SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Travers, with its 14-horse field that includes two classic winners, is obviously the focal point of Saturday’s 13-race program at Saratoga. But there is a terrific undercard in support, featuring top horses such as Flintshire, Lady Eli, and a sensational quintet in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign.
Jockey Colby Hernandez has established himself as the dominant rider at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., where he is poised to lock up his fourth title when the meet closes Saturday night. Hernandez had a 12-win lead over Diego Saenz heading into Wednesday’s card.
Hernandez, 27, is a native of Lafayette, La., whose career path was something of a given as the son of a jockey, Brian Hernandez Sr. In addition, brother Brian “B.J.” Hernandez Jr. is an Eclipse Award-winning rider based in Kentucky.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Dalmore, who finished fifth in the $1 million Pacific Classic last Saturday, is likely to return to the 3-year-old division for the $400,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 10, trainer Keith Desormeaux said on Wednesday.
The Grade 3 Super Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles.
DEL MAR, Calif. – In the nearly four years since Vyjack won his debut, the gelding has won stakes on dirt in sprints and around two turns, started in two Triple Crown races, finished second in two graded stakes on turf, and earned more than $1.1 million.
On Saturday, Vyjack will start in the $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs on dirt at Del Mar. The O’Brien Stakes will be Vyjack’s 26th start and his first in California. It also will be his first start at less than a mile since a third in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga in August 2014.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Kharafa has been racing at New York Racing Association tracks since 2011 and has been a mainstay in the New York-bred turf division since 2013. He’s won 7 of 21 starts at Belmont Park and is 2 of 4 at Aqueduct. He has not done as well at Saratoga, however, and has yet to finish better than third in four tries.
Kharafa has won at least one stakes a year in New York from 2013 to 2015. He will try to extend his streak and break into the Saratoga win column on Friday in the $150,000 West Point, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for statebreds.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – If nothing else, the Travers has not lacked for drama over the last decade. In seven of the last 10 runnings, the margin of victory has been less than a length.
Longtime owner and breeder William S. Farish has been on the wrong end of two close Travers finishes with Grasshopper, who fell a half-length short to Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense in 2007, and Mambo in Seattle, who got beat a nose by Colonel John in 2008.
“I remember them very well,” Farish said this week. “I wasn’t happy at the time, but I’m certainly over them and pushing forward.”
It was only fitting that Larry Lederman filled in at the microphone for Monmouth Park announcer Frank Mirahmadi when he was recovering from surgery last week. Mirahmadi and Lederman are longtime friends and have great respect for each other’s work. Also, for the last five years Lederman has been bravely dealing with his own serious health issues.
In April 2011, Lederman was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor after he collapsed and nearly died.
A generation ago, Rob O’Connor was the leading trainer at Ellis Park, tying Bernie Flint with 12 winners at the 1991 meet. Echoes of those glory days were sounded last Sunday when O’Connor sent out Flashy Chelsey to a hard-fought victory in a $37,200 turf allowance.
Flashy Chelsey “is a good horse,” said O’Connor, adding that the 4-year-old colt will run back Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs in a $75,000 qualifier for the Dec. 3 Claiming Crown Emerald at Gulfstream Park.
A generation ago, Rob O’Connor was the leading trainer at Ellis Park, tying Bernie Flint with 12 winners at the 1991 meet. Echoes of those glory days were sounded last Sunday when O’Connor sent out Flashy Chelsey to a hard-fought victory in a $37,200 turf allowance.
Flashy Chelsey “is a good horse,” said O’Connor, adding that the 4-year-old colt will run back Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs in a $75,000 qualifier for the Dec. 3 Claiming Crown Emerald at Gulfstream Park.
Horsemen and fans who were skeptical when it was announced in March that Calvin Borel had decided to retire were proven correct when the Hall of Fame jockey recently decided to return to riding. In recent interviews with Ellis Park publicity, Borel revealed why he decided to return.
“I just wasn’t happy,” said Borel, 49. “I wanted to come back to ride. This is what makes me happy. I love to ride.”
