2012 Saratoga Summer thread!

[Glimmerglass]

If you go to Saratoga this Saturday - Traver’s Day - see if you can help a cause: Old Friend’s with their charitable magazine

Daily Racing Form announced the publication of a special commemorative Old Friends magazine, which is designed to help generate public awareness of the issue of Thoroughbred retirement and aftercare in general and financial support specifically for Old Friends. The nonprofit company operates a farm based near Georgetown, Kentucky, which cares for more than 120 retired racehorses and draws nearly 20,000 visitors a year.

The magazine has a cover price of $10, and 100 percent of the gross sales will be retained by Old Friends for its Thoroughbred retirement program.

Old Friends magazine is 80-color pages packed with stunning Barbara Livingston photographs, astute commentary by Jay Hovdey and Glenye Cain Oakford and lifetime past performances, including the 22-win streak by Rapid Redux and the 100-race losing streak of Zippy Chippy. The magazine will be available for purchase at Saratoga Race Course at the Old Friends community table on Travers Day, Saturday.

Many industry supporters made it possible for the DRF to donate 20,000 printed copies to Old Friends, including Adena Springs Retirement Program, Wines on Vine, West Point Thoroughbreds, Quillin Leather & Tack, Breeders’ Cup, Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Sallee Horse Vans, New York Racing Association, Ann & Jerry Moss, Lane’s End, LubriSyn and WinStar. - Kudos to them!

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;6514467]
Demonstrative trains at and had his final workout at Hickory Tree Farm in Middleburg, now managed by my brother in law![/QUOTE]

Cool as they’re certainly doing something right for Demonstrative there.:

Unlike the Smithwick starters, the Turf Writers winner had four weeks between races – which Valentine called a plus. Demonstrative spent four days turned out doing nothing, then hacked for a few days with some younger horses, returned to galloping and had two works – one on the turf at Whitewood and a 5-furlong move on the 6 1/2-furlong dirt training track at nearby Hickory Tree Farm.

“He actually put on weight between races,” said Valentine. “It was nice to
have that week where I didn’t have to put pressure on him. He had four days
off, doing nothing. Then he just went for a hack for a few days, we just kept
him entertained, he’s like that. He kind of needs to be entertained. I worked
him once on the grass at home and he worked five-eighths on Sunday at
Hickory Tree – 1:04, which is good for that track. It’s a beautiful track, but it’s
small and 1:06 is a good move there.”

[Glimmerglass]

Reminder Saturday you can watch the big day of races on NBC!

August 25: 4:00-6:00 PM ET
Grade 1, $1 million Travers
Grade 1, $500,000 Foxwoods King’s Bishop
Grade 1, $500,000 Test
Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa presented by Jose Cuervo

While no Union Rags, Bode, Hansen, I’ll Have Another, Dullahan, etc (ok, you get the picture) the Travers actually shapes up to be a very solid and interesting race. TVG did this ‘Inside Track’ video feature with the contenders

Likely just as interesting will be the King’s Bishop - and yes the Dutrow horse on 3-days rest will be in there.

Friday’s feature: Video replay: Grade 1 $500,000 Ballerina Stakes

Odds-on favorite Turbulent Descent earned her fourth career Grade 1 victory in the first start for her new connections, taking over at the top of the stretch and going on to a 1 ¼-length win over Derwin’s Star in Friday’s $500,000 Ballerina at Saratoga Race Course.

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

Whew, am so happy for Jackson Bend and Mr. Zito! Glad JB was back to some work after reading about the must-have-been-horrifying collision.

Gotta keep an eye on ESL in the King’s Bishop!

[Glimmerglass]

Amazing that Triple Crown runner, Optimizer is running in today’s 8th, an $87k purse optional claiming (for $35k) race. Although the DWL trained runner is not in for a tag.

[Glimmerglass]

While waiting for the big races today you can feast your eyes on a potential future star … Video: SAR race 1 from FRI 8-24-12 with Magical Moon crushing it in her maiden.

(Video)And in the winner’s circle for that race was a Godfather movie familiar face - although most people recall him with a much younger face when he was Connie’s scumbag hubby.

If you listen to the audio you’ll hear Tom Durkin on the p.a. system say Luca Brasi, call your office"

[Glimmerglass]

And ‘The Coach’ D. Wayne Lukas gets his 2nd win of the SPA meet with Optimizer showing his class on the turff and dispatching the field with solid and firm ride by Joel Rosario.

As is his standard these days, DWL invites a random stranger kid into the winner’s circle to enjoy the moment and share the game. A nice gesture in this era.

[Glimmerglass]

And that’s how you win - break the stakes record

In the $250k Grade 2 Ballston Spa (which is a lovely neighboring town to Saratoga Springs) Chad Brown-trained Zagora (FR) powers home in an impressive inner turf course record time of 1:39.07, eclipsing the 1:39.92 of Leroidesanimaux, to win the Ballston Spa!

Chad was an assistant to the late Bobby Frankel who trained Leroidesanimaux. So a circle of life if you will …

[Glimmerglass]

Note to self - ‘don’t celebrate too early’

The stewards fined jockey Javier Castellano $2,000 for standing up before the wire on Gimme Credit, who finished second in Friday’s (Aug 24) fifth race.

[Glimmerglass]

In advance of the 2012 edition …

Flashback video: 2005 Grade 1 King’s Bishop with a horse that was talent and heart … and who’s demise a a bit over a year later from cancer broke my heart

[mroades]

Who is Willy Beamin??? 3 days rest???

[Gestalt]

Lost in the Fog, what a fantastic horse he was!!! I am so disappointed with this years three year olds. Not sure who to pick for this race.

[Glimmerglass]

WOW WOW WOW - Dutrow trained Willy Beamin running on three days rest (won the Albany Stakes on WED) and he snags the King’s Bishop (G1)!’

As cited in prior entries on thsi thread that horse does very well with brief breaks (I mean really brief) before running again.

[CVPeg]

Head/desk. Knew had to watch for him, but didn’t bet…
Wonder who he’ll share his short turnaround secret with, if he has to quit…

[Glimmerglass]

A king’s ransom with payoffs … the Grade 1 King’s Bishop wagering returns:

(1st Willy Beamin; 2nd Fort Loudon; 3rd Unbridled Note)

$2 Exacta 1-4 = $376.00
$2 Trifecta 1-4-8 = $3,571.00
$2 Superfecta 1-4-8-10 = $19,834.00

[Glimmerglass]

My long shot remains Neck 'n Neck in the Travers!

I like CVPeg had my eye on Willie in the King’s Bishop but didn’t put my money down So no fat return from the OTB.

[Glimmerglass]

BTW final results for the King’s Bishop:

PP 1 Willy Beamin
PP 4 Fort Loudon;
PP 8 Unbridled’s Note;

Off the board in order: PP 10 - Doctor Chit , PP 5 - Laurie’s Rocket , PP 3 - Currency Swap, PP 7 - Ever So Lucky , PP 6 - Spin Out , PP 9 - Trinniberg , PP 2 - Gun Boat

[Glimmerglass]

Travers … Jaw Dropped! Dead Heat!

Post-time favorite Alpha and loooong shot Golden Ticket. With the 2nd place horse, Fast Falcon, being another long shot 30 to 1

The payouts will be insane.

[CVPeg]

They just wondered on HRTV how they’re going to paint the canoe! LOL
I suppose they could do the colors one on each side.

I just wonder how they’re going to paint the jockey statue by the entrance.

[Beverley]

What a race! Golden Ticket only ran because his last two races didn’t fill. A gritty little horse, I liked his effort. And Alpha’s too!