Saratoga Report #5: The Summer of Songbird

Three Stars of the Week

– 1st Star: SONGBIRD – The “Summer of Songbird” came to a rousing end on Saturday evening as the super filly extended her record to 10 for 10 while romping in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes. Songbird came to the “Graveyard of Champions” and laughed in its face. She came north and won two Grade 1 races with ease and leaves as the undisputed 3 year old filly of the year no matter what happens from here on out. The pressure of facing the boys will continue, but for me the last four weeks were about enjoying one of the best horses in the country running at the best track in the country. The future races will get tougher for Songbird, but she’ll be equipped to handle anything that comes here way.

https://youtu.be/Pdle-LeA1Bo

– 2nd Star: TOURIST – As many thought the pace of Saturday’s Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap was slow which allowed Tourist to sit just off the front runner King Kreesa. Once that happen it was going to be very tough for anyone to catch a classy horse like Tourist, and he did indeed turn the race into a runaway as he passed King Kreesa on the turn and cruised home to big victory. Tourist has been close in several races, but finally on Saturday he was simply the class of the field. He’ll most likely point towards the Breeders Cup now as his talents are strong enough to make a run at the Mile.

– 3rd Star: TIME AND MOTION – The streak of Catch a Glimpse is officially over! Time and Motion, who has been defeated by Catch a Glimpse in the past, was able to sit closer to the pace this time and was able to run down Time and Motion to win the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes. As the wire approached Time and Motion just kept getting better and better, and it was becoming clear Catch a Glimpse was getting tired. Time and Motion had been knocking on the door for while now so it was nice to see her in the winners circle. Perhaps the surface casued the upset, or perhaps this is a horse that just keeps on getting better.

Flop of the Week

– EVER SO CLEVER – I’ll never be too hard on 2 Year Olds, but Ever So Clever did not live up to the hype last Friday as she was a non-factor in the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes. Steve Asmussen will have to go back to the drawing board with this one as she is better than what she showed.

Trainer Standings	Jockey Standings
1. Chad Brown – 30	1. Irad Ortiz Jr. – 39
1. Todd Pletcher – 20	2. Jose Ortiz – 38
3. Kiaran McLaughlin – 11	3. Javier Castellano – 34
4. David Jacobson – 9	4. John Velazquez- 30
4. Rudy Rodriguez – 9	5. Joel Rosario – 23
4. George Weaver – 9	6. Luiz Saez – 21
7. Mike Maker – 8	7. Manuel Franco – 16
7. Baker – 8	8. Jose Lezcano – 14
9. Jason Servis – 7	9. Ricardo Santana Jr. – 1

Preview to Next Week

Wednesday, Aug 24	John’s Call		$100,000	3&UP	Turf	1 5/8
Thursday, Aug 25	New York Turf Writers Cup (Steeplechase)	I	$150,000	4&UP	Turf	2 3/8
Thursday, Aug 25	Riskaverse		$100,000	F3YO	Turf	1 Mile
Friday, Aug 26	Albany (NYB)		$250,000	3YO	Dirt	1 1/8
Friday, Aug 26	Fleet Indian (NYB)		$200,000	F3YO	Dirt	1 1/8
Friday, Aug 26	Funny Cide (NYB)		$200,000	2YO	Dirt	6 1/2 Furlongs
Friday, Aug 26	Seeking the Ante (NYB)		$200,000	F2YO	Dirt	6 1/2 Furlongs
Friday, Aug 26	Yaddo (NYB)		$150,000	F&M 3&UP	Turf	1 1/16
Friday, Aug 26	West Point presented by Trustco Bank		$150,000	3&UP	Turf	1 1/16
Saturday, Aug 27	Longines Sword Dancer	I	$1,000,000	3&UP	Turf	1 1/2
Saturday, Aug 27	Travers Stakes	I	$1,250,000	3YO	Dirt	1 1/4
Saturday, Aug 27	Ballerina	I	$500,000	F&M 3&UP	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 27	Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa	II	$400,000	F&M 3&UP	Turf	1 1/16
Saturday, Aug 27	The Priority One Jets Forego	I	$700,000	3&UP	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Saturday, Aug 27	Personal Ensign	I	$750,000	F&M 3&UP	Dirt	1 1/8
Saturday, Aug 27	Ketel One King’s Bishop	I	$500,000	3YO	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Sunday, Aug 28	Smart N Fancy		$100,000	F&M 3&UP	Turf	5 1/2 Furlongs
Monday, Aug 29	Better Talk Now		$100,000	3YO	Turf	1 Mile