000 in purse money.
At $200,000 each, the Commentator, for 3-year-olds and up, and the Critical Eye, for fillies and mares, are the richest races on the card. Both races are run at a mile over the main track around one turn.
Only seven horses were entered – and only six may run – in the Commentator, led by Saratoga Snacks and Readtheprospectus, winner of the 2013 Commentator.
Readtheprospectus is coupled with Bond Vigilante, but with John Velazquez named to ride both, only one may run. Trainer Chad Brown, who has won the last two runnings of the Commentator, said Saturday he is leaning toward running Readtheprospectus.
A field of 10 was entered in the Critical Eye, with the graded stakes winner Hot Stones seeking to improve upon her second-place finish in this race a year ago facing stakes winners Miss Da Point, Carameaway, and the in-form Saythreehailmary’s.
Commentator, race 3
KEY CONTENDERS
Saratoga Snacks (Last 3 Beyers: 89-93-86)
◗ Winner of the 2013 Empire Classic, Saratoga Snacks went on a seven-race losing streak, including all six of his races in 2014.
After reuniting with trainer Gary Sciacca, Saratoga Snacks won an allowance race at Aqueduct in February before finishing third to Captain Serious in a similar spot at Aqueduct in April.
“He didn’t want to chase that horse,” Sciacca said “The jock kept riding him, riding him the whole way down the backside, and that horse ran a freaky race.”
◗ Sciacca is very happy with the way Saratoga Snacks has trained since that race, including a half-mile work in 47.40 seconds on May 20.
“He’s doing great right now,” Sciacca said. “His coat’s good, he’s feeling good, his feet aren’t hurting him.”
◗ Joel Rosario, who last rode Saratoga Snacks in the 2013 Empire Classic, is back aboard Monday.
Readtheprospectus (Last 3 Beyers: 90-83-84)
◗ Won seven consecutive races from October 2012 through September 2013, including the Commentator. Since then, he is winless in three starts, including a seventh-place finish behind stablemate Zivo in last year’s Commentator.
◗ In his first start in 8 1/2 months, Readtheprospectus finished third behind Saratoga Snacks and Readthebyline in one-mile allowance race at Aqueduct on Feb. 12. He has been entered in races that haven’t filled since, according to Brown.
“I like his string of works recently,” Brown said. “It’s unfortunate he would have to go into this race off a layoff, but he’s a horse with a lot of class as shown by his prior win streak. He’s a very competitive horse and if we choose to run him Monday I’m sure he’ll give his all.”
Readthebyline (Last 3 Beyers: 88-91-59)
◗ Could play out as the primary speed of the race and he did run a good second to Saratoga Snacks back in February.
◗ While it did come in a $25,000 claimer, it’s hard to ignore the 109 Beyer Speed Figure he earned in a one-turn mile race here last May.
Critical Eye, race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Hot Stones (Last 3 Beyers: 62-54-95)
◗ Second to La Verdad in this race last year, she won the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses Handicap going seven furlongs.
◗ After running last in the Grade 1 Ballerina a year ago, she sustained a wrenched ankle that forced her to the sidelines for the remainder of 2014.
◗ In her first start off an eight-month layoff, she finished fourth of five in a six-furlong allowance race.
“She really needed the race, needed it bad,” said trainer Bruce Levine, who entered the weekend with 1,997 career victories.
◗ She has worked back twice, including a solid five-furlong move in 1:00.40 last week at Aqueduct.
Saythreehailmary’s (Last 3 Beyers: 83-68-83)
◗ Came off a seven-week a layoff to win an open-company first-level allowance race by 2 1/2 lengths over this track, improving her record to 2-1-1 from four starts over this main track.
“Belmont Park suits her and I believe the mile suits her real well,” trainer John Morrison said. “There’s enough speed on paper. I like the way the race looks in terms of pace. She won over [Aqueduct’s] inner track but I’m not so sure she likes it. I think she ran well on her class. I know she likes this track.”