Saratoga Snacks, the multiple stakes-winning New York-bred, was transferred by owner Bill Parcells from Gary Sciacca to Bill Mott. Parcells also placed an unraced younger full brother of Saratoga Snacks, Baby Snacks, with Mott.
Parcells and Sciacca have been friends for two decades, and Parcells politely declined to discuss why he moved the horse, saying only, “Everything will be fine. He’s been a good friend. I wish him well.”
DEL MAR, Calif. – For many reasons, jockey Rafael Bejarano was not eager to leave the winner’s circle after $32,000 claimer Affrettando prevailed by a nose in the 10th race on Thursday’s opening-day program.
In the moments after the winner’s circle ceremony, Bejarano was surrounded by several, let’s say, attractive well-wishers, all of whom wanted a cell phone photo. Bejarano was more than happy to oblige. He had waited for a moment like this for more than two months.
Trainer Manny Azpurua said Social Inclusion would ship to Monmouth Park on Tuesday to compete in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 27.
Social Inclusion worked four furlongs in 45.65 seconds Wednesday at Gulfstream. The 85-year-old Azpurua said Social Inclusion came out of his work well. He also proclaimed that his speedy 3-year-old is over the gate issues that plagued him earlier this year in the Wood Memorial and Preakness and forced him to school extensively at the gate prior to his third-place finish in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont.
David Jacobson has led the standings in New York primarily for his work with claimers, some of whom have turned into stakes runners. Now, he appears to be entering the 2-year-old market.
The sharp maiden winner Tizcano, who sold for $710,000 – the second-highest price at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton July sale – was sent to Jacobson this week. The horse was purchased by Rockingham Ranch. Tizcano, a son of Tiznow, is likely being pointed to the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 10.
“I’m very excited, very appreciative Rockingham Ranch has confidence in me,” Jacobson said.
Purses will increase 10 percent at Gulfstream Park beginning Thursday, while trainers also will receive a $250 starter incentive to help offset the costs of workers’ compensation.
The purse increase is the result of the dates agreement between Gulfstream and Calder that eliminated the neighboring tracks’ head-to-head conflict, which had plagued south Florida racing for the past year. Since the agreement was signed, Gulfstream’s handle and field sizes have increased significantly.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though Departing has never raced at Saratoga, his trainer, Al Stall, believes the grand-looking 4-year-old colt really thrives up here. It was hard to argue that point Friday morning after Departing worked a strong five furlongs in 1:00.02 over the main track.
Departing is preparing for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Whitney Handicap here Aug. 2.
“He loves New York,” Stall said. “I noticed that last year. He didn’t run here, but he ran well training here. I’m dying to run him in New York.”
AUBURN, Wash. – Trackattacker is fast – he set an Emerald Downs track record in his career debut – but how fast is he, exactly? An answer should be forthcoming Sunday, when Trackattacker makes his second start against five rivals in the $50,000 Emerald Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings at six furlongs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The larger-than-usual crowd gathering at the Oklahoma training track shortly before 10 a.m. on Friday could mean only one thing: Wise Dan was about to turn in his first work since arriving here from Kentucky one week ago.
The two-time defending Horse of the Year did not disappoint his fans, breezing an easy half-mile in 49.10 seconds before galloping out strongly into and around the turn, pulling up six furlongs in 1:14.53 with regular exercise rider Damien Rock aboard.
Owner-breeder Brereton Jones and trainer Larry Jones have developed some top 3-year-olds together. Next Sunday, they will try to get the consistent and improving Albano a Grade 1 win in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Thursday’s opening day at Del Mar drew an ontrack crowd of 42,021, a decline of 2.3 percent over the 43,030 that attended the 2013 opening day.
It was the second consecutive year of decline, the first time that has occurred since 1995 and 1996, but the 10th consecutive year of an opening-day crowd of greater than 40,000. The 2012 opening day attracted an all-time record of 47,339.
