Mark Casse (Here with Wonder Gadot at Saratoga on a Perfect Saratoga Morning Thursday in 2018) Gets Officially Inducted Into the Hall of Fame Today

Year 21 • No. 8 Friday, August 6, 2021 The aaratogaratoga

Saratoga’s Racing Newspaper since 2001

Hall of Fame Pletcher leads 2020-21 cast for racing’s highest honor Tod Marks (6), Keeneland Library Thoroughbred Times Collection Marks (6), Keeneland Library Thoroughbred Times Tod 2 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Past is Present. Todd Pletcher’s barn had Hall of Fame potential in 2010. Tod Marks Tod Here&There...in Saratoga NAMES OF THE DAY No Mi Culpa, first race. The 2-year-old colt, owned by EV Racing Stable, is by BY THE NUMBERS 1: Winter hat on the ground outside the East Avenue and Blame. Translated to English from Span- Union Avenue gate. Whoever discarded that will need it ish, the name means Not My Fault. 1: Peloton on a porch on Union Avenue. soon enough. Empty Net, fifth race. Nice Guys Stable’s 1:26: Length of a phone call The Special’s Joe Clancy had 14: Bicycles parked outside Tim McKinsey’s office. 3-year-old filly is by Nyquist. The sire is Thursday with a complete stranger about classic, back-in- named after NHL star Gustav Nyquist, who has the-day Delaware Park trainer Phil Goodwin, POWs, the played for the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks and Columbus Vietnam War, Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, conspiracy LICENSE PLATES OF THE DAY Blue Jackets in addition to the Swedish national team. He scored theories, the John Birch Society, religion and the impor- CURLIN, Massachusetts. PLAC2B, New York. some empty-net goals. tance of family. Joe called his dad afterward. No Word, sixth race. Wertheimer and Frere’s homebred 4-year- 2: Members of the New England Turf Writers Association T-SHIRTS OF THE DAY old is by Silent Name out of Listen A. P. on the backside Thursday morning. I Like Horses and Some People. Rockingham Park. Connie Mack Stadium. 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] thisishorseracing.com Writers: Mary Eddy, Paul Halloran, IV Hendrix, Terry Hill. Marketing/Distribution: Samantha Loud, Olivia Johnson. Photographers: Tod Marks, Dave Harmon, Connie Bush, 259 East Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Handicappers: Charles Bedard, Jessica Paquette, Susie Raisher, Michael Trombetta Jr. John Shapazian, Rob Whitlock. ST Publishing. 364 Fair Hill Drive, Ste. F, Elkton, MD 21921. (410) 392-5867. The Saratoga Special, thisishorseracing.com, Thoroughbred Racing Calendar, The Best of The Saratoga Special, 2021 publication dates: Wednesdays and Saturdays July 15-Sept 4. New York Thoroughbred Breeders work, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and a whole lot more. Plus Opening Day & Sales Week Daily Aug. 6-11. Call us about your editorial needs.

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 3 Here&There...in Saratoga WORTH REPEATING “Something’s brewing.” Special reader Tom Despart as Tom Law and Sean Clancy conferred Tuesday morning

“This used to be a phone booth, now it’s your office.” Vinnie Varvaro, admiring The Special’s location for a staff meeting on the Oklahoma side Thursday

“It takes three people to get her to come in the barn.” Ginny Reid, on the grazing habits of 2020’s champion 2-year-old filly Vequist

Photography School at The Special... Sean Clancy: “I keep it on running man all the time.” Nolan Clancy (who took a photojournalism course): “The first thing they tell you is don’t put it on running man.”

“When I had the opportunity to get him back, it was a no brainer for me.” Trainer Jack Sisterson on getting jockey Jose Lezcano on Vanderbilt winner Lexitonian

“I’m just fortunate that I was able to do that for him, I feel his passion.” Sisterson on Calumet Farm owner Brad Kelley

“How do you write a thousand words?” Jack Fisher, attempting to write his Hall of Fame acceptance speech

Connie Bush “You can only control you. That’s what I’ve learned.” Here they come. Yearlings arrive at Fasig-Tipton Thursday morning. The sales The Special’s photographer, and guru of mindfulness, Dave Harmon are Monday and Tuesday.

Trainer H. Allen Jerkens, QUOTE OF THE DAY 1929-2015 The Chief Marks Tod “It does my heart good. They’re happy, they’ve done what they’ve done and they’re just horses.” “Why do they go a half-mile and stop? Trainer Charlie LoPresti about brothers Why? Just answer me why they go Wise Dan and Successful Dan a half-mile and stop. I don’t understand it. You train them, you get them fit and they go a half-mile and stop. Why do they do that?” New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association nytha.com | 516.488.2337 800-523-8143

�� Chair, Equine & Racing Law 516-741-6565 | [email protected]

�e�resen�n� o�ners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, dri�ers and horse�en associa�ons in business transac�ons and �a�ers before the �e� �ork �tate �a�in� �o��ission and in the federal and state courts.

��, ��, �� , �.�. I �� , �� , �� 115�� I ��.��.��

4 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Here&There...in Saratoga

“I’ve been around a few horses who were OK. I started WORTH REPEATING out Judge Angelucci, I sent him to Whittingham. I broke “You listen to Little Feat? You know their song that his maiden at Turfway Park the same meet that Alyshe- goes, ‘When your mind makes a promise that your body ba broke his maiden at Turfway Park.” can’t fill?’ It’s like that.” Trainer Neil Pessin about the $1.5 million Trainer Jonathan Thomas, earner for Charlie Whittingham about riding the stable pony in the morning “Hold on a second, I’ve got to do an autograph. This will “It’s all a surprise, sometimes as you see things, there’s be my first one.” a bigger meaning, there’s more to it than saying you’re Pessin to Arlington Park president in the Hall of Fame. I started keeping tabs on how many Tony Petrillo after winning the Honorable Miss people were calling and who was calling, it’s amazing, pages and pages of people who have called…this is re- “Not only did you leave out Joe Bananas, you forgot ally a big deal.” Webster. The two mainstays.” Jockey Darrel McHargue about being Ian Wilkes after The Special’s Tom Law inducted into the Hall of Fame last year forgot to mention the barn’s longtime pony and mascot dog, not to mention Tracey Wilkes “I could see some similarities with Stay Thirsty, he was in the Fasig-Tipton Stable Tour always in Uncle Mo’s shadow, meanwhile, he’s out there winning the Jim Dandy, the Travers and a lot of other races. I’d have to think about who to compare him. “Vinnie has become one of those guys that I call when Maybe Flower Alley, came out of the Derby and just all I need advice for life, for work, for whatever. I’m very of a sudden changed, you could see it mentally and comfortable working with him and Mike has become a physically. Going into the Jim Dandy that year we were friend, it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a blast. It’s a way to thinking this horse is going to be awfully nasty.” spread the risk a little bit and do it with people you like.” Todd Pletcher about Curlin winner Dynamic One Daisy Phipps Pulito about the partnership with Vinnie Viola and Mike Repole, “This is why we come here.” owners of Curlin winner Dynamic One Tod Marks Trainer Tom Bush Hall Monitor. Mark Casse (here with Wonder Gadot at Saratoga on a perfect Saratoga morning Thursday in 2018) gets officially inducted into the Hall of Fame today.

On Mischievous!ly one stallion can match Into Mischief’s total of Graded Stakes-winning juvenile colts on dirt since 2017: Street Sense, whose latest TDN Rising Star is exciting Del Mar MSW winner Murray.

Go faster...

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 5 STABLE TOUR Meet the people & horses who make Saratoga special! 859.255.1555 | fasigtipton.com AUGUST 9-10 6:30 PM

With Phil Gleaves

Phil Gleaves will never forget his first year in Saratoga. “I was galloping horses for Lucien Laurin in 1977 and I lived in a tack room behind his barn,” Gleaves said Tuesday morning after training his six-member string bedded down at the end of a barn he shares with Steve Asmussen. “Lucien was at the three-eighths pole, kind of where Woody Stephens used to be, where Dave Donk is now. Be- hind there I had a tack room next to Eddie Sweat. We would barbecue at night, it was a great time. I had just come from England, it was like The Beat- les coming to America. The same feeling. It was great.” Gleaves admitted at the time he didn’t know who Sweat was, only learning later that he was 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat’s groom and probably in the hunt for America’s most famous groom Sean Clancy ever with Man o’ War’s Will Harbut. Succulent scopes out visitors from the end stall for trainer Phil Gleaves. “I found that out as I went on, that was my first Second Of July. Bryan Hillard’s homebred 3-year-old Jack Suffragette. Bred by Joe Richard Straus Jr. and owned by year here,” Gleaves said. “I galloped a filly for him Milton gelding upset a turf maiden last September at Belmont him and Hugh Fitzsimons Jr., 3-year-old daughter of Consti- named Pearl Necklace. Maryland-bred for Regi- at 68-1 then the Grade 3 Futurity at 15-1. Those wins earned tution occupies an outside stall behind the barn. She finished nald Webster. I saw an ad recently in your paper him a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keene- eighth in her debut here in 1-mile turf maiden July 24. “She’s for Maryland-breds. It went back to Pearl Necklace land, where he finished 12th. He’s been seventh in an optional in my annex. It’s a bigger stall because she’s a great big filly. winning a stakes and that was in the late ’70s.” at Belmont and fifth in the Quick Call Stakes here Opening Day She’s huge, almost 17-1. We didn’t start her as a 2-year-old Pearl Necklace indeed won some stakes, 10 in in two start this year. “He took us to the Breeders’ Cup last year and we ran her here about 10 days ago, she was pretty green fact from her 21 wins in 48 starts from 1976 to and has been kind of a bit of a puzzle this year. I’ve run him a going around there. She’s one we’ll race into peak fitness men- 1979. She didn’t win any stakes at Saratoga that couple times and he hasn’t run well. Working on getting him tally and physically. Do you know who the suffragettes were? stretched out. He’s a Jack Milton and he’s supposed to go two summer, but finished second in the then Grade 3 In 1913, England. Suffrage is the lack of a right to vote, so turns and that’s what we’re looking to do with him when we women wanted to get that right. Nothing to do with Suffrag- Test and second in the then Grade 2 Diana Hand- find a suitable race. He’s had a couple tough trips this year and icap. ette City from David Bowie, that’s a whole different story. They I’d like to get him stretched out where he can relax a bit more. couldn’t get enough attention to their cause so what they did, Gleaves went out on his own in 1985 and en- He’s got his mind on speed right now so we’re trying to get him and you may or may not know this story, the King (George joyed a monster run the next year when Wise Times settled. We’d like to try and find a mile grass race for him, get V) was running a horse in the Epsom Derby and he was the won the Grade 1 trio of the Haskell, Travers and him to go a half in 48 instead of a half in 45.” favorite. At Tattenham Corner, which is the corner turning for Super Derby in succession. He talked about his home at Epsom, they grouped there and one of the ladies, one Saratoga string, and two others that recently went Vivazano: A $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York- of the suffragettes went out in front of the King’s horse and to a local farm for some R&R, with The Special’s bred yearling purchase by Steve Crist and Ken deRegt in 2018, got killed. Stopped the King’s horse. All the press was over it Tom Law 4-year-old Verrazano filly finished third in state-bred maiden and it brought attention to the cause. It’s a hell of a story. The here Wednesday. “Her last couple races before that were sub- King’s horse, the favorite in the Derby killed a lady. It brought Li Li Bear. Peter Vegso’s homebred 2-year-old Liam’s Map par, we did some work on her and she’s training well now. She huge notoriety to what they wanted and eventually they got the filly made her debut here Opening Day, finishing fourth in a 5 hadn’t been out in a couple months.” right to vote.” ½-furlong maiden won by Echo Zulu. She’s a third-generation We did a little research and Gleaves’ history lesson was just homebred for Vegso, out of the Indian Charlie mare Lil White Succulent: A $47,000 RNA at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky about spot on. Suffragette Emily Wilding Davison died at the Dove and tracing back to the Forty Niner mare Chardae that he October yearling sale, daughter of Candy Ride finished seventh 1913 Epsom Derby after being hit by King George V’s horse purchased in foal to Tabasco Cat for $120,000 in 1998. “She in state-bred maiden going 5 ½ furlongs the first Saturday of the Anmer. Film footage suggested she might have collided with trains well. Might be better suited to longer distances and/or meet. “She’s owned by Steve Crist, Ken deRegt and myself. She the horse attempting to put a flag or a scarf on his bridle, ac- grass but for now she ran once and finished fourth. She’s go- stumbled badly coming out of the gate. She will run Aug. 13, cording to a 2013 article in The Guardian. Davison died four ing to run back on August 8 going 6 1/2. He’s been a great God willing. She just breezed this morning, an easy half (:50.42 days after the incident of a fractured skull. supporter of mine. Liam’s Map has been having some winners, on the Oklahoma) but looked good. I’d look for a big improve- Continued On Page 7 hope he can have another.” ment. We bought her privately last November.”

6 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 came up with a little injury so we’re giving him a little time off. He probably did it in his last Stable Tour – race at Belmont; the jock said he took a bad Continued from page 6 step so we’re giving him some time. He won the Aspirant, we were told how to pronounce Out Of Sight: Owned by James Iselin and that, and then we took him back for the Fu- Mark Gilman, 3-year-old New York-bred Not turity and he had a poor start and we don’t This Time filly finished fifth in Thursday’s fina- know why. He ran on and finished third, then le. A $4,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton we put him away and brought him back this Kentucky October yearling sale who later sold year. He hadn’t been running to par, so we did some checks on him, found an issue on him. for $30,000 as a 2-year-old, she finished sixth He’s only a 3-year-old, has his whole career in in two maiden special weight races at Belmont front of him.” Park before dropping in for a $40,000 tag Thursday. “New York-bred filly who had a cou- Yes And Yes: A three-year member of the ple starts on the dirt. She didn’t show us much Stable Tour, 5-year-old Sidney’s Candy geld- on the dirt in both races so we’re trying her on ing finished second twice and third once in the turf. Racing family, through and through.” four starts this season, including runner-up in. 7-furlong grass allowance at Belmont July Thin White Duke: Winner of last year’s 11. Bred and co-owned by Gleaves, he’s also Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga and Aspirant owned by Joseph Straus Jr. and Hugh Fitzsi- Stakes at Finger Lakes, 3-year-old New York- mons. He’s won two of 19 with $157,705 in bred Dominus gelding finished third in the earnings. “He ran super in his last race. He Paradise Creek Stakes in late May then 12th in had a knee issue so we’re giving him some a 6-furlong turf optional in mid-June for own- time off. He’s with Thin White Duke at a farm ers Crist, deRegt, Hilliard and Gleaves. “He locally.”

Join The Club thisishorseracing.com/readersclub

trf grab your boots and SummerNight join us! A casual evening of BBQ FUNdraising, food, at the barn music, basket raffles, and horses, too!

–––––––––––––––––––––––– Early-bird price for tickets is $40 until August 1! August 24, 2021 Available at www.TRFinc.org 5-9 pm or call 518.226.0028 The Saratoga Winery

Route 29 • Saratoga Springs, NY Thoroughbred reTiremenT www.trfinc.org FoundaTion Details at

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 7 Family Pride First-ballot trainer Pletcher leads Hall of Fame cast for 2021 BY PAUL HALLORAN Hall of Fame Ceremony Pride will be the prevailing emo- tion inside Fasig-Tipton’s Humphrey 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6 S. Finney Sales Pavilion this morning Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion when the National Museum of Rac- Class of 2021 ing inducts its 2021 and 2020 classes, Todd Pletcher, Jack Fisher the latter receiving a pandemic-de- American Pharoah. layed honor. And Jake “J.J.” Pletcher Class of 2020 will be feeling it as much as anyone. Mark Casse, Darrel McHargue “You can’t help but be proud of Wise Dan, Tom Bowling him,” said Pletcher, who will watch Alice Headley Chandler his son Todd achieve racing immor- J. Keene Daingerfield Jr. tality. “Your only child …” George D. Widener Jr. It was suggested to the elder Pletch- er that he deserves a lion’s share of the “I couldn’t mess him up,” he said. credit, for exposing Todd to the game “He was always very dedicated and as a youngster to arranging for him concentrated on what we wanted to to learn from the likes of D. Wayne do from day one.” Lukas and Charlie Whittingham to What Pletcher has done is win Tod Marks helping him get started when he went Continued On Page 10 Trainer Todd Pletcher joins racing’s Hall of Fame today. out on his own. LORD NELSON Pulpit's last great son. Hip 37 | Filly o/o Airs

Don’t Miss These Select Yearlings In Saratoga.

Hip 197 | Filly o/o Sliced Bread

8 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 9 “The nice thing about the Racing Hall of Fame is you can be inducted Hall of Fame – while you are still active,” Pletch- Continued from page 8 er said Wednesday after sending out Kitten By The Sea to win the finale. 5,156 races and $410 million in purs- “There’s still a lot of work to do, so it es over a 25-year career. Trainers be- keeps you from thinking about it too come Hall of Fame eligible after 25 much.” years, meaning Pletcher is a first-ballot Pletcher had pondered his impend- inductee and receives an honor many ing honor enough to be thankful that thought he’d already received. In addi- both his parents – mom Jerrie flew in tion to those statistics, Pletcher’s career Wednesday – would be there to share includes seven Eclipse Awards as out- it with him. standing trainer, two Kentucky Derby “They have been so supportive in wins, three Belmont Stakes victories every facet of my life,” he said. “They and 11 Breeders’ Cup wins. were huge supporters in me getting Pletcher has trained 11 Eclipse started. It’s extra special that they’re Award-winning horses – Hall of Fam- going to be here.” er Ashado, English Channel, Fleet Pletcher will be introduced by Indian, Lawyer Ron, Left Bank, Rags longtime client and good friend Mike To Riches, Shanghai Bobby, Speight- Repole, a major player in the game stown, Wait A While, Uncle Mo, and who knew early on he wanted to have Vino Rosso – and 20 horses that have a trainer like Pletcher. earned $1.8 million or more. He has “I started in 2004-2005 and I won 60 individual meet training ti- knew I wanted to be with Todd,” said tles: 17 at Gulfstream, 16 at Belmont, Repole, who owns Kitten By The Sea 14 at Saratoga, six at Aqueduct, five and led a raucous winner’s circle cel- at Keeneland and two at Monmouth. ebration after the win Wednesday. “I Put all of that together and you started with claimers and New York- come up with a Hall of Fame career breds, so I observed for a while. I – that is far from over for the 54-year- Tod Marks old. Continued On Page 12 Todd Pletcher and the stable pony (right) lead Quality Road off the track in 2009.

10 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 YOUR IDEAL DINING DESTINATION FOR Racing Season In Saratoga!

Featuring Luxury Accommodations & World-Class Cuisine SALT CHAR CATERING SARATOGA’S FARM TO TABLE STEAKHOUSE

CALL (518) 678-6000 TO RESERVE YOUR TABLE OR CATER YOUR EVENT 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | www.TheAdelphiHotel.com | (518) 678-6000

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 11 Hall of Fame – Continued from page 10 needed to have the horses to bring to him.” Uncle Mo, the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, and Stay Thirsty, the 2011 Travers champ, solved that problem. The Repole and Pletcher families have become close, and Re- pole enjoyed introducing his young daughter to JJ Pletcher in the Sarato- ga paddock Wednesday. “I’ve watched Todd’s three kids Tod Marks grow up,” Repole said. “The only American Pharoah and Jimmy Barnes walk downside to us being good friends at Saratoga in 2015. and him being a Hall of Famer is he Daingerfield Jr. and George D. Wid- can’t get fired anymore. This is an in- ener Jr. credible time. We’re one big happy American Pharoah snapped a 36- family.” year Triple Crown drought when he The Hall of Fame family will wel- won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness come nine other members today, and Belmont for trainer Bob Baffert including steeplechase trainer Jack and owner Zayat Stables, earning Fisher and 2015 Triple Crown winner Horse of the Year honors. American Pharoah, as well as 2020 Fisher has been the leading steeple- honorees Mark Casse, retired jockey chase trainer in wins 13 times in a ca- Darrel McHargue, two-time Horse of reer that dates back to 1987. He has the Year Wise Dan, horse of yester- trained millionaire Good Night Shirt year Tom Bowling, and Pillars of the and other Grade 1 winners Moscato, Turf Alice Headley Chandler, Keene Scorpiancer, Mr. Hot Stuff, Snap De- cision and Paradise’s Boss. He is the only trainer in steeplechase history to SANTOS INC. jockeys surpass $1 million in purse earnings are ready for a big summer. in a year, and has done that five times. Fisher’s horses have won five edi- Are you? tions of the Grade 1 Iroquois, four runnings of the Grade 1 A.P. Smith- wick at Saratoga, three runnings of the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory at Bel- mont Park and two each of the Grade 1 Colonial Cup and American Grand National. After Snap Decision’s win this year, Fisher horses have won the historic Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Handicap six times. Riders UP! With timber champion Saluter, Fisher won six consecutive editions of Miguel Mena 116 the Virginia Gold Cup and four run- Saratoga, Churchill Downs, nings of the Virginia Hunt Cup. Fish- Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park er has won the Virginia Gold Cup 12 David Cabrera 118 times as a trainer and nine times as Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, a rider — both records. Fisher rode Ellis Park, Remington Park Saluter to each of his Gold Cup vic- Reylu Gutierrez 116 tories. Saratoga, Colonial Downs, Remington Park Horses were part of his life from an early age while growing up in Freddy Manrrique 118 Pennsylvania. Remington Park “I’ve always loved being around We’ll ride anywhere you ship. horses. It’s been my life,” Fisher said via museum press release. “I was ter- (305) 979-7779 @josesantos_33 on Twitter Continued On Page 14

12 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 13 people train horses, especially steeplechase horses, not for the money but Hall of Fame – for the love of the sport and the love Continued from page 12 of the horse. That’s different than flat racing a little bit, because you can do rible in school and didn’t want to be it for the money. Training the horses there. I loved riding and I love train- is it for me.” ing. I learned a lot from my father Fisher’s career Equibase numbers (trainer John Fisher) and from guys (flat and jump) include 637 victories, like (Hall of Fame trainers) Mikey and $19.3 million in purses. In jump Smithwick and Tommy Voss. They races alone, he’s won 598 races with were examples of the work it takes to 18,094,229 in earnings (second only be successful and also how they built to retired Hall of Famer Jonathan a good team. You can’t do it alone. Sheppard’s $24,902,442). “I’ll never forget horses like Call Casse has won 3,122 races and Louis and Woody Boy Would and more than $190 million in purses. His Saluter that made my career at the induction completes a North Ameri- beginning. They got the ball rolling can daily double, as he was inducted for me. Saluter was really the one. into the Canadian Hall of Fame in My license plate says Saluter on it. 2016. He has won Canada’s Sover- He meant everything. I’ve had some eign Award as champion trainer 13 wonderful and patient owners and times, and seven Canadian Triple great talent in the barn. To have hors- Crown races. es like Good Night Shirt, Scorpiancer, Casse’s top horses include two- Moscato, and Snap Decision has been time Breeders’ Cup Mile and Eclipse incredible beyond words. I’m pretty Award winner Tepin; Breeders’ Cup darn lucky.” Mile and Eclipse champion World This spring, when the Hall class Approval, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was announced, Fisher was asked if champ Classic Empire, Preakness the honor would change his life. Continued On Page 16 “Not at all,” he replied. “I think

Tod Marks Trainer Mark Casse gets inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame today.

14 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 15 in the Fasig-Tipton parking lot and walking down East Avenue to the races. Hall of Fame – “I can still see Valid Appeal winning in the Continued from page 14 slop,” Casse said. “Little did I know how important Valid Appeal would be to me later in winner War Of Will and 11-time winner Got life. Tommy Root trained the horse. I can still Stormy. see him, it was in the slop, I was standing at Like Pletcher and Fisher, Casse’s father the top of the lane and I can still see him going played a central role in his start and continued by. I still remember Onion beating Secretariat. success in racing. I was down at about the eighth pole. Saratoga Norman Casse, who died in March 2016 was special to my dad and it’s special to me.” before his son was announced as an induct- McHargue, who won 2,533 races in North ee into Canada’s Hall of Fame, was a central America, won the Eclipse Award in 1978. He figure in building Marion County, Fla., into won the 1975 Preakness and piloted Hall of its prominent position in the American Thor- Famer John Henry to three wins. He serves as oughbred industry. Mark Casse grew up un- chief steward in California. der his father’s wing, attending race meetings Versatile gelding Wise Dan won 11 Grade up and down the East Coast, into the Mid- 1 stakes and 23 races – on dirt, turf, and syn- west and beyond. thetic – and six Eclipse Awards. He took the A few days before his induction into Can- Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2012 and 2013. ada’s Hall of Fame, Mark Casse gazed across Tod Marks Tom Bowling won 14 of 17 starts from the Saratoga main track while a set of runners Jack Fisher is the 22nd steeplechase trainer or jockey to enter racing’s Hall of Fame. 1872-74, including the Travers and Jersey from his string trained. He tried to put into Derby. Chandler, the founder of Mill Ridge words what the honor would mean. “It’s been one of those days, I’m still thinking Farm, was a prominent breeder for more than 50 “It’s truly special and the only thing I wish was about it and I wonder if my dad is up there help- years. Daingerfield, who died in 1993, was a highly that my dad was here to see it,” Casse said. “He’s ing,” Casse said. “It took me four or five days to respected steward in Illinois, New Jersey and Ken- the reason I’m doing what I’m doing and was my write my speech. In the end I said, I have to just put tucky. Widener was a prominent owner and breed- biggest supporter.” all my dad’s stuff at the end and give it to my wife er who won the Travers five times. He echoed that sentiment the day after his in- to read. I cried the entire speech while she read it.” duction, back at Saratoga and after winning the Casse’s roots to Saratoga run deep. He started Additional reporting Quick Call Stakes with Charlotte Weber’s home- coming to upstate New York and New England as by Tom Law and Joe Clancy. bred Holding Gold. a child, his father setting up the family’s camper

HAGYARD’S Saratoga Product Spotlight!

AUGUST 5TH–11TH

This Week Only! Buy four 22lb buckets of Everyday Gold, and get one 22lb FREE!

PLUS, now thru August 31… Save 15% on each case of RelyteHA! Plus save 10% on each order of Repair!

Call Hagyard or your sales Danielle Bricker rep and mention promo code Thoroughbred Racing Specialist 2021Saratoga [email protected] 631.560.3755

16 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 73163_Hagyard_Saratoga_Ads_August_v4.indd 3 7/27/21 12:11 PM CELEBRATING50 Years OF EQUINE EXCELLENCE

McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds Selling at FASIG-TIPTON, NEW YORK BRED YEARLINGS August 15-16, 2021 | Barns 7B & 7C

328 COLLECTED-ADIRA, colt 343 TAPWRIT-BAY ISLAND, filly 346 CENTRAL BANKER-BEE IN A BONNET, filly 348 SUPER SAVER-BELLA'S FLAIR, filly 370 GOOD SAMARITAN-CLEARLY CHEATING, filly 381 CANDY RIDE (ARG)-DARBY BLUSH, filly 411 MENDELSSOHN-FLASH ACT, filly 426 HARD SPUN-GRACEFUL RAGE, filly 438 LAOBAN-HOLLY'S STAR, colt 464 CENTRAL BANKER-LIFELONG, filly 466 PRACTICAL JOKE-LISVERNANE, colt 469 OSCAR PERFORMANCE-LIZA LU, colt 476 CENTRAL BANKER-MALIBU MYSTIQUE, colt 483 LAOBAN-MAY WHO, colt 492 MO TOWN-MISS BODINE, filly 507 LOOKIN AT LUCKY-ONE WISE COWGIRL, filly 527 CENTRAL BANKER-RAFFIE'S CHANCE, colt 531 GOLDENCENTS-REIKA, colt 542 MENDELSSOHN-RUMBLE DOLL, filly 578 CENTRAL BANKER-STRATEGIC MISSILE, filly 603 PRACTICAL JOKE-TRULY CHARMING, colt

Inquiries to Joe McMahon / 180 Fitch Road / Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 587-3426 / [email protected] / www.mcmahonthoroughbreds.com

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 17 The Horses Who Got us Here HALLWITH TALK MARK CASSE | TODD PLETCHER | JACK FISHER Induction ceremony 10:30 a.m. Aug. 6 at Fasig-Tipton Presented by

The Hall of Fame. The highest honor in racing – in anything really – beckons only a select few and the class of 2021 (and 2020 since racing missed the ceremony because of the coronavirus pandemic) is one of the most special in history as seven-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher goes in during his first year of eligibility and 13-time leading steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher joins him. Technically inducted last year, trainer Mark Casse gets his due in 2021 after joining Canada’s Hall in 2016. We get each to discuss a special horse in each edition. These aren’t top 20 lists, just examples of the kinds of horses it takes to get trainers to the Hall of Fame. We asked a simple question: Who got you here? And they answered.

Jack Fisher Good Night Shirt. Fisher joins his big horse in the Hall of Fame. The Maryland-bred son of Con- cern won twice on the turf for Riverdee Stable and trainer Lizzie Merryman before being purchased by Sonny Via. The two-time champion won 12 hurdle races, including nine Grade 1 stakes (seven in a row), for $1,006,493. Ridden predominantly by Willie Dowling, Good Night Shirt retired as one of just two American steeplechase horses to break the $1 million barrier. He was the first of four Eclipse Award winners trained by Fisher and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

“Shirt was just a cool horse. He wasn’t a wow jumper but he was a machine, he just kept going. To win seven Grade 1s in a row is phenomenal. He Tod Marks hurt himself in the field, he wasn’t in training, that’s Good Night Shirt leads fellow Hall of Famer McDynamo in the 2007 Colonial Cup. how it goes. He was just a big stayer. You don’t you’re expected to win. His last race, he was second realize how big he was but when he was turned out Mark Casse with Saluter, they were just big, massive horses. in the Iroquois, and everybody freaked out that he got beaten. He was second, everybody gets beaten. Solid Rocket. Casse grew up on the road, the son “Whenever I would run him, he would walk in of a trainer. A lot of the early days were spent at the the paddock like he owned the place, he would look “The first Iroquois stands out and the two wins small tracks in New England and the fairs. Solid at horses like, ‘I’m going to beat you.’ And they were at Belmont Park (in the 2007 and 2008 Lonesome Rocket, a Florida-bred daughter of Explodent, won like, ‘I know.’ He was great for all connections. At Glory). He wasn’t 100 percent fit, he was 90 per- at the fairs for a teenage Casse before Joe’s Com- Keeneland, he was the other horse, Paradise’s Boss cent fit, he carried a lot of weight, he wasn’t sup- ing became his first official winner at a major track was the man, Shirt was second and Paradise’s Boss posed to win and he just kept churning it out. No was third. He probably should have won that race. matter what I did, he would win. He wasn’t a fan- April 14, 1979 at Keeneland. He won the Iroquois in his next start. tastic jumper but he just kept getting the job done, “Those kind of horses just train themselves. Saluter was the exact same way. It was enjoyable to “Marshfield Fair. I was 17. She won her first Getting the horse is the key. There are horses who have Saluter and him out in the field together, they three. You know who her groom was? It was my had more talent than he did on the flat, but he just became buddies and ruled everybody else out there dad. I can’t find a win picture but he was in it. He checked every box. I find it more difficult when for a long, long time.” Continued On Page 19 18 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 the wife of a trainer in Denver says, ‘Are you ship- ping horses back to Centennial? My husband was Hall Talk – “I was so nervous when I went to take the test I overserved last night and bought a horse. We need Continued from page 18 couldn’t remember how to spell hoof.” to get him back.’ “We probably had a little room. A little while was the groom. He always loved to spend some Mark Casse, about taking his trainer’s test time in the summers at the fairs. We had a six-horse later she comes back and says, ‘We can’t afford this van and it had one of those big peaks, so my dad horse. Will you take the horse? Do you want the decided that the best way to save money is we’re “This was 1981 when the horse ran, horse?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I do, I do.’ I look at the cat- going to sleep in the back of the van. He went and so I was 14. I bought my first car and paid alog, the horse is by Bold Cape, who was a son of bought all this camping equipment. He cooked our for some college with that money.” Bold Ruler, so you know a sneakily good pedigree meals on one of those flames, those little jars (used and he’s out of a Rumbunctious mare. for warmers). My dad couldn’t cook on a regular Todd Pletcher, about Rambunctiously “I call the hotel, and I’d been going around to stove, never mind one of those things. But hey, it the sale with my dad, and he says, ‘You can have was good even though the mosquitoes ate us up. him as long as he’s correct.’ I go to where he is, look “My dad did some research and Massachusetts Todd Pletcher over the stall door and I mean he’s pretty small. We was the only place you could get a trainer’s license get him out, look at him and he’s correct. I called at 17. I spent time up there, got the license. I was Rambunctiously. A Kansas-bred foal of 1978 who won five of 35 starts and earned $34,190 him back and said, ‘He’s correct, but he’s pretty so nervous when I went to take the test I couldn’t small.’ Dad said to take him. I think he cost $700. remember how to spell hoof. But I passed and my might not seem like a logical member of a “20 who got you there” for Pletcher but there’s always more “My dad sends the horse to get broke by some- dad, he had a couple horses and they ran in my body, he comes in, 2-year-old, first time he works at name. I think he wanted my first horse to be a win- to the story. Louisiana Downs he bucks his shins. Sent him out, ner. That was Solid Rocket. That went on, I was still 17 and had one more year of school in Ocala. I “1979. My dad was racing some horses, he was took care of the shins, he comes back as a maiden had gotten on the work program, so I’d go for three stabled in Denver, Littleton at Centennial. We took 3-year-old for 25 (thousand), wins first time out at or four hours in the morning and I’d run the train- some horses to Raton, New Mexico to La Mesa Oaklawn. Runs him back 13 days later in a non- ing operation. We trained in the afternoon. I was Park for the Land of Enchantment Futurity. In con- two for 25, wins and gets claimed. So I had a sweet- supposed to go to college, but that never happened. junction with the Futurity they had a sale. We went heart deal, no bills the whole way from my dad so I went back to Keeneland, that’s when we won with to the sale, came to the barn the next morning, I I netted like $35,000. I was upset by the way that Joe’s Coming. I remember flying back home and was at the barn with his assistant. We’d run horses he got claimed. This was 1981 when the horse ran, and the principal giving me my diploma and saying the day before, my dad was out early, went back to so I was 14. I bought my first car and paid for some to me, ‘Keep training those winners.’” the hotel, we’re hanging out and this lady who was college with that money.” YEARLING BUYER NOTICE Yearling buyers can contribute to the NTRA’s ¼% Check-off Program HELP US when purchasing from our sale company partners below. Your voluntary contribution equals $2.50 for every $1,000 of a yearling’s sale price and HELP HORSE helps fund the NTRA’s federal legislative effort. RACING Participating sale companies are Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, OBS, WTBOA and CTBA. IN DC. Visit www.SupportHorseRacing.org for more information or contact Joe Bacigalupo at [email protected].

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 19 Brother Act Wolfie’s Dynaghost makes his turf debut in Grade 2 feature BY SEAN CLANCY HALL OF FAME STAKES PREVIEW “The patriarch. The young gun. The up and comer.” today’s Grade 2 National Museum of That’s how exercise rider Ed- Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes. The die King described siblings Sadler’s young gun. Joy, Wolfie’s Dynaghost and Hail To Twelve stalls and a tackroom away, Thursday morning. King, a mainstay 2-year-old filly Hail To noses around at Tom Albertrani’s barn, didn’t need the corner of the shaded main-track to explain any further as he walked barn. A daughter of Kitten’s Joy, she past aboard Sadler’s Joy. finished fifth in her career debut here The 8-year-old owns seven wins, July 22. The up and comer. including the Grade 1 Sword Dancer, We’ve written about the patriarch over the years and we’ll probably and $2.6 million. The patriarch. write about the up and comer some- To their left, 3-year-old little broth- day. Today, it’s the young gun as he er, Wolfie’s Dynaghost, leaned over takes on seven rivals in the Grade 2 his screen and waited for a hay net to Hall of Fame Stakes, the seventh of be hung in stall five. 10 races Friday. Fresh off a front-running romp And ask the most logical question. against allowance foes, the son of Sean Clancy Continued On Page 22 Wolfie’s Dynaghost, Sadler’s Joy’s brother, makes his turf debut in the Hall of Fame Stakes. Ghostzapper makes his turf debut in

20 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 21 bu Moon, lost his first four before breaking his maiden and placing in Hall Stakes – a stakes. Dyna Passer, a half-sister by Continued from page 20 Lemon Drop Kid, lost her first four starts before breaking her maiden and Unbeaten Triple Crown winner How does he compare to his older placing in a stakes. • brother? “You try not to compare them, 6 straight wins including 4 Gr.1’s by 23¾ lengths! “Well, that’s what we’re going to • they’re all individuals but from what Sire of the joint top-priced weanling at Keeneland find out once we get him to the grass,” I can see from this horse, he showed • Albertrani said as he watched a set quite a bit of talent from the start. November and the top-priced gallop over the main track Thursday This horse was more precocious. morning. “From what I can see, he Sadler didn’t quite show it early on, weanling ﬁlly at Fasig-Tipton may be every bit as good as him.” he improved with racing,” Albertra- Albertrani unveiled Wolfie’s Dy- ni said. “I’ve always been very high November naghost in a 7-furlong maiden over a on this horse from the start. Hope- good track at Aqueduct in November. fully everything turns out the way we Shocking betters at 33-1, the Ken- want, or hope. If he takes the next tucky-bred colt stalked in third before step and moves forward on the turf, drawing off to win by 1 1/2 lengths we could see a really big race.” over Weyburn. Rested over the win- Wolfie’s Dynaghost breezed an easy ter, he returned in the Grade 3 Peter half mile on the Oklahoma turf Aug. Pan where he led early but faded to 1. Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the return call. fifth. Restricted to 3-year-olds, the Hall “The Peter Pan was a bit of a head- of Fame drew a competitive octet. scratcher,” Albertrani said. “We don’t Annex makes his sixth consecutive know if it was just coming off a long stakes start for Bill Mott. The son of layoff and he got tired or the surface Constitution won his first three starts wasn’t to his liking. We’re still learn- but has lost his next three, including The best son of Scat Daddy ing about the horse and learning how a fifth behind today’s rivals Origi- far he wants to go.” nal and Public Sector in the Manila After that, the turf looked like a Stakes at Belmont Park July 4. Junior logical choice and Albertrani entered Alvarado has the return call from the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner, Gr.2 UAE Derby him in a turf allowance at Belmont rail. • Park. It came off the grass and Wol- Breaking from post two, Public winner by 18½ lengths and 2nd Gr.1 Travers S. fie’s Dynaghost opened up 5 and won Sector tries to avenge a head defeat by 2. to Hall of Fame rival Original in the Half-brother to INTO MISCHIEF and BEHOLDER “He showed a lot of speed in the Manila. Trained by Chad Brown, the • allowance race when it came off the First weanlings sold for British-bred son of Kingman broke his • turf,” Albertrani said. “He set some maiden here last summer before fin- $300,000, $300,000 etc. quick fractions, towards the end, he ishing second in the Grade 2 Pilgrim gave up some of his margin, but noth- and 12th in the Grade 1 Breeders’ ing was coming at him. We’ll learn Cup Juvenile Turf. Flavien Prat flies a little more about him. We’ve been in for the ride for Klaravich Stable. looking to get him on the grass.” Eric Fein’s Ranger Fox exits a Sadler’s Joy lost his first three maiden score for trainer John Ter- starts before winning his next three. Lunaire, a half-brother by Mali- Continued On Page 24

Need attention? We provide complete equine, farm, and liability coverages. The best-bred son of Scat Daddy

THE NEUMAN INSURANCE GROUP

Aisling Duignan, Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace, Robyn Murray or Blaise Benjamin. 859. 621. 5050 859. 229. 9095 Tel: 859-873-7088. Fax: 859-879 5756. Lexington, KY USA t 859.231.0213 f 859.231.0206 www.equineinsurance.com

22 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Neu_SSpec4.625x2.375.indd 1 7/9/21 5:07 PM Time to buy a Maryland-Bred Don’t miss your chance at Saratoga! Be part of the Maryland success story

Like no other state, Maryland’s racing is supported by a working cooperative agreement between the racetracks, horsemen and breeders – All backed by pro-breeding and racing legislation and offers Competitive purses 30% owner & breeder bonuses in all overnight races Lucrative Md-Bred stakes program Premier year-round racing

Better stallions. Better mares. Maryland-breds. Learn more at MarylandThoroughbred.com

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 23 son of Dialed In broke his maiden for a $75,000 tag at Churchill Downs Hall Stakes – in June before finishing fourth in the Continued from page 22 American Derby in his most recent start. ranova. The son of Uncle Mo drew Original adds to Fein’s chances. off by 5 1/2 lengths in his graduation The $425,000 2-year-old purchase at Belmont Park July 10. Joel Rosario has yet to miss the board in five turf rides for the fourth consecutive time. starts, including a win in the Manila Hall of Fame inductee Mark Casse in his most recent start. The son of could add to his memorable day, Quality Road led every step to hold sending out Breeze Easy’s Easy Time. on by a nose over Public Sector. Luis Winner of the Grade 3 Marine Stakes Saez rides for Terranova. at Woodbine in his most recent start, Next launches from a win in the the son of Not This Time attracts Ty- War Chant at Churchill Downs June ler Gaffalione. 26. Trained by Wesley Ward and rid- In Effect tries to upset another den by John Velazquez, the Silverton stakes for Calumet Farm, Jack Sister- Hill homebred could add to the pace son and Jose Lezcano. The homebred equation from post six.

Tod Marks Owners/breeders Lauren and Rene Woolcott flank trainer Tom Albertrani at Saratoga in 2020. Quality. Value. Integrity. A full-service bloodstock agency that stands on these words,

and our results speak to it.

Contact Phil Hager at 859.509.9122 www.taprootbloodstock.com [email protected]

24 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 The National Steeplechase Association salutes Jack Fisher Hall of Fame Class of 2021

13-Time Leading Steeplechase Trainer Trainer of Four Steeplechase Eclipse Award Champions

National Steeplechase Association 400 Fair Hill Drive, Elkton, MD 21921 nationalsteeplechase.com

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 25 Spoiler Alert Stewart readies Classy John for Grade 3 turf sprint stakes BY TOM LAW TROY STAKES PREVIEW Dallas Stewart finished an inter- view for The Special, pushed the igni- intend to buy the colt, thinking he tion button on his SUV and just about was buying a filly, but mixed up the drove off when the subject of Classy hip numbers while on a conference John and today’s Grade 3 Troy Stakes call for work and bidding over the came up. Truth be told it was more phone. of a “before you go,” interaction be- Valene kept the colt after seeing tween trainer and reporter and Stew- him in the flesh, and sent him to Stew- art was more than willing. art. Valene named Classy John for his “Classy John is a remarkable sto- late father, with whom he partnered ry in itself,” Stewart said of Murray on horses with Valene Farms for more Valene’s Songandaprayer gelding who than 50 years. John Valene died Aug. takes on 11 rivals in the $200,000 21, 2018, and four days later – on turf sprint stakes. the Travers Day undercard at Sarato- A longtime client of Stewart’s, ga – Classy John won his debut by 6 Valene runs in the name Valene Farms lengths for Stewart at 12-1. and bought Classy John out of the “He was at the Spectrum when he 2018 Equine Sales Co. 2-year-old sale Sean Clancy Continued On Page 28 Classy John looks for an upset in today’s Troy Stakes. in Louisiana for $12,000. He didn’t

PLAY LIKE THE PROS Visit us at EquinEdge.com today to claim your FREE WEEK!

No credit card or commitment required.

26 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 For more than 40 years, the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund has been using monetary incentives to promote the responsible breeding of quality Thoroughbred racehorses, in keeping with the founding legislation to preserve New York’s irreplaceable farmland.

Millions of dollars worth of NY-breds have been sold through Fasig-Tipton Saratoga . . . “the first North American yearling sale to reach 100 renewals.” - Tom Law No other breeding program can boast that their state-breds earn awards at historic Saratoga Race Course. New York is the home of America’s richest state-bred races for 2YO’s, plus the Stallion Stakes Series for NY-sired horses foaled anywhere. NYRA purses have reached an all-time high, including $85,000 MdSpWt races for NY-breds. This year, there are more than 800 racing opportunies for NY-breds, including 60+ restricted stakes.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund honors this year’s inductees to the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and salute them for their outstanding achievements in our industry.

BUY NOW . . . BE READY! More than 300 NY-bred yearlings cataloged at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga nytbreeders.org | 518.587.0777 Aug. 9-10 / Aug. 14-15 Visit our website or call 518.388.0174

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 27 in the (Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint) on Kentucky Oaks Day and he was third, then he Troy – was second to a really, really nice horse who Continued from page 26 just won again. There we are.” The colt his owner didn’t mean to buy has was 2, getting ready to run,” Stewart said of won four times, and earned $317,812. And Churchill Downs’ training center. “My assis- he’s in a stakes at Saratoga. Classy John, who tant there worked him and it was the fastest went through a light training session on the any horse ever worked at the Spectrum. He Oklahoma Training Track a few minutes after called and said, ‘This horse just worked :57 Stewart told his tales, drew post three for the out of the gate.’ I couldn’t believe it, called the 5 1/2-furlong Troy and is 20-1 on the morning clockers and they said, ‘Yeah, he did.’ line with John Velazquez named to ride. The “So they had a race up here on Travers colt comes out of that second to Just Might, Day. We flew him up here and entered him. winner of the Aug. 2 Da Hoss Stakes at Colo- We galloped him one day on the main track, nial Downs, in the Mighty Beau Stakes June 5 we ran him and he won, first time out.” at Churchill. Classy John won two more races that year The Troy drew a deep field with multiple – the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile and graded stakes winner and last year’s disquali- Louisiana Futurity, both at Fair Grounds fied winner Imprimis and Grade 1 Jaipur win- – along with two seconds and was named ner Casa Creed and multiple Grade 2 winner champion Louisiana-bred 2-year-old male. He Bound For Nowhere leading the way. flirted with the Triple Crown trail for a cup of Imprimis ships in from Florida for Breeze coffee – finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Rebel Tod Marks Easy and trainer Joe Orseno, looking for re- at Oaklawn Park in mid-March 2019 – before Imprimis makes his second consecutive start in the Troy Stakes. demption after he crossed the finish first in Stewart switched him back to sprints. last year’s Troy 2 1/4 lengths in front before “He was 2-year-old champion in Louisiana be able to tell you here or there about it. I’m just being taken down for interfering with third-place and he went on and stopped running good, So I playing, I mean no disrespect. finisher Shekky Shebaz in deep stretch. The 7-year- told Murray, ‘Let’s try him on the turf,’ ” Stewart “So we ran him back on it and he ran second. old Broken Vow gelding won the Grade 3 Runhap- said. “He ran on the turf, ran OK, but sometimes The horse that beat him, Monte Man, has won like py Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs in his next start you have to run them on the turf to really get with 17 races. Then we came back in a stakes. I didn’t and ended the season with a 13th in the Breeders’ it, at least it appears to me that way. You could even know they had a stakes, so we nominated, ask some of these expert turf trainers, they might put him in and beat Monte Man. So we put him Continued On Page 29

Keeneland September buyers and sellers remember some ONE HORSE names from the past.

KNOWN ACCOMPLICE, 1994. Kip Elser, buyer Shopping for client Richie O’Connell, Kip Elser of Kirkwood Stables found a horse at the Mill Ridge Farm consignment. It took $15,000 to buy the bay colt by Known Fact, the first horse in the ring that day. Then everything changed. “It was in the days of post-sale X-rays and they found a chip. Mill Ridge’s Alice Chandler, who goes in the Hall of Fame this year [today, as a new member of the Pillars of the Turf] didn’t hesitate one bit and just told me, ‘We’ll take the chip out, and send him to you when he’s right.’ That was something, a very classy thing to do. I didn’t really know her that well then, and she couldn’t have been more gracious about it. The horse went on and won some nice races and wasn’t that far off being a really good horse. I’ll never forget that.” Tod Marks Tod After surgery, Known Accomplice raced for five seasons – winning 11 times and earning $252,920. He missed becoming a stakes winner by a nose in the 1996 Woodchopper Stakes at Fair Grounds. SEPTEMBER MON. 13 - SAT. 24

28 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN Troy – BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP Continued from page 28 FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. Imprimis, the 3-1 favorite withDUBAI Irad WORLD CUP FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND Ortiz Jr., won a small stakes at Gulf- stream before back-to-back secondsNATIONAL in HURDLE HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS the Turf Dash at Tampa Bay Downs and a nose defeat to Bound For No- HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY where in the Grade 2 Shakertown KING’Sat BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN Keeneland in early April. Orseno said Imprimis broke a bone in his nose com- MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN MILE NEARCTIC STAKES ing out of the gate in the Shakertown, so he took his time bringing him back PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY with the Troy always the target. “I was thinking about the SPINSTERJaipur SWORD DANCER TEST UNITED NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY and decided to skip it. He’s ready to go,” Orseno said. “Last year I HANDICAPtook WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MIL- him there off a 10-month layoff and his LION AWESOME AGAIN BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF first race back was the Troy. He handled it fine and did what he was supBREEDERS’- CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE posed to do. Unfortunately, they took him down, but he ran his race. It’s kindHANDICAP DONNWinning HANDICAP DUBAI when WORLD it CUP matters FLORIDA DERBY. FRIZETTE of the same pattern we’re trying to fol- low.” FOREGO FRANK KILROEFair Hill MILE Equine GARDEN Therapy CITYCenter GRANDhorses NATIONAL HURDLE Casa Creed stormed from off the pace to win the 6-furlong JaipurHASKELL on INVITATIONALinclude HOLLYWOOD 78 individual TURF Grade CUP IROQUOIS1 winners HURDLE JOE HIRSCH Belmont Day, finishing 2 lengths in TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME front of his stablemate Chewing Gum and the winners of 119 Grade 1 races. and 2 ¾ lengths in front of BoundGLORY For HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH MET- Nowhere. All three return for the Troy. Just some of the races they’ve won… They’re joined by Jaipur sixth andROPOLITAN Twin MILE NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL Spires Turf Sprint winner Fast Boat, recent $440,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky TURF MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST horses in training sale purchase Front Run The Fed, July 17 SaratogaUNITED win- NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. ner Gear Jockey, Godolphin’s Lazuli in VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN from trainer Charlie Appleby’s stable in England and longshots BacktohisBELMONT- DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP roots, Carotari and Chateau. FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE MAK- ER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN MILE NE- ARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST UNITED NATIONS Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | AquaPacer | Cold Saltwater Spa | Dry Salt Room | Vibration Therapy | Training Center VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDERBILT ALI- 721 Training Center Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921 Join the Club CIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ and get some Phone: 610-496-5080 www.fairhilletc.com sweet member perks.CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELA- thisishorseracing.com/readersclubWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRI- ZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY Friday, August 6, 2021 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLEThe Saratoga HASKELL Special INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP29 IR- Traveler Jesus’ Team adds Saratoga to schedule in restricted stakes BY IV HENDRIX ALYDAR STAKES PREVIEW Not many horses bounce around the claiming ranks before rising to (while risked for $32,000) at Gulfst- classic notoriety. Sure, it isn’t unheard ream Park in March 2020 for trainer of to find graded stakes talent run- Jose Garoffalo. Owner Grupo Seven ning for a tag. But a horse like Palace, C Stable sent Jesus’ Team to trainer claimed for $20,000 as a 3-year-old, Jose D’Angelo after that and in his didn’t find graded stakes success un- first start for D’Angelo May 8, he til he was 4. And Imperialism, who won a $25,000 claiming race. started in six claimers before placing “After that race, he worked amaz- third in the 2004 Kentucky Derby, ing,” D’Angelo said Wednesday. “He Sean Clancy won two Grade 2 stakes in between. worked better than Tiz The Law that Jesus’ Team walks after training Wednesday morning. But Jesus’ Team’s ascent from day at Palm Meadows. I called the his own when D’Angelo stepped him Then a thought crossed D’Angelo’s claiming races to Grade 1 compa- owner and said, ‘I would like to get up. On June 10, he followed up with a mind: Why not go for a Grade 1? ny didn’t include the usual stepping to the Kentucky Derby with Jesus’ second in an optional claimer at Gulf- In late June, D’Angelo sent Jesus’ stones. Team,’ and he said, ‘You have my stream Park, falling three-quarters of Team from Palm Meadows to Mon- After three starts as a 2-year-old support.’” a length short of Grade 3 winner and mouth Park for the Haskell. The colt and one at 3, the son of Tapiture While Jesus’ Team didn’t make it eventual Belmont Stakes and Ken- Continued On Page 31 broke his maiden in his fifth start to the Derby, the son of Tapiture held tucky Derby participant Sole Volante. CENTRAL KENTUCKY’S FINEST HORSE FARMS Hill & Regan Parker (859) 608-8039 www.LexHorseFarms.com “Real Horse People helping Real Horse People”

487 Carrick Pike, Georgetown, KY A spectacular barn, on a prime horse property, and a great location! This small breeding operation was home to 7 grade 1 winners including Dortmund, Flower Alley, Dullahan, Hysterical Lady. The main barn features interior courtyard, shedrow w/huge windows, 34 stalls, office, 3 apartments, hay storage, 2 wash stalls, & multiple feed rooms/tackrooms/storage areas. Next to main barn is a European style covered walker. The Stallion barn has 4 add stalls & another apartment. The main house features one floor living & is situated in the middle of the farm with 2 en-suite bedrooms. The farm also has a base for an 1366 Millersburg Road, Paris, KY outdoor ring, double fenced paddocks, automatic waters, a gorgeous The Grange is an 1812 Federal style brick home 4487 Louisville Rd, building site overlooking a Salvisa, KY w/exceptional details, 14’ ceilings, original ash lake. All development rights floors, 7 FRPL’s, detailed millwork & year-round are sold with the property. This is a gorgeous working farm with a training track sun porch spans the width of the home, plus 4-car $2,995,000 less than 30 minutes from Keeneland. The farm sports GAR. A circa 1799 brick barn on 33 AC plus a 69 lovely stalls in 3 barns, a lovely 2,650 square foot springhouse, brick cabin w/kitch & BA are manager’s house, covered round pen, dirt training character points that put this home on the National track, turf gallop, and 10 paddocks. The 97 acres Register of Historic Places. House has extensive has gently rolling fields and beautiful vistas with a updates including remodeled gourmet kitchen w/vaulted ceiling. Geothermal heating & few stately trees. The property has 20 platted and cooling added to the home! The farm features level recorded lots if you want to develop the farm in the land w/a gentle roll, gorgeous old trees, paved & future or get a large tax write off by donating the lots. treelined driveway, and a great setting. $1,290,000 $1,500,000

30 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 and earned a break. “After the Dubai World Cup we gave him Alydar – rest,” D’Angelo said. “He likes Saratoga, he likes Continued from page 30 the weather here. I like what I’ve seen on the track. He breezed well last Saturday with Junior finished fourth of seven. While it wasn’t what Alvarado.” D’Angelo hoped for, he wasn’t discouraged. Not concerned by a fifth in a 1-mile handicap After placing second in the Pegasus Stakes Aug. June 11 at Gulfstream, D’Angelo has high hopes 27 at Monmouth, the colt shipped to Saratoga. for Jesus’ Team’s return to stakes company in to- Classic dreams still alive thanks to Covid-19, day’s Alydar. D’Angelo entered Jesus’ Team in the Grade 2 Jim “I know Jesus and he’s a horse who needs rac- Dandy as a prep for the Preakness. Third there, es to get to his peak,” D’Angelo said. “Last year D’Angelo pressed on to Pimlico. he showed that he improves in every race that he After a four-week rest, D’Angelo shipped Je- runs.” sus’ Team to Baltimore. As a child in Caracas, “One mile isn’t good for him, he’s a horse to Venezuela, he spent most days at the track with run long distance,” he added. “I’m very sure he’s his father. But when he emigrated to the United going to come back on this race.” States in 2018, he set his sights on winning an A three-time winner with $1,339,140 earned, American classic. Jesus’ Team will face seven others in today’s 1 1/8 “I was always at the track with my father in mile, $120,000 Alydar, open to 4-year-olds and Venezuela,” D’Angelo said. “I started training up who haven’t won a stakes (other than state horses in 2012. I won the most important race bred) in 2021. in Venezuela, the Clasico Simon Bolivar, with a Art Collector, winner of the Grade 2 Blue horse called Dreaming Of Gold in 2014. After Tod Marks Art Collector makes his first start for trainer Bill Mott. Grass Stakes in 2020, contends for trainer Bill I won the leading trainer award in Venezuela in Mott and owner Bruce Lunsford. Trainer Brian 2018, I decided to move to the USA.” Cup Jan. 23, 2021. He prepped with a win in the Lynch sends out Core Beliefs, a 6-year-old son of A 40-1 shot in the Preakness, Jesus’ Team fin- Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes at Gulfstream Dec. Quality Road who won the Grade 2 New Orleans ished third behind champions Swiss Skydiver and 7, and aimed for his 4-year-old debut in the Pega- Handicap in 2019. Authentic. He hit the road for Keeneland next, sus World Cup. Second to Knicks Go again, Jesus’ Millionaire Math Wizard, winner of the 2019 and finished second to Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Team earned $580,000 and a two-month rest be- Pennsylvania Derby, runs for trainer Saffie Joseph. Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 7. The performances earned fore going international for the $12 million Dubai Completing the field are Prioritize, Limonite, Bour- him an invitation to the $3 million Pegasus World World Cup in March. Jesus’ Team finished sixth, bon War and Night Ops.

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 31 SARATOGA ENTRIES Friday, August 6. 5 ..... 3...... Value Engineering...... J. Castellano...... C. Brown...... 9-2 6 ..... 4...... Winning Factor...... M. Franco...... D. Donk...... 12-1 1ST (1:05PM). $80,000, MSW, 2 YO, 5 1/2F (TURF) 7 ..... 5...... Mo Ready...... F. Prat...... T. Pletcher...... 15-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 5, Daily Double 8 ..... 6...... Cavalry Charge...... B. Hernandez, Jr...... D. Stewart...... 12-1 1 ..... 2...... No Mi Culpa...... L. Saez...... R. Rodriguez...... 7-2 9 ..... 8...... Gunnison...... D. Cohen...... K. Rubley...... 30-1 1a ..... 7...... Not Yet Charlie...... J. Vargas, Jr...... R. Rodriguez...... 7-2 10..... 9...... No Word...... J. Ortiz...... T. Pletcher...... 4-1 2 ..... 1...... King of Hollywood...... J. Lezcano...... G. Sacco...... 8-1 11..... 10...... City Man...... J. Rosario...... C. Clement...... 7-2 3 ..... 3...... Emma’s Waltz...... J. Ortiz...... J. Chapman...... 6-1 12..... 11...... Calibrator...... J. Lezcano...... S. Joseph, Jr...... 15-1 4 ..... 4...... Artie’s Angel...... J. Samuel...... D. Nunn...... 15-1 13..... 12...... Beacon Hill...... J. Velazquez...... M. Matz...... 20-1 5 ..... 5...... Materialize...... V. Carrasco...... P. Schoenthal...... 8-1 14..... MTO...... Danny California...... Rider TBA...... R. Rodriguez...... 6-1 6 ..... 6...... Sailor Speed...... L. Rodriguez Castro...... W. Potts...... 4-1 7 ..... MTO...... Street Hustle...... J. Lezcano...... G. Sacco...... 6-1 7TH (4:29PM). $200,000, NAT’L MUSEUM OF RACING HALL OF FAME, 3YO, 1M (INNER TURF) 8 ..... 9...... Barone Cesco...... E. Cancel...... A. Sano...... 6-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 9 ..... 10...... Smokey White...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... S. Joseph, Jr...... 5-2 1 ..... 1...... Annex...... J. Alvarado...... W. Mott...... 10-1 10..... MTO...... Good Skate...... Rider TBA...... R. Rodriguez...... 2-1 2 ..... 2...... Public Sector (GB)...... F. Prat...... C. Brown...... 2-1 3 ..... 3...... Ranger Fox...... J. Rosario...... J. Terranova II...... 8-1 2ND (1:41PM). $36,000, CLM $12,500, 3 YO’S & UP, 1 1/8M 4 ..... 4...... Easy Time...... T. Gaffalione...... M. Casse...... 6-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 5 ..... 5...... In Effect...... J. Lezcano...... J. Sisterson...... 20-1 1 ..... 1...... Hawaiian Noises...... O. Hernandez Moreno...... E. Davis...... 30-1 6 ..... 6...... Original...... L. Saez...... J. Terranova II...... 9-2 2 ..... 2...... Crea’s Bklyn Law...... M. Franco...... P. Walder...... 6-1 7 ..... 7...... Next...... J. Velazquez...... W. Ward...... 7-2 3 ..... 3...... Dunph...... L. Saez...... O. Barrera, III...... 6-1 8 ..... 8...... Wolfie’s Dynaghost...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... T. Albertrani...... 6-1 4 ..... 4...... Tapalist...... J. Castellano...... R. Diodoro...... 8-1 5 ..... 5...... Skipin On Orchard...... D. Cohen...... M. Kantarmaci...... 12-1 8TH (5:05PM). $120,000, STK - THE ALYDAR, 4 YO’S & UP, 1 1/8M 6 ..... 6...... Ekhtibaar...... R. Santana, Jr...... J. Vazquez...... 5-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 7 ..... 7...... Roaming Union...... J. Rosario...... C. Baker...... 7-2 1 ..... 1...... Prioritize...... T. Gaffalione...... H. Bond...... 6-1 8 ..... 8...... Malibu Pro...... E. Cancel...... L. Rice...... 8-5 2 ..... 2...... Limonite...... J. Rosario...... G. Rodriguez...... 20-1 3 ..... 3...... Core Beliefs...... J. Castellano...... B. Lynch...... 15-1 3RD (2:15PM). $103,000, ALW, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 1 3/8M (INNER TURF) 4 ..... 4...... Art Collector...... L. Saez...... W. Mott...... 3-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 5 ..... 5...... Math Wizard...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... S. Joseph, Jr...... 6-1 1 ..... MTO...... Bayshore Foxes...... T. Gaffalione...... P. Bauer...... 8-5 6 ..... 6...... Bourbon War...... B. Hernandez, Jr...... I. Wilkes...... 15-1 1a ..... MTO...... Stop Shoppin Tammy...... E. Cancel...... P. Bauer...... 8-5 7 ..... 7...... Jesus’ Team...... J. Alvarado...... J. D’Angelo...... 7-2 2 ..... 1...... Longpants Required...... T. Gaffalione...... B. Walsh...... 10-1 8 ..... 8...... Night Ops...... M. Franco...... B. Cox...... 9-5 3 ..... 3...... Laynlomakndough...... B. Hernandez, Jr...... K. McPeek...... 10-1 4 ..... 4...... Single Soul (GB)...... J. Ortiz...... H. Motion...... 5-2 9TH (5:39PM). $200,000. THE TROY presented by Horse Racing Ireland, 4&UP, 5 1/2F (TURF) 5 ..... 5...... Coastana...... L. Saez...... C. DeVaux...... 2-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double 6 ..... 6...... Setting the Mood...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... S. Joseph, Jr...... 9-2 1 ..... 1...... Fast Boat...... T. Gaffalione...... J. Sharp...... 10-1 7 ..... 7...... Creative Cairo...... J. Rosario...... C. Clement...... 5-2 2 ..... 2...... Chewing Gum...... J. Ortiz...... W. Mott...... 10-1 3 ..... 3...... Classy John...... J. Velazquez...... D. Stewart...... 20-1 4TH (2:49PM). $110,000, AOC $100,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 6 1/2F 4 ..... 4...... Backtohisroots...... M. Franco...... J. Terranova II...... 20-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 5 ..... 5...... Front Run the Fed...... R. Santana, Jr...... C. Caramori...... 15-1 1 ..... 1...... Jalen Journey...... R. Santana, Jr...... S. Asmussen...... 5-2 6 ..... 6...... Gear Jockey...... J. Lezcano...... G. Arnold, II...... 12-1 2 ..... 2...... Endorsed...... J. Velazquez...... W. Mott...... 4-1 7 ..... 7...... Imprimis...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... J. Orseno...... 3-1 3 ..... 3...... Pulsate...... M. Franco...... R. Ribaudo...... 10-1 8 ..... 8...... Carotari...... J. Castellano...... B. Lynch...... 15-1 4 ..... 4...... Answer In...... T. Gaffalione...... B. Cox...... 9-5 9 ..... 9...... Chateau...... D. Davis...... R. Atras...... 30-1 5 ..... 5...... Wicked Trick...... J. Ortiz...... L. Rice...... 5-2 10..... 10...... Lazuli (IRE)...... L. Saez...... C. Appleby...... 8-1 6 ..... 6...... Rock On Luke...... E. Cancel...... R. Brennan...... 15-1 11..... 11...... Bound for Nowhere...... J. Rosario...... W. Ward...... 7-2 12..... 12...... Casa Creed...... J. Alvarado...... W. Mott...... 9-2 5TH (3:21PM). $55,000, MCL $50,000, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 7F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 6, Daily Double 10TH (6:13PM). $50,000, MCL $40,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 1 1/16M (INNER TURF) 1 ..... 3...... Commandandcontrol...... J. Castellano...... C. Brown...... 8-5 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta 1a ..... 4...... School of Thought...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... C. Brown...... 8-5 1 ..... 1...... Digital Software...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... C. Brown...... 7-5 2 ..... 1...... Airborne Gal...... D. Davis...... R. Handal...... 8-1 2 ..... 2...... Jimmy Dan...... B. Hernandez, Jr...... D. Stewart...... 12-1 3 ..... 2...... Violent Vixen...... T. Gaffalione...... C. Baker...... 12-1 3 ..... 3...... High Print...... L. Rodriguez Castro...... C. Martin...... 30-1 4 ..... 5...... Empty Net...... D. Cohen...... B. Russell...... 6-1 4 ..... 4...... Reiner...... T. Gaffalione...... R. Lerman...... 20-1 5 ..... 6...... Lady Clementine...... L. Saez...... S. Joseph, Jr...... 6-1 5 ..... 5...... Sea City...... D. Davis...... J. Stephens...... 20-1 6 ..... 7...... Thegoddessofsnakes...... J. Samuel...... C. Summers...... 12-1 6 ..... 6...... Bail Out...... L. Saez...... J. Englehart...... 5-1 7 ..... 8...... Hot Anna...... J. Ortiz...... K. McPeek...... 5-2 7 ..... 7...... The Big Grey...... J. Ortiz...... J. Englehart...... 12-1 8 ..... 9...... Superbloodwolfmoon...... B. Hernandez...... R. Metivier...... 20-1 8 ..... 8...... The Angry Man...... J. Velazquez...... D. Magner...... 6-1 9 ..... 9...... Partner’s Hope...... J. Alvarado...... K. McPeek...... 9-2 6TH (3:55PM). $105,000, AOC $80,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 1 1/8M (TURF) 10..... 10...... Run Dilly Run...... J. Castellano...... S. Joseph, Jr...... 10-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 5, Daily Double 11..... AE...... Complicate...... J. Lezcano...... B. Lynch...... 12-1 1 ..... 7...... Forty Under...... T. Gaffalione...... M. Maker...... 8-1 12..... AE...... Theregoesmymiracle...... J. Samuel...... R. Persaud...... 50-1 1a ..... MTO...... Empty Tomb...... T. Gaffalione...... M. Maker...... 8-1 13..... MTO...... Bold Victory...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... L. Rice...... 6-5 2 ..... AE...... Smile Bryan...... R. Santana, Jr...... O. Noda...... 15-1 2b .... MTO...... Lost in Rome...... J. Ortiz...... O. Noda...... 15-1 Copyright 2021 EQUIBASE Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 3 ..... 1...... Sanctuary City...... D. Davis...... J. Ferraro...... 8-1 4 ..... 2...... Conviction Trade...... L. Saez...... M. Maker...... 10-1

32 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 the Power grid John Tom Rob Jessica Race # Charles Shapazian Law Bedard Whitlock Paquette Rodriguez entry No Mi Culpa Good Skate Smokey White Smokey White 1 Emma’s Waltz Barone Cesco Rodriguez entry King Of Hollywood Artie’s Angel King Of Hollywood Sailor Speed Materialize Emma’s Waltz Materialize Malibu Pro Malibu Pro Malibu Pro Roaming Union Dunph 2 Ekhtibaar Ekhtibaar Dunph Malibu Pro Tapalist Roaming Union Roaming Union Crea’s Bklyn Law Ekhtibaar Malibu Pro Coastana Single Soul Coastana Creative Cairo Single Soul 3 Single Soul Creative Cairo Setting The Mood Setting The Mood Coastana Longpants Required Coastana Bauer entry Coastana Creative Cairo Answer In Jalen Journey Answer In Answer In Endorsed 4 Wicked Trick Wicked Trick Wicked Trick Jalen Journey Jalen Journey Endorsed Answer In Jalen Journey Wicked Trick Answer In Brown entry Hot Anna Brown entry Brown entry School Of Thought 5 Empty Net Brown entry Hot Anna Lady Clementine Hot Anna Hot Anna Airborne Girl Lady Clementine Violent Vixen Commandandcontrol Value Engineering No Word Maker entry Cavalry Charge Value Engineering City Man City Man Mo Ready Maker entry Beacon Hill 6 No Word Conviction Trade No Word Mo Ready No Word Public Sector Public Sector Next Original Next Next Easy Time In Effect Easy Time In Effect 7 Original Annex Public Sector Wolfie’s Dynaghost Public Sector Art Collector Art Collector Night Ops Art Collector Night Ops Jesus’ Team Night Ops Art Collector Night Ops Jesus’ Team 8 Night Ops Jesus’ Team Jesus’ Team Bourbon War Art Collector Bound For Nowhere Imprimis Bound For Nowhere Lazuli Imprimis Casa Creed Casa Creed Casa Creed Imprimis Fast Boat 9 Imprimis Classy John Chewing Gum Gear Jockey Lazuli Digital Software Partner’s Hope Bold Victory The Big Grey Digital Software The Big Grey Digital Software Digital Software Jimmy Dan Run Dilly Run 10 Bail Out Run Dilly Run Bail Out Digital Software The Angry Man 2021 Records 49/162 58/162 50/162 49/162 34/162

Funds raised by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance support 81 accredited organizations and thousands of off-track Thoroughbreds. Since 2012, the TAA has granted more than $20.7 million to organizations accredited through a rigorous process and on-site inspections.

thoroughbredaftercare.org | (859) 224-2756 New Stride Thoroughbred Adoption.

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 33 Grind It Out Lone Rock wins fourth straight in Thursday’s 14-furlong stakes BY TOM LAW BIRDSTONE STAKES RECAP Jason Provenzano took a call from Robertino Diodoro last sum- the ladder enough to go to the post mer about a potential claim running 7-2 against seven others at Saratoga. in a 6 ½-furlong race two weeks into Diordoro dropped the slip, Lone the spectator-free Covid-19 Saratoga Rock finished second by a half- meet. length to Pete’s Play Call and joined “I like a horse in here,” Diodoro Provenzano’s Flying P Stable. He ran said. back for $62,500 for his new connec- Good enough to earn a spot in the tions 3 ½ weeks later, wasn’t taken Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futuri- but finished fifth and 3 ½ lengths be- ty at 2, win a small stakes at Rem- hind Pete’s Play Call going 6 furlongs. ington Park at 3, run in the Grade “Maybe we claimed the wrong 3 Razorback at 4 and finish fourth horse,” Provenzano told Diodoro. in the Grade 3 General George at 5, “No, it’s the wrong distance,” Di- Lone Rock drew Provenzano’s inter- odoro said. est. In for $40,000 for Bill Mott and Two months later he found a dis- Shortleaf Stable and coming off three tance more to his liking – 1 1/16 miles straight drubbings at 24-1, 98-1 and Tod Marks Continued On Page 35 Ramon Vazquez celebrates Lone Rock’s win in Thursday’s Birdstone. 41-1, Lone Rock still dropped down

34 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Birdstone – Continued from page 34 at Keeneland – won and was claimed by Mott for himself and Paradise Farms Corp. “We ran him for $40,000 and Mott, who doesn’t claim many horses, took him back,” Provenzano said. “Then he runs him again for the 40 and we’re salivating. We go to claim Home of the him again and I get a text from Rober- tino.” Tod Marks Trainer Robertino Diodoro. “Five way.” NO-EXPENSE Claim A few minutes pass, then another dadventure, but a stakes at Saratoga text. is a different story. Th oroughbred Racing Partnerships “Thank goodness the next text “I never thought I’d get to a point says, ‘We got him,’ ” Provenzano in my life where I’d be able to own said. “We knew at that point we’re horses,” he said. “I was blessed, thank never putting him in the claiming God, with business. I bought my first game again.” horse like 20 years ago, I bought into Not risked for a tag and not run a horse for $10,000 and it was just a short since, Lone Rock rewarded Di- disaster. I said, ‘I need to learn a little odoro’s and Provenzano’s persever- bit more about what I’m going to ven- ance in 2021 and he showed it Thurs- ture into.’ day at Saratoga with his fifth win in “Now 55 to 60 horses later, here six starts this year in the featured we are. Things are great right now. $120,000 Birdstone Stakes going 1 The second day of Week 4, we got a 3/4 miles on the main track. win and I don’t have to sweat it. The Lone Rock won the 1 3/4-mile pressure is off.” Birdstone by 4 lengths from Shooger Vazquez made his Saratoga debut Ray Too with 2020 winner Moretti in Thursday’s third race, finishing sec- another length back in third in the ond aboard Mystery Messenger for field of seven. Ridden by Saratoga trainer Robert Falcone Jr., and rode rookie Ramon Vazquez, Lone Rock other races on the card before and af- followed up his back-to-back wins in ter the Birdstone. A longtime top rid- the Isaac Murphy Marathon at Chur- er at Camerero Racecourse in Puerto chill and Grade 2 Brooklyn at Bel- Rico, he rides primarily in Arkansas, mont Park with a track and pounce Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas in victory to further solidify his status as recent years. He finished fourth in the America’s top dirt stayer. rider standings this year at Oaklawn “The horse ran big again,” Di- Park, where Diodoro finished second odoro said. “He ran the way he’s in the trainer’s race. been training. He’s been training like He rode Lone Rock to victory in a monster and it’s always nice when the Brooklyn for his fourth graded they train like a monster in the morn- stakes win in the U.S. to go with 21 in ing and come out in the afternoon Puerto Rico, and came into the Bird- and do the same thing. We’re pretty stone confident. Race Horse Ownership off ers so much proud of him.” “He’s a nice horse,” Vazquez said. Lone Rock improved to 12-for-34, “I was a little bit worried for the lead more than just the Excitement! picked up $66,000 to go to $814,921 because he never ran that distance be- in earnings. fore. I know my horse and he’s feeling Provenzano, who grew up around his best right now. I put my horse in racing, never could have imagined good position... I had him in the per- such a return when he made his first fect spot on the track. forays into the game decades ago. “It’s my dream coming true. That’s He’s owned the likes of Flowers For been my dream for a long time, to Lisa, winner of the 2017 Claiming ride at Saratoga. And finally, thank (800) 989-IFRS(4377) Crown Jewel; and stakes competi- you God, I’m here for the first time tors and high-level claiming and al- and win. I’m so happy.” infrontracingstables.com lowance competitors Vortex Road, Additional reporting Changewilldoyagood and Unbridle- by Mary Eddy

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 35 SHINE AGAIN STAKES RECAP

A T ime to Shine Bayerness delivers stakes for Belladona BY PAUL HALLORAN You’ve heard the story before – upwardly mobile transition from Saratoga backyard patron to winning owner – but it never gets old. Just ask Peter Hadelman. “I’ve been coming to Saratoga for 25 years, sitting in the back yard drinking beer with my friends,” Hadelman said in the winner’s circle Wednesday, after watching Bayerness win the Shine Again, a restricted stakes for fillies and mares who had not won a stakes race in 2021. “This is Mecca. Tod Marks Continued On Page 38 Bayerness and Luis Saez arrive with a victory in the Shine Again Stakes Wednesday.

TATTERSALLS OCTOBER YEARLING SALE, BOOK 1 Europe’s Unrivalled Source of US GRADED STAKES WINNERS

DOMESTIC SPENDING Highest Rated purchased by Klaravich Stables from Highclere Stud for 300,000 gns Turf Horse in additional Gr. 1 winners inc: AUNT PEARL, CAMPANELLE, DIGITAL AGE, the USA 2021 NEWSPAPEROFRECORD

OCTOBER YEARLING SALE Book 1 October 5 – 7 featuring the £20,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus

Lincoln Collins T: +1 859 339 3301 [email protected] www.tattersalls.com

36 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 37 the frontrunners. “That’s the DeVaux, who tends to her style she likes to run. She likes to horses in Kentucky during the Shine Again – be covered up. In the stretch, I week and comes to Saratoga on Continued from page 36 just had to find a way to keep go- weekends, has been patient with ing and she gave me a nice kick Bayerness. “We had to start and It’s like being heavyweight champion of the world … When the time came, we came stop with her a few times be- in Madison Square Garden.” out and she won the race. It was cause of her condition. We treat- It hasn’t taken long for Belladonna, a partner- pretty exciting.” ed her for ulcers and gave her 90 ship formed by Paul Manganaro in 2019, to deliv- It was a double thrill for In- days in the field and it seems to er some knockout punches. Wednesday’s $66,000 gordo, who not only picked out have done the trick,” she said in winner’s share gave the partners $747,606 in earn- the horse, but is also married to a pre-race preview. ings in only 55 starts, as well as their first Saratoga winning trainer Cherie DeVaux. Bayerness won her only two stakes score. “Paul came up with the idea starts as a 2-year-old in 2019 “A lot of people have been here for 40-50 years (for the partnership),” Ingordo Tod Marks and ran third in two Grade 3s and don’t win a stakes,” Hadelman said. “To get said. “It helped Cherie when she Bayerness checks the tote board afterward. last year, prompting DeVaux to this opportunity is special.” was first starting out on her own, swing for the fences in the Ken- It was also the initial stakes win for Bayerness, it helped him and it helped me. It’s a great way to tucky Oaks. She finished seventh and was given a a 4-year-old daughter of 2014 Breeders’ Cup Clas- get a lot of new people in the game.” freshening, returning to win an optional claimer at sic champion Bayern, out of the Pure Prize mare Several of those people were thoroughly enjoy- Churchill Downs April 24. She rebounded with a Weight No More, that bloodstock agent David In- ing being in the winner’s circle when Bayerness had third in the Bed o’ Roses at Belmont and was sec- gordo bought for Belladonna for $350,000 at the her picture taken. ond by a neck in the Regret at Monmouth July 3. 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old sale. “These are young professionals, some who own “We’ve been fortunate that she bounces back in Breaking last from the rail under Luis Saez, Bay- their own business and have kids,” Ingordo said. her races and keeps a great attitude,” DeVaux said. erness sat behind odds-on favorite Aunt Kat, Bronx “I’m very proud for them to win this.” There were nothing but positive vibes from the Beauty and Whispering Times entering the turn To make it sweeter, it was the second stakes win winning owners, who are thrilled with the success. of the 7-furlong race that is named for the 2001 and first at Saratoga for DeVaux, a former Chad “Like with any business, you surround yourself and 2002 Ballerina winner. Saez cut the corner and Brown assistant who went out on her own in 2018. with good people,” Hadelman said. “I knew when I moved into second at the stretch call before run- “Cherie went from having the worst horses to met them that Cherie and David are very good peo- ning by Aunt Kat at the sixteenth pole and winning winning a stakes at Saratoga,” said Ingordo, who ple. This is a hard business and they are very patient by a length. concentrates on buying fillies for Belladonna. “I with their horses. David has a tremendous track re- “That was the plan. I rode her before, so I knew couldn’t be more proud of Cherie and all the (Bel- cord and we have a tremendous amount of confi- her pretty well,” Saez said of the decision to sit off ladonna) people.” dence.”

38 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Whitney Week Opening cards push Saratoga racing into big Friday, Saturday Whitney Week kicked off at Sara- SARATOGA RACING RECAP toga Race Course Wednesday and Thursday with strong crowds inside the gates, while outside and down East a triple Thursday, including a stakes Avenue horse vans lined up waiting to win in the Shine Again. Saez will go unload some of the country’s most into Friday five wins up on Irad Or- promising stock on the Fasig-Tipton tiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz, who are tied grounds for the 100th Saratoga sale for second in the rider’s race with 24 of selected yearlings that kicks off wins. next week. Mike Maker continues to sit atop NYRA reported a paid crowd of the trainer standings with 14 wins, 26,655 Wednesday, which featured but Todd Pletcher is closing in af- victories by Bayerness in the Shine ter winning Wednesday’s finale and Again and Sport Model in the Stat- Thursday’s first with turf runners ue of Liberty division of the New Kitten By The Sea and Mystic Eyes to York Stallion Series Stakes. A similar hold second with 10 wins. crowd of 26,345 turned out Thurs- All eyes remain on Steve Asmussen, day, which featured Lone Rock’s vic- who needs just two wins to tie Dale tory in the Birdstone Stakes. Baird’s career wins record of 9,445. Leading jockey Luiz Saez picked Tod Marks Continued On Page 40 Sport Model arrives in time to win Wednesday’s Statue of Liberty. up a riding double Wednesday and

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 39 After breaking from post five, Irad Ortiz Jr. settled the 3-year-old Freud Recap – filly toward the back as others vied Continued from page 39 for the rail. Seventh of eight up the backstretch and into the second turn, It could happen today. If Asmussen’s Sport Model didn’t look like a con- entry Jalen’s Journey wins the fourth tender. Until Ortiz went to work. at Saratoga, tune in to the sixth at El- An active Ortiz swung wide and lis Park at 4:10 p.m. for the potential guided the filly to past the field to record-tying winner. win by a nose over the Kent Sweezey- Asmussen has 14 runners Satur- trained War Dancer filly Funwhileit- day, including six at Saratoga led by lasted and Jose Lezcano. Silver State in the Grade 1 Whitney. “I thought (Funwhileitlasted) was Trainer Robert Falcone Jr. notched the one to beat all the way,” Clement his first win of the meet in Wednes- said as he watched the replay. “And day’s fourth with Ifihadachance. The to tell you the truth I thought she won New York-based conditioner fol- the race even when we watched it live, lowed up in Thursday’s sixth with but we got lucky.” Butter Lou, a New York-bred by Su- The fourth foal out of the Rock- perestrella who won his debut. Charl- port Harbor mare Just Say Hey, Sport ton Baker and John Stephens won Model was bred in New York by Mr. their first races of the meet Wednes- and Mrs. James P. Curran and Dr. and day and John Terranova won his first Mrs. John McDermott. Foaled at Em- Thursday. erald Isle Farm in Hebron, she sold as a weanling to Jonathan Thorne at the • Christophe Clement stood on 2018 Fasig-Tipton New York Sarato- the ground floor of the Saratoga Race ga fall mixed sale for $70,000. Reeves Course clubhouse, glasses in hand Thoroughbred Racing purchased the and watched as Sport Model rallied filly as a yearling out of Thorne’s to the finish in Wednesday’s $150,000 Thorndale Farm consignment at the Statue of Liberty division of the New Tod Marks York Stallion Stakes Series. Continued On Page 41 Take The Backroads cruises home with a win in Wednesday’s third race. Divining Rod Colonial Downs Country Life Farm freshman sire gets his first stakes winner as LOCAL MOTIVE (2-for-2 with wins on turf and dirt) captures $100,000 Hickory Tree at Colonial Downs August 2. Graded-stakes-winning son of TAPIT out of PRECIOUS KITTEN, a multiple Grade 1 winner & half-sister to champion Kitten’s Joy. More stakes winners and quality yearlings coming soon.

Josh Pons 443-807-0644 v Mike Pons 410-459-8517 Christy Holden 410-808-1325 v Bel Air, Maryland 410-879-1952 v [email protected] v countrylifefarm.com

40 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 Recap – Saratoga Leaders Continued from page 40 TRAINERS...... 1ST Mike Maker...... 14 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New Todd Pletcher...... 10 York-bred sale for $100,000. Chad Brown...... 9 EXCITEMENT Despite a rocky start – Sport Mod- el finished 11th her first time out and Steve Asmussen...... 8 right out of the gate! failed to finish her second race after Brad Cox...... 8 clipping heels and losing her rider – Christophe Clement...... 8 the filly notched her third consecutive Rob Atras...... 6 win from five starts Wednesday. After Bill Mott...... 5 breaking her maiden May 7 at Bel- mont Park, Sport Model earned black type after winning the Cupecoy’s Joy JOCKEYS...... 1ST division of the New York Stallion Se- Luis Saez...... 29 ries June 19 at Belmont, where she Jose Ortiz...... 24 edged Funwhileitlasted to win by a Irad Ortiz Jr...... 24 half-length. Joel Rosario...... 15 Despite back-to-back stakes victories, Clement wouldn’t commit to an Tyler Gaffalione...... 14 open-company stakes just yet. Ricardo Santana Jr...... 10 “At the moment I want to enjoy Manny Franco...... 9 Sat., October 9, 2021 this,” Clement said. “I don’t win Jose Lezcano...... 9 Post Time 7:00 pm stakes races every day – so I’ll enjoy Dylan Davis...... 6 Featuring the West Virginia Breeders Classic it for a day or two and then come up Javier Castellano...... 5 and the breeders classics races with a plan.” West Virginia Breeders Classics, Ltd. at – IV Hendrix P.O. Box 1251 | Charles Town, WV 25414 Through Thursday www.wvbc.com | 304-725-0709 Carol Holden, President | Theresa Bitner, Exec. Sec. • Take The Backroads scored his Sam Huff, Chairman Emeritus first win from three starts in Wednes- could have been an issue for the filly, day’s third, also giving trainer Tom but her class proved enough to grad- Amoss his fourth winner of the meet. uate in style. Owned by Joel Politi, who also cam- “The two weeks was a concern, paigned multiple Grade 1 winner but we wanted the grass badly with Serengeti Empress with Amoss, the her and we got it,” he said. “She ran 2-year-old Will Take Charge filly Take to her pedigree. She ran very well.” A BRAND MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR HORSEMEN, RUN BY HORSEMEN The Backroads made the switch to the A $37,000 buy at the Keeneland turf after a third and a second on the September yearling sale, Take The dirt. Tyler Gaffalione rode Take The Backroads was one of several year- Backroads to her 4 ¾-length win over lings purchased by Politi last year. Next Tuesday. Amoss said early in the meet that the Take The Backroads’ win came strength of his barn was in the 2-year- two weeks after a runner-up finish olds he brought from Kentucky. in a maiden special weight at Sarato- “We’ve got a really good group up ga. Amoss said the short turnaround Continued On Page 42

Andrew J. Mollica Attorney at Law A small firm dedicated to big things Equine Law • Real Estate Corporate Formation • Civil and Criminal Litigation

Wage and Hour Defense WEBSITE MANAGEMENT | CONTENT CREATION | PHOTOGRAPHY | RESEARCH | SOCIAL MEDIA 1205 Franklin Ave., Garden City, NY 11530 MELISSA BAUER-HERZOG 360.921.8754 [email protected] (516) 528-1311 cell • (516) 280-3182 office • [email protected] WWW.PYROISMEDIA.COM

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 41 “I rode him earlier here (to a fourth-place finish July 17) and he Recap – can be a little lazy,” said Davis. “I Continued from page 41 warmed him aggressively so he was ready. I let him settle after the break; here, specifically the young horses,” coming into the stretch we were still he said. “They’ve showed their hand. back but I had a clean path. When we It’s been a lot of fun. There’s no place straightened, he just exploded.” better to win a race than at Saratoga.” An $18,000 yearling purchase for – Mary Eddy Stephens, the son of Blame now has three wins from 13 starts and earn- • A cutback in distance made the ings of $110,320. difference for Christopher, the 5-year- “We didn’t sell him as a 2-year-old, old gelding who won Wednesday’s so we kept him. There’s not a person seventh. Owned and trained by John happier than his breeder, Sarah Bark- Stephens, Christopher has won or er. She is one of those people who been on the board in three of his last loves her horses and has followed him four starts, improving as a sprinter and stayed in touch since we bought rather than a miler. him. She’s probably at home crying “He’s been doing really well since her eyes out right now.” he came back from a condylar frac- Aside from Christopher, Stephens ture (last year). He just got right into also trains a handful of horses owned form and these starter (allowances) by the late Maggie Bryant, a Virgin- are a great option,” said the Mon- ia Steeplechase Hall of Fame induct- muth Park-based Stephens. “It’s great ee and owner of Travers winner V.E. for a horse who has ran a little cheap- Day. The horses, Noble Cross and A er. It’s always fun to come to Sarato- Farewell Yodel, both made their first ga and if you can win a race, that’s starts at Monmouth in July. A re- great.” spected horsewoman both in the U.S. Dylan Davis rode Christopher to a and France, Bryant passed away June 4 ½-length victory in the 5 ½-furlong Tod Marks turf event. Continued On Page 43 Christopher wins Wednesday’s seventh race.

Tuesday Night’s “DEADLINE DINNER”

Presented by: Made in Camden, South Carolina’s Thoroughbred Country Award-winning sourdough pizza and full menu of fun healthy meals.

Fun || Farm || Food

Local beer & wine

✥ ✥ Breakfast, lunch, and

Tod Marks Tod dinner seven days

Boots on the ground & eyes on yearlings. ✥ ✥ ✥ We’ll find you a racehorse. Healthy grab-and-go options always available 64 Excelsior Avenue (859) 312-3414 Saratoga Springs www.pizzadelivery.farm kirkwoodstables.com Plenty of parking Pinhooking Partnerships • 2-year-olds in training sales Yearling to 2-year-old prep

42 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 • Steeplechase trainer Leslie Young Tod Marks won her second of the meet when Sil- Recap – ver Crescent rallied down the stretch Help protect Continued from page 42 to win Wednesday’s allowance hurdle over Keri’s Find. The English import 27 at age 92 and is remembered by got a boost when Withoutdestination your sport’s integrity Stephens as patient and kind to her and jockey Eddie Keating went off horses. course in deep stretch while rallying If you suspect or know of any wrongdoing within the racing “There was nobody better in the along the cones. community, send us an email or call toll-free. All emails and calls world than Maggie,” he said. “She Bred by Juddmonte Farm, Silver are treated confidentially and you may remain anonymous. was so loving toward her horses. She Crescent won his second of the year was the classiest lady to be around after missing 2020 with an injury. Ge- who loved racing. She took the bad rard Galligan, also aboard Young’s Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau Integrity Hotline just as well as she took the good. You winner last week, handled the reins. 410-398-3647 • www.trpb.com • [email protected] don’t find that in many people. We “He got a bit of a tendon at Fox- También disponsible en español were fortunate to be associated with field (in 2019) and pulled up right af- her.” ter the last fence. It wasn’t bad but we – Mary Eddy and Terry Hill just gave him time,” Young said of the missed year. “He got a lot of time. I’ve • Owner Michael Dubb won back asked a couple of the old-timers like to back races Thursday – taking the Jonathan Sheppard and Tom Voss second with Danny Deep Cuts with over the years and they said you can partner Madaket Stable and trainer do PRP (tendon treatment) and the Rudy Rodriguez and landing the third other things, but they said time is the with Discretionary Marq with trainer thing. All the new therapies and pro- Rob Atras. grams require time off.” Owner/breeder Oak Bluff Stable Silver Crescent, owned by Bally- landed the fourth, a starter allowance bristol Farm, won for the second time on the turf, with Panster from the in seven jump starts (with two sec- Christophe Clement barn. onds and a third).

Tod Marks Silver Crescent pulls away late in Wednesday’s allowance hurdle.

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 43 theoutsiderail BY JOE CLANCY Triple Crown Editor’s Note: The following was published June Thoroughbred racing, maligned for generations Triple Crown winners Affirmed and Seattle Slew, re- 9, 2015, at thisishorseracing.com, after 2021 Hall the way people talk about a bad neighbor or a spectively, watched as Victor Espinoza pumped his of Fame inductee American Pharoah clinched the once-successful relative who squandered everything, arms and merely waved his whip to see out the final first Triple Crown in 37 years. was back thanks to a plain bay Thoroughbred horse yards of a great sporting achievement. Cauthen and It took longer than I thought it would. – one of 21,725 born in the country in 2012. Cruguet had done the same, though Cauthen had to The final furlong of Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, He was out there on the track running another work a bit harder for his head decision over Alydar the one that gave American Pharoah and all of Thor- perfect race, his seventh in eight starts, flashing by in 1978. Soon they would no longer be the last jock- oughbred racing the Triple Crown, lasted about 12 us with dirt-devouring strides. All along the grand- eys to win the Triple Crown. seconds but it seemed like an hour. He was going stand, people stood and cheered and stomped. They High over the track, announcer Larry Collmus to win, he was going to make history, he was going took blurry photos and shaky videos, tried to cap- tried to do it all justice. Before the gates opened, to silence 37 years of doubt and slay 37 years of ture the moment. Down on the apron, people stood he’d narrated with questions, “Is today the day? demons. People were going to go crazy. Hell, they packed together for a glimpse of the moment. They Is he the one?” Now, as American Pharoah surged were already going crazy up and down the Belmont tossed water, hats, programs, cups of beer in the air away, Collmus – who took over the NYRA an- stand, the noise bellowing in pitch and rolling high as the horse charged past. A single fan stood above nouncing job this year after the retirement of Tom and low like some sort of tidal force. the rest – seemingly balanced on the track’s outside Durkin – found an answer. Then time stood still. rail – his shirtless arms outstretched to welcome a “And American Pharoah makes his run for glo- “He’s gonna do it . . . he’s gonna do it . . . he’s conquering hero. ry . . . with one eighth of a mile to go, American gonna do it,” people shrieked. To my right, a bare- Up in the box seats, American Pharoah’s own- Pharoah’s got a 2-length lead. Frosted is all out . . .” foot teenage girl stood on a chair while trying to ers the Zayat family watched while blanketed by Then came the finish line. juggle an iPhone and her emotions. To my left, kids television cameras for the live NBC Sports telecast “. . . and here it is, the 37-year wait is over, Amer- in coats and ties couldn’t believe what they were see- and for an upcoming CNBC special on Secret Lives ican Pharoah is finally the one. American Pharoah ing. They’re newbies, this is their first Triple Crown. of the Super Rich. The Zayats wore hats advertis- has won – the Triple Croowwnn.” They’ve only known failure. ing Monster Energy Drink and the Wheels Up pri- Cue bedlam. American Pharoah galloped out like Next to me, a man whose racing-fan mother died vate aviation firm. The horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, he ran, firing legs in rhythm and easing down from on Mother’s Day, just cheered the horse home. On watched while standing in front of the Burger King his 24-seconds-a-quarter-mile clip to something less the ride to Belmont, he’d talked about how his mom mascot as part of a sponsorship deal. On the track, devastating but no less perfect after 1 1/2 miles in would call with bets for him to make on his online American Pharoah ran past a sign for Draft Kings, 2:26.65 (the sixth fastest in history). The Burger account. She lost most of the time, but she would an online fantasy sports wagering website. This is King retreated to the clubhouse. All but the essen- have loved this win. He’d almost skipped the trip to the new reality in a world of selfie sticks and Snap- tial TV cameras dispersed. The Zayats tackled each Belmont, but listened to his wife’s, “Are you crazy?” chat stories. other, again. Baffert hugged his family, accepted admonishment and got in the car. At some point, we Compare that to the world of a time traveler congratulations from rival horsemen, tried to settle high-fived and then just stood in awe. We’re older. from the Triple Crowns of the 1970s. Of course, some emotions while talking to NBC’s Kenny Rice. We’ve known Triple Crown winners, but weren’t this is horse racing and they’re around. Just past the Kiaran McLaughlin, whose horse Frosted beat ev- sure we’d ever see one again. finish line, Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery sat in erybody but American Pharoah, smiled like a win- Over the small divider to the reserved seats, peo- a box soaking up the feeling of a Triple Crown once ner and said simply, “Second best.” As a trainer, he ple reveled in the moment. They were old, young, more. She’d stood tall and waved with both hands was a little disappointed in the outcome. As a racing tall, short; some wore fascinators and seersucker; in 1973, when her horse won by 31 lengths. Now, fan, he was thrilled. others sported flip-flops and cut-off shorts. But she walks with assistance, but knew a great moment Joe Torre, a four-time World Series winner and they were there, a melting pot of history witnesses when she saw one. And she’s still proud. Steve Cau- co-owner of former Baffert star Game On Dude, clutching $2 tickets they’d never cash. then and Jean Cruguet, the jockeys of the last two Continued On Page 45

44 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 three weeks earlier. Everywhere you looked, fans stood Outside Rail – – at railings in the terraces upstairs, in Continued from page 44 the box seats, on benches at ground level, along the track, around the win- had delivered the “riders up” call ner’s circle. They stood and watched in the paddock before the race, but and celebrated and soaked in the “Troy Mulligan saves me hours of work and days of worry. was just a man in the crowd as the achievement and were still standing Now, I can watch the horses again.” celebration truly launched. Baffert when the horses came out for the next – Sean Clancy, Riverdee Stable stopped briefly and talked to Chen- race. The Belmont Stakes for a Triple ery, Triple Crown then and now in a Crown attempt, especially one that single moment, before heading down comes after 12 failures spread over 36 Troy H. Mulligan, CPA the steps to track level. Behind him, years, is the rare sporting event where Lexington, KY Ahmed Zayat followed the same path everyone roots for the same outcome. [email protected] • (859) 233-4146 – only to be grizzly-hugged by trainer And maybe that’s why it’s so loud. Dale Romans, whose horse Keen Ice Despite a one-sided stadium, albeit finished third. The slaps on the back one with a roof that must serve as echoed up the steps. an amplifier, the place thunders with Out on the track, American Pharoah sound. It’s part woosh-woosh-woosh, returned triumphant with an outrider part wump-wump-wump, all screams escort. Espinoza stood tall in the stir- and urges and anticipation. It came rups, and acknowledged the crowd on for California Chrome, briefly, last a quarter-mile canter up the stretch, year. It came for Smarty Jones, until proving that Daytona 500 winners the final strides, in 2004. It came for aren’t the only ones capable of victory Silver Charm, until Touch Gold came laps. Still on their feet, still cheering, running, in 1997. It lasted until the still summoning chants of “Pharoah . very end for Real Quiet in 1998. In . . Pharoah . . . Pharoah” (no matter some form or another, I’m sure it was how you spell it), the 90,000 greeted there for Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Sec- racing’s new hero with a sound that retariat and the others back when the washed down as hard - and twice as Triple Crown seemed common. cleansing - as the rain at the Preakness But I doubt it lasted as long.

www.nybreds.com www.nytbreeders.org

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 45 cupofcoffee BY SEAN CLANCY Our Dan Charlie LoPresti looked out his window. A horse of a of the way,” LoPresti said. “He was really smart, “He’s great. He’s out there with his brother. He lifetime. nothing rattled that horse. I remember at Saratoga, looks like a million dollars.” “We need to with that big window (in the stall), the horses run- Actually, $7.5 million. And a Hall of Famer. find Charlie Lo- ning in the afternoon, he might pick up his head, It was a day after the National Museum of Rac- presti.” you could have him grazing or on the vibration ing and Hall of Fame announced Wise Dan had of- Someone said plate and he would just watch them go by. When he ficially become a member of the sport’s elite. it, could have went to Santa Anita, he would get off the plane and “I was pretty optimistic about it, but I didn’t been Joe or me just stare at those mountains, he would just stare off want to be cocky about it,” LoPresti said. “When or an intern in the distance, we’d be like, ‘What is he looking at, they called, I was pretty excited. Everybody said he with a nose for what is he thinking about?’ ” was a slam dunk, but you just don’t know. They a story (Tom There was the time when he breezed on the Okla- said he got something like 94 percent of the votes, I Law wasn’t Tod Marks homa turf, when trees swayed. The time when Char- was overwhelmed.” with us yet) Charlie LoPresti and Wise Dan. lie and I walked back to the test barn, just the two The announcement came last May, when the late in the 2010 of us, caked in sweat and dirt and awed by power world was grinding to a halt, in the early grips of meet. Looking for another angle for another pre- and grace. There was the one when he came back a pandemic no one understood. Ceremony post- view, we circled Charlie Lopresti who had entered from colic surgery, watching at the big screen, Kelly poned until this year, it’s now time to honor one of Here Comes Ben in the Forego, one of the trainer’s Wheeler, Damian Rock and all of Saratoga seemed the greats. Owned and bred by Morton Fink, the just 78 starters that year. Joe went in search of the to jump on at the eighth pole. He won the photo 14-year-old son of Wiseman’s Ferry lives with his Kentucky-based trainer and found him sitting on that day. half-brother, $998,154 earner Successful Dan, at a tack trunk talking to his mom on his cell phone “Those works, we talk about those works all the Charlie and Amy LoPresti’s Forest Lane Farm in at the end of Eoin Harty’s shedrow (now Al Stall’s time. That one work when the trees were going…he Athens, Ky. barn) between the main track and Clare Court. walked across Nelson Avenue with the reins swing- He lives there. But he reigns here. “You didn’t know me, it was a joke, ‘Who is ing, he wouldn’t have blown out a match. The one The turf star stormed Saratoga for three consec- this guy coming here with this horse?’ ” Lopresti coming back from the colic surgery, that was incred- utive seasons, winning the Grade 2 Fourstardave in said. “When I got up there and started looking at ible when I think about it, to think about how ner- 2012 and 2013 and the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch in Vineyard Haven and Asmussen, Pletcher and these vous I was before that,” LoPresti said. “When you 2014. He won 14 of his last 15 races and retired monster horses. Here I am with my one horse, I’ve reflect back on it…I could tell you so many stories. with 23 wins, including 11 Grade 1 stakes, from won a three other than and a listed stake and I’m in There’s stuff that people don’t even know about 31 starts. Now, his name is chiseled on a plaque a Grade 1 at Saratoga…” that horse, when I was scratching my head, the day forever (or however they do those digital plaques Joe and Lopresti hit it off. Here Comes Ben won. before a race, ‘Is he going to show up? Is he not nowadays). Around our office, there’s nothing like a preview going to show up?’ ” “When we were in the midst of that thing it never and a recap about a little guy making the big time. He always showed up. really hit me, what was going on and how good he Three years later, LoPresti (we learned to capi- Now retired, LoPresti showed up in Saratoga really was, but when it’s all said and done and you talize the P in the meantime) came back to Sarato- Thursday. Some fishing gear for a Friday evening on look back and think about how lucky I was to get ga with Wise Dan for the Fourstardave. A winner the Battenkill and some notes for a Friday morning my hands on a horse like this…” LoPresti said. “We of nine races from 16 starts, Wise Dan was on the speech. had a small stable of 16 horses and we had Tural- precipice but he was far from proven. Charlie and I “Sometimes if I just get up there and talk from lure, Successful Dan, Here Comes Ben and him. We hit it off just as easily as Charlie and Joe and Wise the heart I’m better,” LoPresti said. “He’s easy to had five years, people go their whole lives and never Dan became a legend around our office. talk about.” have a shot at one horse like him.” “You were around him, you were there every step And easy to write about.

46 The Saratoga Special Friday, August 6, 2021 The World’s Yearling Sale

There are moments that make history. And then there are moments that shape the future.

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale consistently delivers results at the highest levels of racing internationally. We invite you to travel to Keeneland this September in search of your next racing success story.

CROSS BORDER BOWLING GREEN S. (G2)

SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE

MON. 13 - FRI. 24 Learn More at TheWorldsYearlingSale.com

Friday, August 6, 2021 The Saratoga Special 47