Year 19•No.5 Rick’s Rain Sky Of Hook captures wetViolette The

aratoga Saratoga’s DailyRacingNewspapersince 2001 ENTRIES &HANDICAPPING LET’S GOTOSTILLWATER BRISSET STABLE TOUR Thursday, July18,2019

Chelsea Durand / NYRA Photo 2 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 here&there...at Saratoga BENEFIT BREAKFAST Celebrate 30 years of the Backstretch Employee Service Team and honoree Tom Durkin during a festive breakfast event from 8-10 a.m. today on The Porch at . Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit BEST. Call Kristy at (516) 488-3434 ext. 100 or see bestbackstretch. brownpapertickets.com. BY THE NUMBERS 3: Finish position of The Saratoga Special in the masters division corporate competition at the 42nd Boilermaker 15k Road Race Sunday in Utica. The team of Joe Clancy, Sean Clancy, Tom Law and Cc Larner averaged 1:24.15, a 9:03 per mile pace for 9.3 miles.

3: Nights a house on York Avenue lit its Christmas lights last week.

9: Wheelbarrows in a truck on East Avenue Tuesday morning.

15: Times The Special’s Tom Law started and finished the Boilermaker 15k, all the way back to his first as a high schooler in 1987.

1:22.40: Joe Clancy’s time for his first Boilermaker, best of The Special in 2019.

25,000: Dollars pledged by the New York Horsemen’s Association to Mercy House of Saratoga for construction of a 6,000 square-foot suite of rooms dedicated to the late Rick Violette and set aside to serve backstretch workers. The four-story 30,000 square-foot facility will be built on Washington Street near Bethesda Episcopal Church. LICENSE PLATES OF THE DAY Tod Marks 8THPOL, New York. 40 DAYS, New York. Class Move. NYRA draped the statue of Rokeby Stable’s Sea Hero (who died July TRAVERS, New Jersey. BOILRMKR, New York. 12) in memorial flowers for Wednesday’s races. Ver y Nyce! ’s $330,000 colt was the co-highest price for a first-crop sire at Fasig-Tipton He shared Remember the future: July since 2016. More first-crop Nyquist yearlings at Saratoga top honors with his brilliant barnmate Frosted.

Go to darleyamerica.com to see our new Nyquist video Darley

Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 3 here&there...at Saratoga NAMES OF THE DAY Hightailing, sixth race. Stuart Janney III’s homebred 3-year-old filly is out of Scampering.

Sobersick N Sorry, seventh race. Joe Imbesi’s 3-year-old gelding is out of Shocking Behavior. REPEATING “I’m a champion clammer.” Bill Mott, also a Hall of Fame trainer, talking about a favorite summertime activity

“You mean stuffies?” The Special’s Catherine Galbraith continuing the conversation with Mott, specifically about stuffed clams

“I did the Names of the Day.” The Special’s Sean Clancy, getting ahead of Thursday’s paper Tuesday afternoon

“Um, it looks like I did the Names of the Day for Wednesday.” Clancy, Wednesday morning

“That’s why I drink.” Trainer watching sets train on the main track Saturday morning

“Those guys are old. Those guys can’t even run.” Yankees great Mariano Rivera, about playing in the oldtimers’ game on All-Star Weekend

“Who’s in the window every night? It’s like coming by and seeing the same picture every single Tod Marks night. There he is with his little glasses, hunched over....” Weathered. Jump Sean McDermott was all dressed up with nowhere to go as Tils Tilbury, passing The Special’s Joe Clancy every night; Wednesday’s opener was scrapped due to rain, with horses in the paddock. Joe will sit up straighter (or close the blinds)

1st Breeders’ Cup World Class Miler Dirt Mile-G1

defeating Eclipse Champions By SPEIGHTSTOWN GUN RUNNER, ACCELERATE, Look for RUNHAPPY, etc. 1st Yearlings 1st Godolphin Mile-G2 This Year 2nd Forego S.-G1

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Editors/Publishers The aratoga Sean Clancy: (302) 545-7713. [email protected] Joe Clancy: (302) 545-4424. [email protected] Managing Editor Tom Law: (859) 396-9407. [email protected] 259 East Avenue Writers: Catherine Galbraith, Ben Gowans, Terry Hill, Brandon Valvo. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (the old feed store) The Saratoga Special, thisishorseracing.com Handicappers: Charles Bedard, John Shapazian, Rob Whitlock. Calendar, The Best of The Saratoga Special. thisishorseracing.com Design: Todd Koch. Call us about your editorial needs. Published Thursday through Sunday Photographers: Tod Marks, Dave Harmon, Connie Bush. Home Office: 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921 during the racing season. (410) 392-5867 • Fax (410) 392-0170 Distribution & More: Madeline Ellsworth. Plus Monday, Aug. 5 and Tuesday, Aug. 6.

4 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

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Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 5 Country Life Farm here&there...at Saratoga Racing Partnerships WORTH REPEATING “The.” The Special’s Tom Law when asked his first name at the Boilermaker 15k road race

“Some people think the gray Tapit colts are the worst and some people say the chestnut Tapit fillies are the worst. I have experienced both and I will go with the chestnut Tapit before I go with the gray Tapit.” Trainer Rodolphe Brisset, musing about the antics of Tapit’s offspring

“Not because I’m French, I just like turf. I’m a big dirt guy. I’m a big fan of dirt.” Brisset, trying to break stereotypes

“They ran the first quarter faster in the Meadowlands pace last night.” The Special’s Brandon Valvo, after the first fraction for Sunday’s opener was posted in :25.61 ELLEN B. PONS B. ELLEN

At the Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale last week, Country Life bid $45,000 for a “I’m going to see if I can be a judge next year.” Maryland-bred colt by War Front’s son MOSLER, out of Sky Given, by Sky Mesa. Valvo, The Special’s fashion connoisseur, while watching the hat contest We named him MOSLER SAFE, for the famous bank vault manufacturer, the Mosler Safe Company. Now being placed into a racing partnership at no markup. “He was kind of cute in an ugly way.” Country Life will own 1 of 10 shares. Each 10% share costs $4,500. Monthly Overheard Sunday in the clubhouse expenses until MOSLER SAFE runs in 2020: $200-300. Call to hold a share. “My bread is getting moldy if anybody wants it.” For information, visit countrylifefarm.com The Special’s Sean Clancy, late Monday morning

Josh Pons 443-807-0644 v Mike Pons 410-459-8517 “My son asked me how much did The Special cost.” Christy Holden 410-808-1325 v Bel Air, MD 21014 Trainer Mike Trombetta after bringing home Sunday’s Special 410-879-1952 v [email protected] v countrylifefarm.com “We picked him out, sometimes you take a risk with a first-season stallion, but this horse looked like an athlete, it was 90 percent physical. The individual.” Trainer Eddie Kenneally, about Sanford winner By Your Side

“He’s just a really nice horse with a very efficient stride.” Kenneally about By Your Side

“My wife said, ‘You don’t listen to anything I say. Why did you choose that day?’ ” Brad Anderson, owner of By Your Side, about selling eventual Grade 1 winner Bullsbay

“You’re going to love training for me. I’ve done it forever, I know what I’m doing. You don’t have “I worked up here as a 14-year-old kid in 1978. We to call, works will come up on my phone. If you want to talk horses, I’ll talk all day long with you played a softball game and Angel Cordero was but I’m never going to run last and say you embarrassed me in front of my friends, it’s , I get it. Here’s what you’re really going to like, you’ll get paid the same day you send me playing third base and I hit a triple. I slid into third the bill and you’ll pick all the races. You’re there every day, who am I?” Anderson, about his conversation with Keneally and was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m standing next to “Is the pony sore today?” Angel Cordero Jr.’ Now every time I see him, he asks Agent Mike Sellito to trainer Bill Mott, who was in a golf cart Wednesday morning me if his jocks can ride my horses. I’m the biggest Angel Cordero fan there is.” QUOTE OF THE DAY – West Point ’ Terry Finley “It’s been life-changing. Doesn’t matter if I have a good day or a bad day, when I go home you open the door and have him at home. I’m lucky enough between my wife and our family, everywhere we go we usually have connections, so she is able to come and help me because we need all the help we can get.” Trainer Rodolphe Brisset, on he and wife Brooke welcoming son Ryan to the family

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6 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 Presented by Photo of the Day Splashtastic Pinhooking Partnerships

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The Chief . . . Day 5 “Prove Out ran the Jockey Club Gold in 3:20, the first mile in :37, you’d think that would kill any- body. As soon as Jorge (Velasquez) knew he had beat, he said, whoa and went the next quarter in :27. That gave him that breather for when he turned for home, when Loud came flying, he tapped him left handed and went again. He shaded :25 the last quarter. The day he beat he went the last quarter in :24. Damn right, we trained him differently to go 2 miles. I worked him a mile and a half and worked three eighths the day before. We got hell for it, ‘Coming on to the track for his second workout in as many days . . .’ Frank Wright was on television, I said, ‘It’s always been my idea if a horse is supposed to go long, you train them to go long. Doesn’t have to be right.’ ” – Trainer Allen Jerkens, 1929-2015 Tod Marks photo Tod

Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 7 Every day at Saratoga, The Special presents an exclusive Stable Tour with with a Saratoga trainer.

Rodolphe Brisset See thisishorseracing.com for more.

Rodolphe Brisset’s 2019 Saratoga string to us to win our first Grade 1 with him. He’s been takes up nearly a full shedrow in Barn 71 on very good to us. We learned a lot last year. We kind the Oklahoma Training Track. The French- of rushed him to try and get him for the Derby. This born trainer went out on his own in 2017 and year, we gave him time between races and it’s been had a few stalls in Saratoga for the first time paying off. Three days before the Whitney we’re go- last summer. He started seven, placed with ing to have to decide if we make the phone call or three and was fourth in the Grade 1 Alabama wait.” with Talk Veuve To Me. He and wife Brooke Bluegrass Parkway: Mike Ryan’s Quality Road share the riding duties for the 15 horses. Bris- 3-year-old colt has never been worse than fourth in set will manage his Saratoga string as well as seven starts. “This horse has been very unlucky and taking trips to his main base in Kentucky at he’s been facing some tough company. We broke and . Tod Marks his maiden at Keeneland and came back in Decem- “It’s been a very good year, maybe a little Trainer Rodolphe Brisset has 15 horses in Saratoga for the summer. ber at Gulfstream and he was third behind A Thread more ups and downs than before. We’ve had Of Blue and English Bee, who both have come back the disqualification with Veuve in an allowance and for an entrapped epiglottis. Brisset co-owns the filly with Team and won stakes. He got a little unlucky that day, he had to she entrapped in the race after that,” Brisset said Valor International and Stephen McKay. “She actually has re- check a couple of times. I’m not saying he would have won sponded really well to it. She walked for 12 days and jogged of Talk Veuve To Me, disqualified for a medication but we really think he could win a stakes down the road. Mike’s for 3 days and two weeks later we were back at it. We gave her been a big supporter. Him and his clients.” violation April 11 at Keeneland. “You can expect time to really get over it and she’s been breezing every seven ups and downs but Positive Spirit rolling over in days since . . . I guess forget the first six months of the year. Velvet Crush: Tapit filly sold for $450,000 at last year’s the (Kentucky) Oaks, we weren’t planning on that. We’ll be able to make plans after (her third in Wednesday’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. The chestnut with What happened with My Majestic Rose, you never ninth race). She’s still the same personality, pretty easy to be a blaze is out of two-time stakes winner White Clover. “She’s expect it.” around. It’s just a shame the first six months of the year didn’t owned by some new young people in the business. They are My Majestic Rose won the Grade 2 Summertime turn out the way we were hoping. Hopefully we can pick it up clients of Mike Ryan. We really like her. She’s been showing Oaks in late May at Santa Anita Park and suffered in the next six months.” some talent. We are four or five weeks away, maybe a little a fatal injury in her first work back at Keeneland less. I would love to look at something like first part of August. after the race. The Black Album: A Group 3 winner in France last year, She’s been pretty quick from the gate. I know she’s Tapit and Brisset, a former assistant to Hall of Famer Bill Team Valor and Gary Barber’s colt got his first North American the mare was two turns, but I’m a big believer in sprinting first- stakes win last time in the Charlie Barley at Woodbine. The son Mott, continues to look forward. time out. There’s nothing wrong with getting beat first-time of Wootton Bassett displays what has to be in the top 1 percent out. From there, you develop the horse.” “I realized with Saratoga last year, you may not of best equine hair and mane in Saratoga as Brisset stands in win a race the first couple of years, but you have to front of his stall. “I may have tried to make him what he doesn’t Off The Record: WinStar Farm’s homebred 3-year-old by do it,” he said. “Last year it was great. I know we want to be. Two-turns, over a mile, I don’t think that’s what he Distorted Humor won by 2 lengths in his debut Wednesday. didn’t win a race, but we had a couple of runners wants to do. That race in Woodbine ended up being the perfect “He’s been a pretty fun horse to be around. Obviously, every- and they run second, third, fourth. It’s not easy to spot. Being a mile, one-turn there, we got the blinkers, we got body has seen the workouts so I’m sure everybody has heard be in three different places, but I’ve got the right Flavien (Prat). We’re going to stick to one-turn and the goal about him. He’s been on a weekly program and he will catch people. I’ve got a very solid base, we’ve been build- will be to work back from the 6 1/2-furlong race at Kentucky your eyes galloping around the track. I’m pretty sure he’ll catch ing to get to that point. I’ve got Dave (Lively) in Downs for 3-year-olds. That should fit him pretty good. We your eye in the paddock, too. Now, we are 4 percent first-time Keeneland, we’ve worked together for a long time. need to sharpen him up a little bit for that so what I’m looking out, so the main thing is he shows something and we’ll go Leigh Bentley has been working with us for 2 1/2 at is the (Mahony Stakes) here, first week of August going 5 from there. But he’s a horse we like.” 1/2. He’s got a great personality.” years and she’s in Churchill. Then me and Lesley Violencia: Filly owned by Kent Donworth, Rick Howard (Howes) here. We’re going to be in Belmont Sep- Quip: Last year’s Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby winner returned and Rags Racing Stable looked destined for stardom after a tember, October and November.” stronger this season. He won the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap in 7 1/2-length debut win at in February. “She Brisset, who picked up his first Saratoga win April and most recently finished second in the Grade 2 Stephen had her first breeze back (July 14). She ran a pretty big one Wednesday, walked the shedrow Sunday morning Foster at Churchill. The son of Distorted Humor is owned by first out. Maybe too fast for her own good. Nothing was really with The Special’s Ben Gowans. WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing. “It’s a 50-50 major but we got a couple breezes back after the race and just right now with the Whitney and the Pacific Classic. We’re just didn’t like the way she came out of them. We decided to just Talk Veuve To Me: Last year’s Indiana Oaks winner has going to play it by ear. Of course, the Whitney, he’s here, but give her 60 days. She came back to us in great shape so we’ll had a rough 2019. The daughter of Violence was recently we already have a spot in the plane to go to Del Mar if we need see. Obviously, we are mid-July, she just had her first work so disqualified from a win in her first start of the year. She then to. He worked very good (5 furlongs in 1:02.49 July 13). He’s don’t think we’ll be ready for Saratoga but hopefully if things finished last in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff and had surgery already had a pretty good year but it would mean everything go good we’ll be looking at Belmont in September. She’s a very

8 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 away. Pretty cool filly, she will catch your eyes on the track too. She’s very stalky, Distorted Stable Tour – Humor does that. Between the three we have, Direct flights to Continued from page 8 Quip, Off The Record, and her, there’s a lot of similarities. Nice shoulder, kind eyes, the LET US TAKE YOU talented filly, very laid back, a pleasure to be same head.” Saratoga County airport. around.” Slam Dunk: Ryan bought the daughter Direct flights to Catherineofaragon: Ryan’s 2-year-old TO THE RACES of Into Mischief for $450,000 at the 2018 More Racing Less Driving! Bodemeister filly is out of Grade 3 winner La Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. Reina. “This filly got to us a little bit on the Saratoga County airport. The big bay filly doesn’t lack in the size or small side, she was a little nervous but the stretch department. “We brought her here be- past couple of weeks she has really turned cause we’re pretty high on her. She had her More Racing Less Driving! the corner. We brought her here without re- first work from the gate (July 13), it was pretty ally knowing what we were going to do. The good. If everything goes right with her, we’re fact she can work on the turf here, she looks two or three weeks away. She’s been working pretty turfy to us. She could end up running pretty fast in Keeneland, working with older next month mile-and-a-sixteenth on turf, one horses which is always a good sign. A lot of of those maidens to give her experience and people are pretty high on her, people who saw go from there. She’s been doing great since her train at Stonestreet. We’ll see where she’s she’s been here, she’s bred to go long.” going to take us. She’s talented, physically she’s good looking, but mentally she needs to Sassy Little Lila: Owned by Jeff Drown grow up a little bit. Maybe a race will help her and Ryan, 6-year-old Artie Schiller mare to grow up.” placed twice in Grade 1s and is 3-for-18 with $464,370. “Her first start this year was a good La Chancla: Three-year-old daughter of effort, she was fourth. The second race they Uncle Mo, who cost $775,000 last March, put some pressure on her and went too fast, peers her over the webbing for a pat. Brisset she got tired. Her pedigree, if you look at the obliges. LNJ Foxwoods owns the July 7 sec- bottom side, it wants to go a mile-and-a-half, ond-out maiden winner, whose name means wants to go all day. The topside is Artie Schil- Direct flights to Saratoga County airport. “The Flipflop” in Spanish. “I guess everybody ler who I don’t think he wanted to go a-mile- knows I like this one, huh? This a pretty nice and-one-yard. We’re going to try and go long filly. She’s come out of the race very well. It with her to see if it’s a new thing she could do. Cessna King Air Hawker was our third runner for (LNJ Foxwoods), first At some point you have to shake the tree and winner, and they were there so that’s always do something new because what we’ve been LONG ISLAND - SARATOGA fun when those things end up working out. doing is not working. She’s not running terri- Per Plane $4,000 $5,000 $7,000 She was pretty impressive. Just the fact she ble but we’re not bringing her up.” went and picked up that horse on the lead. The Price Per Seat $1,000 $1,250 $1,500 gallop-out was pretty nice, too. There’s a lot Art Buff: Joseph Anzalone’s Magic Cap Sta- of speed in her family but it looks like the way ble acquired the daughter of Bodemeister for HAMPTONS - SARATOGA she’s been running so far she may want some $90,000 through Ryan at the 2016 Fasig-Tip- Per Plane $5,250 $7,000 $10,000 more ground. If we can look at the one-oth- ton SaratogaCessna New York-bred King Airyearling Hawker sale. Per Seat Price $1,500 $1,750 $2,000 er-than here going 7 furlongs then we’ll see “She broke her maiden for 30 in Churchill. The Cessna King Air Hawker Cessna King Air Hawker Cessna where she takes us. We’re hoping she’s stakes Long Island — Saratoga owner has a house here and loves Saratoga. Long Island — Saratoga Hamptons — Saratoga quality. I’ve gotten very attached to her. She’s MANHATTAN - SARATOGA PerWe Plane think if we$4,000 find the right$5,000 spot she $7,000can be Per Plane $4,000 $5,000 $7,000 $5,250 $7,000 $10,000 not easy in the morning. She was pretty diffi- competitive here. She’ll run in a non-winner Per Plane $6,000 $8,000 $11,000 Per Seat $1,000 $1,250 $1,500 Per Seat $1,000 $1,250 $1,500 $1,500 $1,750 $2,500 cult in Payson (Park), but the more we got her of two lifetime and we’ll go from there. I don’t Per Seat Price $1,500 $1,750 $2,000 in a routine, the better she got. I don’t know, even know whichManhattan surface — yet Saratoga because more Manhattan — Saratoga Westchester — Saratoga she could be anything.” Perthan Plane likely the$6,000 dirt race won’t$8,000 go but I wouldn’t$11,000 Per Plane $6,000 $8,000WESTCHESTER $11,000 - SARATOGA$5,250 $7,000 $10,000 King Air Perbe Seatscared to $1,500put her on the$1,750 grass.” $2,000 Per Seat $1,500 $1,750 $2,000 $1,500 $1,750 $2,000 New Day Dawning: WinStar’s homebred Per Plane $5,250 $7,000 $10,000 2-year-old filly has been with Brisset for just Positive Spirit:Hamptons The half-sister — Saratoga to Kentucky Per Seat PriceReserve Now!$1,500 631.566.1110 $1,750 $2,000 two weeks. “Extremely well bred, by Medaglia PerDerby Plane winner$5,250 $7,000 clipped$10,000 heels d’Oro and out of Ready To Act, the filly who Cessna King Air Hawker Perand Seat fell leaving$1,500 the gate in$1,750 the Kentucky $2,500 Oaks. jumped the rail with Rajiv (Maragh) for Chad Daughter of Pioneerof The Nile is not in Sara- Westchester — Saratoga Brown in the (2013) . He gave her one toga but Brisset expects her back in the fall. Dan Kahn 631.566.1110 Hawker too much and she (hand motion to insinuate Per“After Plane what $5,250happened, we$7,000 sent her to WinStar$10,000 veering in over the rail that only a racetracker Perfor Seat two weeks.$1,500 She was doing$1,750 very good$2,000 there [email protected] could do). She’ll be more for September, Bel- and she came back to us. She was galloping mont or Churchill. A great physical, very well- for a week, I get on her every day, and some- PrivateJetProfessionals.com bred, so you can only go on from that.” thing was just a tick different. We sent her for Reserve Now! 631.566.1110 an MRI and she ended up with something not Reserve Now! 631-566-1110 Comic: LNJ Foxwoods’ unraced homebred very common, and the clinic thinks it may 3-year-old by Distorted Humor breezed a half- have come from what happened when she Dan Kahn 631.566.1110 mile out of the gate in :49.43 on the Oklahoma rolled. She didn’t have any bone bruising, but July 13. “It was a nice work, she did it pretty she did have a bruise inside the cannon bone. [email protected] Dan Kahn easy. It looks like she could be a nice horse. It was a small thing but if we didn’t catch it PrivateJetProfessionals.com [email protected] We’re still learning about her, she’s been with and kept going it could have been a major is- www.PrivatejetProfessionals.com us six or seven weeks, we’ve had five work- sue. She’s at Stonestreet right now so she’ll outs. I would say she’s three or four weeks be probably be back with us in September.”

Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 9 RICK VIOLETTE STAKES RECAP Memory Rains Sky Of Hook wins NY-bred 2YO stakes BY SEAN CLANCY Tod Marks They braved the rain for Rick Violette. Sky Of Hook (center) charges down stretch to catch Listentoyourheart and win Wednesday’s Rick Violette in the rain. Old-school trainers, Pat Kelly, Rick Schosberg, Bill Hebert, Mike Hernandez. Valet Rodney Paine, Ralph Evans, NYRA’s track guru Glen Kozak, re- And all Rick Violette. The revered horse trainer and yellow slicker, carrying Luis Saez’s winning tack tired announcer Tom Durkin, NYRA president Da- tireless NYTHA president died October 21, 2018. stood next to a woman in white and a man in a suit. vid O’Rourke wouldn’t have missed this. Venerable It probably rained that day, too. Executive comrade, Alan Foreman, looked like he assistant Melissa Cohen, who Violette once called Minutes after Sky Of Hook nailed Listentoy- just walked out of court and into a car wash. Andy sainthood, of course, was there. ourheart in the final stride of the $100,000 stakes Belfiore, without a jacket or umbrella, didn’t hesi- “You know he’s up there, smiling down on us,” for New York-bred juveniles, winning trainer Rudy tate or waver, just as Violette would have expected. Cohen said, after a long, wet hug with an old friend. Rodriguez pulled down his hood, shook the water New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association They present trophies every day during Sara- off his shoulders and turned down a champagne president Joe Appelbaum, trying to fill big shoes, toga’s 40-day bender, this one was part family re- Continued On Page 11 found a spot in the back row. Longtime owner union, part business conference, part water park.

10 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 “All day, the track, the track, the track,” Vargas said. Violette – Vargas, his wife and two children now live in Continued from page 10 Connecticut, Vargas has 10 horses with Rodriguez in New York, more in Florida and even more in toast in the Saratoga Room. Puerto Rico. Vargas won this year’s Puerto Rican “Maybe Rick sent the rain to us,” Rodriguez Triple Crown this year with Ledoux. said, pointing to the sky. “Thank you Rick.” Sky Of Hook provided Vargas with his second Winning trainers love the rain. career victory at Saratoga and first stakes win. Sky Of Hook broke well from post 4 as unde- Sky Of Hook won his debut May 10, rallying feated Listentoyourheart and Mission Wrapitup to win by a head. Rodriguez skipped the Tremont jumped off the diving board first, scampering over against open company and waited for Saratoga. a track that had gone from fast to sloppy in a mat- When the condition book came out, Rodriguez ter of minutes. Listentoyourheart surfed through knew where he was going. the first quarter-mile in :22.75 and a half in :46.60 Tod Marks Friends of the late Rick Violette turned out, even in the rain, “When I saw they named the race after Rick, I while Sky Of Hook tracked in third. Turning for to honor the trainer and new stakes winner Sky Of Hook. said, ‘We’re going here.’ Timing wise, everything home, Listentoyourheart shook off Mission Wra- looked perfect,” Rodriguez said. “I didn’t want to pitup while Luis Saez tried to galvanize Sky Of “A little bit of both because you don’t know how go in the Tremont, I wanted a little more space be- Hook with the first left-handed slap. Nearing the they’re going to handle the sloppy track,” the train- tween races, going from New York-bred company eighth pole, Listentoyouheart led by 2 lengths as er said. “He always showed potential, I have to give to open company is a lot to ask. He’s been here in Sky Of Hook lugged into Mission Wrapitup. Near- it to the owner, they offered him a lot of money and Saratoga since May, he’s fresh, we had him ready ing the sixteenth pole, Sky Of Hook lugged into he doesn’t want to sell. I tell him, ‘Take the money. for so long.” the backsplash of Listentoyouheart and looked to Take the money.’ He said, ‘No. No. No.’ ” Rodriguez began his training career from Barn have squandered his final chance. Raising his head Vargas nodded his head and shrugged his shoul- 7 at Aqueduct, next to Violette’s Barn 6. A rookie and scrambling from that morass, the chestnut colt ders at the decision. and a veteran, plying their trade in the outpost of pinned his ears, straightened out and went after “The first time I have a stakes win at Saratoga,” Ozone Park. Listentoyourheart, nailing the game frontrunner in the Puerto Rico native said. “Oh man, it’s big, it’s “We dearly miss Rick. He did a lot for us, a lot the final stride to win by a nose. big.” for the people on the backstretch, for everybody,” Owned and bred by Esteban Vargas’ E V Racing, Vargas, 44, grew up two minutes from Camare- Rodriguez said. “It was amazing to see him win the son of Tapiture finished 6 furlongs in 1:13.17. ro Racetrack in Puerto Rico. As a kid, he washed the Whitney last year, it’s impossible to replace the Asked if he was surprised or not surprised at the cars for the jockeys and trainers, gradually becom- man. To win a race named after him is a blessing. victory, Rodriguez smiled. ing friends and gradually building a racing stable. It’s amazing, amazing. We are very, very proud.”

Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 11 Gooey Day Slimey handles slop to give owner-trainer team first win Dave Cannizzo and Jason WEDNESDAY RACING RECAP Provenzano embraced in the winner’s circle and then again after collecting at the window following Slimey’s win Provenzano said of the filly who in Wednesday’s eighth race at Sarato- broke from the gate at 15-1. “Dave calls me – I just got out of the shower ga Race Course, a 7-furlong claimer – and I said, ‘You know what Dave, for 3-year-old fillies. we’re dancing.’ We stayed positive, “It’s a great feeling because it’s my came on over here, sat in the box, the Tod Marks first win with Dave Cannizzo,” said rain went way. Once I got here, I just Slimey (left) leads everyone home in the eighth. Provenzano, who races under the Fly- got that good feeling.” ing P Stable banner. “I looked at him mont Park. She finished fourth for an surged past the sixteenth pole on his Rain fell prior to Wednesday’s $80,000 tag June 21 and was in for way to a 1 3/4-length victory. before the race and said, ‘Wouldn’t it scheduled opener – a $65,000 stee- be nice to get off the schneid together $75,000 Wednesday. Quartarolo described Paolucci plechase allowance that was canceled “I love all the Quality Roads. I al- with a smile. in Saratoga?’ ” and moved to Sunday – and the races They did, after Slimey slugged her ways look for them,” Cannizzo said. “He’s a great guy. He’s a little ex- were run over the sloppy main track “She had a lot of conditions left, so way through Saratoga’s main track en otic, in certain ways,” he said. “He’s from the second to seventh races. The looking down the road there was a very sharp guy, knows what he’s do- route to a 1-length victory. track condition improved to muddy money to be made if she was OK.” ing.” “We knew we reached a little far for the final three races. Jose Lezcano motivated Slimey – Ben Gowans but when it came up super wet, she Cannizzo and Provenzano claimed around the turn to start her rally and likes it wet, so we’ll take a chance,” Slimey for $40,000 May 12 at Bel- kept after her down the lane. • Rodolphe Brisset may be to “Once I saw her at the three-eighths blame for all the rain Wednesday. pole I thought we had a shot,” said “We were hoping for some rain, Provenzano. “At the quarter pole, she and we got some,” said Brisset, know- drew even and just kept coming. It’s a ing Off The Record’s main track only great feeling, never gets old.” status would come into play if the – Ben Gowans 1-mile turf maiden came off the turf. The Distorted Humor colt got the • Trainer Anthony Quartarolo and chance when the seventh moved from owner Ron Paolucci got their first the turf to the sloppy main track. wins of the meet when The Sicarii Off the Record proved it would took the fourth, a 7-furlong claimer take more than a sloppy track and a for 3-year-olds moved from the turf. lack of experience to intimidate him. “He’s been battling a quarter crack With a clean break, Brisset was not and over time it grew out,” Quar- surprised by the colt’s aggressive per- TURF RACING AND TRAINING tarolo said. “The foot was still both- formance early in the 7-furlong event. ering him a little bit the last time we “I was planning for him to be on TRANSFORMED ran him. Everything was good so we the lead,” Brisset said. “I told Jose could take the patch off and his foot to push him at the break. All of our grew out nicely. I thought he had a horses are usually 70 to 80 percent Visit FairHillFoundation.org/turf good shot, I bet him.” ready but need a little help from the to learn more about the future of Fair Hill. Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard gate.” The Sicarii when the gelding broke his WinStar Farm’s homebred tracked maiden locally last summer and rode Azrael before coming up the inside again Wednesday. The son of Vio- under Jose Ortiz at the top of the lence, who was sent off at 14-1 in the stretch to win by 2 lengths. field of seven, stalked a few lengths “Javier (Castellano) was right off the pace early while Santana made there so I guess he got in a tight spot sure to keep his mount out of the a couple times in the race but it didn’t sloppy kickback and in the clear. The look like the horse shied away, he Sicarii traveled down the center of Continued On Page 14 the main track down the stretch and

12 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 13 claimer for trainer Robertino Di- odoro and owner M and M Racing. Wednesday – Cohen sensed the filly was ready for a Continued from page 12 big effort when she showed energy in the paddock. held his position,” Brisset said. “At “It’s usually not what you’re look- one point Jose asked him to run and ing for,” Cohen said. “With her, when he ran through. He made the definite- she’s on fire like that, breathing fire, ly made the effort even better. He got she puts forth probably one of her him out there and found his rhythm, best efforts.” from there you have to look around Cohen, who also rode Pete’s Play and see what’s going on.” Call to victory in the third, rode Spe- Off The Record provided Brisset cial Relatively to wins during last with his first Saratoga victory and he year’s meet July 30 and Aug. 31. hopes for more success at the 2019 “She seems to run well at Sarato- meet. ga,” he said. “The first time I won on “The fact that we have a longer her, she was just relentless and she meet and he won in the first part, ran great. So the second time I wasn’t and that he won in the first condition worried and I was happy to see she book, maybe we can look at some- was still like that.” thing in five weeks,” he said. Pete’s Play Call won after drawing – Catherine Galbraith into the 5 1/2-furlong optional claim- er when rain forced it from the turf to • Saratoga brings out the best in the main track. Special Relativity, a daughter of Cow- Cohen, who didn’t ride the Sarato- boy Cal who ran her record to 3-for-3 ga meet from 2014 to 2016 while re- in upstate New York with a victory in covering from an injury and the death the ninth. of two family members, rides regular- Perhaps the success also has some- ly for Diodoro. thing to do with her jockey, David “These are actually two of my fa- Cohen, who found his second win Tod Marks of the day in the 6-furlong optional Continued On Page 15 The Sicarii wins Wednesday’s fourth race.

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14 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN Wednesday – BELMONT DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ Continued from page 14 CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP vorite horses that I’ve ridden since I came back off my injury,” he said.DUBAI “It’s WORLD CUP FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY their personalities, the connection be- tween them and you know, obviouslyGRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP they’re runners. It’s a nice package to have.” IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC Cohen plans to split his time KING’Sthis BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN summer between Saratoga and Ellis Winning when it matters. Park. MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN MILE STAKES “We’re going to be trying to cher- Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center horses ry-pick whatever we can here,” he PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY said. “Ellis only runs three days a week include 63 Individual Grade 1 winners. so that gives us a good opportunitySPINSTER TEST UNITED NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP WHIT- to do so. Hopefully we pick the right ones and don’t miss out on the onesNEY we HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON don’t come for. MILLION AWESOMEJust AGAIN some of BELMONT the races they’ve DERBY won… BREEDERS’ CUP TURF “Saratoga, you can’t beat it. Between Saratoga and Oaklawn Park, thoseBREEDERS’ are CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE probably my two favorites. It’s hard to beat Saratoga.” HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE – Catherine Galbraith FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE • Just Fly rel- ished the sloppy Spa LeadersHASKELL INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE surface in the fifth, TRAINERS...... 1ST HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME the first 2-year-old Linda Rice...... 3 maiden at Sara- Rob Atras...... GLORY2 HURDLE MAKER’S 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH toga restricted to Chad Brown...... 2 horses who sold Mark Casse...... METROPOLITAN2 MILE NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II or RNA’d for Robertino Diodoro.2 $45,000 or less Danny Gargan...... 2 SHADWELL TURF MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST Gary Gullo...... 2 in their most re- Mike Maker...... UNITED2 NATIONS VANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL cent sale. The fil- Jason Servis...... 2 ly trained by Joe A.G. VANDERBILT ALICIBIADES ARLINGTON MILLION AWESOME AGAIN Sharp contested JOCKEYS...... 1ST the early pace and Jose LezcanoBELMONT...... 6 DERBY BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ drew clear in the Irad Ortiz Jr...... 5 stretch to score Jose Ortiz...... 5 CUP FILLY AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP by 4 3/4 lengths. Luis Saez...... 5 Luis Saez rode the Junior Alvarado...... 4 DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK winner for owner Javier Castellano....4 Manny FrancoKILROE...... 3 MILE GARDEN CITY GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HASKELL INVITATION- Carl Moore, who Joel Rosario...... 3 bought the filly Ricardo Santana Jr..3 AL HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP IROQUOIS HURDLE JOE HIRSCH TURF for $40,000 at the OBS March sale. Through WednesdayCLASSIC KENTUCKY DERBY KING’S BISHOP LONESOME GLORY HURDLE Trainer Rob Atras earned his second win of MAKER’Sthe 46 MILE MANHATTAN MAN O’ WAR MATRIARCH METROPOLITAN meet when Sanford Goldfarb’s Ardara Belle led at every call during the MILEsixth, NEARCTIC STAKES PRIORESS QUEEN ELIZABETH II SHADWELL TURF a $30,000 claimer moved off the turf. The nightcap was also won in gate- MILE SPINAWAY SPINSTER SWORD DANCER TEST UNITED NATIONS Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy | AquaPacer | Cold Saltwater Spa | Dry Salt Room | Vibration Therapy | Training Center to-wire fashion when Violent PointVANITY HANDICAP WHITNEY HANDICAP WOOD MEMORIAL A.G. VANDER- broke her maiden at second asking un- 721 Training Center Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921 der John Velazquez. The daughterBILT of ALICIBIADES ARLINGTONPhone: 610-496-5080 MILLION www.fairhilletc.com AWESOME AGAIN BELMONT DER- Violence won the 5 1/2-furlong maiden for New York-bred 2-year-old filliesBY by BREEDERS’ CUP TURF BREEDERS’PHOTO © KATHEE RENGERT CUP CLASSIC BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY 6 lengths for trainer Mark Casse and owner Gary Barber. AND MARE TURF DELAWARE HANDICAP DONN HANDICAP DUBAI WORLD CUP FLORIDA DERBY FRIZETTE FOREGO FRANK KILROE MILE GARDEN CITY Thursday, July 18, 2019 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLEThe Saratoga S HASKELLpecial INVITATIONAL HOLLYWOOD TURF15 CUP SARATOGA RESULTS Wednesday July 17. 5-4), $104.50; Pic 4 (5-8-1/5/7-4), $1,023.50; Pic 5 (4-5-8-1/5/7-4), $11,779.25 First race canceled. Rain. SEVENTH $90,000, MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3 YO’S & UP, 7F SECOND $100,000, NY-BRED STAKES - RICK VIOLETTE S., 2YO, 6F 3 Off the Record J. Ortiz $6.60 $3.60 $2.60 4 Sky of Hook L. Saez $20.60 $7.50 $3.40 14 Azrael J. Castellano $3.10 $2.30 2 Listentoyourheart M. Franco $3.90 $2.90 1 Four Ten J. Alvarado $2.70 310 1 Theitalianamerican J. Rosario $2.60 B Colt 2016, by Distorted Humor - Savvy Star by Medaglia d’Oro WINNERS BOUGHT, Ch Colt 2017, by Tapiture - Ambitious Dancer by Latent Heat Owner: WinStar Farm LLC. Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset. MANAGED OR OWNED Owner: E.V. Racing Stable. Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez. Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). Breeder: EV and NC Corp (NY). Late Scratches: Bad Dude, Alfons Walde (IRE), Embellisher, Border Time: 1:13.17 Town, Good Governance (GB), Tiberius Mercurius, Strong Market, Bail Exacta (4-2), $34.25; Quinella (2-4), $11.70; Superfecta (4-2-1-3), Out, Downside Risk $9.72; Trifecta (4-2-1), $43.12 Time: 1:24.50 Daily Double (4-3), $23.90; Exacta (3-14), $9.40; Superfecta (3-14-1- FIVE THIRD $95,000, AOC $62,500, 3 YO’S & UP, 5 1/2F 13), $6.92; Trifecta (3-14-1), $20.75; Pic 3 (7-4-3), $119.00 5 Pete’s Play Call D. Cohen $11.40 $3.40 $2.30 SWs 9 Fully Vested J. Lezcano $2.30 $2.10 EIGHTH $80,000, CLAIMING $100,000-$75,000, 3 YO, 7F This Year 4 Pagliacci I. Ortiz, Jr. $2.30 4 Slimey J. Lezcano $32.40 $11.60 $5.90 Ch Gelding 2013, by Munnings - Taft Lil Queen by Irish Open 7 Break Curfew J. Castellano $3.30 $2.90 Owner: M and M Racing (Mike Sisk). Trainer: Robertino Diodoro. 6 Maiden Beauty J. Ortiz $4.10 including Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Charles McGinnes (MD). B Filly 2016, by Quality Road - Argue by Storm Cat Late Scratches: Gemonteer, Stolen Pistol, Discretionary Marq, Tibr Owner: Flying P Stable. Trainer: David Cannizzo. EONS Time: 1:03.73. Daily Double (4-5), $56.75; Exacta (5-9), $10.60; Su- Breeder: Stone Farm (KY). perfecta (5-9-4-8), $6.52; Trifecta (5-9-4), $16.25; Consolation Dou- Late Scratches: Miss Marcela 1st Grade 3 Kent Stakes, ble (4-1/6/7), $9.50 Time: 1:24.10 four wins in a row Daily Double (3-4), $68.75; Exacta (4-7), $49.00; Superfecta (4-7-6- ______FOURTH $65,000, CLAIMING $40,000, 3 YO, 7F 2), $110.10; Trifecta (4-7-6), $126.25; Pic 3 (4-3-4), $669.00 8 The Sicarii R. Santana, Jr. $30.60 $12.60 $6.10 3 Seanow L. Saez $5.00 $3.20 NINTH $95,000, AOC $62,500, 3 YO’S & UP, 6F GOTHAM GALA 10 Flat Rate M. Franco $3.50 1 Special Relativity D. Cohen $16.20 $6.40 $3.90 1st Obeah Stakes B Gelding 2016, by Violence - Moshe Diane by Pollard’s Vision 2 Carrera Cat R. Maragh $5.00 $2.90 ______Owner: Ron Paolucci Racing, LLC. Trainer: Anthony Quartarolo. 6 Talk Veuve to Me J. Leparoux $2.70 Breeder: Rachelle Larsen (KY). B Filly 2015, by Cowboy Cal - Lil American by Quiet American Late Scratches: Tricky Magician, False Info, Hope Again (GB), Spin- Owner: M and M Racing (Mike Sisk). Trainer: Robertino Diodoro. GIBRALFARO ning Kitten, The Sinner Is You, Dakota’s Dude Breeder: Chester Thomas (KY). 1st $100,000 Queen’s Cup Time: 1:24.14 Late Scratches: Mo Flash Daily Double (5-8), $91.75; Exacta (8-3), $78.25; Quinella (3-8), Claimed: Honor Way claimed by Kupferberg, Saul J. for $62,500 MPC Hurdle Stakes $22.70; Superfecta (8-3-10-5), $137.90; Trifecta (8-3-10), $176.50; Time: 1:10.41 ______Pic 3 (4-5-8), $508.00; (4-1/6/7-2/4/6/11/12), $8.50; (4-5- Daily Double (4-1), $143.25; Exacta (1-2), $41.00; Superfecta (1-2- 2/4/6/11/12), $53.25; (4-6/7-8), $90.25 6-5), $47.00; Trifecta (1-2-6), $72.75; Pic 3 (3-4-1), $275.50; Grand CITY DREAMER slam (1/4/12-1/3/14-4/6/7-1), $112.50 FIFTH $75,000, MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2 YO, 5 1/2F 1st $100,000 Marcellus 7 Just Fly L. Saez $6.20 $3.90 $2.90 TENTH $78,000, NY-BRED MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2 YO, 5 1/2F Frost Hurdle Stakes 2 Ain’t None Lucky J. Rosado $6.20 $4.50 9 Violent Point J. Velazquez $4.20 $3.20 $2.60 6 Project Whiskey K. Carmouche $5.20 5 Single Verse T. Gaffalione $7.90 $6.30 Ch Filly 2017, by Justin Phillip - Caution Sign by Mr. Greeley 6 Darken a Day J. Rosario $2.90 Owner: Moore, Carl, R.. Trainer: Joe Sharp. B Filly 2017, by Violence - Point Reyes by Subordination Breeder: Brookstone Farm LLC &Dr. Micheal Spirito (KY). Owner: Barber, Gary. Trainer: Mark Casse. Breeder: Hidden Lake Farm Late Scratches: La Negrita, Little Farina LLC & Anthony Grey LLC (NY). Time: 1:05.24 Late Scratches: Tokyo Bay, Classical Rose, Canarsie Angel, My Sassy Daily Double (8-7), $75.75; Exacta (7-2), $21.40; Superfecta (7-2-6- Sarah, Silky Blue, Strongerthanuknow 4), $50.25; Trifecta (7-2-6), $72.37; Consolation Double (8-5), $15.00; Time: 1:05.02 Pic 3 (5-8-7), $240.50; (5-8-5), $57.25 Daily Double (1-9), $23.10; Exacta (9-5), $15.00; Superfecta (9-5-6- 4), $14.27; Trifecta (9-5-6), $29.12; Pic 3 (4-1-9), $311.00; Pic 4 (3-4- SIXTH $48,000, CLAIMING $30,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 5 1/2F 1-1/2/7/9/10/11), $493.25; Pic 5 (4-3-4-1-1/2/7/9/10/11), $9,106.00; 4 Ardara Belle (FR) R. Santana, Jr. $16.40 $8.80 $7.30 Pic 6 (1/5/7-4-3-4-1-1/2/7/9/10/11), $1,988.00 12 Overtime Olivia E. Cancel $5.90 $4.80 1 Shak’s Hidden Gem C. Landeros $7.40 Paid Attendance: 15,804. All-Sources Handle: $8,260,650.62 RIVERDEE STABLE B F 2016, by Anodin (IRE) - Sunrise Song (IRE) by Invincible Spirit (IRE) Owner: Goldfarb, Sanford, J.. Trainer: Rob Atras. Copyright 2019 EQUIBASE Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. & CLANCY BLOODSTOCK Breeder: Mr. Gwenael Monneraye (FR). Sean Clancy | 302-545-7713 Late Scratches: Tiffanys Freud, Appreciate, Avocado Toast, Tiple (IRE), www.riverdeestable.com Shrink, Alley to Calvary, Nazay [email protected] Time: 1:05.57 Daily Double (7-4), $34.25; Exacta (4-12), $44.00; Superfecta (4-12- 1-5), $53.00; Trifecta (4-12-1), $125.00; Pic 3 (8-7-4), $593.00; (8-

16 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 SARATOGA RESULTS PHOTOS BY TOD MARKS AND DAVE HARMON 2 3 4

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Re�resen�ng owners, trainers, �reeders, �ocke�s, dri�ers and horsemen associa�ons in �usiness transac�ons and ma�ers �efore the �ew �ork �tate �aming Commission and in the federal and state courts.

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Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 17 Mean Speed Strong favorite Fierce Lady headlines Thursday juvenile stakes BY BEN GOWANS STILLWATER STAKES PREVIEW Fierce Lady didn’t take a conven- tional route – literally and figurative- Fierce Lady at the Oklahoma Train- ly – to today’s $100,000 Stillwater ing Track Wednesday. “Timing-wise, Stakes since her impressive debut per- we didn’t want to breeze her before formance 26 days ago. the sale and we didn’t have enough The 2-year-old filly was offered at time after she came back.” Fasig-Tipton’s horses of racing age Magner purchased Fierce Lady for sale July 8 in Lexington. Offered, but Nice Guys Stable and Steve Horn- not sold. The daughter of Compet- stock for $75,000 at last year’s Keene- itive Edge did not meet her reserve land September yearling sale. The filly and officially shows up in the results was offered again at the OBS March as being an RNA for $725,000. 2-year-olds sale but failed to meet her “We had some guys show interest reserve and was a $170,000 RNA. in buying her, so we thought the open The Irish-born trainer went out on market was the best route,” trainer his own last spring after having been Facebook, yelp, Instagram, Tri- Dermot Magner said Wednesday. “It an assistant to Todd Pletcher and pAdvisor wasn’t ideal but she’s handled it the Chad Brown. Sean Clancy right way.” “I have some younger stock and Fierce Lady gallops on the Oklahoma Wednesday morning. Fierce Lady travelled to Lexington have been trying to develop them,” a day before the sale. She arrived back he said. “You have to be patient with to Magner July 10. As her trainer them and hopefully they will reward said, not ideal when running 10 days you. later in a 6-furlong stakes. Magner won his first race as a Despite her travels, Fierce Lady trainer here last summer. was set as the 1-2 morning line favor- “I won my first race here so it ite for today’s feature for New York- would be special to win my first stake bred fillies. The Stillwater was pre- here,” he said. viously run as the Lynbrook Stakes The Stillwater goes as the third on closing week at but is today’s card. Second-choice on the run at Saratoga this year with the new morning line at 9-2 is Three Diamonds calendar. Farm’s Time Limit. The daughter of Fierce Lady impressed in her first Bustin Stones also showed early speed start. She showed sharp speed to take on debut and scored in frontrunning the lead from the rail post against a fashion at Belmont for trainer Mike group of state-bred maidens and wid- Maker. ened her advantage at every furlong Jeremiah Englehart sends out My thereafter. Javier Castellano didn’t Italian Rabbi for Al Gold’s Gold need to do more than give the filly a Square. The other daughter of Com- hand-ride as the pair strolled through petitive Edge in the field also broke the Belmont stretch to win by 6 her maiden first out at Belmont. lengths. She ran the 5 furlongs that Gary Contessa sends out two – re- day in :56.47. cent maiden winner Classy Sadie and With the intention to sell her last Jen’s Battle, third in her first start. week, Magner did not breeze the filly Christophe Clement shows confi- since that performance. dence in his entrant Jewel Of Arabia, “She trained like she had a lot of a daughter of Daredevil who makes speed,” Magner said as he watched her first start in the stakes. thisishorseracing.com Home of The Special & a lot more

18 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 CONTRIBUTE. NTRA 1/4% Check-off Program You can help the NTRA’s federal legislative team advocate in Washington, D.C., by contributing to the NTRA 1/4% Check-Off Program when you buy and sell at major domestic thoroughbred sales.

For more information, contact Joe Bacigalupo [email protected]. Help us help horse racing in D.C. www.SupportHorseRacing.org

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Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 19 Close-knit place Thursday’s feature honors town east of Spa

BY TERRY HILL and make a quick right on County Route 75 and then a left on Lake Road, which turns into Lake Today’s $100,000 Stillwater Stakes for 2-year- Street and pretty soon you’re in Stillwater. old New York-bred fillies honors the town about Anyone who’s seen the Thornton Wilder play 10 miles from Saratoga Springs. Stillwater’s roots Our Town will have a sense of what it might be run deep, more than 250 years, back to the Amer- like to live in the village. It’s the kind of place where ican Revolution. you can walk into a barber shop and start a conver- “The two Battles of Saratoga were fought on sation. We did just that at Joe’s DE Barber Shop on Stillwater ground,” said Linda Sanders, Stillwater’s the main street. official historian for more than 30 years and still “I’ve been cutting hair here for 35 years,” said its unofficial cheerleader. “I was once told that in proprietor Joe Lanzone. “I love the village. Love England it’s called ‘The Battle of Stillwater,’ though the people. Love the area.” I’ve never been able to verify that.” Just before stepping into the chair to let Lanzone Stillwater remains rural with farms and open give him a cut, retired mechanic Paul Bull more or fields. Tucked into the lower corner of the area less echoed the sentiment. comprising the town, near the confluence of the “We take it easy here,” he said. “It’s slow; not Hoosic and Hudson rivers, is the Village of Still- much going on . . . it’s wonderful.” water, population 1,714. To get there, head east on Stillwater’s friendly atmosphere is reflected in Route 9P (Union Avenue), cross Fish Creek at Sara- the Village Library’s motto: “If the light’s on, we’re toga Lake, make a left on County Route 71 (Cedar home . . .” Bluff Road), make a left on County Route 70 (Jack Continued On Page 21 Halloran Road), then go left on Route 423 East proven to be a J H O O lassic0 C R S C K V S E

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20 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 Stillwater – ‘’ Continued from page 20 “Everybody knows everybody Asked if he ever went to the rac- here and we look out for each oth- es, Bull replied, “No, not really, may- er. I do a 3-mile walk every day and be once, twice a year, but I like My Italian Rabbi in this Stillwater race – by the end my arm is as tired as what a great name!” my legs for all the waving at people Bob Rivers joined the conversation I’ve done.” while waiting for his turn in the chair. “People like it here, and they stay,” – Barbara Ponzilla, said Rivers, who has children, grand- deputy clerk of Stillwater children and even a great-grandchild in town. “Yup, they’re all still here in games we try to sit near the 50, kind town. Four generations.” of neutral territory.” At this point it wasn’t clear if the No matter the yard line, Stillwater discussion took place at a Stillwater is definitely “home” now for Ponzilla. Chamber of Commerce meeting or the barber shop. The theme continued “Everybody knows everybody here outside the shop, however. and we look out for each other,” she At four generations, Rivers sounds said. “I do a 3-mile walk every day like a prospect for a Stillwater Wel- and by the end my arm is as tired as come Wagon visit compared to Vil- my legs for all the waving at people lage of Stillwater Clerk/Treasurer I’ve done.” “Sher” Tedesco. Stillwater Mayor Judy Wood-Shaw “I’m eighth-generation Stillwater,” echoed much of the above sentiment Tedesco said. “And I’ll be at the track when asked to describe her town. on Thursday.” “Close-knit community,” said But for all their Stillwater chauvin- Wood-Shaw, who became the first ism, the people here seem to have a woman elected mayor in last Novem- pretty liberal attitude about intermar- ber’s election. “Warm, friendly peo- riage. In Stillwater, “intermarriage” ple. Great place to live.” SUPRIZE is defined as someone from Stillwater Despite all the unanimity of feeling marrying someone from Mechan- for the town, the people were serious- icville. As daring as this might seem, ly divided on who would win their three of the eight people we talked to namesake race. in Stillwater had courageously married Paul Bull liked My Italian Rabbi. spouses from the down-the-road rival. Barbara Ponzilla wished she could Case in point, Barbara Ponzilla, see the odds before picking, but went who, as deputy clerk, reports to Te- with Classy Sadie. Joe the barber desco, confessed to the local equiva- went with Time Limit. And Bob Riv- lent of high treason. ers took Jen’s Battle. Oh well, that’s ICEMAN “I grew up a Mechanicville girl, what makes horse racing. but I’m a Stillwater Warrior now,” Nice town. Nice people. Should be Ponzilla said. “Though at football a nice race.

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Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 21 Thursday, July 18. 7TH (4:39PM). $48,000, MCL $40,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 5 1/2F (TURF) Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 1ST (1:00PM). $60,000, STR $50,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 7F 1 ..... 1...... Big Wonder...... E. Cancel...... N. Chatterpaul...... 15-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 5, Daily Double 2 ..... 2...... Burkey’s Bro...... D. Davis...... J. Terranova II...... 20-1 1 ..... 1...... Zealous...... L. Saez...... H. Bond...... 4-1 3 ..... 3...... Ellas Ghost...... T. Gaffalione...... B. Brown...... 20-1 2 ..... 2...... Senor Jobim...... R. Santana, Jr...... S. Asmussen...... 7-2 4 ..... 4...... Betsy’s Beau...... L. Reyes...... J. Toner...... 12-1 3 ..... 3...... Shock Therapy...... E. Cancel...... C. Baker...... 10-1 5 ..... 5...... Danzante...... R. Santana, Jr...... H. Bond...... 12-1 4 ..... 4...... Golden Tiger...... J. Rosario...... A. Stall, Jr...... 5-2 6 ..... 6...... Laughing Manners...... J. Rosario...... C. Baker...... 8-1 5 ..... 5...... Smile Bryan...... J. Ortiz...... H. Motion...... 3-1 7 ..... 7...... Sobersick N Sorry...... M. Franco...... S. Klesaris...... 15-1 6 ..... 6...... After You...... J. Castellano...... N. Drysdale...... 7-2 8 ..... 8...... Chuckles...... J. Alvarado...... C. Englehart...... 15-1 9 ..... 9...... Capt. Courageous...... J. Castellano...... J. Abreu...... 8-1 2ND (1:36PM). $75,000, MSW, 2 YO, 5 1/2F 10..... 10...... Alphastest...... J. Lezcano...... G. Weaver...... 7-2 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 11..... 11...... Blue Parrot...... J. Ortiz...... L. Rice...... 12-1 1 ..... 1...... Big’s Gray Day...... R. Maragh...... C. Martin...... 6-1 12..... 12...... Wicked Grin...... K. Carmouche...... C. Clement...... 2-1 2 ..... 2...... Beyond Gone...... J. Leparoux...... K. McPeek...... 3-1 13..... MTO...... Deputy Flag...... J. Alvarado...... T. Morley...... 3-1 3 ..... 3...... Dan the Man Can...... M. Franco...... E. Barker...... 4-1 14..... MTO...... Bulwark...... Rider TBA...... R. Schosberg...... 12-1 4 ..... 4...... January Won...... J. Ortiz...... K. McPeek...... 4-1 15..... MTO...... Lorcan...... D. Davis...... B. Levine...... 8-1 5 ..... 5...... Ninth of April...... R. Santana, Jr...... E. Davis...... 10-1 16..... MTO...... Seven Is Heaven...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... L. Rice...... 2-1 6 ..... 6...... Justintimeforwine...... J. Rosario...... G. Contessa...... 5-1 7 ..... 7...... Jamflowman...... D. Davis...... J. Terranova II...... 7-2 8TH (5:15PM). $92,000, AOC $80,000, 3 YO, 1 1/16M (INNER TURF) Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 3RD (2:12PM). $100,000, STK - THE STILLWATER, 2 YO, F , 6F 1 ..... 4...... Kadar...... L. Saez...... M. Maker...... 6-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1a ..... 7...... Magnificent McCool...... R. Santana, Jr...... S. Asmussen...... 6-1 1 ..... 1...... Jen’s Battle...... M. Franco...... G. Contessa...... 15-1 2 ..... 10...... Spirit Animal...... J. Castellano...... C. Brown...... 2-1 2 ..... 2...... Jewel of Arabia...... J. Rosario...... C. Clement...... 8-1 2b .... 11...... Value Proposition (GB)... I. Ortiz, Jr...... C. Brown...... 2-1 3 ..... 3...... Fierce Lady...... J. Castellano...... D. Magner...... 1-2 3 ..... 1...... Uncle Bull...... T. Gaffalione...... M. Casse...... 5-1 4 ..... 4...... Classy Sadie...... E. Cancel...... G. Contessa...... 6-1 4 ..... 2...... Kid Lemuel...... J. Ortiz...... E. Kenneally...... 12-1 5 ..... 5...... My Italian Rabbi...... L. Saez...... J. Englehart...... 8-1 5 ..... 3...... Shootin the Breeze...... J. Velazquez...... H. Motion...... 8-1 6 ..... 6...... Time Limit...... J. Ortiz...... M. Maker...... 9-2 6 ..... 5...... Jerome Avenue...... J. Rosario...... J. Kimmel...... 20-1 7 ..... 6...... Opry...... J. Lezcano...... T. Pletcher...... 7-2 4TH (2:48PM). $92,000, AOC $25,000, 3 YO’S & UP, 1 3/8M (INNER TURF) 8 ..... 8...... King Ottokar...... J. Leparoux...... M. Casse...... 12-1 Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 9 ..... 9...... Swamp Rat...... D. Davis...... P. Gleaves...... 15-1 1 ..... MTO...... Mills...... M. Franco...... D. Donk...... 6-1 10..... MTO...... Tapit Wise...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... T. Amoss...... 4-1 2 ..... 2...... He’s No Lemon...... J. Castellano...... H. Motion...... 8-5 11..... MTO...... Johny’s Bobby...... J. Leparoux...... P. Bauer...... 20-1 3 ..... 3...... Channel Island...... J. Ortiz...... M. Maker...... 10-1 4 ..... 4...... Trinity (FR)...... J. Velazquez...... H. Motion...... 8-1 9TH (5:51PM). $95,000, AOC $62,500, 3 YO’S & UP, 1 1/8M 5 ..... MTO...... Halloween Horror...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... R. Rodriguez...... 9-2 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double 6 ..... MTO...... Chief Know It All...... T. Gaffalione...... E. Kenneally...... 7-2 1 ..... 1...... Felix in Fabula...... J. Rosario...... M. Kantarmaci...... 15-1 7 ..... 7...... Everyonelovesjames...... L. Saez...... J. Sheppard...... 2-1 2 ..... 2...... Hofburg...... J. Ortiz...... W. Mott...... 1-1 8 ..... 8...... Carom...... J. Martinez...... R. Ribaudo...... 12-1 3 ..... 3...... Proven Reserves...... J. Castellano...... C. Brown...... 7-2 9 ..... 9...... Extrordinary Jerry...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... T. Pletcher...... 5-2 4 ..... 4...... Royal Albert Hall (GB)..... J. Alvarado...... R. Atras...... 12-1 5 ..... 5...... Vincento...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... L. Rice...... 10-1 5TH (3:28PM). $78,000, MSW, 2 YO, 5 1/2F (TURF) 6 ..... 6...... Roaming Union...... M. Franco...... R. Atras...... 5-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 6, Daily Double 7 ..... 7...... Flowers for Lisa...... L. Saez...... J. Navarro...... 5-1 1 ..... 1...... Turbo Drive...... J. Ortiz...... M. Maker...... 7-2 2 ..... 2...... Diannesimpazible...... M. Franco...... R. Rodriguez...... 8-1 10TH (6:25PM). $83,000, AOC $40,000, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 5 1/2F (TURF) 3 ..... 3...... Power Up Paynter...... J. Lezcano...... L. Rice...... 8-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta 4 ..... 4...... Barleewon...... J. Rosario...... M. Stidham...... 5-2 1 ..... MTO...... Timely Tradition...... Rider TBA...... R. Atras...... 2-1 5 ..... 5...... Shandian...... J. Castellano...... G. Contessa...... 6-1 1a ..... MTO...... Hay Field...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... L. Rice...... 2-1 6 ..... 6...... Imperio D...... L. Reyes...... R. Rodriguez...... 15-1 2 ..... 1...... Ohmygollymsmolly...... J. Baez...... C. Nunn...... 30-1 7 ..... MTO...... Tapizearance...... Rider TBA...... G. Contessa...... 8-1 3 ..... 2...... High Jingo...... L. Saez...... J. Servis...... 4-1 8 ..... 8...... More Like It...... D. Davis...... B. Brown...... 10-1 4 ..... 3...... First Appeal...... J. Castellano...... B. Cox...... 3-1 9 ..... MTO...... City Man...... J. Rosario...... C. Clement...... 2-1 5 ..... MTO...... Kept True...... J. Ortiz...... L. Gyarmati...... 3-1 10..... 10...... Fly Fly Away...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... C. Clement...... 3-1 6 ..... MTO...... Sunshine Gal...... M. Franco...... M. Nevin...... 12-1 7 ..... 6...... Mama Mary...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... J. Sharp...... 6-1 6TH (4:03PM). $90,000, MSW, 3 YO’S & UP, F & M , 1 1/8M 8 ..... 7...... Merlins Muse...... J. Velazquez...... D. Donk...... 6-1 Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 5, Daily Double 9 ..... 8...... Stonefactor...... K. Carmouche...... C. Martin...... 8-1 1 ..... 1...... We Are Family...... M. Franco...... M. Nevin...... 6-1 10..... 9...... Amanda Lane...... D. Davis...... E. Barker...... 8-1 2 ..... 2...... Kelleycanrun...... I. Ortiz, Jr...... B. Tagg...... 7-2 11..... 10...... Sadie Lady...... J. Rosario...... A. Delacour...... 7-2 3 ..... 3...... Hightailing...... J. Rosario...... C. McGaughey III...... 5-1 12..... MTO...... Forever Changed...... J. Lezcano...... C. Baker...... 4-1 4 ..... 4...... Smooth With a Kick...... J. Castellano...... C. Brown...... 8-5 13..... 12...... Tudox Lifting Off...... T. Gaffalione...... R. D’Alessandro...... 15-1 5 ..... 5...... Estill...... J. Alvarado...... W. Mott...... 9-2 14..... MTO...... Camorra...... J. Castellano...... T. Pletcher...... 9-2 6 ..... 6...... Girlfriend Rocket...... J. Ortiz...... A. Stall, Jr...... 8-1 15..... MTO...... Bertranda...... Rider TBA...... D. Donk...... 8-1 7 ..... 7...... Sara Sea...... T. Gaffalione...... D. Lukas...... 15-1 Copyright 2019 EQUIBASE Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.

22 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 the Power grid John Charles Tom Rob Matt Race # Shapazian Bedard Law Whitlock Hunter Golden Tiger Smile Bryan Golden Tiger Golden Tiger Shock Therapy 1 After You Senor Jobim After You Senor Jobim Senor Jobim Senor Jobim Golden Tiger Smile Bryan After You Zealous Jamflowman Justintimeforwine Beyond Gone Jamflowman Jamflowman 2 January Won Jamflowman Dan The Man Can January Won Justintimeforwine Ninth Of April January Won Big’s Gray Day Big’s Gray Day Big’s Gray Day Fierce Lady Jewel Of Arabia Fierce Lady My Italian Rabbi Fierce Lady 3 Time Limit Fierce Lady Time Limit Time Limit Time Limit My Italian Rabbi Time Limit My Italian Rabbi Jewel Of Arabia Classy Sadie Halloween Horror Halloween Horror He’s No Lemon He’s No Lemon He’s No Lemon 4 He’s No Lemon Everyonelovesjames Extrordinary Jerry Everyonelovesjames Everyonelovesjames Everyonelovesjames Extrordinary Jerry Everyonelovesjames Extrordinary Jerry Channel Island Power Up Paynter City Man City Man City Man Barleewon 5 City Man Barleewon Fly Fly Away Barleewon Fly Fly Away Fly Fly Away Power Up Paynter Barleewon Turbo Drive Turbo Drive Smooth With A Kick Hightailing Girlfriend Rocket Kelleycanrun Smooth With A Kick Estill Smooth With A Kick Smooth With A Kick Hightailing We Are Family 6 Kellycanrun We Are Family Hightailing Girlfriend Rocket Kelleycanrun Seven Is Heaven Blue Parrot Deputy Flag Wicked Grin Alphastest Alphastest Wicked Grin Wicked Grin Alphastest Wicked Grin 7 Wicked Grin Alphastest Alphastest Laughing Manners Laughing Manners Opry Shootin The Breeze Opry Opry Shootin The Breeze Klaravich entry Opry Value Proposition Value Proposition Value Proposition 8 Tapit Wise Value Proposition Shootin The Breeze Jerome Avenue Opry Hofburg Roaming Union Hofburg Hofburg Hofburg Vincento Hofburg Proven Reserves Royal Albert Hall Vincento 9 Proven Reserves Proven Reserves Roaming Union Proven Reserves Flowers For Lisa High Jingo Drawing Away entry Drawing Away entry Forever Changed High Jingo Drawing Away entry Kept True Sadie Lady High Jingo First Appeal 10 First Appeal Sadie Lady Merlins Muse Mama Mary Mama Mary Our fifth handicapper will be a special guest each day. 2019 Records 14/50 10/50 11/50 9/50 9/41*

Guest Handicapper Today’s guest handicapper is Matt Hunter, Saratoga County and North Country reporter for Spectrum News. A native of Clifton Park, Hunter delivers daily reports from Saratoga Race Course throughout the meet. Sunday, Caton Bredar picked three winners. thisishorseracing.com

* Guest win total does not include Wednesdays, when only the regular handicappers’ Home of The Special & a lot more selections appear online at thisishorseracing.com.

Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 23 inthepaddock BY TOM LAW Farewell Friend Editor’s note: In honor of Wednesday’s inaugural York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund. The way Rick Violette Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, The Evans remembers it, members of the board repre- Special presents an edited version of a column pub- senting the NYRA circuit and Finger Lakes were to lished in November at thisishorseracing.com. secure insurance policies covering jockeys and ex- ercise riders while figuring out a way to pay for it. A big crowd turned out the Monday after Evans conceded he might not have been as “pro- Thanksgiving in the Belmont Café on the first floor NYRA as I should have been since I was represent- of the Belmont Park clubhouse just past the wire to ing them” during some of the discussions. Violette say goodbye one final time. no doubt got word of this and showed up at a meet- They came from all over, me from upstate New ing. York by car in a persistent rainstorm all the way “In no uncertain terms he told me what he down the Taconic Parkway and others by plane thought about my supposed fence-sitting, if you from California, Kentucky, Florida and elsewhere. will,” Evans said. “I was impressed. This guy didn’t The majority, Rick Violette’s colleagues whether know me from Adam.” they were jockeys, trainers or owners, made rela- Many of Evans’ top horses were featured in a vid- tively shorter trips from the area. Tod Marks Trainer Rick Violette was remembered with a race at Sarato- eo tribute to Violette produced by NYRA’s TV and The assembled group could not have been more ga Wednesday. broadcast operations department and shown during representative of Violette’s reach in the game. Back- the memorial, Evans’ Upstart and March Magic stretch workers, journalists, racetrack executives, both of us.” among them. Other top Violette runners were in- representatives of horsemen’s associations came to The two stayed friends over the months that cluded in the video, from Man From Wicklow to speak or hear others tell tales about their friend. turned into years that turned into decades. They Dream Rush, Citadeed to Samraat and Gitchie Two who knew Violette best – and perhaps the worked together again after Belfiore, far removed Goomie to Read The Footnotes. longest – were there in Ralph Evans and Andy Bel- from her days rubbing horses on the track, gave up And of course, Diversify. fiore. Evans and his wife Judith, from Connecticut her post as an editor at Thoroughbred Daily News Diversify delivered a top-of-the-resume victory to and two of Violette’s most loyal patrons, took seats to first handle communications and later become Violette’s decorated career last summer with a per- in the front of the room as NYTHA President Joe executive director at NYTHA. fect performance in the Grade 1 Whitney, a popular Applebaum made some brief remarks. Belfiore, ex- “He was always a tough but fair boss,” Belfiore victory around the racetrack for those who knew ecutive director of NYTHA, stood at the back. said. “Quite a bit tougher in the earlier years, but he the trainer best. The moments before the rain-de- Evans and Belfiore went way back with Violette. got to where he mellowed a bit. I emphasize a little layed Whitney, when everyone huddled under the Belfiore met Violette in the winter of 1981 in South bit. I’m sure Melissa (Cohen, Violette’s longtime as- awnings near the saddling stalls – the Evanses, Vi- Florida. sistant) might question how mellow. But he never olette, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Cohen and the other “I was rubbing horses and looking for a job to expected more of his people than he did of himself. human connections to nearly half the field – created go to Florida for the winter and got hired by Angel He set a very high bar and would expect you to raise one of those moments that if you were lucky enough Penna Jr.,” Belfiore said in late October. “Rick at your game to meet his expectations. to be there you’ll never forget. the time was an assistant and exercise rider for him. “You couldn’t have a better boss. He made you The Whitney came up a lot, a signature victory It just so happened that they gave me three horses better. He made you think. He made you want to do for a singular man. It’s difficult to call it career de- in a barn that was away from the main group, so I the very best job you could, because you saw how fining, because there was so much more to Violette was all by myself with these three horses. Rick used hard he was working.” than stakes victories. What came from the speakers’ to come every morning and get on those three so we Evans met Violette in the early 1990s, when the Continued On Page 25 hung out a lot. He’d bring coffee every morning for two were charged with helping clean up the New RACING RETURNS AUGUST 8 - SEPTEMBER 7 | THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 5PM $500,000 in Daily Purses $1.8 MILLION in Stakes Purses $250,000 G-3 Virginia Derby on Saturday, August 31 Owner/Trainer Participation Incentives

24 The Saratoga Special Thursday, July 18, 2019 for Caffe Lena. Most nights are out – production of the paper and all – but we decided Joan Osborne perform- Paddock – ing Bob Dylan songs Sunday, July 29 might be fun and Continued from page 24 booked some tickets. The night of the show we grabbed a quick bite at Henry mouths summed up some of it, words like advocate, artic- Street Taproom before the short walk to Caffe Lena on ulate, determined, impact, life-changer, motivator, respect, Phila Street. We were almost in the door and spotted a relentless, passionate, prepared and class. man on a bench talking on his cellphone. For more than 40 years, “Rick was a very, very meticulous person, not only as a “Hey, is that Rick Violette?” Joe asked. horse trainer but was someone who studied the issues he “I think so,” I said. Engel Law Offices was involved in,” Evans said. “He worked at it. You knew “Yes, it’s Rick,” Sean said. where he stood, which I think a lot of people mention that Like three fan boys – or reporters looking for a scoop – has represented horsemen about him. There were occasions when my advice to him we waited until he finished his call and pounced. with their legal issues, was to tone it down a bit. That was not his forte. You “What are you guys doing here?” Rick asked. knew where he stood, he was not always right, clearly, but “We were about to ask you the same thing.” and continues to do so. he had his reasons for doing whatever he did. I’m speak- “I love this place.” ing more about the politics now than the horsemanship. I We exchanged some more small talk, each of us agree- Licensing never questioned that.” ing that we wished we had more free time to do non-rac- Most of the attendees hung around to chat and share ing things. Then we realized we might be intruding on Partnership Formation stories after the formal portion of Monday’s memorial ser- Rick’s non-racing thing with non-racing people and in the vice concluded. National THA chairman Alan Foreman doors and up the stairs we went. We sat on one side of the Gaming Comm. Hearings said he was “blown away” at the turnout, as did train- room, ordered coffee, tea and some desert, and raised a Other Legal Matters er Jim Bond, a former NYTHA board member, who re- glass to Violette a few feet away at a different table at the marked “you can really tell a lot about the meaning Rick’s back of the room at some point in the show highlighted by life when you see a crowd like this.” Osborne’s performance of the classics Tangled Up In Blue, “Lengths ahead of the field” Shortly before I got back in the car to trek north through Gotta Serve Somebody and Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat. the rain, Chad Summers stopped me. He asked if I had a The show ended, we said our goodbyes and Rick left us favorite Rick Violette story. with a “see you guys in the morning.” Over an after-show 518-430-0005 Easy answer. Even though I’d known him since the ear- pint – no doubt at Henry Street again – we processed it all. ly 2000s the favorite moment came just four months ago. “How awesome was it seeing Rick Violette tonight?” 855-677-5155 Late one night after finishing the paper and downing an “So cool. Man, he’s the best.” www.engelatty.com IPA or two, Sean pulled up the summer concert schedule No doubt about that.

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Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 25 cupofcoffee BY SEAN CLANCY Here to Stay “You’re going to do well here, bud.” I know the lay of the land, I have a lot of confidence “Thank you.” in your ability. I’ve never really thought about being “Great job, Chris, I’ve got a horse with Sciacca I a jockey’s agent but I would try it with you.” want you to ride…” “I’m thinking about it, I’m thinking about it,” “OK. Sounds good.” Landeros said. “Chris, that was very skillful. You might want to By summer, thinking had become planning. stick around brother, I mean it. You’ve got a lot of Migliore liked Landeros from the start, when the talent.” journeyman was winding down his career and the “Thank you. I’m going to be here all summer.” youngster was revving his up in California. “Chris. I’ve been watching for you so long, “Riders know the guys who can ride, just because you’ve made me a ton of money.” a guy’s not winning doesn’t mean they can’t ride, it “Thank you. Thank you.” just means they’re not getting the opportunities,” Chris Landeros weaved his way from the win- Migliore said. “I’ve been really pleased with the re- Tod Marks ner’s circle to the jocks’ room as deftly as he weaved Chris Landeros. ception we’ve gotten. He won right away, he con- Originator through the last furlong to win Satur- tributed a ride that showed he belongs at this level. day’s fifth race. In between the plaudits, the 31-year- Landeros and his new agent, Joey’s father and My fervent hope, wish, desire is that he rides some old jockey thanked and told his mother-in-law, former jockey Richard Migliore, have been working winners but more than anything I hope he comes Tracey Wilkes, he’d be home for dinner, hugged the barns like the NYRA cleanup crew works the out of this meet and people realize he belongs in the his old friend Joey Migliore and fielded questions late shift, breezing horses, hustling mounts and try- upper echelon of riders.” quicker than Ozzie Smith fielded groundballs. ing to hammer a spike into the most indelible space, But haven’t we been here before? Watching a Last year at Saratoga, Landeros won the Bird- the New York jocks’ room. young jockey trying to make it big at Saratoga. stone Stakes on Big Dollar Bill for Wilkes. That was Son of former trainer, Landeros, who Some have stuck. Some have drifted away, back to sweet. But this one, an allowance race on opening gallops horses for Wilkes, Landeros won his first Ellis Park at best, God knows where, at worst. weekend, again for Wilkes, had more depth. Here race at Turf Paradise in 2006, plied his trade in Migliore will book rides for Landeros but he’ll for his first full-time tilt at Saratoga, Landeros needs Northern California, Texas, the Midwest and even- also be his coach, trying to teach the kid to appreci- to show he’s here to stay. tually dropped his tack bag in Kentucky. He won 31 ate what he has, to give it all he’s got. “When I won the stake last summer, galloping races at Gulfstream Park this winter and picked up “There will be a day when it will be your last out, that was pretty special,” Landeros said. “To- his first rides in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky ride, you will never do that again. Hopefully it’s af- day, I just feel like this is my job. I need to prove it, Oaks this year. ter another 20 years and you make the decision. Jer- this is my time, I’ve got to prove it.” “I’m building up on it for my future,” Lander- ry Bailey got to do that, Chris McCarron got to do So far, so good. os said. “We can get to the next stage, the winter that, but most people don’t make that choice,” said Rained out of a few choice rides early, Landeros pushed me to that level, we’ve got to just build up Migliore, forced out with a neck injury in 2010. has earned a win, a second and two thirds from nine on it now. If I don’t follow it, I’m not going to be “Do you want to look back and say, ‘I could have rides at Saratoga so far. there, I’ve got to do it and I truly believe we can do done better. I could have done more.’ Or do you The California native rides three Friday and is it.” want to feel satisfied whenever it ends?” named on eight, including Mrs. Ramona G. in the Landeros was thinking about a move to Saratoga Landeros will do his part. Caress, Champagne Anyone in the Coaching Club for a while. A call from Migliore in May clinched it. “I was born and bred on the backside so coming American Oaks and the talented Borracho in an “I’ve heard some buzz about you trying Sara- to Saratoga is a big deal,” Landeros said. “I’m going allowance race Saturday. Landeros rides for seven toga,” Migliore said. “If you do and if your agent to let Mig do his work, I’m going to do what I’m trainers Saturday. doesn’t come with you, I know a lot of people here, told and ride hard every chance I get.”

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Thursday, July 18, 2019 The Saratoga Special 27 Celebrating the First State Breeders Association

“The formation of an organization, in whole or in part of persons, firms and/or corporations, who have been or are at the present, or who likely will be interested in the breeding and improvement of horses; the fostering and preserving of traditions pertaining to the horse everywhere and particularly the fine traditions of the horse in Maryland. . .”

—From the MHBA Articles of Incorporation, Jan. 12, 1929