SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A big smile came over the face of jockey Rajiv Maragh when his mount, Wicked Strong, drew post 7 in a field of 10 for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga, positioning him outside his two main rivals, Bayern in post 2 and Tonalist in post 6.
“I think that’s very ideal to be drawn outside of Bayern and Tonalist as opposed to being inside,” Maragh said. “I think we’re very fortunate with the way the posts are drawn. It gives me many options.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – In a memo to horsemen, Steve Koch, vice president of Thoroughbred racing for Woodbine Entertainment Group, said improvements would be made to the main-track surface at Woodbine in September.
“WEG management has engaged the expertise of Tapeta Footings to identify strategies for improving the track cushion,” Koch wrote. “We are planning significant investment in the Polytrack for this September that should generally improve performance.”
Woodbine installed the current Polytrack synthetic surface in the summer of 2006.
Get Happy Mister, who won all five of his starts during the Arapahoe Park meet that closed Sunday, has been turned out in a vacation that will last until about the first of the year, said trainer Butch Gleason. The horse is based at the Colorado farm of his owner, Annette Bishop.
“We’re going to let him rest,” Gleason said.
Get Happy Mister won the $100,000 Arapahoe Park Classic by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday to earn a 90 Beyer. He stalked a quick pace and shuttled home under regular rider Mike Ziegler.
Code West opened up a host of options for his new connections Saturday night, when he won the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. He was a half-length winner over pacesetter Right to Vote in the 1 1/8-mile race during opening weekend and earned one of his best career Beyer Speed Figures, a 95, for his effort.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Bob Baffert sent Bayern out for a workout Tuesday at Del Mar, he said he was looking for a reason not to put the speedy 3-year-old on a plane Wednesday morning headed for Saratoga and Saturday’s $1.25 million Travers Stakes.
“I’m always looking for an excuse not to get on the plane,” Baffert said. “So far, I haven’t found it.”
DEL MAR, Calif. – Shared Belief, who will put his unbeaten record on the line against a strong group of older horses in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday at Del Mar, had his final work Tuesday, a half-mile in 49.60 seconds at Golden Gate Fields, where he has trained regularly since the spring.
“I think we’ve done all the things we need to do to be ready,” Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains and is a co-owner of Shared Belief, said via telephone. “The proof comes on Sunday.”
DEL MAR, Calif. – Only a handful of challengers are expected to face the outstanding turf miler Obviously in the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Mile, which joins the Pacific Classic and Pat O’Brien on Sunday’s card.
Obviously will be seeking to win the Del Mar Mile for the third straight year. He is unbeaten in three starts lifetime at Del Mar, all on turf.
His main rival Sunday is Tom’s Tribute, who won the Grade 1 Eddie Read earlier this meet.
DEL MAR, Calif . – Big Macher will attempt a sweep of this track’s major races for sprinters when he competes in the Grade 2, $300,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes on Sunday.
Big Macher won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at six furlongs last month, narrowly defeating Goldencents, and those two are among the prospective field for the seven-furlong O’Brien, along with Fed Biz, whom trainer Bob Baffert on Tuesday said would defend his title in the Pat O’Brien.
Big Macher had his final work for the O’Brien on Tuesday, going a half-mile in 48 seconds for trainer Richard Baltas.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Assateague, the winner of the Dr. James Penny Memorial at Parx last out, will miss Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes due to a bout of colic, trainer Michael Matz said.
Matz said Assateague’s large colon got displaced, and she needed to undergo surgery to repair it.
“She’s back at the barn now, but she’s not going to be able to run Saturday,” Matz said.
Trainer Bill Mott said that Filimbi, the winner of the De La Rose Stakes on Aug. 2, will wheel back in three weeks and run in the Ballston Spa at 1 1/16 miles.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Competitive Edge, a very impressive debut winner here July 26, worked five furlongs in 1:00.13 on Tuesday as he continues preparations for the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful here Sept. 1.
Trainer Todd Pletcher had Competitive Edge start off behind stablemate Blame Jim – a debut winner July 19 – before having jockey John Velazquez tip him out wide and finish in the stretch. Competitive Edge started two lengths back and finished about a length in front. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.09 and seven furlongs in 1:27.87.
