Mon, 07/17/2023 - 13:45

Antonacci goes 2 for 2 opening week

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Phil Antonacci won the final race of the day on opening day and also on Saturday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Phil Antonacci came to Saratoga having won just one race from 19 starters on the year. In a span of 48 hours, he won two races at the Spa, having taken the nightcap on both the opening-day and third-day programs.

Thundara, in from the also-eligible list, won a New York-bred maiden $40,000 claiming race on Thursday. On Saturday, Monet Never rallied between horses to win a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint by a nose.

Antonacci noted that Monet Never got stepped on by another horse during a maiden race at Keeneland, prior to the race he won Friday.

Mon, 07/17/2023 - 13:40

Rain dampens opening-week betting at Saratoga

By David Grening

Debra A. Roma

With rain impacting the Friday and Sunday cards, all-sources handle was down 22.6 percent from opening week in 2022.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mother Nature’s wrath had a significant impact on opening week business at Saratoga where all-sources handle was $82,353,291, down 22.6 percent from the $106,401,827 handled during opening week in 2022. Ontrack handle was $13,519,819, down 20.7 percent from the $17,062,482 handled in 2022.

Rain impacted the Friday and Sunday cards, forcing all eight scheduled turf races to the dirt. With 41 scratches, Friday’s 10-race card had 54 horses.

Mon, 07/17/2023 - 13:40

Castellano works Arcangelo five furlongs with a big gallop-out

By David Grening

Arcangelo-Javier Castellano work at SAR July 17 2023

Barbara D. Livingston

Arcangelo, with Javier Castellano aboard, worked five furlongs in 1:00.52 on Monday at Saratoga and went out a mile in 1:41.27.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Javier Castellano got reacquainted with his Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo on Monday morning at Saratoga, guiding him through a five-furlong workout in 1:00.52 in preparation for what is expected to be his next start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 26.

The Saratoga main track was remarkably in good condition following heavy rains that hit Sunday and left the track a sea of slop during and after the races.

Sun, 07/16/2023 - 17:54

Does Brown go longer or shorter with Diana-winner Whitebeam next?

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Chad Brown isn’t sure whether to cut Whitebeam back in distance or perhaps try her a little longer.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Winning the Grade 1 Diana Stakes continues to come easy for trainer Chad Brown. Figuring out what to do next with the winner is more of a challenge.

Whitebeam gave Brown his eighth Diana victory on Saturday, edging the Brown-trained and defending Diana winner In Italian by a nose. It was the second straight stakes victory for Whitebeam, first at 1 1/8 miles.

Sun, 07/16/2023 - 12:44

Casa Creed eyes fourth Fourstardave appearance

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Casa Creed was given a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for Saturday's triumph.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Casa Creed came out of his one-length victory over Annapolis in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso Stakes in good order and is tentatively pointing to the Grade 1 Fourstardave here on Aug. 12, his connections said Sunday.

If it is deemed the 7-year-old needs more time, then the back-up plan would be the Woodbine Mile on Sept. 16.

“It’s four weeks back to the Fourstardave, that could be a little quick back,” trainer Bill Mott said Sunday. “You’ll probably never know 'til you run him.”

Sun, 07/16/2023 - 12:43

Pletcher leaving options open for Pirate

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Pirate earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory on Saturday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher is leaving his options open as it pertains to his sharp debut-winning 2-year-old Pirate, who earned a sharp Beyer Speed Figure for his three-length win at Saratoga on Saturday.

The Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 12 would mean running back in 27 days. The Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 4 would mean waiting 51 days to run him back.

“It’s going to depend on what he tells us,” Pletcher said. “We’ll breeze him back in two weeks and leave all the options open.”

Sun, 07/16/2023 - 12:42

Nest has final prep for next week's Shuvee Stakes

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Nest works with Onlooker on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Nest, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022, completed preparations for her 4-year-old debut in next Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga by working a half-mile in 49.92 seconds Sunday morning over the Oklahoma training track.

This work can’t be judged alone on final time. It’s what Nest did after the wire that stood out. Nest galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.67 and six furlongs in 1:15.17 over a track rated good and a bit heavy from Sunday morning's rain.

Sat, 07/15/2023 - 15:06

Caravel, Wet Paint work for Saratoga graded stakes

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Caravel is coming off a win against males in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont on June 10.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Caravel, the leading female turf sprinter in the country, worked a half-mile in 48.90 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course as she prepares to meet males again in the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy Stakes on Aug. 5.

Caravel, who beat the boys in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, is coming off a win against males in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont on June 10.

Sat, 07/15/2023 - 14:56

Disarm, Extra Anejo, Clairiere lead Asmussen workers

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Clairiere worked Saturday morning, ahead of a start in the Grade 2 Shuvee at Saratoga. The filly led a Steve Asmussen trio of workers that also included Disarm and Extra Anejo.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Disarm and Extra Anejo put in a strong five-furlong work early Saturday morning as they prepare for upcoming stakes in the 3-year-old division.

Disarm, pointing to the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy here July 29, and Extra Anejo, who will start in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell on July 22, went five furlongs together in 1:00.61. They got their last quarter in 23.33 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.86 and seven furlongs in 1:27.61.

Sat, 07/15/2023 - 14:49

Cody's Wish rattles off machine-like work ahead of Whitney stretch out

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Cody's Wish, working for his next start in the Whitney at Saratoga, galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.42 Saturday morning.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — On a Saturday morning when there were more than 350 recorded workouts at Saratoga, Cody’s Wish nearly had the Oklahoma training track to himself shortly after 9:30 a.m.

“It looked like at 7:30 everybody on the grounds worked, and not a lot of people work at 9:30,” trainer Bill Mott said.

Those who were at the Oklahoma training track got a treat as Cody’s Wish worked five furlongs in 1:00.00, in preparation for his next engagement in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes on Aug. 5.

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