20 The aratoga Volatile takes care of business in Vanderbilt business Volatile of care takes Saratoga’s RacingNewspapersince2001 Hot Head Year 20•No.5Wednesday, July29,2020

Chelsea Durand/NYRA Photo 2 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Same As Always. The mornings are still misty on the Oklahoma side. Tod Marks Tod

LICENSE PLATE OF THE DAY here&there...in racing WOOWOOO, New York. We just like the way it sounds. Presented by Shadwell Farm NAMES OF THE DAY BY THE NUMBERS WORTH REPEATING “You know what I really wanted was a Shake Shack, but I didn’t Strong group of names today. Nice job people. Anonymous gift certificate to DZ Restaurants sent to The 1: want to eat it before the race.” Special’s Tom Law Monday morning. He says thanks! Three Chimneys’ Doug Cauthen Tradeable, third race. The 4-year-old filly, a homebred for Ed- after Volatile won the Grade 1 Vanderbilt ward Messina and William Butler, is by Exchange Rate. 2: Ortiz-Ortiz exactas at the meet through Sunday – the first on Opening Day (seventh race, $36.50 for $1) and the second Clench, sixth race. The 4-year-old colt, who races for Michael July 23 (fourth race, $3.10). Number provided by handicapper “Holy crap, when the Bourbon Courage won at Saratoga I Dubb, David Simon and Bethlehem Stable, is out of Tight Gary Quill of theracingbiz.com, whose pre-Saratoga strategies almost jumped through my floor.” Lipped. included investing in the meet’s leading jockeys completing an Louis Merryman, of Anchor and Hope Farm (where Bourbon exacta. Courage stands) when Midnight Whiskey won July 18 Too Early, eighth race. Edition Farm’s homebred 3-year-old gelding is out of Morning Gallop. Eyes second win at the meet. 3: Saratoga Special Readers Club members reading the July “The first time I came here was about 30 years ago. Dominick 25 edition at 2:21 a.m. (about a minute after we posted it). You Schettino and I were the first ones to rent stalls at the harness Therapist, ninth race. He’s been here before, plenty of times, have to love enthusiasm. Where were the rest of you? track, it was like $100 a month or something. I ran five and but Oak Bluff Stable’s 5-year-old is – of course – a son of Freud. won three. I was like, ‘Look what we have here. It’s not so 11: Consecutive seasons Bona Venture Stable has won at least tough here.’ Of course it is tough here.” Breaking The Rules, ninth race. Phipps Stable’s 5-year-old one race at Saratoga. Trainer Eddie Barker homebred is by War Front out of Protesting. 100: Owners with at least one win at the meet. “He’s not the grump everybody thinks he is.” Sevnteeneightysevn, 10th race. This 3-year-old filly, owned Owner Ann Backer, about trainer Barclay Tagg by Zilla Racing Stable and Madaket Stable, is by Constitution 55: Trainers with at least one win at the meet. and honors the year the United States Constitution was signed “Are you guys past your dark times yet? All the gloom and doom?” in Philadelphia. As for the shorthand, that’s the only way to 19: Jockeys with at least one win at the meet. Trainer Jonathan Thomas on the (occasionally) keep the name under 19 characters. moody editorial team from The Special

The Saratoga Editors/Publishers/Owners: Sean Clancy: (302) 545-7713. [email protected] Joe Clancy: (302) 545-4424. [email protected] Managing Editor: Tom Law: (859) 396-9407. [email protected] Writers/Copy Editors: Photography: Tod Marks. Handicappers: Paul Halloran, Mary Eddy, Charles Bedard, John Shapazian, ST Publishing, Inc. 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921. Marketing: Samantha Loud. (410) 392-5867 Nolan Clancy, Ryan Clancy. Rob Whitlock. thisishorseracing.com The Saratoga Special, thisishorseracing.com, Thoroughbred Racing Calendar, The Best of The Saratoga Special, 2020 publication dates: Wednesdays and Saturdays July 18-Sept. 5. New York Thoroughbred Breeders work, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and a whole lot more. Plus Opening Day July 16 & Season Wrap-up Sept. 12. Call us about your editorial needs.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 3 here&there...in racing Presented by Shadwell Farm WORTH REPEATING “We had two in, there were three or four races in between and we didn’t feel like walking back to the barn. It was the longest two hours of your life.” Mike Trombetta, about being at the races in 2020

“He’s retired. He retired very, very healthy.” Trombetta about English Minister, the Fitzhugh homebred was a standard in the annual Trombetta Stable Tour

“With a lot of the babies coming in late, from the sales being late, I almost didn’t come this year. Then I said, ‘I’ve got to be here, this is the place to train babies.’ ” Trainer Eddie Barker

“How many great race mares have we seen that have been disappointments in the breeding shed? Some never throw a horse comparable to themselves. For whatever reason, they’re great race mares but maybe not great producers. There’s no guarantee that if she’s a great horse that she’s going to be a great producer. She likes what she does, the owners are willing to pay the bills to keep her in training, I’m going along for the ride.” Trainer Kevin Attard, after 7-year-old mare Starship Jubilee won the Ballston Spa

“Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare.” Steve Asmussen, when hearing that his son Keith could ride jump races

“I go by Eddie. Only Jimmy Jerkens calls me Big Ed.” Eddie Davis, about his mentor

Tod Marks Mrs. Ed. Steeplechase mare Pravalaguna has a word with director of racing Bill Gallo. QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I had to tell my assistant Melissa (Cozart) about a horse called The Chief Hoist The Flag. Believe me, believe me he was it. Golly Moses.” “You think back at some of those things Hermitage Farm’s Bill Landes, giving history lessons we did when we were young and it’s like you can’t believe they really happened. Like we’re making them up.” – Trainer H. Allen Jerkens, 1929-2015 800-523-8143

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New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association �e�resen�n� o�ners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, dri�ers and horse�en associa�ons in business transac�ons and www.nytha.com �a�ers before the �e� �ork �tate �a�in� �o��ission 516.488.2337 and in the federal and state courts.

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4 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 5 Michael Trombetta Jr. with Need a stable tour? Beau is waiting for you. Mike Trombetta Trainer Mike Trombetta made his entirely fair either. If the client isn’t a seller, they Saratoga meet early, winning with his almost do you a favor when they run good races first two starters over the first two days and don’t win a few times, it just allows them to of racing. A standard from his small barn get seasoned.” near the Horse Haven kitchen, Trombet- Souper Energizer: Son of Hat Trick is search- ta comes off his best season in a career ing for his first win for Live Oak after a fourth in that began in 1989. Last year, the Mary- a maiden here July 23. “Ran credible, will prob- land-based conditioner produced 102 ably try it again. A mile-and-a-sixteenth is prob- wins and $4.6 million in purses. It was ably a little far, 5 ½ (furlongs) is a little short. I’ll the 10th time Trombetta has topped 100 probably run him one more time and if he hits the winners in a season and the first time he board, he maybe will be better suited for Belmont, topped $4.5 million in earnings. three-quarters or seven-eighths.” Like all trainers, Trombetta has adapted to life in 2020, freshening some Point Driven: Owned by Marc Tacher, the son of Tapiture finished third in a maiden at Mon- horses in April and getting a later start mouth Park July 4. Three-year-old colt posted with some of his juveniles. his first Saratoga breeze, 4 furlongs in :49.43, “I’ve got a little bit of everything Saturday. “He’s going to get entered Wednesday this year,” he said. “I’ve got a bunch of for (Saturday). He’s a maiden who ran very good put him in it, it went and I put him on the truck. He was in Sara- 2-year-olds but none of them are far enough along off the layoff, we’re going to take a shot at the seven-eighths toga two days before he ran. It worked out perfect.” to tell me whether they belong at Saratoga, but it’s distance if the race goes. He’s a handy little horse. Saratoga is probably going to be a little tougher than what he’s dealt with certainly a possibility as we get further down the Escape Fund: Three-year-old daughter of Lea won her ca- road. We bought horses for four or five people at in the past but he’s one of those maidens who’s been knocking reer debut in a maiden special weight at Saratoga for Three at the door, it’s time to take a shot.” Timonium, Sonata sent me some horses. Everything Diamonds Farm July 16. “That’s the filly who paid $71. Worked is delayed this year because the sales were later, we her several times, more than usual, I had her ready to run. I Make a Stand: Maryland-bred 3-year-old colt by Union still have a lot of chores to do which would normal- entered her at Laurel and they couldn’t take the entry because Rags most recently finished fifth here in a claimer July 26. ly be done by now. Unlike the sales, this game is a she was on the vet’s list. I was like, ‘I don’t get it, she’s never Owned and bred by The Elkstone Group, he broke his maiden marathon, it’s not a sprint. I look at it as what am started, how can that be possible?’ Tracked it backward and it at Gulfstream Park in January and placed in one of his three I going to have for the fall, going into the winter, turns out, (Mike) Maker had her in at Ellis Park as a 2-year-old starts since. “He was beaten only a few lengths. I had had him that’s what excites me. I don’t want to push too and she apparently sprung a shoe on the trailer and was sore at Belmont, so I just brought him over to Saratoga. He’ll prob- when she got to the track. No big deal. They fixed her shoe and ably run back in Maryland.” hard to try to make impossible dates. Hopefully the scratched her. Nobody told me and I don’t even know if they 2-year-olds are set up a little better, they’re more knew. I trained her for four months, I go to enter her and they mature and they stay healthy.” Wet Your Whistle: Grade 1 Highlander Stakes winner has won’t take the entry. Now I work her, take blood, get her off the been working his way back to the races at Fair Hill, last seen Trombetta scrolled through his training charts vet’s list, lo and behold, when that’s done and cleared, I look finishing seventh in the Grade 3 Runhappy Turf Sprint Stakes from Saratoga, Fair Hill and Laurel with The Spe- for a race and there’s a race at Saratoga. I asked Kirk (Wykoff) at Kentucky Downs. Owned by David Palmer, the Stroll gelding cial’s Sean Clancy Monday. if he was up for it, he said, ‘Why not, send her up there.’ And finished fourth in the Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga last year. “He she won. She had been working really well. I worked her on got banged up a bit in the race at Kentucky Downs, he stum- Universal Payday: Live Oak Plantation homebred gelding the turf at Laurel and the feedback wasn’t great. I got the old, bled really hard, he required some extra time. He is almost by To Honor And Serve won a starter allowance here July 17. ‘Well, she kind of worked OK.’ I said to hell with that, Sarato- ready to run. I was considering the Troy, but it’s too early, he He has won or been in the money in all seven of his starts. “He ga was the next option on the dirt. She shipped in on Tues- won’t be quite ready and it will probably be a very hard race for ran really well, I wasn’t sure that he would be fit enough to do day and won on Thursday. My son (Michael Jr.) didn’t come him to come back. I’m hoping he gets to see Saratoga before a mile-and-an-eighth but apparently he was. He was one when over to the races that day, he bet $20 across the board on the the end of the meet.” we stopped racing in April, I sent six or eight horses back to horse, he was very, very happy. Needless to say, I owe him Live Oak to get a month off and they sent me the 2-year-olds a some cash out of my account. I was hoping to find a straight Souper Escape: Grade 3 stakes winner scored in the Trilli- little early. He paid us back for the rest. I had a whole bunch of 3-year-old allowance race for her, which is the logical progres- um Stakes at Woodbine by 4 1/2 lengths July 18. A homebred them who had been running for eight, 10 months, a year and sion, but they went by the way of the dinosaur, nobody writes for Live Oak, the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro has they were ready to run but all of a sudden we didn’t have any them. I opened up the new Saratoga book and the only thing earned $213,383 with five wins from 15 starts. “She looks like racing. I pitched it to Live Oak, let’s give these horses a month they have for 3-year-olds is the Test. That’s how much things she really enjoys the synthetic. I think I’m going to hang out now, they were kind enough to send the 2-year-olds a month have changed. Here we are in July, I have to run her against at Woodbine with her for as long as I can, there is a stake at early, it was an even horse wash. I had entered him in two the older, more-seasoned horses, which half of them carry a Presque Isle in October that I could put on my radar screen. allowance races going long on the dirt in Maryland, they didn’t claiming price which really makes them difficult or I have to Continued On Page 7 go, the starter showed up, it was an extra on the overnight, I find a 3-year-old filly stakes somewhere, somehow, which isn’t

6 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Stable Tour – Continued from page 6 The way she runs on that stuff, she’s been on it three times, she’s got two stakes wins and a second. Woodbine has worked.”

Newstome: A $30,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-old sale last year, the son of Goldencents has three stakes wins and $226,271 in earnings. Owned by Trombetta’s wife, Marie, the Pennsylva- nia-bred colt has run exclusively in stakes rac- es since breaking his maiden in August 2019. His lone win in 2020 came in the Woodstock Tod Marks Stakes at Woodbine June 13. “He’s won on the Mike Trombetta even put on the right hat for dirt and synthetic, his race at Woodbine was the Stable Tour. really good. I ran him on the slop at Belmont, A multiple stakes-placed he did not like that. I’ll point him to the Tom No Mo Lady: daughter of Uncle Mo, the Maryland-bred filly Ridge at Presque Isle on August 10.” most recently finished second in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff Stakes at Indiana Maryland-bred daughter Lookin Dynamic: Grand July 8. Winner of four of her 13 starts of Lookin At Lucky makes her Saratoga debut and earner of $182,561. “I ran her at Indiana, Thursday, she’s 10-1 in the first. Owned by her she was a closing second in a stake. Possi- breeder, Fitzhugh, for her first six starts, she bly Virginia. Possibly Maryland. Possibly New now races for R. Larry Johnson, R. D. M. Rac- York.” ing and Trombetta. “She hasn’t run in a while, partially pandemic-related, we gave her a little Virginia-bred stakes-win- break and now she’s ready. We’re going to try Bella Aurora: ning daughter of Carpe Diem finished third her on the turf. I ran her once on the grass, in the Beyond the Wire Stakes at Laurel Park sprinting, she closed up ground and she’s last time. Purchased by Country Life Farm for not a sprinter. She works good enough on $87,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic the synthetic I figure I’ll try her on the grass fall yearling sale, she is entered in today’s again. Mr. (Robert) Meyerhoff decided during Camptown Stakes at Colonial Downs. “She’s the pandemic that this would be the time for coming off the bench, another one we turned him to step out of the business. Sad to see out in April, gave her some time. We couldn’t him leave, but I guess he just figured this was do it with all of them, but I did it with 15 or 20 the right time. We purchased a few horses of them.” from him, so far, so good. He was definitely one of the iconic names of our sport.” Flight To Paradise: Bred and owned by Live Oak, the Florida-bred son of Temple City Daughter of Honor Our Bella Nicole: has breezed seven times at Fair Hill and twice Code is entered to make her second start in at Saratoga, including a turf move July 19. Friday’s first, a maiden claimer at Saratoga. “I’m hoping to run him on the first (of Au- The $5,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Ken- gust). He needs long on the grass and Sara- tucky fall yearling sale finished sixth in her de- toga is about the only place who is doing that but, a maiden at Delaware Park June 29. “She with 2-year-olds. We’ll enter him Wednesday. belongs to my wife. I bought her at Fasig. For He’s worked good enough and he’s worked a an Honor Code filly I took a shot. She’s named long time, so I figure why not. He doesn’t have after our daughter. She probably needs to go any speed so I’ll forego that exercise, he’s one longer, but she’s going to get a couple of races of the rare ones that I’ll run long the first time. in her going short and we’ll see where it takes We’ll wait and see (about 2-year-olds without us. I ran her once at Delaware, she was kind Lasix in New York). We’ll keep an eye on them, of green. I’m adding blinkers. I hope it helps.” if they don’t bleed, no harm done, if they do Asked if he was OK running a horse named af- have a little trouble, we’ll have to run them ter his daughter for a $50,000 tag, Trombetta somewhere else. That’s going to come into didn’t hesitate. “That price, sure. I’ll deal with play in Maryland as well.” the consequences at that price.” Continued On Page 8

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 7 If she trains really well, we may point her for the Shuvee (Aug. 30). We needed a Stable Tour – little time with her, she lost a few pounds Continued from page 7 along the trip. We brought her to Fair Hill, trying to let her round out a little before Sweet Souper Sweet: Bred and owned by Live Oak, the we start working her regularly and take daughter of First Samurai won her debut at Woodbine June 27. her up to Saratoga for the second half of “I’m pointing her to the Bolton Landing. I like her. I’ll work her August. I’ve worked her twice easy, just on the grass and if she works good and I get good feedback, trying to let her get some down time to I’ll try the Bolton Landing.” overcome that trip. She knows how to win.” Win Win Win: Live Oak homebred won the Pasco Stakes, finished third in the Tampa Bay Derby, second in the Blue Independence Hall: Winner of his Grass, ninth in the Kentucky Derby, seventh in the Preakness first three, including the Grade 3 Nashua and won the Manila in his turf debut last year. This year, the at Aqueduct, the son of Constitution fin- son of Hat Trick finished 10th in the First Defence on turf and ished second in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis second in an allowance on dirt at Belmont. “We are looking and fifth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in at running him in August, not exactly sure what spot, which March. “At WinStar.” distance, depending upon how he trains. One is the Alydar and one is the Forego. I’m very seriously considering the Forego if A Great Time: A Larry Johnson home- he trains lights-out because the seven-eighths doesn’t come bred, the daughter of Street Magician around every day. He ran lights out on the turf, on the hard notched a second in the Jameela Stakes turf course. When he ran at Belmont and it was a little softer, last year and finished third in the License off the layoff, I don’t think he liked it as much. Then I ran him Tod Marks Fee at Belmont July 3. “I nominated her back on the dirt and he had a much-troubled trip. I like where Escape Fund helped the Trombetta barn get off to a quick start. to the Caress, but I can get her in a softer he is at the moment, the only time I ran him seven-eighths, he spot in Maryland.” ran in 1:20 and broke the track record. The Forego might be a until too late, if she could have gotten her moving a little early, little bit of a reach but it might be time to take the reach. We’re she might have been as good as second.” Sky’s Not Falling: Owned by Johnson and R. D. M. Rac- throwing it around, we’re undecided, we have time.” ing Stable, the Maryland-bred son of Seville won his debut at Lucky Stride: The secret weapon? The daughter of Declara- Delaware Park and was 9-5 on the morning line for Tuesday’s American Giant: Live Oak homebred daughter of More tion Of War has won eight of 11, including a Grade 2 and Grade Hansel Stakes at Colonial Downs. He finished third as the fa- Than Ready won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Gulfstream Park 3 stakes, in Puerto Rico. “You don’t know this one unless you vorite. “I guess he’s somewhat of a possibility for Saratoga, if West last year. “How about the Lake George? She could run go to Puerto Rico and watch the races. Sonata Stable sent her he stretches out, he could do the With Anticipation or some- there on August 28. I ran her at Delaware and she ran a closing to me, she’s won a boat load of races. He sent her over here be- thing. He’s bred for grass. I’ll see if he warrants coming up for fifth off the layoff. It was a good race, she didn’t get started cause he thinks she can compete with our stakes horses here. the end of the meet.”

8 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 UNION RAGS Dixie Union - Tempo, by Gone West

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 9 Naughty Boy European import Wissahickon back in the U.S. for Augustin BY TOM LAW THE WEEK AHEAD Wissahickon left Bridlewood Farm in Ocala in the spring of 2017 with him “a bit wild,” jockey Frankie Det- plenty of pedigree and even more po- tori said he was “a bit silly” and his tential. former groom in England, Asif Nazir, He returned late last year with an after being stepped on in the paddock improved pedigree thanks to some by the then 3-year-old son of Tapit, more winners on the female side, a also pegged the colt as “naughty.” strong list of accomplishments and a So what’s he like now? whole lot of personality. And in this “He’s very interesting,” said Jona- case personality might mean, ahem, than Thomas, who broke Wissahick- attitude. on as a 2-year-old at Bridlewood and Wissahickon, who makes his took over his training last year after American debut in today’s ninth race owner George Strawbridge Jr. sent at Saratoga Race Course, earned the him back to the U.S. “He comes with label “naughty” in a Racing Post quite a resume, he’s quite an accom- headline after he won the Bet365 plished horse. I don’t know that I’ve Cambridgeshire Handicap Stakes at got him fully pegged yet. It’s going to Newmarket in September 2018. His Michael Trombetta Jr. Continued On Page 12 Wissahickon makes his American debut in a tough allowance today. former trainer, John Gosden, called

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FIRST YEARLINGS IN 2020

10 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 PAOLA QUEEN 2016 TEST S. [G1] WEST COAST 2017 TRAVERS S. [G1]

SUCCESSES AT SARATOGA

HermitageFarm.com MITOLE 2019 FOREGO S. [G1]

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 11 Thomas took some cues watching Hall of JOCKEYS...... 1ST Saratoga Leaders Fame trainer Steve Asmussen bring Volatile to and The Week Ahead – Jose Ortiz...... 16 TRAINERS...... 1ST Irad Ortiz Jr...... 14 through the paddock with a halter and lip chain Continued from page 10 Christophe Clement...... 10 Joel Rosario...... 13 before he won last weekend’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Chad Brown...... 8 Javier Castellano...... 7 Vanderbilt. He did the same thing with Wissahick- be a little short for him tomorrow for sure. Hope- Todd Pletcher...... 8 Tyler Gaffalione...... 7 on this week and it worked. fully this rain will slow things down a little bit.” Linda Rice...... 6 Manny Franco...... 6 “There are a lot of ways to do it and you see Wissahickon is one of nine entered in the ninth, Mike Maker...... 5 John Velazquez...... 6 the Europeans do it their way, standing horses with an allowance-optional claimer going 1 1/16 miles Steve Asmussen...... 3 Jose Lezcano...... 5 very little equipment, things like that,” Thomas Junior Alvarado...... 3 on the inner turf. Jim Bond...... 3 said. “But Steve does it that way, too. . . . With the Bill Mott...... 3 Eric Cancel...... 3 His most recent start came almost a year ago lip chain, you need to remember there’s a pressure when fourth in the Group 3 Sky Bet and Symphony Rudy Rodriguez...... 3 Luis Saez...... 3 Wesley Ward...... 3 point. It’s not a pain thing. I watched how he did Group Strensall Stakes at York racecourse in En- Through Tuesday it with Volatile and said, ‘I’ll try that, too,’ did it gland. and it worked. The next day I did it again and it Gosden developed Wissahickon into one of the Thomas said he expects to learn a lot about Wis- worked, the next day, too.” higher-rated handicap runners in England from sahickon after today and prepared the sometimes The top-level allowance-optional anchors the there, winning back-to-back starts with the colt to rambunctious horse for the routine of walking second half of today’s card that starts with the start his 3-year-old season before a string of three through the picnic area, into the paddock and onto meet’s third steeplechase race, a $48,000 allowance straight – including against 32 opponents in the the racetrack during multiple schooling sessions at 2 1/16 miles, and features the inaugural $85,000 Cambridgeshire – to end his sophomore campaign. this month. Dayatthespa Stakes for New York-bred fillies and He won the Group 3 Betway Winter Derby at Ling- mares on the grass. field in February 2019 and went to the post favored “Without being poorly behaved it does get a lit- tle wound up,” Thomas said of the horse named Christophe Clement, atop the trainer standings in 10 of his 12 starts, including five times at odds- through the first nine days of the meet with 10 on. for a creek and small town north of Philadelphia. “So (today) is really, and I know it sounds silly for wins, sends out Wegetsdamunnys and Classic Lady Wissahickon doesn’t figure to be favored today in the 1 1/16-mile Dayatthespa. a horse that’s run this much, trying to learn about against a stakes-caliber field running for $80,000, a Classic Lady, a 5-year-old mare by Jimmy Creed him. We think we have his behavior under wraps so group that includes graded stakes winners Gidu and owned by Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stable, is Just Howard, stakes winners Therapist and Break- he’s going to be behaved, they’re probably going to 7-5 on the morning line off a close second to mul- ing The Rules and graded stakes-placed six-figure run away from him and hopefully he comes pick- tiple New York-bred champion Fifty Five in the earners Devamani and Made You Look. The race’s ing up a couple pieces, gallops out well and sets us Mount Vernon Stakes July 2 at Belmont Park. other two entrants – Backsideofthemoon and Its All up for something down the road. This is literally Continued On Page 14 Relevant – are entered main track only. knocking the dust off.”

The Eclipse Champion and Kentucky Derby hero’s daughter Dream Quist wins Nyqu1st by almost four... Swoosh!

Making history: it takes foresight Darley

12 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The World's Most Accomplished Yearling Sale

VOLATILE Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1)

Keeneland September graduates win on racing's biggest stages. Congratulations to Volatile, winner of the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) at Saratoga.

OWNER Three Chimneys Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbred III

BREEDER Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. and Stretch Run Ventures, LLC

CONSIGNOR Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency

KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE

SALE BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPT. 13

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 13 Chelsea Durand/NYRA Photo Amundson headlines Thursday feature, the John Morrissey.

pends on the pace. But he ran pretty good at 7 against Chad Brown’s horse The Week Ahead – (Fortin Hill) last time so we figured Continued from page 12 we’d give him a shot.” Named for a Norwegian explorer • New York-breds also headline Roald Amundsen – the first to reach Thursday’s card with the featured the South Pole and first to navigate $85,000 John Morrissey Handicap the Northwest Passage – Amundson for 3-year-olds and up going as the is 2-1 on the morning line for the ninth of 10 races. Horacio DePaz, bedded down in Morrissey with Jose Ortiz named to Barn 3 inside Clare Court, looks to ride. end a run of seconds when he sends Other contenders include Funny CONTRIBUTE. Guy and Bankit, first and third in out Barry Schwartz’s homebred NTRA 1/4% Check-off Program Amundson in the 7-furlong Mor- the 1-mile Commentator June 12 at rissey. The 4-year-old Curlin gelding Belmont, and Grade 2 winner Pat On won the Hollie Hughes in his last The Back. You can help the NTRA’s federal legislative team start against state-breds in February at Aqueduct and prepped for his Sara- •Friday’s feature, the $80,000 Cor- advocate in Washington, D.C., by contributing to toga return with placings in option- onation Cup for 3-year-old fillies at 5 the NTRA 1/4% Check-Off Program when you buy als against open company at Belmont 1/2 furlongs on the turf, features a rematch of the 1-2-3 finishers from and sell at major domestic thoroughbred sales. June 5 and July 4. “He’s been running well; the past last month’s Lady Shipman Stakes at two allowance races were against Belmont. Bredenbury, She’s My Type For more information, contact Joe Bacigalupo some salty horses,” said DePaz, sec- and Miss J McKay completed the tri- [email protected]. ond with his last four starters at the fecta in the Lady Shipman and figure young meet. “The last one was at sev- to be favored over six others led by en-eighths. I don’t know if he’s more the Wesley Ward-trained duo of Art- of a 6 1/2-, 6-furlong horse, it all de- ie’s Princess and Karak. Help us help horse racing in D.C. Never miss The Special Sign up for our email list www.SupportHorseRacing.org

14 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Presented by Saratoga Race Course – Wednesday, July 29 the Power grid Race # John Tom Charles Rob Shapazian Law Bedard Whitlock Critical Data Anticipating Critical Data Global Freedom Global Freedom Critical Data Hendriks entry Fast Car 1 Sixty Five Whitman’s Poetry Anticipating Anticipating Belleza Belleza Belleza Belleza Cross Keys Whippy Cream Cross Keys Cross Keys 2 Big Al’s Gal Cross Keys Queentigua Miss Ross New Day Dawning Super Cute Wicked Title Gea Stormy Derby Day Stormy Derby Day Positive Skew Stormy Derby Day 3 Five Alarm Robin Five Alarm Robin Stormy Derby Day Super Cute Vicarage Ajhar Pletcher entry Vicarage Pletcher entry Vicarage Lucky Asset Pletcher entry 4 Lucky Asset Hometown Vicarage Hometown Love And Love Classic Lady Classic Lady Classic Lady War Canoe Wegetsdamunnys War Canoe War Canoe 5 Classic Lady War Canoe Wish Upon Niko’s Dream American Power Thebigfundamental Pete’s Play Call Pete’s Play Call Clench American Power Kantarmaci entry American Power 6 Creative Style Pete’s Play Call Lone Rock Thebigfundamental Releasethethunder Sayyaaf Releasethethunder Sayyaaf Sayyaaf Backtohisroots Kitten’s Cat Kitten’s Cat 7 Readyforprimetime Kitten’s Cat Sayyaaf Vici Blackjack Davey Blackjack Davey Blackjack Davey Danny California Bebe Banker Giant Shoes Bebe Banker Blackjack Davey 8 Too Early Bebe Banker Too Early Six Percent Its All Relevant Breaking The Rules Its All Relevant Breaking The Rules Breaking The Rules Therapist Devamani Devamani 9 Gidu Wissahickon Made You Look Therapist Madaket entry Sequin Madaket entry American Goddess Let Them Eat Cake Zaccapa Let Them Eat Cake Zaccapa 10 Sequin Zero To Sixty Venus Oyzo Zero To Sixty

2020 Records 35/92 31/92 29/92 22/92 Daily picks available at thisishorsracing.com

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 15 Worth the Wait Volatile dusts trio of Grade 1 winners for first top-level win BY TOM LAW ALFRED G. VANDERBILT RECAP Goncalo Borges Torrealba went to Doug Cauthen before the second ses- full-brother to the filly Buy Sell Hold sion of the 2017 Keeneland Septem- who beat the boys a few months be- ber yearling sale to get his thoughts fore in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes on Hip 489, a gray colt by Violence at Churchill Downs. they’d seen at the Hill ‘n’ Dale con- Cauthen, vice chairman at Three signment during presale inspections. Chimneys, later thought the colt “How much do you like the might require an even longer reach. horse?” asked Torrealba, chairman Thankfully a potential partner ar- and owner of Three Chimneys Farm rived about 20 minutes before the in Midway, Ky. colt went through the ring and sold “I like him a lot, like 600-plus a for $850,000. lot,” Cauthen said. “He was definitely a horse we’d Cauthen knew it might take even seen and really liked and Kerry Rad- more than that to land the colt, who cliff asked if we liked him,” Cauthen had the looks and pedigree to match. said, referring to the primary blood- The second foal out of the stakes-win- stock agent at the time for Amer Ab- ning Unbridled’s Song mare Mel- NYRA Photo Continued On Page 17 Volatile (right) holds off Whitmore in the Vanderbilt stretch. ody Lady, he went to the ring as a

EARTH CONNECTER, 2012 One Liz Crow, for Bradley Thoroughbreds “I was working for Pete Bradley and Eddie Woods and they sent me out to short list Book Six. I was like, ‘OK, this is a big opportunity. I’ve never shortlisted.’ By Horse Book Six, you’ve been through the wringer and you’re feeling dead and I woke Buyers and sellers remember up and it was pouring down rain. I kept saying I had to find something to show some names from Keeneland these two guys, but it was a miserable day. I get out of the car at Keeneland and find a hundred-dollar bill lying on the ground. It’s soaking wet, but it’s there and September sales of years past. it changed my attitude. ‘All right, this is a great day,’ and I started looking at year- lings. I found an Any Given Saturday colt and called Pete, whose first response was ‘This better be good.’ He and Eddie came out, they bought him for $32,000 and he sold for $125,000 as a 2-year-old the next year. “That was my lesson that you never know what you’re going to find at the Sep- tember Sale. It really did teach me. Even now, you look all the way through. It was a good lesson. I found a hundred dollars and a nice horse.”

Sold to Japanese interests as a 2-year-old, Earth Connecter (bred in Kentucky by FEM Management and Jim FitzGerald and sold by Knockgriffin Farm) has won six races and earned $608,413 in Japan. SEPTEMBER SUN. 13 - FRI. 25

16 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a

Congratulations to longtime clients NEWMAN RACING clubhouse porch, grandstand apron or near the winner’s circle. Torrealba Vanderbilt – watched from Portugal, Abdulaziz Lucifer’s Lair wins debut Continued from page 16 in Dubai in the wee hours of Sunday morning and others back in Kentucky. dulaziz’s Phoenix Thoroughbreds. They and thousands of others “We said we did but that he was go- watching remotely needed to wait ing to be expensive. That’s how those about seven minutes for the Vander- partnerships happen in the back of bilt to go off after Whitmore in post the ring. Shortly thereafter he was two busted through the gate just as bought and a lot of credit to her to Mind Control loaded to hison theoutside success of push both sides to go on. That was a spot. Joel Rosario snatchedNew WhitYork-bred- lot of money. more up before he couldFemale roll tooSprinter far finalist “I was hoping he’d be a 6, 650 up the backstretch and brought∏ the horse but when you’re very good 2018 Forego winner back to the gate. looking, the sister was already a Lexitonian flipped in Trickypost one after Zippy stakes winner, Lady Tak is the sec- Whitmore broke through the gate, ond dam, Violence, has now proven unseating Tyler Gaffalione and was and has two Grade 1 winners already, scratched on the advice of attending but he was very hot and popular. You veterinarians. Coglianese photo have to go to the mat. All credit to Steve Asmussen, who walked from Goncalo and Phoenix, following the the paddock through the clubhouse lead and finally it’s all paid off.” with Cauthen before finding a spot The payoff – certainly a long time about 50 yards away from the finish coming and after some setbacks along line up the stretch along the outer rail, Breaking • Training • Sales the way – came Saturday when Vola- watched the events unfold on the in- Donna Freyer tile collected his first Grade 1 victo- field monitor. He sent Volatile, win- Camden, SC ry at the expense of a trio of Grade ner of the 6-furlong Aristides Stakes 803-243-4848 1 winners in the $232,500 Alfred at Churchill last time out in 1:07.57, G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Sarato- [email protected] to the post with a halter and lip chain www.customcareequine.com ga Race Course. The now 4-year- expecting him to be more than a bit old Volatile beat Whitmore by 1 1/4 keyed up for his Grade 1 debut. Donna Freyer P. O. Box 2254 Camden, SC 29020 lengths as the 2-5 favorite in the field “He was a little anxious today, (803) 243-4848 www.customcareequine.com of four, reduced from five after the pre-race, just a bit,” Asmussen Experienced,said. Expert Care in Camden, South Carolina gate scratch of Lexitonian, with Mind “Maybe it’s the novelty of nobody Control and Firenze Fire third and being here and stuff.16-0233 ISTPub was CustomCareEq very NYTBcon Program.indd- 1 3/24/16 11:56 AM fourth, respectively. cerned with the incident at the gate Ricardo Santana Jr. rode Volatile, because I did think he was a little jog- as he’d done in four of the colt’s other gy in the post parade.” five starts, and they won in 1:09.61 Once the opening quarter went after leading early through soft frac- up and Volatile led by a length over tions that followed a delayed start Mind Control, Asmussen felt a little when Whitmore broke through the better. gate and Lexitonian scratched after “For a Grade 1 sprint race to be the field loaded the first time. allowed the first quarter like that, he “It was so weird, he wants to track was very, very fortunate,” Asmus- and there was nobody to do it,” Cau- sen said. “Once he was away from then said of Volatile taking the early the gate smoothly and they threw up initiative through splits of :23.46 and the first quarter, he would be awfully :46.67. I was impressed that he took hard to beat from there.” it anyway. Obviously he didn’t go The soft opening quarter and a 1:07 and change but when you beat second in :23.21 all but spelled game Grade 1 winners as easily as he did it’s over for the rest of the field. Volatile pretty impressive. There just wasn’t turned for home in front by a half- any speed. All credit to Ricardo for length with Mind Control still second just going ahead breaking him. It was but not getting closer, Firenze Fire try- kind of like a work going down the ing to keep up and Whitmore starting backside. Then he shuffled and went his patented late run from the inside. on. He was pretty jacked up. That Volatile opened up 2 lengths with was a pretty weird situation at the a furlong to run while Whitmore and gate.” Rosario continued to cut into the Cauthen flew in from Kentucky lead, but they couldn’t get closer than to watch the Vanderbilt, one of a smattering of about 40 people on the Continued On Page 18

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 17 he was getting good with Steve. But it was minor and Steve said, ‘Just wait on him, this Vanderbilt – is a really, really good horse.’ His patience Continued from page 17 with him has been extraordinary. “Obviously he’s brilliantly fast. He’s got the 1 1/4-length margin at the finish. a lot of speed in there so to wait this long “I was in a good position and he was to get it to come through is well worth the enjoying everything in there,” Rosario said. wait.” “I thought for a second we were going to The Vanderbilt didn’t offer an automatic come and get to the winner, but he was too spot in the field for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint good.” through the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Volatile showed how good he was again, Series, but Volatile figures to land there winning for the fifth time in six starts and when the race is run Nov. 7 at Keeneland. continuing his rise that is far from an over- Asmussen said he’d work his way back night sensation. Tendonitis delayed his ca- from the Sprint and figure out the best way reer early and he didn’t debut until almost to get Volatile to that point, with the Grade a full calendar year before his Vanderbilt 2 Phoenix Stakes at 6 furlongs early in the victory, taking a 6-furlong maiden at Ellis Keeneland fall meet or Saratoga’s Grade 1 Park at 9-1. Forego at 7 furlongs Aug. 29 the two lead- Volatile made two more starts at 3, fin- ing choices. ishing second and winning an allowance at Further down the road, a stall in the Churchill before an ankle chip that required Three Chimneys stallion barn awaits, a surgery forced him to the sidelines again. He spot Cauthen said Volatile “locked in right rehabbed from the surgery at Three Chim- there.” neys and eventually rejoined Asmussen’s “That and the 1:07 and change, string at Oaklawn Park this winter. All the two-hundredths off the track record race while Cauthen wondered if paying such a (at Churchill). Now you hope you can hefty price for the colt would be for naught. keep him healthy and well and go on to “I was, for about two years, wondering another one or two on his notch. This was how smart that was,” Cauthen said in the important and to dominate it, those were picnic area after the Vanderbilt. “He had three Grade 1 horses behind him there, NYRA Photo Volatile and Ricardo Santana Jr. return after the Grade 1 win. those things that stopped him right when was impressive.”

18 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Photos by Tod Marks and NYRA/Coglianese

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 19 BALLSTON SPA RECAP Starship Jubilee (6) denies Call Me Love in the Ballston Return Call Spa Saturday. Starship Jubilee upsets Sistercharlie in Grade 2 BY SEAN CLANCY The Special offered Kevin Attard a good-will, last-line goodbye Friday afternoon, the day before Attard’s Starship Jubilee took on four rivals in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga. “Hopefully we’ll be calling you after the race.” “Would love that,” the Canadian-based trainer said.

We called him after the race. NYRA Photo Sent off second choice, Starship Jubilee staved and knocking the Hall of Fame jockey to the left for mile in :24.29 and a half in :48.18. Midway on the off third choice Call Me Love and brushed off for- a couple of strides. Light-mouthed when it’s going turn, Castellano angled Starship Jubilee past Call mer champion Sistercharlie to win her fourth stakes smoothly, the 7-year-old mare tossed her head for Me Love, guaranteeing a jump on the looming Sis- in a row. about 10 strides as Castellano tempered her off a tercharlie. The slingshot worked as Starship Jubi- “I like the post-race interviews better,” Attard strong pace set by Sistercharlie’s stablemate North lee swung to the lead, opening a short but decisive said, two days after the neck victory. Broadway. Mission accomplished, Starship Jubilee lead and held tough for a neck victory over Call No doubt. obliged and settled into the sweet spot, between Me Love. Making her first start since the Breeders’ Starship Jubilee lurched outward at the break, the second choice and favorite as the pacesetter Continued On Page 21 jostling Javier Castellano’s right foot and stirrup opened up a moot 10 lengths through a quarter

20 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020

w have been nice to be there to experi- ence it, but I’m satisfied saying I won Ballston Spa – a Grade 2 at Saratoga.” Continued from page 20 By Sunday morning, Starship Jubi- lee was home at Woodbine. Cup in November, Sistercharlie dust- “I went right up to her, gave her a Nearly 10% ed off the rust with a solid effort, 1 ¼ good pat, gave her some carrots and Stakes Horses lengths behind Call Me Love after 1 thanked her for a great job,” Attard 1/16 miles in 1:41.76. said. Owned by Blue Heaven Farm, A return trip for the Diana Aug. 23 Alternation Starship Jubilee improved her career could be on the docket. mark to 18-for-36 for $1.6 million. By Distorted Humor “It’s a strong possibility, a mile and The Florida-bred daughter of Indy an eighth is a great distance for my Wind is 4-for-4 this year and hasn’t horse. She seems to really like that finished worse than fourth since June, course, a win and a third,” Attard 2018. said. “The timing of the Diana works Attard, whose family claimed Starship Jubilee for $16,000 in 2017, out, we also have a race at Woodbine, the Dance Smartly, that’s a possibility, watched from the Woodbine paddock # as he got ready to saddle Pastel Emily it’s a week sooner than the Diana but 14 Active Sire for the fourth. she’s run well off of a three-week race “Just before I threw the tack up, as well. We’ll see how she comes out by BT SWs there were a couple of TVs with Sara- of this, see how she trains.” toga on them, they were ready to load Starship Jubilee continues to Broken Vow in the gate and I said to the groom, question the standard of retiring ‘Hey, give me another turn,’ ” Attard mares after their 5-year-old season. $25,000 LF said. She’s earned $1,042,209 after going It was worth the turn. through the Keeneland November “It was a real cool experience, Sale in 2018. She failed to sell for watching her, watching the race un- $425,000 and was bought privately fold,” Attard said. “Midway around by Blue Heaven. the turn, I kind of had a feeling we “I haven’t had the privilege to had a shot to beat Sistercharlie, then have the experience to be around that reality kind of sets in, you just root on many great horses like her. First and your filly, the Clement filly didn’t lay foremost, it comes from her being a down, kept fighting back. My voice is sound horse, that’s a big thing. Ev- still a little hoarse. I’m proud of her, erybody kept telling me to sell her at she ran a great race.” 5 because that’s her peak, they don’t Like always. want mares older than that. Wheth- Starship Jubilee, a Grade 1 stakes er it’s just a stigma and people don’t winner last year, secured her fourth try to run them any longer…” Attard stakes win (third graded stakes win) said. “Look at Sistercharlie, a lot was this year. She won the Sunshine Mil- made about her making her 6-year- lions Filly and Mare Turf for the old debut, right? The owners elected third consecutive time Jan. 18. Three to say, ‘Hey, you know what, that’s a weeks later, she secured the Grade 3 great horse, she’s healthy, why not run Suwanee River. A month after that, her for another year?’ Maybe people she clicked off the Grade 2 Hillsbor- pull the trigger a little too soon and ough. Freshened for the summer, she put them in their breeding shed. With returned in the Ballston Spa, notching her, I can just tell you, she’s sound, she Attard’s first win at Saratoga. obviously enjoys what she does, she “Definitely one of the highlights hasn’t lost that competitive edge, she of my career,” Attard said. “It would loves being a racehorse. Why not?” Pin Oak Stud P.O. Box 68 • Route 60 • Versailles, KY 40383 Inquiries to Clifford Barry or Nancy Stephens (859) 873-1420 www.pinoakstud.com

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 21 Familiar Face NY champ Somelikeithotbrown adds second Grade 2 to resume BY TOM LAW & SEAN CLANCY BERNARD BARUCH RECAP Harvey Diamond relishes what’s turning into an annual call from the going to be any racing. It’s real disap- team at The Saratoga Special before pointing, it’s not every day you win a the New York Thoroughbred Breed- graded stakes at Saratoga.” ers Annual Awards Dinner. Somelikeithotbrown broke his He’ll get another in early 2021 maiden and nearly won a graded when the finalists are announced for stakes at Saratoga at 2, finishing sec- this year’s New York-bred champi- ond in the Grade 3 With Anticipation, onships, after Somelikeithotbrown before going on to finish a close third won Sunday’s Grade 2 Bernard Ba- in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile ruch Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Turf at Churchill Downs. He earned The 4-year-old son of Big Brown won the first of two New York-bred cham- NYRA Photo state-bred champion 3-year-old male pionships that season and returned Somelikeithotbrown makes off with Sunday’s featured Bernard Baruch. honors in 2019. Diamond didn’t at 3 and won back-to-back starts at David Staudacher, Hooties Racing days later and won the Bernard Ba- make it to Saratoga for the dinner be- Turfway Park in the John Battaglia and Skychai. ruch. We’ve been extremely lucky for cause, like everything else this spring, Memorial and Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Like the Bernard Baruch, Diamond several days. They’re good horses, it was canceled thanks to the corona- Steaks to flirt with a possible run in and his friends and partners didn’t spot them right, give them the right virus pandemic. the spring classics before finding a make it to the Jersey Shore for the vic- training and you can do a lot with Diamond didn’t make it to upstate home back on turf and synthetic. tory on the Haskell Day undercard. them.” New York from his home in Louis- “He’s special because he’s a home- “We’ve been lucky to win few rac- Gaffalione added the Baruch to his ville for the Bernard Baruch either, for bred,” said Diamond. “I remember es at Saratoga and been present for a victory in the Grade 1 Coaching Club the same reason. He watched it from watching him as a foal and watching couple of them,” he said. “This one, American Oaks aboard Paris Lights home and saw Somelikeithotbrown him grow up. That’s pretty neat.” gee, I don’t know, I haven’t seen a lot for trainer Bill Mott. do all the work on the front end and Somelikeithotbrown tossed jockey of owners in the winner’s circle, bare- The jockey has won seven races at hold off stablemate Mr Dumas to win Tyler Gaffalione jogging back from ly see the trainers in there. We ran a the meet and is tied with Javier Cas- the $150,000 stakes by a length. the turf course onto the main track, couple of them at Churchill this sum- tellano in fourth behind Jose Ortiz, “It’s disappointing not to be there, ran loose before being corralled and mer, I went out there for those races, Irad Ortiz Jr. and Joel Rosario head- I’m used to going to Saratoga annual- missed the winner’s circle photo. He they had everything closed, you didn’t ing into Week 3. ly,” said Diamond, who races Some- did complete a strong double for Dia- really want to stay. It was weird see- Gaffalione said Somelikeithot- likeithotbrown in the partnership of mond and his partners, who celebrat- ing your horse win a stakes on TV brown “grabbed himself” after mov- his and Jim Shircliff’s Skychai Racing ed another major score from afar a and not being present. It was kind ing from the turf to the main track. and David Koenig. “I had a place all week before when Aquaphobia won of an ambivalent feeling. But it sure “(He) took a little tumble,” Gaf- picked out, had paid for it and was the Grade 1 United Nations at Mon- beats not winning. falione said. “Nothing major hap- ready to go. I cancelled that in May mouth Park for trainer Mike Maker “We’ve been lucky, we won the pened, so hopefully he’s all right and when it didn’t sound like there was and owners Paradise Farms Corp., United Nations and came back eight we’ll live to fight another day.”

22 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 23 New Look Change to racing surface gets noticed by New York horsemen BY TOM LAW The track does look different and for good reason, namely because of Notice anything different when the material that makes up the main you started watching the races from Saratoga this season? track. Most importantly what’s in it No, no, no. Not the vacant stands, and under it are getting the attention everyone expected that. What about of horsemen in town for the 2020 the main track? The dirt, or more spe- meet. cific the color of the dirt. Surely that “It’s the most significant thing was noticed by those watching on to happen to horse racing in a long TVs, laptops, tablets or phones. time,” said Hall of Fame trainer Steve Al Stall Jr., who runs Tom’s d’Etat Asmussen, a critic of the former main in Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney and a track who sent out Volatile to win last Saratoga regular for about 25 years, Saturday’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Van- noticed the moment he drove onto the derbilt. “That’s exactly what I said grounds after arriving a few days be- (after starting training on the main fore the meet from Louisville. track before the meet). It is the most “It’s lighter in color, I know that,” significant thing with all the safety Stall said. “I assume that means the committees and whip rules and meet- composition must be somewhat dif- Chelsea Durand/NYRA Photo Continued On Page 25 NYRA installed a new track surface and safety rail at Saratoga in the off-season. ferent than it was last year.”

24 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Track – Continued from page 24 ings they’ve had, that’s the only thing that’s actually made a difference in the safety of the horses that I’ve noticed. And it shouldn’t go unheralded.” The process of revamping Sarato- ga’s main track started last fall after the 2019 meeting, continued until the winter months and started again in late winter and early spring. Like everything, everywhere, the process stopped for about a month this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic but restarted in time to complete the work well ahead of Opening Day July 16. Glen Kozak, who oversees the Susie Raisher New York Racing Association’s track Glen Kozak. operations in his role as senior vice president of operations and capital work in house. The same guys that projects, led the effort to rework the did the rail installation at Belmont track with other NYRA staff and a and Aqueduct worked with the crew small team from Horsemen’s Track up here from Kentucky to do the rail, and Equipment in Louisville. where they were familiar with it.” The first step toward renovating Once the new drainage was in the track involved stripping the cush- place the process of adding limestone ion off the track and piling it up in to the base started and continued into the 7-furlong chute near the Nelson the spring. Avenue gate of the main track. The “Once the limestone was set and old drainage system, which had run graded we rolled it for weeks,” Kozak its course and often left sporadic wet said. “It would rain on it and you’d spots on the track after rain, and in- look at it and it was perfect. Every- side and outside rails were then re- thing drained the way we wanted.” moved before winter hit. A clay pad was added on top of the “When I first started there was that limestone base before the cushion was grass mound all the way around on replaced. Some of what racing fans the inside rail and a four-inch drain- and horsemen see today was used pre- pipe that funneled everything to it,” viously and additional materials were Kozak said of the former drainage also added. system. “So you had inconsistencies “You saw some of the orange clay under the rail and we’d have to wait that we used at our other locations, on races. We’d have to wait for every- some of the drainage sand, it’s a bun- thing to drain after a big rainfall.” ker sand or a top-dressing sand,” Because of an elevation difference Kozak said. “We’ve been very, very from the frontside to the backside – happy with the way the thing has almost 9 inches – the outside portions handled the weather so far. We’ve had of the track on the clubhouse turn, 99-degree days now and also the rain. backstretch and far turn needed to be It’s been able to handle the extremes, elevated. The crown on those parts of which was something that with the the track was also graded down and complete clay base before you always removed. The crown remains on the had to really, really watch the weather homestretch, since it’s the widest part and the rainfall. This is going to react of the track. a lot better for us to be able to keep Similar work was done on Aque- it tighter and drain faster. It’s already duct’s main track and Belmont Park’s proven to do that.” training track in recent years. Trainer David Donk saw the effects “Going through it with the guys of the new track firsthand one after- down there, we’re fortunate enough noon just prior to the meet opening. to have competent guys that we’re About the time he arrived at his able to do probably 98 percent of the Continued On Page 26

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 25 racing that I can think of.” Visually, at least from the ground Track – level on the turns along the outside rail, Continued from page 25 the track is noticeably higher. The tele- timer boxes, which shoot beams across barn near the three-eighths pole to the track to record fractional splits oversee the evening feeding of his string during races, are now below some of the skies opened up. It wasn’t exactly the rails where they used to be above a biblical Saratoga rainstorm like the the rails. ones that seemed to pop up every other Kozak said in some areas that out- day last summer but strong enough to side rail was raised as much as a foot. provide a good soaking. Along with the removal of the crowns “I was curious how it would handle on the turns and backstretch, the track it,” Donk said. “They had it sealed and also features more of a bank on the everything, and the rain rolled right turns than it did in the past despite off.” what it might look like from the turn. The next morning the track opened “There is a little bit more banking for training, not sealed but with har- than what we had in the past where the rows and a dry surface. track isn’t as flat,” Kozak said. “A lot Wet weather hasn’t been much of of people say, ‘The track looks so flat a factor through the first nine days of now.’ The track looks flat because of the 40-day meeting. Since Opening Day the harrows that are being used and the only one race has been run on the main NYRA Photo way it’s being groomed now. It is tight- track at a condition listed as anything Among other improvements, the track overhaul involved replacing the old drainage system. er. The furrow marks are much smaller. but fast – the second race on Day 2, Before with the old harrows you’d see a ing it was wet but drained beautifully, dried out July 17. The track was listed as good higher furrow mark so it looked like it was deeper. early in the card after rain late July 16 and into July evenly and we were able to resume on it. You walk across this track, with the rakes on the 17 but by the third race the condition was listed as “It reminds me of what they did at Keeneland. back of the harrows it’s just a much finer finish on fast. From the time before synthetic there to the drainage what it’s grooming.” “It unbelievable, the drainage,” Asmussen said. they put in for the synthetic to now. It’s similar and Trainer Jim Bond keeps the majority of his stable “We’ve had a couple good, solid rains and how it’s all the grade, the drainage and being even. It is in Saratoga in the spring, summer and fall and saw evenly it dried out and how nice it was. While rain- by far the most significant thing positive for horse Continued On Page 27

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(859) 312-3414 kirkwoodstables.com

www.thoroughbredaftercare.org Tod Marks

26 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 horses are skipping over it and they’re coming back, knock on wood, good,” Track – Bond said. “They’re working fast. Continued from page 26 When I’m working horses I have my radios on my guys and I’m telling the transformation starting last fall. them, ‘Guys, slow down, slow down.’ The winner of three races at the meet Then they come back and say, ‘Boss, from 13 starters through Sunday, we’re skipping over this thing.’ Bond uses the main track, Oklahoma “They did a heck of a job on it. I Training Track and Clare Court for was worried. About 10 days before his horses and notices the difference. the meet I texted Glen and said it was He likened it a bit to Gulfstream cuppy. Then they put some more clay Park’s main track, which typically on it, tightened it up some more. They favors front-runners but also praised did a heck of a job. The drainage is the safety of the surface. tremendous. It was muddy at the “Like at Gulfstream you can’t re- Oklahoma and here it was fast. That’s ally close from downtown, but the the opposite of the way it used to be.”

So . . . Track Notes So where does NYRA get all the material? The limestone base for Sarato- ga’s main track comes from Pallette Stone Corp. out Washington Street on the west side of Saratoga Springs. A majority of the sand comes from Long Island and from Cranesville Block in Amsterdam, located about 26 miles west of Saratoga. Materials for the clay base come from areas near the Del- aware Memorial Bridge and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

So sand is just sand, right? “Up here there’s a lot more river sand or rounded sand where down on the island it’s more of an angular sand or a harder sand than they have up here,” said NYRA’s Glen Kozak. “We do durability tests on the sand as well. The constant foot traffic, the constant harrowing . . . we want to make sure the sand holds the particle size we’re looking for.” Never miss The Special – Sign up for our email list

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 27 The Crew on East Avenue Dedicated Saratoga fans create new normal outside Oklahoma BY MARY EDDY Sheker, who lives in Larchmont, N.Y., most of the year, considers Horses make their way around the herself lucky to have the chance to Oklahoma Training Track at 7 a.m. spend her summer mornings peering on a foggy Thursday, one after the through the fence at the horses from other like a living carousel. The gate a distance. crew is busy teaching young hors- “Many of the locals expressed sad- es the ways of the starting gate, and ness and disappointment at not be- ponies accompany workers to their ing able to go in or do their normal starting points. Trainers and owners routine, but for me, it’s a little bit dif- look on, analyzing works and going ferent,” she said. “I just find it a joy over racing plans. to walk out here every morning. I’ve At first glance, it feels like a normal gotten to know some of the exercise summer morning in Saratoga. But one riders a little bit. I’m happy to be get- major component that is missing from ting to know people.” Connie Bush the usual routine is the fans; the many Sheker calls the daily assembly the The crew meets a horse over the Oklahoma stable area fence. people who line the rail and Whitney “East Ave. Crew” and it’s as dedicat- the Sackatoga team. Everyone is root- Viewing Stand to catch a glimpse of But along with that sense of wel- ed a group of race fans as you could ing for them.” the poetry in motion. come distraction, 2020 does feel dif- find. It is a certainty in a time of un- Bob Giordano recently showed With fans kept out of both the ferent in many ways from a usual certainties that there will always be a his enthusiasm for the Barclay Tagg Oklahoma and main track this year season. As a full-time Saratoga resi- group of eager fans every morning, dent, Kimberly Purdy sees a quiet- trainee by attaching small signs that amidst a global pandemic, the most even at the earliest hours and in the er-than-usual summer just outside her read “Tiz the Law” under the stop dedicated racing enthusiasts have poorest of weather. own front door. signs at the intersection of York and adapted to camping out each morning Kimberly and Eric Purdy, along “It’s not the same. It does feel a Nelson Avenues. along the fence line of East Avenue with their dog Jack, try to make it little surreal,” she said. “Opening “I got humor inside me and every to watch workouts and talk racing. over two or three times a week, often Day was weird. You’re used to all the so often it comes out,” he said. “I saw Some are here several times a week, enjoying the workouts more than the the horse doing well down in Florida while others have incorporated it into actual races. cars going by and the people walking down the street with their coolers, and I said, ‘If this horse wins the Bel- their daily routines. “I feel like it’s a unique thing and mont, he’ll probably come here.’ So I “I don’t think my day would feel the energy you feel of all the different and there’s none of that. It’s kind of sad and I hope it doesn’t last much put it together.” right if it didn’t start here. I feel like riders and horses is better than going After the city removed the signs I’m in on some amazing secret, being to the races for me. I like it better,” longer. But we are grateful they’re still running.” for being attached to the same pole as in Saratoga,” says Liza Sheker, a part- Kimberly Purdy said. the street signs, Giordano got creative A sense of gratitude for the meet time Saratoga Springs resident who While being able to see the horses and replaced them just in front of the was a common theme among the has been out to watch morning works has been a welcome way for the fans stop signs on their own pole. A day onlookers, who all shared in a unan- every day since the opening of train- to get their fix of racing, for many, it’s later, the city removed those as well. imous excitement for this year’s Tra- ing June 4. much more than that. The weight of “There’s been a little negativi- Sheker wakes her two Boston ter- Covid-19 is felt in nearly every facet of vers Stakes, highlighted by Belmont ty about it from the city, but we are riers each morning at sunrise to make life these days, and spending mornings Stakes winner and local favorite Tiz working on it and it’s going to turn their way to East Avenue, where she with the horses has been an escape. The Law. out pleasant,” he said. “I’m donat- usually stays until 8 a.m., socializing “This makes us forget about all “I would love to see Tiz the Law ing one of the signs to the fundrais- with the other regulars and watching the trials and tribulations of what the more than any other horse,” said er for the backstretch workers and I in appreciation as each horse passes. world is going through, because we Sheker. “It’s so special that a New think we’ll get it autographed by Bar- “The horses are magical. It’s breath- can watch the horses warm up and York-bred won the Belmont, and I’m clay Tagg, Manny Franco and Jack taking,” she said. “It’s peaceful to come feel like summer is still happening,” so excited to see how he does in the Knowlton.” here and talk to the riders and listen to Eric Purdy said when asked about Travers, even more so than the Derby, As far as the East Ave. Crew, Gior- the horses. It just makes me happy and how morning works have felt this honestly. Everyone would be ecstatic. Continued On Page 29 I’m thrilled to watch them.” summer compared to other years. I wish the best for Jack Knowlton and

28 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 public about donations in a year where every set of hands and every penny is needed. Crew – “We have recruited at least two new volunteers Continued from page 28 just from talking to other people standing here,” Weir said. “It’s a sign of the times that we have to dano is one of the familiar faces present every find our way around the edges.” morning to watch the horses train. Among the usual TRF volunteers that make their “It’s just a bunch of people who love horses and way to East Avenue Thursday mornings is Lindsay like to talk and learn about racing,” he said. “It’s a Dauginas, a racehorse owner and fan who wanted great chance to get to talk to a rider or pet a horse. I to assist in the Thoroughbred aftercare side of the call it ‘comedy-radery.’ We laugh a lot together and just have a good time.” business. The consensus among the group is that this is the “I was always curious about the other side of new normal. A new normal way to see each oth- things,” Dauginas said. “It’s great to get dressed up er. A new normal way to appreciate racing. And and go to the races, but my question was always for some, a new normal way to spread awareness ‘What happens to the horses after they race?’ Meet- about the needs of racehorses. ing here is a good way to spread the message about Every Thursday morning at 8, volunteers from retirement.” the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation gather The attitude of the East Ave. Crew is that the to enjoy the horses, chat about the organization summer of 2020 is one of silver linings. Racing is and talk to other fans about Thoroughbred after- still here, and mornings at the Oklahoma are busy care. just the same. Perspectives have changed not just in Kim Weir, director of major gifts and planned the way they watch workouts and races, but in how giving at TRF, says their weekly meeting has been they view the racing community. a great way for organization members to stay in Weir summarized her feelings on the new nor- touch and keep up with horse racing. mal, embracing the changes and looking for the “We just wanted to have the fellowship,” Weir positive. said. “We look at the horses, we wave at the train- “This is a silver lining: the chance to hang out, ers, we take a lot of pictures and then we talk about meet new people, and find new ways,” she said. what’s coming up.” “It’s kind of invigorating and uplifting in the midst The group’s weekly meeting has been an import- of not-so-uplifting times. It really proves that it’s Connie Bush Tom Despart takes aim from a new vantage point. ant way to recruit new volunteers and talk to the the horses who bring us all together.” Are you a stakes-winning owner? Have nationally recognized artist

Memorialize your victory with an original painting Join the owners of Vekoma, Rushing Fall and Bricks And Mortar, who recently had their horses painted. Pricing $8,500 - $15,000 Call or text Michael Geraghty at (301) 602-4385 Online Print Gallery www. I PAINT CHAMPIONS .com

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 29 theoutsiderail BY JOE CLANCY Hill Repeats They call it Bricks Hill. Or at least they do now. “He got a lot of time off then,” Ryan said. “He In October 2016, Mike Ryan and Ian Brennan wasn’t lame, but he wasn’t right and you could see watched 2-year-olds jog, canter and gallop around it. He was in the same field he was in as a 2-year-old in a field at Stonestreet Thoroughbreds’ training when he impressed us so much and he didn’t look center in Summerfield, Fla. the same.” “There’s a lovely 50-acre field with a rise to it, it Back at Stonestreet in the fall, Ryan watched goes uphill, and downhill, one of the few fields in Bricks And Mortar on the hill yet again. And saw Marion County that has a hill, and they marked out something familiar. a gallop there and once a week all the 2-year-olds go “He was happy, balanced, carrying a rider,” Ryan up there,” Ryan said. “They jog a turn and gallop said. “He would go around there five times if you a turn-and-a-half. Clockwise, anti-clockwise, horses let him. That was the horse we had two years ago.” love it, it’s good for them. Standing there, it’s like Bricks And Mortar went to Brown at Palm you’re at The Curragh.” Meadows in south Florida, and ran for the first Marion County is a long way from County time in 441 days (Oct. 7, 2017 to Dec. 22, 2018).

Kildare, but you get the picture. By October at Marks Tod The three-other-than (or non-winners of a race Stonestreet, the best young horses have moved on to He finally went to trainer Chad Brown in “prob- since June 30) attracted 10 runners, and one future trainers, racetracks, winner’s circles, perhaps Breed- ably” November of his 2-year-old year, and didn’t champion. Bricks And Mortar won by a half-length ers’ Cup starts. Among the late-bloomers still on the run until February at Gulfstream Park. He blitzed and proceeded to win all six starts in 2019 – the farm, however, one horse was slowly turning into a maidens in the debut, re-emerged with an allow- Pegasus Turf, Muniz Memorial, Old Forester Turf Big Brother Lily. ance win at Belmont Park in June, added the Manila Classic, Manhattan, Arlington Million and Breed- “Man, he’s an agile horse. He just floats over Stakes in July and the National Museum of Racing ers’ Cup Turf. He made major turf stakes look like the ground,” Ryan told Brennan as the dark bay and Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga in August. Fa- Stonestreet’s hill. colt came past. Owned by Klaravich Stable and Bill vored in the Saranac at the end of the meet, he fin- “We were all delighted to have the horse come Lawrence, the colt cost $200,000 at Keeneland Sep- ished third behind Voodoo Song and Yoshida. Third back to what we knew he was,” Ryan said of the tember in 2015. again in the Hill Prince at Belmont, Bricks And off-the-bench triumph. “That’s the beauty of send- More than a year later, the son of Giant’s Cause- Mortar was prepping for the Grade 1 Hollywood ing a horse back to where he was, to people who way showed promise but was a long way from re- Derby when diagnosed with stringhalt. A condition knew him, who could look at him and have some- alizing his future as a multiple Grade 1 winner, turf where horses exaggerate their hind-leg movements thing to look back at.” champion and 2019 Horse of the Year. Yes, the colt as if they are stepping over an object, the neurologic Ryan loved the way it turned out, and passed was Bricks And Mortar. He would go on to earn disease can resolve itself, become chronic or some- credit to Brennan, Stonestreet, Brown and owners more than $7 million before being sold to Japan as times be addressed surgically. Seth Klarman and Bill Lawrence. That rare Florida a stallion. Dr. Larry Bramlage operated on Bricks And hill wasn’t the only thing that helped Bricks And Last week, Ryan called the horse’s success a par- Mortar, who eventually went back to Stonestreet. Mortar realize his potential. ticularly satisfying moment in a career full of them. The hill was the same. The horse was different. “They understand you have to give horses time He’s been involved with the likes of Fly So Free, “I think we need to give him some more time,” off, to listen to people who know them,” Ryan said Saint Liam, Palace Malice, Nyquist, Always Dream- Brennan told Ryan. “He’s not carrying himself.” of the connections. “Horses will overcome an awful ing, Cloud Computing, Good Magic, Rushing Fall Brennan stopped on the horse, picked him back up lot if you’re patient and you give them the time. He and a barn full of other stars. Though his career six weeks later, saw the same thing. They sent him became a very, very brave racehorse and it really spanned just 13 starts, Bricks And Mortar will be for a bone scan and a bone-bruising diagnosis fur- is rewarding when you see horses maximize their difficult to match. ther delayed Bricks And Mortar’s progress. potential.”

“Troy Mulligan saves me hours of work and days of worry. Now, I can watch the horses again.” – Sean Clancy, Riverdee Stable

Troy H. Mulligan, CPA Lexington, KY [email protected] • (859) 233-4146

30 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 20 Publishing Calendar for 2020 season An online newspaper for the summer racing season at Saratoga Race Course SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Opening Day 16 17 18 ISSUE 1 ISSUE 2 Schuylerville, Shine Again, CCA Oaks, J Peter Pan De La Rose Hall of Fame 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 U Statue of Liberty No Racing No Racing ISSUE 3 (NYSS) ISSUE 4 Lubash (NYB) A.P. Smithwick A.G. Vanderbilt, L Lake Placid Steeplechase Quick Call Ballston Spa 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 Y ISSUE 6 No Racing No Racing ISSUE 5 Whitney, Personal Dayatthespa (NYB) Ensign, Allen Jerkens, Bernard Baruch John Morrissey (NYB) Coronation Cup Bowling Green, Caress 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A No Racing No Racing ISSUE 7 ISSUE 8 Summer Colony Travers, Ballerina, U Birdstone Cab Calloway (NYSS) Saratoga Special Test, Troy, Waya 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 G No Racing No Racing ISSUE 9 ISSUE 10 Adirondack Saratoga Derby, U Alydar Union Avenue (NYB) Perfect Sting Alabama S 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

No Racing No Racing ISSUE 11 Tale Of The Cat ISSUE 12 T Bolton Landing N.Y. Turf Writers Cup Fourstardave Saratoga Oaks Steeplechase Skidmore 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

No Racing No Racing ISSUE 13 ISSUE 14 Mahony Smart And Fancy Sword Dancer, Forego, S Diana Times Square (NYSS) Lake George Amsterdam, Saranac 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 E ISSUE 16 NY-bred Showcase Woodward, Prioress, No Racing No Racing ISSUE 15 Albany, Fleet Indian, P With Anticipation P.G. Johnson Funny Cide, Seeking Glens Falls, Jim Dandy Shuvee Park Avenue (NYSS) the Ante, West Pt, Yaddo Ky. Derby Day T 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 No Racing Closing Day ISSUE 17 Spinaway, Season Wrap-Up Honorable Miss, Lucky Coin Hopeful, Lure JOE CLANCY SEAN CLANCY TOM LAW [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (302) 545-4424 (302) 545-7713 (859) 396-9407 Main Office: (410) 392-JUMP (5867) • 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921 Calendar for planning purposes only and subject to change.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 31 cupofcoffee BY SEAN CLANCY Family Tradition There’s Gun Runner’s Pegasus, the perfect finale The 22-year-old was in his third year at Univer- and thirds in 18 rides, all for his dad. to a $15.9 million career. Curlin’s Preakness, a first sity of Texas, studying accounting, when Covid-19 “Not frustrating, but at the back of your mind, Classic win. Rachel Alexandra’s Woodward, the shuttered school. Son called dad, asked if he could you’re like, ‘Come on, now.’ I’ve been blessed with rafters shook, the ground shook, none of us were come to Oaklawn Park to gallop horses in the some amazing opportunities and I’m incredibly the same after that. There are nearly 9,000 wins morning, go to school online in the afternoon. On thankful,” Keith said. “To get it done is such a along a Hall of Fame career. one condition. Keith promised he would go back to weight off my shoulders. I had such high expecta- And then there is the ninth race at Lone Star Park school in the fall. Deal. tions and they have exceeded those expectations.” July 26, 2020. “I loved the idea,” Steve said. Inis Gluaire volleyed on the lead with two rivals, “No comparison. Out of body experience.” But this time, it was different. Keith had galloped put them away and just lasted over an onrushing Im That’s how Steve Asmussen described a maiden for his dad over the years, before classes in high Justa Bachelor. The apprentice, who doesn’t claim special weight going 7 furlongs on a steamy summer school in Arlington, summer gigs at Saratoga, but his bug because of his weight, folded his lanky night in Texas. there was more to it this time. frame and kept the colt together in the dying strides That’s the difference between family and fame. “It was in the back of my mind,” Keith said. “I to add another win for a family full of them. Keith James Asmussen, Steve and Julie’s oldest really thought I could make a great run at it by the “To get to ride . . . my father rode, my grand- son, guided Inis Gluaire to a head win. It was the summer.” father rode, my uncle rode, to even to get to do 8,920th win of Steve’s roiling career that began at Steve Asmussen could see it brewing. The kid it, it’s nothing short of unbelievable to me,” Keith Ruidoso Downs in 1986. It was Keith’s first victory who weighs “a buck 32” at school began to change said. “I’m very thankful that it’s been instilled in my in an improbable riding foray that began this sum- what he ate for dinner, began to look leaner, think values. I think about it and I get more emotional. mer. clearer. The part-time exercise rider began to look I wasn’t the only one riding that horse, that’s for “It’s unbelievable feeling, I can’t find the words like a full-fledged jockey. sure.” to describe it,” Keith, 22, said. “It still hasn’t hit “It went from a summer job to a continuation of Keith wound up in the fountain, thrown there by me that it happened. It’s been a dream of mine since doing it at this level, he went from breezing a couple his fellow jockeys, a Lone Star tradition. I was the youngest kid ever. I dumbfound myself a week to several a day, people are asking if he’s go- Two days after the win, Steve’s voice rasps. He when I try to find the words to explain it, nothing ing to ride,” Steve said. “I can tell that he’s watching watched from the eighth pole, the solitude of a short of a dream come true.” what he’s eating, you can tell it’s starting to happen, horse trainer, a jockey’s father. For father and son, mother, brothers, uncle, but I’ve got a failsafe, there’s no way he’s going to “I literally broke my screamer, my throat is grandparents. talk his mom into this, right?” gone,” Steve said. “I looked up on the big monitor “It’s unbelievable, I cannot accurately put it into Mom agreed and son kept asking dad. and they had it on the other horse galloping out. words how special it is, how much it means to me “About the 200th time I asked, he said OK,” Julie was further up the racetrack from me, she was and the whole family,” Steve said. “You want it for Keith said. “There was no doubt I wanted to do it, looking at me, like, ‘Do you think he won it?’ And him because of the quality of human he is. He did it just never seemed feasible with my physique, it I didn’t. When they put his number up, it was more it the right way, he didn’t walk up at 150 pounds does take quite a bit of discipline, but I feel incred- than emotional.” and say put me on something, that’s not how it hap- ibly blessed that I’ve stayed the same size. When I As for going back to school in the fall, Keith is pened. This isn’t the game for that.” started galloping, my dad said I was probably going signed up for three online classes and two in person. to get too big to gallop and here I am five years later, “It’s a promise I made and a promise I’ll keep,” riding races. It’s nothing short of unbelievable.” Keith said. “And it’s a good thing he made me Join The Special’s Keith rode his first race June 15, finishing sec- promise, because I didn’t think it would be this ad- ond aboard Senor Jobim. A week later, he finished dicting.” 2020 Readers Club. second on Comic. Five weeks into his adventure, he And if all the classes are moved online? had yet to win a race while notching several seconds “I’ll revisit that promise with my father.”

32 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020 Tod Marks photo Andrew J. Mollica Attorney at Law A small firm dedicated to big things Equine Law • Real Estate No more lip service. Corporate Formation • Civil and Criminal Litigation TRPB Digital Tattoo is here Wage and Hour Defense For more information 1205 Franklin Ave., Garden City, NY 11530 contact the TRPB or visit trpb.com (516) 528-1311 cell • (516) 280-3182 office • [email protected]

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Saratoga Special 33 Ears Up, Tongue Out. Dayatthespa, honored with a stakes in her name today, captures the 2014 Yaddo – the second of her two wins in the New York-bred stakes – and part of her The Big Picture road to the female turf Eclipse Award that season. She won a race at Saratoga in four consecu- with Tod Marks tive years, including her debut in 2011, and earned $2.8 million while winning 11 of 18.

34 The Saratoga Special Wednesday, July 29, 2020