On one of the threads for Saratoga someone was looking for a pet sitter for their dogs while they went to the track.
Here’s a link for you
http://www.care.com/visitor/captureSearchBar.do?care=pet-care-pet-sitting-dog-walking
Looks like the Oklahoma track was a bit of wild and crazy place with so many horses working and near dangerous circumstances. It prompted changes effective Wed July 27th: DRF - 7/26/11 “Morning traffic jams on turf course lead to restrictions”
By late afternoon, track management had reacted to Monday’s potentially disastrous situation. Racing secretary P.J. Campo said that beginning Wednesday, only workers, and not gallopers, will be allowed on the course to train.
“It’s a hard balance trying to keep everybody happy,” said Campo. “For now, we’ll keep the gallopers off the course, with the outriders to police the situation. If enough trainers request to use the course for galloping, perhaps we’ll open the infield on a non-work day to accommodate gallopers. Hopefully this will correct the problem.”
Regarding the chaos at the Oklahoma Training Track (which prompted new restrictions) - Barbara Livingston caught on film the wrong way running at the Oklahoma training track: he looks like a future steeplechaser!
Trainer Tom Bush of Get Stormy, multiple Grade 1 winner:
Bush heard the blaring sound of the horn that is activated when a horse gets loose on the track.
“I looked over and saw the loose horse beginning to turn back up the stretch [going the wrong way] along the inside fence and my heart started pounding so hard,” said Bush. “I was about as insane as you get watching the riderless horse head in Stormy’s direction. I kept turning back and forth from my horse to the loose horse so many times I don’t even remember where Ramon eventually got him pulled up.”
In my absence - while at Saratoga - I have to point out this race in particular because it reinforces why Javier Castellano is almost the leading rider at Saratoga in wins (but at the very top in the meet so far by a country mile in earnings) and the lack of faith by others in the horse 
Video replay: Grade 1 $250,000 Ruffian Invitational at Saratoga July 31, 2011
Times Union July 31, 2011 - “18-1 longshot Ask the Moon wins The Ruffian”
Jockey Javier Castellano, who got the call on Ask the Moon at 11 this morning, piloted the 6-year-old mare to a wire-to-wire victory in the $250,000 Grade I Ruffian at Saratoga Race Course.
Ask The Moon, an 18-1 longshot, prevailed by 5 3/4 lengths to earn an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic through the “Win and You’re In” program.
Castellano replaced scheduled jockey Luis Saez, who didn’t make the trip to Saratoga and instead rode on the Haskell Invitational undercard at Monmouth Park.
It was a big weekend for Castellano, who also rode winning horses in the Grade I Diana and the Grade II Jim Dandy on Saturday at the Spa.
Winning trainer Marty Wolfson wasn’t at The Ruffian on Sunday. He is afraid of flying.
Btw - jockey Luis Saez, who gave up the mount, instead took 2nd on Bronx City Girl in the $100k Regret Stakes at Monmouth. That would pay just $20k for 2nd so a fraction of the payday …
Tsk, tsk …
[QUOTE=Blacklabs;5741937]
On one of the threads for Saratoga someone was looking for a pet sitter for their dogs while they went to the track.
Here’s a link for you
http://www.care.com/visitor/captureSearchBar.do?care=pet-care-pet-sitting-dog-walking[/QUOTE]
Great, thanks!:yes:
So, Glimmerglass, what were your impressions of Saratoga? Fill in those of us who wish we were able to be there!
[QUOTE=WhiteCamry;5753676]
Tsk, tsk …[/QUOTE]
I’m not blaming Saez for taking what he thought was a better mount at another track. However for Javier Castellano could ride a three-legged horse into the winner’s circle at Saratoga right now. Not bad getting a pick-up mount hours before a Grade 1 race and win it wire to wire.
Saratoga in 2011, thus far, compared to 2010 is doing better. Although the weather really has limited the meet to date. Several days of very hot and humid conditions mixed with a couple of days of downpours. Report as of August 1, 2011
Business is up slightly at the current Saratoga meet when compared with the first 10 days of the 2010 season.
Attendance for the first 10 days was 201,400, up 1.3 percent from 198,857 last year. That included a Sunday giveaway announced crowd of 40,974 compared with a Thursday giveaway crowd of 29,697 during the same 10-day span in 2010.
Ontrack handle totaled $27,728,174, up 4.5 percent from $26,531,605 last year. All-sources handle, which includes wagers on Saratoga from simulcast outlets as well as ontrack, was $133,920,502, up 1.6 percent from $131,860,879 in 2010.
There have been two more races run (99 to 97) and 15 more betting interests (846 to 831) through the first 10 days at this meet as compared with last year. There have been 44 turf races compared with 41 in 2010.
On Saturday - absent of any spinners and giveaway plus some very good weather - the attendance was 30,048 which with two graded races is decent but not sensational.
The track easily absorbed those 30k bodies without my ability to wager, drink, sit or eat compromised so it was a good day. Not a great wagering day however. I just couldn’t go with Stay Thirsty (despite Javier up) in the Jim Dandy and I really thought the Augustin runner could’ve pulled out an upset Diana win, yet didn’t. When George Strawbridge Jr. wasn’t to be seen in the paddock perhaps that should’ve been more telling
The new infield tote has gotten some complaints but frankly I liked it. Clear and bright so that regardless of gobs of sunshine you could see it and no need to squint to read the numbers either.
Overall thought compared to prior recent years it doesn’t feel like the race meet is being promoted or mentioned as much in the local media. Getting even a clip of the day’s signature race (save for the Jim Dandy/Diana) on an Albany TV station for the 11pm news isn’t happening. AAA baseball results because a player who once went to a high school in East Greenbush for a year (I’m making this up) must be more important.
6 horses in the Smithwick, notable Slip Away, and 10 horses in the Firestone, notable Percussionist.
This will be the first time I can recall that steeplechasing will have two consecutive races at Saratoga on the day’s card.
Uncle Mo put in his 3rd Saratoga workout this morning on the main track track - video from NYRA here (Aug 3, 2011) @ 5f in 1:02 4/5 … he seems to cross the Union Ave without much fuss.
Travers Day could be a big one for Mike Repole’s stable with Uncle Mo in the King’s Bishop and Stay Thirsty in the Travers itself.
In case anyone missed the slick NBC Sports intro two-parts on Saratoga:
Wed Aug 3, 2011 edition of the Steeplechase Times Saratoga Special (online) or you can download the same edition (pdf)
Best quote in today’s edition 
“My daughter watches his kids, she’s the babysitter, but he’s still paying
the Florida rate. He’s winning races, he needs to pay more, he needs to pay
the Saratoga rate.”
- Jockey Edgar Prado, about Castellano’s winning streak
Today’s feature race is the John Morrissey Stakes for $75k. We’ll see about Naughty New Yorker as he’s never been the same since the injury, retirement, then return to the track.
Race 8th (4:55PM EST). $75,000, JOHN MORRISSEY STAKES
For 3 yo’s & up
Distance: 6 1/2F
PP. Horse; Jockey ~Trainer ~ ML Odds
- Mineswept; R. Curatolo ~ R. Rodriguez ~ 5-1
- Mr. Windjammer; E. Castro ~ B. Brown ~ 15-1
- Six Flings; J. Espinoza ~ B. Callejas ~ 15-1
- Overextended; E. De Diego ~ I. Loaiza ~ 30-1
5. Naughty New Yorker; E. Prado ~ P. Kelly ~ 10-1 - Be Bullish; J. Castellano ~ G. Weaver ~ 8-5
- Ibboyee; J. Velazquez ~ T. Pletcher ~ 7-5
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5755902]
In case anyone missed the slick NBC Sports intro two-parts on Saratoga:
Video (1.27 min) - NBC Summer at Saratoga Feature (pt 1)
Video (2 min) - NBC Summer at Saratoga Feature (pt 2)[/QUOTE]
Reminescent of coverage in “the good ole days”…
Wouldn’t you have just loved to live in an age when every front page had results of the big races? (Who would have predicted future priority given to WWF and X-treme sports?!?)
I just visited my mother yesterday, and she was talking about when she and my father used to take the train up from NY… :yes:
Ok very excited… need to tell all my fellow COthers who happen to be at the Spa tomorrow to have cameras ready and shooting for Lad’s nephew in the 7th race, the Birdstone Stakes… he’s the number 6, Chestnut colt, Goldolphin horse.
Saratoga - August 4, 2011
STAKES
Birdstone S.
Purse $75,000.For Three Years Old And Upward. No nomination fee. $1000 to enter, starters to receive a $750 rebate. A supplemental nomination fee of $200 may be made at any point prior to entry. The added money and all fees to be divided 60% to the owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth, and 4% to fifth. Three year olds 119 Lbs. Older 123. Non- winners of a sweepstakes at a mile or over since February 1, 2011 allowed 2 Lbs. Four races 4 Lbs. ( Maiden, claiming, starter, and restricted allowanceraces not considered in allowances). A presentation will be made to the winning owner. Closed Friday, July 29, 2011 with 16 Nominations. One And One Eighth Miles.
#6
Sangaree (KY)
6/H L R Maragh 119
S bin Suroor
6/1
Owners: 1 - 6 - Godolphin Stable
Breeders: 6 - Stonerside Stable
Equipment Changes: 6 - Sangaree - Blinkers On
I am excited and hoping that adding the shades will do the trick. “Lil Roodle” as he was nicknamed long ago is a half to Congaree and out of Lad’s half sister. He’s been a nice stakes horse and was part of Baffert’s contigent for a long time.
I have yet to get a chance to meet him but I met his mom, big brother and a younger brother as well.
Go get 'em buddy!!!
~Emily
[QUOTE=CVPeg;5755992]
I just visited my mother yesterday, and she was talking about when she and my father used to take the train up from NY… :yes:[/QUOTE]
Only one better - Saratoga racetrack fan dies at age 105:
Up until 2008, Rose Vener was a fixture at Saratoga Race Course and attended every single meet since 1921. Back then, she and her father traveled to the track on horse and buggy.
When she turned 100, the track named a race in her honor: The Rosie Vener.
It begs the question: where did they keep their horse/buggy while watching the races? NYRA is already slightly challenged with the car parking.
The blog Colins Ghost digs up whatever happened to Jim Dandy - long and short the guy was run more often (to little success) than an July air conditioner in Texas.
The field for the Saratoga’s 84th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap, drawn this morning and to be aired on Versus + Grade 1, $250,000 Test (filly/mare sprint):
PP. Horse (State of birth); Jockey Wgt Trainer Morning Line Odds
- Flat Out (FL); A Solis 117 C Dickey 4-1
- Friend Or Foe (NY); J Lezcano 115 J Kimmel 8-1
- Morning Line (KY); J Velazquez 118 N Zito 10-1
- Giant Oak (IL); S. Bridgmohan 119 C Block 5-1
- Tizway (KY); R Maragh 118 H J Bond 6-1
- Mission Impazible (KY); J Castellano 118 T Pletcher 6-1
- Rail Trip (KY); R Dominguez 117 R Dutrow Jr 12-1
- Headache (KY); M Mena 116 M Maker 20-1
- Rodman (KY); E Prado 114 M Hushion 20-1
- Apart (KY); J Leparoux 118 A Stall Jr
- Duke of Mischief (FL); J Bravo 117 D Fawkes 8-1
NBC/Versus coverage of the Test Stakes and Whitney Handicap this Saturday (5-6pm EST) and then Sunday coverage on Versus again the Vanderbilt and Honorable Miss (5-6pm EST).
Wonderful to see two consecutive days of Saratoga racing on something other than TVG/HRTV
COMMENTATORS: Saturday’s coverage will be hosted by Laffit Pincay, III alongside analyst Randy Moss. They will be joined by handicapper Bob Neumeier and the Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman. VERSUS will take the race call from the Saratoga track announcer, the legendary Tom Durkin.
ABOUT THE BROADCAST: In addition to the four grades stakes races, coverage will include two feature stories. On Saturday, there will be a feature about Al Stall, the trainer of Apart, who won the Whitney last year with Blame – the horse that went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic defeating Zenyatta.
Sunday’s feature will look at the owners of Noble’s Promise, a group of everyday people who pooled $10,000 to buy the horse. For some, it is their first trip to Saratoga . This feature will also recount the owners’ Kentucky Derby experience, as Noble’s Promise ran in the 2010 Derby .
NBCSports.com will feature highlights and features from every race, plus online-only features by NBC Sports and VERSUS’ on-air talent.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5755966]
Today’s feature race is the John Morrissey Stakes for $75k. We’ll see about Naughty New Yorker as he’s never been the same since the injury, retirement, then return to the track.[/QUOTE]
A great race - when the replay is up I’ll post. However the end results reaffirm my earlier opinion - I think Naughty New Yorker should be retired (again) with his dignity intact. Come on, folks. He’s not the same horse and I think its dumb the connections continue to run him. He finished last in the John Morrissey some 19 3/4 lengths behind the winner. (For perspective with the 7-horse field the 5th place horse in the field was only 4 1/2-lengths off the winner.)
By the way - who was “John Morrissey” (aka “Old Smoke”) for whom today’s stakes race was named? Actually exceedingly important in where Saratoga is today … a fascinating character if ever there was:
Today’s Grade 2 $75k A.P. Smithwick Memorial Stakes - man Brian Crowley can ride 'em like he stole 'em. It’s ugly as sin to watch the more common euro style but obviously effective.
You could’ve placed a daily double wager on this race (1st) and the 2nd which is also a steeplechase. Note that Percussionist (IRE) is a scratch.
On the heels of the Smithwick I’d be looking seriously at Jonathan Sheppard’s entry of Royal Rossi with Crowley up in the next race
As an aside - Royal Rossi - in the steeplechase has already won at Sartoga: he won a race on July 17, 2011 so your man is being wheeled back for Sheppard pretty quickly.
Mabou, as noted on HRTV, won his last race (against 3 others) by 83-lengths. And Ber Certain last raced in October 2008 at Fair Hills, NJ. Interesting mix of stories here with the field.
WOW, wow with the 2nd steeplechase race of the day!
having seen the win photo I’m shocked NYRA didn’t call it a dead heat. A flared nostril at best was the difference. What a sensational drive to the finish there.
