Linda Rice has won a bunch on the Spa turf this year and send out Mother Russia, a lovely near black filly) with Ramon Dominguez up. Ramon is just the type of rider to help Mother Russia (by Mayakovsky) settle and rate for the 8.5 furlongs.
Linda Rice’s horses are always well schooled. She preps them well in the starting gate and paddock and the results show.
Today is the Hall of Fame Induction - Chris McCarron will be the guest speaker at the 2009 Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony is open to the public.
Class of 2009
Bob Baffert
Janet Elliot
Eddie Maple
Ben Nevis II, steeplechase horse
Silverbulletday, contemporary female horse
Tiznow, contemporary male horse
Worth noting as some might still be thinking of the BB vs. DWL lack of friendship is that Baffert will be introduced today during the ceremony by none other than D. Wayne Lukas.
Times Union 8-14 “Elliot happy to be in Hall”
"I’m not a die-hard feminist, like, ‘Yes, this is for women,’ " Elliot said. “But it does add to the excitement of the whole thing. And yes, it does feel good to be the first woman (trainer) to go into the Hall of Fame. It’s such an incredible honor.”
Speaking of the Hall of Fame and women, does anyone know if Barbara Livingston is in?
If she isn’t, she ought to be.
[QUOTE=vineyridge;4306181]
Speaking of the Hall of Fame and women, does anyone know if Barbara Livingston is in?[/QUOTE]
Undoubtedly she’s as skilled as any with equine photography but no such category exists.
I had thought they might have a category for journalists and authors. Some Sporting Halls of Fame do.
I just went and looked. They don’t even have a category for breeders and/or owners.
[QUOTE=vineyridge;4306585]
I had thought they might have a category for journalists and authors. Some Sporting Halls of Fame do.
I just went and looked. They don’t even have a category for breeders and/or owners.[/QUOTE]
The PaulickReport just had a topic on this.
Having a cat for something akin to the Ford C Frick Award (See the Baseball Hall of Fame and Musuem) which is given to a broadcaster for “major contributions to baseball” seems logical. A Bill Nack, for example, should get some recognition with his writings, etc. So much of this sport’s history is what it is because of what someone documented in writing long ago. From there in the category you could add in race callers.
I am steadfastly against a breeders’ category as frankly if said person(s) bred a horse inducted into the Hall of Fame then recognition has already been granted. Further rhe Eclipse does enough breeding recognition as does just about every State in the Union with a TB breeding program and an annual awards banquet program.
Times Union 8-14-09 “Baffert, others inducted into racing Hall” - this says it all
“You’re looking at lucky,” trainer Bob Baffert told a standing-room only crowd Friday at his 2009 induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. “I never had a plan, I just let the horses take me places where I never thought I’d be, and fortunately they led me here. It’s all about the horses, the beautiful horses.”
Note in the next race today (Saratoga - Race 6) will mark the maiden of Drover the 2-yr old colt is by Storm Cat x Goulash … which makes him half brother to Ashado and also Sunriver. Ridden by Johnny V and trained by Todd Pletcher.
I was thinking more in terms of a LifeTime Achievement award that would go to people like Dan Galbreath and one of more of the Hancocks–because the very classic breeding farms change hands, disappear, and are lost in the mists of time.
My first class would be James Jackson, Col. Bradley, and Samuel Riddle and August Belmont and the Welles and Ten Broeck. It would go on to recognize the old and ought to be famous still breeders like King Ranch and Darby Dan.
Best o’luck to the old man today: 10-year old Better Talk Now races in the $500,000 Grade 1 Sword Dancer in Saturday’s big race. When he was a mere 5-years-old BetterTalk Now won the Sword Dancer in his first attempt.
Should he win then he’d make history as the oldest Grade I flat winner at Saratoga. Although it will be a tough one today - the field gunning for victory is loaded and deep.
Bless his heart!!!
Better Talk Now was second!!! Screaming my head off! when GC was behind tiring horses, I knew he had a real chance!
I was gonna ask a question about the courses there, and will ask it here. Why when they have the two turf tracks, do they run the 1 and 1/2 mile on the inner track. Does anyone know how they make decisions like that!
Oh it was so exciting. I just LOVE BTN! Mr B anfd Gary S seem to be big fans too [on TVG]:yes::lol:
BTN certainly showed there was some lead left in the pencil and that’s why so many of us love seeing the seniors in this sport! Who would’ve thought a 33-1 runner (Telling) would steal BTN’s thunder. With that crazy pace up front for the mile it was was almost a defacto return of his old chum Shake the Bank as the rabbit.
The $2 Exacta (of 7-4) paid a very fat $645.00 in the Sword Dancer Invitational; (although that pales to the 8th race today at Monmouth - the Continental Mile Stakes - on the turf which saw Two Notch Road win at odds of 107-1 and did it with ease!!)
The New York Times had this nice article today in advance of the Sword Dancer: “At 10, This Horse Is Still a Contender”, by Bill Finley
“I would love to see him do this, but not for me, but for him,” Johnson said. “He’s put in so many miles and so much effort. He’s done some amazing things and he’s competed at a top level for six years. But he can enhance his reputation and put a stamp on the name Better Talk Now with a win in the Sword Dancer as a 10-year-old. That’s really what means the most to me. I would like it because of what it could do for him and what it would do for his place in history. I don’t want this horse to ever be forgotten, and winning this race would accomplish that.”
2nd place in as larger and deep of a Grade 1 as that race was certainly is a gold star on his resume!
Nice to see Marylou Whitney’s Ninth Client under DWL take the 8th race although it was a big drop for him into claiming ranks. It does not appear he was claimed for the $35k tag.
NYRA giving credit to a damn fine horse - Commentator:
Commentator will be honored with a race in his name at Saratoga Race Course, where the 8-year-old gelding ended his career.
Owner Tracy Farmer decided to retire Commentator after he finished third Sunday in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap, a race the horse had previously won twice.
On Sept.6, a stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up will be named The Commentator.
“It’s a great honor that the New York Racing Association is recognizing Commentator with this special ceremony,” said Hall of Famer Nick Zito, who trained him. “He was foaled in New York, almost won three Whitneys, and is one of the fastest New York-breds to ever grace the track.”
Commentator won 14 races, including eight stakes, in 24 career starts and earned more than $2 million. He won the Whitney for the first time in 2005, then captured it again in 2008.
[QUOTE=Larksmom;4308740]
Better Talk Now was second!!! Screaming my head off! when GC was behind tiring horses, I knew he had a real chance!
I was gonna ask a question about the courses there, and will ask it here. Why when they have the two turf tracks, do they run the 1 and 1/2 mile on the inner track. Does anyone know how they make decisions like that!
Oh it was so exciting. I just LOVE BTN! Mr B anfd Gary S seem to be big fans too [on TVG]:yes::lol::D[/QUOTE]
As far as using the inner for 1 and 1/2 mile races, consideration is given as to where on the course the start would take place. For instance, the configuration used would need to ensure that the field would have a fair run into the first turn. For the given distance in the Sword Dancer, using the outer turf would probably have the start for too close to the turn.
A leading contender for the Travers Stakes worked this monring (Aug 16) on the main track: Quality Road
Florida Derby winner Quality Road worked six furlongs on the main track in a time of 1:13 Sunday morning.
Ridden by regular rider John Velazquez, Quality Road, who won won the Amsterdam in record setting time here in his first start since the Florida Derby, worked in company with stablemate Unbridled Belle, who was clocked in 1:13.1
Yesterday Summer Bird worked 5-furlongs under Kent D. in 1:01.97
Want to meet Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird or Summer Bird?
NYRA is holding a Willy Wonka-esq drawing “Triple Crown Connection” for Saratoga patrons who go to the track on August 21st
“We are so fortunate to have the winners of all three Triple Crown races this year stabled here at Saratoga,” Director of Marketing Neema Ghazi said. “While it’s a treat to watch them on track in the mornings, we wanted to give race fans the exclusive opportunity to meet this diverse group of classic winners one-on-one.”
Each guest will receive a blank entry slip with paid admission to the track on August 21. Completed entries will be accepted beginning at 11 a.m. (EDT) at the Paddock information booth, Bunbury’s Pub in the backyard and the first floor Grandstand information booth. All entries must be received by 3 p.m. in order to be included in the drawing; limit one entry per guest.
Just after the day’s 5TH race, at approximately 3:30 p.m., five winning numbers will be called by announcer Tom Durkin and winners will have 45 minutes (until 4:15 p.m.) to report to the first floor Grandstand information booth to claim their prizes. At 4:30 p.m., each individual winner will be invited to the winner’s circle to choose a prize envelope.
Three of the five prize envelopes will contain “Golden Tickets” redeemable for a “Classic Connection” with one of this year’s Triple Crown race winners. The other two envelopes will contain consolation “Silver Tickets” redeemable for breakfast on the Porch for two and reserved Clubhouse seating for two on August 26. Winners must be present to collect and redeem a Triple Crown Connection prize package.
On August 26, each of the three lucky winners and three guests will enjoy breakfast on the Porch while watching the horses exercise in the morning. From there, each group of four will spend the day watching the races live from a private Clubhouse box.
At approximately 10 a.m. the Mine That Bird and Summer Bird winners along with their guests will depart for a meeting with their classic winner. The Rachel Alexandra meeting is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. All winners will receive a photo of their meeting with the horse as a keepsake.
More on Commentator with the retirement party at Saratoga and the race in his honor - Per NYRA information
On September 6, NYRA will name the 5TH race, an overnight stakes race for New York-bred three-year-olds and up, “The Commentator.”
Commentator will appear in the paddock before the race and then head to the main track. After parading for fans in front of the stands, Commentator, wearing a No. 1 saddlecloth, will be led into the winner’s circle to enjoy an edible key to the city in his favorite flavor – mint.
After the race, Hayward will present Zito and the Farmers with framed commemorative photo collages of Commentator. A highlight video of Commentator’s career will be shown on monitors throughout the racetrack.
Sunday (8-16) in the 7th race saw the return to the winner’s circle of a familiar group: Seattle Mission took the 1 1/16 miles (Turf) for maiden 2-yr olds with Cornelio Velasquez up, trained by Barclay Tagg and owned by the Sackatoga Stable.
Nice to see the Funny Cide team back (sans the retired Jose Santos) in the winner’s circle at Saratoga. Last time (I think) was last year in the Cab Calloway Stakes with Doc N Roll. The $2 excta for today’s race (8-3) paid a fat $231.50 for the Sackatoga faithful
I’m back, and here’s my report
Hubby and I just got back from celebrating our 20th anniversary of meeting each other by going to Saratoga.
Un. Real. What an amazing place – full of history and class, but not pretentiously uppity. And it’s even a dog-friendly town! That’s always a good sign. :yes:
We were just short of being horse racing paparazzi; I’ve posted over 70 pictures from our trip on my online album starting here. I hope you enjoy them. There are lots of familiar faces such as Gretchen Jackson, Barclay Tagg, D. Wayne Lukas, Brass Hat and Better Talk Now, and some faces which perhaps will become familiar some day, like a Medaglia D’Oro filly named Devil by Design who won her race that day.
Day one of racing for us began with a steeplechase – watching a jumping race live was a first for me. I took a chance on gorgeous dapple grey Irish bred Dalucci, trained by Janet Elliot (who, on Friday, became the first woman trainer inducted into the Hall of Fame). It was for naught though as for the first half mile he was rankity rank rank.
We spent a lot of time walking around exploring, wandering through the grandstand and below the clubhouse, through the backyard, along the horsepath, around the paddock, to the rail and winner’s circle and so on. Despite the relatively large crowd, on weekdays it is still pretty easy to get around (though comfortable shoes are a must, and Saturday was a different story.)
On one journey from our seats to the paddock, we shared a plate of Freddy’s fish and chips (which I highly recommend – the waffle fries were wicked good!) and borrowed Carl’s picnic table to sit down and eat, heretofore unbeknownst to Carl. We were unobtrusively quick and tidy. Thank you Carl!!!
At one point we nearly bumped right into a very well dressed Todd Pletcher. In one of my less than cool moments, I gasped right out loud when I saw him as I was caught off guard, not expecting him to be amongst us regular folk outside of the paddock. My husband laughed at me. I did manage to get my act together and say “hello” rather than a Baby Houseman-esque “I carried a watermelon”. (Todd said hello back).
We were pleased to see many families there. In fact, sitting right in front of us in the grandstand our first day was a family of five, all of whom were playing the ponies with success. As it turned out, they had recently visited an equine rescue, and decided to make a day trip to the track and donate their winnings to an equine charity! I had a nice discussion with the mom about CANTER and the TRF. 
On our second day, I dragged hubby out of bed at the butt crack of dawn to go watch morning works at both training track Oklahoma and then the main track. We were somewhat taken back, but pleasantly surprised, at how friendly so many of the riders were, exchanging “good morning” with us along the rail. When Chip Woolley (geez louise – can you believe that man is still on crutches!?!) was escorted to the apron via golf cart, that was our clue to keep our eyes peeled for the Kentucky Derby winner himself. Sure enough, there he was! We watched Mine That Bird gallop twice, and though he is small, both times I was struck by how powerful yet balanced and adjustable he is. On our third day we spoke to Mr. Woolley very briefly, and thanked him for being so gracious. [ETA: No, I did not ask if he preferred the most wonderful city in the world, Chester, WV, to the hell-hole that is Saratoga Springs, nor did I ask if he had been to the teapot. Given the surroundings, I felt it would put him uncomfortably on the spot. Sorry to disappoint! 
] (My Mine That Bird photos start here and here.)
I had a minor but pressing medical incident on our second day of racing, popping a blister on my foot somewhere between our “Assault” parking space by Oklahoma (in the free parking area, rather than row or aisle numbers, there are signs of Triple Crown winners’ names to help you remember where you parked) and our seats in section T. It was the first aid station by the carousel to the rescue with a supply of bandaids! Thanks guys!!!
At the end of the card on Friday, among the entries for the nightcap was a horse from Suffolk Downs named Ready’s Clyde. I thought for sure he was about to get a sound thrashing in this grass race, as he had never hit the board in his prior three turf starts. As it turned out, it was Ready’s Clyde who delivered the spanking, paying $50 to win! I’m still kicking myself on that one.
I did okay though…the next day I hit the tri in a 2yo maiden race – not a start among 'em. Sometimes it pays to know bloodlines! With all those babies going off for the first time, as announcer Tom Durkin said, there was a “kerfluffle” in the gate, resulting in a late scratch of the 4.
On our third day, we stuck around morning works long enough to listen to “breakfast with Mary Ryan” for a while (though we brought in our own Dunkin’ breakfast, thanks just the same.) She’s got a fun job, pointing out who’s who working out on the track and discussing tidbits of racing trivia and horse knowledge.
Our visit concluded with the Sword Dancer – another first for me as I’ve never attended a G1 before. No one saw the result of that race coming as longshot Telling pulled off the upset…but I can tell you that old veteran Better Talk Now looked fantastic in the paddock, as did Brass Hat. My Sword Dancer pics start here.
Well that’s it. Back to reality here for me. 'Can’t wait to go back next year!
Very cool Barnfairy! Thanks for the photos and info - I think I’ve run in Todd Pletcher just once and that was a Keeneland when he was chatting to Angel Cordero, Jr. You picked a great weekend to go to Saratoga. Crowded but not too crowded and plenty of activity to see on the track and off …
Off topic but it looks like Saratoga will be without one jockey for a while: Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. was arrested Sunday morning - per the current Equibase standings at Saratoga through today he’s had 56 starts and a record of 2-7-4 in this meet.
Uh, whoops. Jockeys behaving badly.
At least he wasn’t wielding a pool cue this time.
Some Saratoga works from the morning of 8-17-09
Oklahoma training track
Rachel Alexandra: 5-furlongs in 1:00.37 (Dominic Terry, up)
Kensei: 5-furlongs in 1:01.85
Saratoga main track
Mine That Bird: 5-furlongs in 1:03.83 (Jamie Theriot, up)
Warrior’s Reward: 5-furlongs in 1:00.26 (Calvin Borel, up)
Maybe MTB didn’t get his morning fill of Dunkin - it was almost an alarm clock catastrophe
