Saratoga Report #5

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: EMBELLISH THE LACE – The Alabama Stakes seemed to be a three horse race in the betting between Curalina, I’m a Chatterbox, and Lovely Maria however what happened on the track was an entirely different story. It was Embellish the Lace that got the jump out of the gate and never looked back while she won in wire to wire fashion in a final time that was very fast. Perhaps the mile and one quarter distance is what this horse wants to do, or maybe she’s just improving in a big way. If she can repeat this type of performance again she certainly can become a major player in the three year old filly division.

– 2nd Star: JESS’S DREAM – Maybe it wasn’t the fastest time or the biggest race of the week…but wow the son of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra gave us all a huge thrill on Monday when he won his debut race. The win was great…but how he did it was almost unbelievable. Jess’s Dream fell nearly 20 lengths behind the field up the back stretch, but closed a ton of ground late in dare I say a “Zenyatta life effort” to win by a length in the end. Who knows what happens with this horse going forward, and frankly right now at this point who cares? Lets just enjoy this thrilling victory for a little while!

– 3rd Star: WIDTH – What an impressive 2 year old debut for this daughter of Blame! Sunday’s maiden special weight field Width was entered in seemed to be fairly balanced, but she made it look easy winning by a little over two lengths. She stalked the field for most of the race, and pounced at the right time with plenty of energy left. It’s a little late in the game to be thinking stakes at Saratoga for her next race, so perhaps she’ll wait for the bigger stakes races at Belmont for 2 year olds for her next start.

Flop of the Week

– Lovely Maria – It’s clear this filly has lost her previous Kentucky Oaks winning form. Once again Lovely Maria was a no show, this time in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes where she looked read to pounce at the top of the stretch but faded badly instead. The future is now very unclear for her.

Trainer Standings	Jockey Standings
1. Chad Brown – 24	1. Irad Ortiz Jr. – 46
1. Todd Pletcher – 22	2. Javier Castellano – 37
3. Christophe Clement – 11	3. John Velazquez – 33
3. Kiaran McGlaughlin – 11	4. Jose Ortiz – 24
5. William Mott – 10	5. Luis Saez – 22
5. Rudy Rodriguez – 10	6. Joel Rosario – 19
7. David Jacobson – 8	7. Junior Alvarado – 17
8. Claude McGaughey – 6	8. Jose Lezcano – 13
8. Jeramiah Englehart – 6	9. Kendrick Carmouche – 10

Preview to Next Week

Wed., Aug. 26	John’s Call		$100,000	3&UP	1 5/8 (Turf)
Thu., Aug. 27	New York Turf Writers Cup (Steeplechase)	I	$150,000	4&UP	2 3/8 (Turf)
Thu., Aug. 27	Riskaverse		$100,000	F3YO	1 Mile (Turf)
Fri., Aug. 28	Albany (NYB)		$250,000	3YO	1 1/8 (Dirt)
Fri., Aug. 28	Fleet Indian (NYB)		$200,000	F3YO	1 1/8 (Dirt)
Fri., Aug. 28	Funny Cide (NYB)		$200,000	2YO	6 1/2 Furlongs (Dirt)
Fri., Aug. 28	Seeking the Ante (NYB)		$200,000	F2YO	6 1/2 Furlongs (Dirt)
Fri., Aug. 28	Yaddo (NYB)		$150,000	F&M 3&UP	1 1/16 (Turf)
Fri., Aug. 28	West Point presented by Trustco Bank (NYB)		$150,000	3&UP	1 1/16 (Turf)
Sat., Aug. 29	Sword Dancer Invitational	I	$1,000,000	3&UP	1 1/2 (Turf)
Sat., Aug. 29	Travers Stakes	I	$1,250,000	3YO	1 1/4 (Dirt)
Sat., Aug. 29	Ballerina	I	$500,000	F&M 3&UP	7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Sat., Aug. 29	Ketel One Ballston Spa	II	$400,000	F&M 3&UP	1 1/16 (Turf)
Sat., Aug. 29	The Priority One Jets Forego	I	$700,000	3&UP	7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Sat., Aug. 29	Personal Ensign Invitational	I	$750,000	F&M 3&UP	1 1/8 (Dirt)
Sat., Aug. 29	NYRA.com King’s Bishop	I	$500,000	3YO	7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Sun., Aug. 30	Smart N Fancy		$100,000	F&M 3&UP	5 1/2 Furlongs (Turf)
Mon., Aug. 31	Better Talk Now		$100,000	3YO	1 Mile (Turf)