Year 13 No. 1 SARATOGA S DAILY NEWSPAPER ON THOROUGHBRED RACING Friday, July 19, 2013

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1 the ARATOGA TRAINER SUBSCRIPTIONS COMPLIMENTS OF TO THE SARATOGA SPECIAL Year 13 No. 1 SARATOGA S DAILY NEWSPAPER ON THOROUGHBRED RACING Saratoga in 1865 from Harpers Weekly by Winslow Homer. Courtesy of National Museum of Racing collection Celebrating Saratoga s Sesquicentennial! Tod Marks FRIDAY STAKES PREVIEWS ENTRIES & HANDICAPPING SPA STARS TOWN CELEBRATES 150

2 2013 Derby Winners Foaled and Raised at Claiborne Illinois Derby-G3 DEPARTING (by WAR FRONT) UAE Derby-G2 LINES OF BATTLE (by WAR FRONT) Virginia Derby-G2 WAR DANCER (by WAR FRONT) Kentucky Derby-G1 Florida Derby-G1 ORB Post Office Box 150 Paris, Kentucky Tel.(859) Fax claibornefarm.com INQUIRIES TO BERNIE SAMS PHOTOS COADY, PHOTOS BY Z, FOUR FOOTED FOTOS 2

3 the ARATOGA 517 Broadway, Suite 1. Saratoga Springs, NY (Off Long Alley) Phones Sean Clancy Mobile: (302) Joe Clancy Mobile: (302) Tom Law Mobile: (859) here&there... at Saratoga Published Wednesday through Sunday during the racing season. Every day of Sales Week Aug LI- The Staff Editors/Publishers: Sean Clancy, Joe Clancy Managing Editor: Tom Law Staff Writers: Rebecca Fedler, Ryan Jones, Ryan Martin, Dan McDonough, Caitlyn Spivey Layout/Design: Rich Mendoza Photographers: Tod Marks, Dave Harmon, Connie Bush Handicappers: Charles Bedard, Gaile Fitzgerald, Tom Law, John Shapazian, Chad Summers Which Way? A loose horse catches some attention on the main track last week. WORTH REPEATING The Special s quotes from Saratoga Tod Marks Distribution: Jack Clancy, Nolan Clancy, Emmy Cristiano Now Accepting Applications Advertising Sales: Contact a Clancy or anyone on the staff. The Saratoga Special thisishorseracing.com Thoroughbred Racing Calendar The Best of The Saratoga Special Call us about your editorial needs. ST Publishing Inc. Home Office 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD (410) Fax (410) It s said that one cannot truly appreciate a summer day at Saratoga unless they ve suffered a winter day at Aqueduct. Attendee at National Museum of Racing preview event Wednesday night That s a great line, there s no way that I could give an answer as good as that line. New NYRA President and CEO Christopher Kay Video games by 7 o clock. Jock s agent about the evening plans of a young jockey in Saratoga I think I ve got more carts than Pletcher s got horses. Golf cart agent Mike Grigely I ve been doing this long enough that I don t think I can make a slow one fast, but I can try. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, on riding fast horses I m in denial. Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation s Diana Pikulski, on the start of the meet What am I going to do, come back here? That s like coming back in the Super Bowl. Jockey Mike Luzzi, still rehabbing from shoulder surgery in mid-may You need those guys to invest in a golf cart for you. Todd Pletcher to The Special s Tom Law walking across Union Avenue I ll have to wear my long dresses. NYRA s Maggie Wolfendale, about her TV attire, after getting kicked in the knee by a horse Wednesday morning There was a line out to Union Avenue for your job. Trainer Gary Contessa to Wolfendale, who does not expect to miss any time on injured reserve You think they put me in the back because I m from the south? I get no respect. Trainer Eric Guillot, on his Barn 34 locale on the Oklahoma side I m 50/50 to make it there based on the way this car is running. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard, on his way to Saratoga (hopefully) Thursday afternoon I won t say I lost. She won. The Special s handicapper John Shapazian, on last year s runner-up finish to Gaile Fitzgerald If you re short on help, I have a man on standby. Trainer Dave Carroll, the agent for the Special s newest paperboy 3

4 here&there... Continued from previous page Lengths Ahead of the Field For two generations Engel Law Offices has represented owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys in Saratoga and elsewhere. 7Partnership Agreements 7Limited Liability Company Formation 7Licensing matters before the Gaming Commision 7Litigation 7Liens 7Syndication 7Stable leases 7Or other legal matters Please visit our new Saratoga office at 120 West Ave where we serve the legal needs of the Thoroughbred industry Also in Syracuse (315) The Chief... Day 1 Group Plan, when he won the Gold Cup, we weren t going to run him because we were tired of running against Forego, plus he had even weights. We breezed him to run a mile and a sixteenth in the race before the Gold Cup, then we find out Forego wasn t going to run. See, it made a lot of difference entering the day before the race, so then, the next day we galloped him 2 miles and a half and he went the last three quarters in 18, then we walked him Friday and walked him a little bit on Saturday morning. You only had one horse to beat, Wajima, and he really didn t want to go that far. He was a good horse. Not only that, Jorge got up next to Baeza, got right next to him and they went all the way down the stretch. - Trainer Allen Jerkens Tod Marks Saratoga s Corner Stable. Impressions gift shop gets into the spirit of things with a sidewalk display. TAKE A NUMBER 27: Southbound horse vans seen on the Thruway Monday morning. 1: Plate in Lorna Chavez s right leg. 9: Screws in Lorna Chavez s right leg. She ll be riding a golf cart, not a horse, for a while. 5: Trucks in the video-board convoy crossing the dirt track to the infield Tuesday morning at the break. 117: Mares bred to Saratoga hero Get Stormy this year. 34:27: Time it takes to speak to an American at Adobe Customer Support. 5: Breeders Cup fly sheets drying in the breeze behind Todd Pletcher s barn. NAMES OF THE DAY I ll Call, first race. The 3-year-old George Strawbridge homebred is by Smart Strike out of Recording. Sunbio, 10th race. The 3-year-old gelding, who runs for Sackatoga Stable, is by Sunriver out of My Own Story. WEATHER Hot, check your phone for specifics. QUOTE OF THE DAY I guess God s looked out for this place for a long time. Trainer Bob Ribaudo, reminiscing about the old propane hot-water drums on the backside (and their hard-to-explain safety) The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen s Association visit us on Facebook HORSE TRANSPORTATION 4

5 here&there... Continued from previous page WORTH REPEATING I had a dream that I won a race for you. Jock s agent Angel Cordero to a trainer Wednesday morning I live in Northern Kentucky and am a huge racing fan. My wife and I go to Keeneland several times a year. When asked if Keeneland is better than Saratoga or vice versa my answer is always the same. They are both great racing venues and when you are at either track you know you re in a special place. Special reader Mark Behler You will never let me forget that will you? Former Special handicapper Erin Finley about picking Lisa s Booby Trap in her turf debut Just a reminder, only a few days until Saratoga. Remind me to leave my tuxudo, my pink dress shirt and the extra T-shirts at home next summer. Special reader, Greg in Wisconsin, paraphrasing an article in last year s paper by Sean Clancy It s far. Paul Wasserman, co-founder of The Special, when asked about his first trip to Finger Lakes How many ads did he try to sell today? The Special s Joe Clancy when told to write it like Sports Illustrated s Gary Smith Where are the hounds? Laurel-based trainer Tim Keefe when seeing a video of horses breezing at Richard Valentine s farm in Virginia There s a reason why our wives carry these things for nine months and we don t. Trainer Todd Wyatt, when comparing the parental instincts of mothers and fathers Try not to stress out. That s when accidents happen. I love you! Ruth Clancy, mother of The Special We can be optimistic. We can be pessimistic. But the horses are realistic. Bloodstock agent Tom McGreevy, at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale I m dating myself. The Special s Tom Law when saying the office is next to the Firehouse Restaurant Healing Waters. Bring your hose, it s going to be hot today. Connie Bush P H O T O brought to you by: Cell: (859) of the day Look out Rosie, here I come. Photo by Tod Marks 5

6 SCHUYLERVILLE STAKES PREVIEW Small filly, big chance Bahnah favored in first-day feature off impressive debut BY TOM LAW The calls came right away. They always do. Win big, run fast, earn a sparkling speed figure and the phone will ring. Bahnah rolled in her career debut June 6 at Churchill Downs and Bret Calhoun said his mobile was ringing off the hook from fellow trainers, bloodstock agents and other owners, all wanting to come take a look and buy the filly by Elusive Quality who lived up to her morning works in her 4 1/2-furlong debut. These guys, my owners, they aren t sellers but they re businessmen, too, Calhoun said Wednesday morning outside his two-stall string on the Oklahoma training track here at Saratoga Race Course. They said, what do you want to tell them? I said, we ll tell them she s not for sale. I did tell them that, and that Bahnah and Bret Calhoun take aim at today s Schuylerville. didn t deter them much. They finally called and offered a million dollars for her. I said, well, I guess we ll take a million. Come look at her. Everybody that called, I said, you re not going to give the kind of money it will take to buy her when you come look at her because she s going to Connie Bush be too small to give that kind of money. They came, they looked at her and they said, no, we can t give a million dollars for her. So here we are. Here is opening day and we is the connections of See SCHUYLERVILLE page 8 When your horse needs help... Our specialists provide the medical and surgical services your horse needs Saratoga Rhinebeck Equine 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK 365 DAYS A YEAR NYC Laura H. Javsicas, VMD, DACVIM Shannon J. Murray, DVM, DACVS James N. Nutt, VMD, DACVS 26 Losee Lane, Rhinebeck, New York Tel (845) Fax (845) Conveniently located 10 minutes from the Kingston/Rhinecliff Bridge 6

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8 Schuylerville Continued from page 6 the $62,000 yearling purchase pegged as the 7-5 choice for today s Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes, traditional opening-day feature of the 40-day Saratoga meeting. Bahnah earned the favoritism off her impressive victory that came after some solid works at Calhoun s main base at Churchill. She won that day by 6 lengths, running 4 1/2 furlongs in : Corey Lanerie, up high on the filly s withers all the way around the far turn, asked one question midway around that bend, got the answer he wanted and was quiet on her in the stretch. Bahnah, who trained her first two days in Saratoga on the Oklahoma before her first trip to the main track Wednesday, didn t take Calhoun by surprise with her victory, which came about two weeks after he sent out firster Fiftyshadesofgold to a similarly impressive debut victory at Lone Star Park. Fiftyshadesofgold, who came back to win the Debutante Stakes June 22 at Churchill, will run in the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes Aug. 11. The two fillies are polar opposites. Fiftyshadesofgold is the obvious big horse. Bahnah is, well, the little horse. She wasn t big when she sold at the Keeneland September sale as a yearling and Calhoun said when she showed up in the barn earlier this spring I didn t think she d grown an inch. Now, after 45 days or so with Cal- See SCHUYLERVILLE page 10 Yes Liz represents trainer Todd Pletcher in the Schuylerville. Tod Marks Bona Venture Stables For information contact: dfcollins@bonaventurestables.com or visit us on the web at: Bona Venture Stables

9 OVER $1 MILLION PURSE MONEY FOR MARYLAND MILLION NOMINATED/ CERTIFIED HORSES THEY RE OFF! Maryland s Day at the Races October 19, 2013 SAVE THE DATE! Maryland Million Ltd MarylandMillion.com PRE-ENTRY DEADLINE OCTOBER

10 Schuylerville Continued from page 8 houn, she s starting to catch up. She s still a small filly, but she s got a lot of body length, Calhoun said. She s got a good mind and nothing really bothers her much. She might be a little curious about things, checks you out the first time she sees you. She s the same way when she sees a new track or something. She checks it out, gives it a second look and that s it. Todd Pletcher, a four-time winner of the Schuylerville and the Spa s leading trainer nine times, looks to upend the Kentucky shipper and entered Stonestreet Stable s duo of Yes Liz and Elena Strikes. Whether they both run was still up for discussion, particularly for Yes Liz, who would come back off 16 days rest following a sharp maiden win going 5 furlongs at Belmont Park. She seems to have bounced out of that race pretty well and we always thought she was a precocious sort, Pletcher said Wednesday morning. And she drew a favorable post position [No. 6]. A daughter of Yes It s True, Yes Liz was a $200,000 purchase at the OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale and didn t join Pletcher s string in Saratoga until after Elena Strikes. A filly by Smart Strike, Elena Strikes has been here all spring and summer aside from a trip to Monmouth for her easy win in her debut June 22. That was all timing, Pletcher said of the decision to ship Elena Strikes to True Blue Nation streaks to a maiden win at Belmont last month. New Jersey. It wasn t so much that we thought she needed an easier circuit. We were just trying to get her in position to break her maiden and maybe come back and hopefully run in something like the Schuylerville. Tom Albertrani didn t get any rave reviews about True Blue Nation when J.J. Crupi shipped the Bluegrass Cat filly from his New Castle Farm in Ocala to Belmont Park. She earned plenty after a sharp score at nearly 18-1 in her debut June 21 for Vinny Viola s St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds. Albertrani said True Blue Nation didn t show the kind of speed in the mornings that she flashed in her debut, breaking well and getting clear early before shedding rivals around the turn to win by 5 1/4. NYRA Photo/Adam Coglianese We had her for about a month, maybe six weeks, Albertrani said. I didn t get any big raves about her. When I talked to J.J., just in general, he talked about he s got some nice 2-year-olds coming up to you. So I think it was a bit unexpected. The more they re ready the better, since I don t crank on them. Hopefully we ll see another big race Friday. Uncle Mo A great horse needs a great start... Ocala, Florida Jim Crupi h Toll Free: (866) h Cell: (352)

11 Love the Game Veteran Parx shipper, connections take stakes chance off nine-win 2012 BY JOE CLANCY Kelsey Parisi went to the track kitchen at Parx Racing on Preakness Day. All she wanted was breakfast. She got a lesson. The entire track kitchen was cheering for him, she said of Hello Lover, trainer Butch Reid s entrant in today s James Marvin Stakes on Saratoga s Opening Day card. He s that horse everyone roots for. Count Reid s assistant among that group. She rides the 7-year-old gray gelding, puts up with his gawks and pauses to and from the racetrack in the morning and counts on him for solid efforts no matter the competition. The Maryland-bred won nine times last year, eight after Reid claimed him for $7,500, placed in two stakes and earned more than $300,000. The son of Not For Love is 15-1 in the Marvin, a 7-furlong test headed by Jaipur winner Souper Speedy, but ignore Reid s horse at your peril. You have to plan the morning around him, said Parisi, 23. He stares and looks and stops at things so much it takes an extra 15 minutes to get him to the track at home. He s pretty easy to ride though. You just have to let him do his thing. Based with Reid at Parx, Parisi has adapted well. The Colorado State graduate (equine JAMES MARVIN STAKES PREVIEW science degree) started riding at age 6 and has done endurance racing, barrel racing, show jumping and pretty much anything else there is to do with a horse. She got the racing bug via a junior-year internship with Reid, which came about through a family connection to owner Joe Imbesi. Parisi worked with racehorses in Australia and backpacked around Asia, but she came back to work with Thoroughbreds like Hello Lover. He won once and finished second three times in his first nine starts in for trainer Kevin Sleeter, then missed nearly two years. He emerged as a claimer in 2011, winning for $10,000 and $7,500 tags. In January 2012, Sleeter went once more to the $7,500 level and owner Stuart Sackowitz called Reid. I want this horse, the owner said. He was off two years, the trainer replied. Reid relented. Hello Lover won that race and switched barns. His new outfit saw a rough-looking right suspensory, but went to work. Hello Lover dominated the starter ranks at Parx, finished third in the 1 ½-mile Greenwood Cup and just missed winning a twoother-than here last summer. In the winter, he See MARVIN page 12 Claimed for $7,500, Hello Lover aims for a Saratoga stakes today. Joe Clancy 11

12 Marvin Continued from page 11 finished second in the Jennings Handicap at Laurel and third in a stakes on New Year s Eve. This year, after a well-deserved rest, has been much of the same. Hello Lover won the Deputed Testamony starter handicap on Preakness Day at Pimlico and finished third in the Don Levine Memorial at Parx last month. For Sackowitz and Kasey K. Racing Stable, Hello Lover won nine races and finished second or third six times. Reid manages the suspensory, with fewer fast workouts and no racing or training on sloppy tracks. He d done a lot of jogging before we got him, but he hated it and Butch just said If he s going to make it, he s got to gallop, said Ginny Reid, the trainer s wife and another member of the team. We turned him around and galloped. Every day he does whatever he wants to do. We ve never breezed him, ever. Those are open gallops you see (on his past performances). He knows what he s got to do. Along for the ride, Parisi marvels at the big gray horse s progression. She also smiles at her fortune galloping a stakes horse at Saratoga just a few short years after taking her first job in racing. I could do all sorts of things with my degree, but I see racing and I want to work in it, said Parisi, who grew up in Pennsylvania. Racing is such an amazing sport. Everyone here loves it and they take such good care of their horses and for some reason the public doesn t see that. I see so much potential for the sport to continue to excel and get rid of that stigma. That s why I want to be part of it. Hello Lover breaks from post two with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the $100,000 Marvin, the eighth of 10 races on the day. He ll have plenty of competition. Just to his outside stands Souper Speedy. Live Oak Plantation s 4-year-old exits back-to-back wins including a victory in the Grade 3 Jaipur by disqualification. He s been doing really well since that race, said trainer Tom Albertrani. And overall since the layoff he s put two good races together back-to-back and I feel very confident that he s going to run well again. The trainer likes the 7 furlongs of the Marvin, but does not rule out longer efforts, and perhaps turf, for the half-brother to former Live Oak star Brilliant Speed. It s something that we would like to try in the future, but this race comes at a good opportunity and time to run back at seven-eighths, the trainer said. He s been effective at seven-eighths in all his starts. The race was there and we thought that just maybe we should take advantage of the distance and the race and then go from there. Third in the Jaipur, Politicallycorrect returns for trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Joel Rosario while carrying four career wins and more than $431,000 in earnings from the rail. Sage Valley opened his year with a stakes win on Preakness Day (his fourth consecutive score), then settled for fifth in the True North at Belmont last month. Cornelio Velasquez rides for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Strapping Groom and Jaguar Paw exit stakes victories for David Jacobson and Chad Brown, respectively. Sage Valley (looking a bit like Prince Valiant) eyes the James Marvin today. Connie Bush 12

13 Heating Up Off Grade 3 defeat, Hessonite returns to state-bred stakes ranks BY JOE CLANCY There s always one the New Yorkbred that makes rival trainers cringe when they look at the entries. Today, it s Hessonite. Trainer David Donk entered the Grade 3 winner of more than $800,000 in the $100,000 On The Bus Stakes. She s 6-5 in a field of nine going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf, and lords over the field with 10 career victories including three over the course for owners Bill Punk and Phil DiLeo. I ve been the little guy in plenty of those races, too, so I know the feeling, said Donk of his mare s credentials in the state-bred stakes. It s still a stakes and she s still got to run her race. Hessonite did not do that in her most recent start, a dull fourth in the Dr. James Penny Stakes at Parx Racing July 2. Donk blamed the 5-length loss to Somali Lemonade on a tough day at the Pennsylvania track. It was very humid and it just got to her, he said. She came in the paddock, and she started washing out. You don t think too much of it on a hot day, but then she just proceeded to profusely ON THE BUS STAKES PREVIEW sweat and Johnny just said she was never on the bridle. Donk said the 5-year-old mare drank two buckets of water afterward, which was out of the ordinary. Of course, today s weather forecast calls for more of the same steamy weather, though Hessonite won t have to deal with a 100- mile van ride this time as the track is right out her front door. It s a concern again, but when you ship and run in the heat it s even harder on them, Donk said. The ship is underestimated, especially with fillies. She doesn t have to do that here. Off 17 days rest, she will have to return to the form that helped her win the Beaugay at Belmont in May and capture two state-bred stakes here last summer. In today s world, I guess I wish there was another week but I worked for Woody Stephens and back then everybody was running back in two weeks, Donk said. Now, trainers are afraid to train them and run them. She s here, she s run well here, she had a good breeze, we re ready to go. Hessonite eyes her 11th career win in today s On The Bus Stakes. Hessonite will get a stern test from the 1-2 finishers in the Mt. Vernon at Belmont June 1. Shakeira downed Inimitable Romanee by a neck in that New York-bred race and both return. The former rides a three-race winning streak dating to November and is the 2-1 second choice for Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stable. Trained by Chad Brown, Shakeira is a daughter of Freud (like Hessonite) and looks for her eighth career win. Rajiv Maragh rides. Gallaghers Stud s Inimitable Romanee hasn t won in more than a year, but the defeats include a second to Hessonite and two seconds to Shakeira. Graham Motion trains the daughter of Maria s Mon and Tod Marks tabbed Edgar Prado for the ride at 8-1. Parting Glass Racing s Wholelottashakin exits a win in her seasonal debut for trainer Tom Bush. The daughter of Scat Daddy was beaten just a neck by Shakeira here last summer and returned to win a state-bred allowance over two next-out winners at Belmont June 26. Jose Lezcano takes the return call at A stakes winner on Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs last out, Mystic City tries the New York-bred turf ranks once again for trainer Mike Ferraro. Langpap Stable s runner has finished behind Hessonite five times and Shakeira twice. Pedro Rodriguez rides at THE EXCITEMENT STARTS HERE! Saturday, October 19, 2013 Post Time 7:15 pm At Featuring the West Virginia Breeders Classic And the Breeders Classics Races TV Coverage on Fox Sports, Comcast & HRTV West Virginia Breeders Classics, Ltd. wvbcmbn@verizon.net P.O. Box 1251 Charles Town,WV SAM HUFF - CEO CAROL HOLDEN - PRES. THERESA BITNER - EXEC. SEC. 13

14 Connie Bush Shakeira is a player in the On The Bus. Uncle Southern runs in the sixth. Tod Marks FRIDAY S SARATOGA ENTRIES Friday, July 19. 1ST (1:00PM). $87,000, AOC $35,000, 3 YO S & UP, 1 3/16M (TURF) Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1 1 I ll Call E. Prado H. Motion Wayward Sailor J. Castellano D. Gargan Kingofthebluegrass R. Maragh M. Trombetta Money in Motion J. Velazquez P. Serpe Minister Colin I. Ortiz, Jr. D. Galluscio Royal Blessing J. Lezcano T. Albertrani Mahubo (SAF) J. Gutierrez J. Raposa State Flag J. Rosario M. Maker Which Market E. Wilson G. Contessa Cheyenne Nation R. Napravnik W. Catalano Newfound Zapper A. Solis W. Ward Hardest Core L. Saez K. McLaughlin MTO Midnight Taboo J. Velazquez T. Pletcher MTO Cary Street J. Lezcano B. Walsh MTO Romansh J. Alvarado T. Albertrani MTO Most Happy Fella. R. Schosberg 5-1 2ND (1:32PM). $40,000, CLM $20,000, 3 & UP, 1 1/16M (INNER TURF) Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 1 5 Nineinthenine E. Prado B. Brown 5-1 1a MTO Lure of the South E. Prado B. Brown Springcourt I. Ortiz, Jr. G. Gullo Gamblin Fever J. Espinoza R. Metivier Fizzano L. Saez H. Bond Terminus C. Velasquez N. Esler Unaccountable J. Lezcano L. Rice Donato J. Velazquez B. Levine Yankee Fourtune J. Castellano J. Servis Dual Citizen J. Rosario D. Jacobson Volcano Run R. Napravnik A. Dutrow Silent Pipe R. Albarado M. Scherer Short Shrift A. Solis J. Fisher AE Formulaforsuccess J. Rosario M. Maker AE Myhorseofcourse R. Maragh R. Hess, Jr MTO Sovereign Default D. Cohen D. Jacobson 5-2 3RD (2:04PM). $80,000, MSW, 2 YO, F, 5 1/2F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1 4 Stopchargingmaria J. Velazquez T. Pletcher 1-1 1a 8 Our Amazing Rose J. Velazquez T. Pletcher Crystal Rocket I. Ortiz, Jr. G. Contessa Predicate R. Maragh M. Hennig Stormin Mary G. Rodriguez D. Prine Ireland L. Saez D. Lukas J. Quirk E. Wilson G. Contessa Art of the Game J. Rosario N. Zito 5-2 4TH (2:36PM). $100,000, STK - ON THE BUS, 3&UP, F&M, 1 1/16M (INNER TURF) Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1 1 Shesabronxbomber J. Castellano J. Servis Lady On the Run A. Solis J. Morrison Hessonite J. Velazquez D. Donk Inimitable Romanee E. Prado H. Motion Shakeira R. Maragh C. Brown Mystic City P. Rodriguez M. Ferraro Dreaming of Cara J. Rosario M. Friedman Princess Mara E. Wilson G. Contessa Wholelottashakin J. Lezcano T. Bush TH (3:08PM). $70,000, MSW, 2 YO, F, 5 1/2F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 6, Daily Double 1 1 Hangingwithsonny S. Bridgmohan B. Brown Flying K C J. Lezcano P. Serpe Michonne L. Saez M. Nevin Her Majesty s Own G. Rodriguez R. Lugovich I m Gonna Flip J. Castellano M. Maker Aspree P. Rodriguez M. Ferraro Irish Sweepstakes R. Maragh M. Hennig Talk to Me J. Navarro M. Gorham AE Mary s in Utopia G. Rodriguez D. Prine TH (3:41PM). $72,000, ALW, 3 YO S & UP, F & M, 5 1/2F (TURF) Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1 1 Uncle Southern R. Napravnik L. Rice Invading Humor R. Maragh B. Levine Subtle J. Lezcano J. Servis My Uptown Gal G. Rodriguez K. Feron With Honorandgrace C. Velasquez M. Trombetta Mighty Reward A. Solis C. Domino Heading to Toga J. Espinoza D. Schettino Irish Whisper I. Ortiz, Jr. J. Englehart Neck of the Moon J. Castellano C. Brown Fantastic Eyes L. Saez J. Aquilino Flattermewithroses A. Lezcano J. Antonucci Bit Bustin E. Wilson G. Contessa AE Polan E. Prado J. Coronel AE Ave s Halo J. Rosario L. Rice MTO Copper Bluff A. Solis L. Gyarmati MTO City Gone Wild. G. Contessa 5-1 7TH (4:14PM). $82,000, ALW, 3 YO S & UP, 7F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Pic 4, Daily Double 1 1 Googleado (ARG) R. Albarado R. Morse Tenango D. Cohen D. Jacobson Coin Flip R. Napravnik W. Catalano Titletown Five J. Rosario D. Lukas Wall Dance I. Ortiz, Jr. E. Harty Strike One C. Lanerie B. Walsh New Line J. Velazquez W. Mott Indy s Illusion L. Saez B. Tagg Sayler s Creek R. Maragh G. Carwood Dawly C. Velasquez R. Rodriguez Ithastobegeorge J. Castellano T. Morley TH (4:47PM). $100,000, STK - THE JAMES MARVIN, 3 YO S & UP, 7F Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pic 3, Daily Double 1 1 Politicallycorrect J. Rosario W. Ward Hello Lover I. Ortiz, Jr. R. Reid, Jr Souper Speedy J. Lezcano T. Albertrani Sage Valley C. Velasquez R. Rodriguez Jaguar Paw J. Castellano C. Brown Willyconker (IRE) J. Ortiz E. Guillot Right to Vote D. Cohen R. Moquett Laurie s Rocket L. Saez D. Lukas Strapping Groom J. Velazquez D. Jacobson 4-1 9TH (5:20PM). $150,000, STK - THE SCHUYLERVILLE, 2 YO, F, 6F Exacta, Trifecta, Daily Double 1 2 Elena Strikes J. Castellano T. Pletcher 5-2 1a 6 Yes Liz J. Velazquez T. Pletcher Jonesin for Jerry W. Ho J. Robb Silver Valley J. Rosario R. Moquett Brazen Persuasion R. Napravnik S. Asmussen Bahnah C. Lanerie W. Calhoun True Blue Nation J. Lezcano T. Albertrani TH (5:52PM). $75,000, MSW, 3 YO S & UP, 1 1/16M (INNER TURF) Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta 1 1 Jesses Giant Dunk J. Espinoza J. Terranova, II A Better Tomorrow J. Rosario M. Maker Awesome Heart J. Velazquez A. Iwinski Mister Dooley L. Saez H. Bond Brandy s Big Guy G. Rodriguez G. Goodwin Birchwood Road E. Prado A. Penna, Jr Hudson Miracle J. Lezcano C. Brown Sonnyandpally R. Napravnik N. Zito Sunbio J. Alvarado B. Tagg Reventon R. Maragh W. Badgett, Jr Trainingforsuccess C. Velasquez M. Friedman Sunnysider I. Ortiz, Jr. H. Jerkens AE Elroi L. Saez P. Pugh MTO Privatize. L. Gyarmati MTO Face the Race J. Rosario M. Matz MTO Never Naked. R. Schosberg 12-1 Copyright 2013 EQUIBASE Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 14

15 the Power grid Race # Gaile Fitzgerald John Shapazian Charles Bedard Chad Summers Tom Law Midnight Taboo I ll Call Royal Blessing Formulaforsuccess Volcano Run Nineinthenine Pletcher entry Art of the Game Predicate Hessonite Shakeira Inimitable Romanee Irish Sweepstakes Flying K C I m Gonna Flip Neck of the Moon Fantastic Eyes Subtle Tenango Strike One Coin Flip Hello Lover Souper Speedy Jaguar Paw Bahnah Brazen Persuasion Yes Liz Sunbio A Better Tomorrow Hudson Miracle Royal Blessing Hardest Core Wayward Sailor Nineinthenine Volcano Run Donato Pletcher entry Ireland Art of the Game Hessonite Shakeira Lady On the Run Irish Sweepstakes Flying K C Talk to Me Neck of the Moon Subtle Uncle Southern Coin Flip Googleado Tenango Souper Speedy Strapping Groom Jaguar Paw Bahnah Pletcher entry Brazen Persuasion A Better Tomorrow Sunbio Hudson Miracle Cary Street State Flag Kingofthebluegrass Formulaforsuccess Springcourt Nineinthenine Stopchargingmaria Predicate J. Quirk Hessonite Shakeira Dreaming Of Cara Irish Sweepstakes Talk To Me Aspree City Gone Wild Fantastic Eyes Flattermewithroses Googleado Tenango Wall Dance Souper Speedy Hello Lover Sage Valley Brazen Persuasion True Blue Nation Jonesin For Jerry Face The Race Sunbio Sonnyandpally I ll Call Hardest Core Minister Colin Nineinthenine Fizzano Unaccountable Pletcher entry Predicate Ireland Inimitable Romanee Shakeira Wholelottashakin Irish Sweepstakes I m Gonna Flip Aspree Neck of the Moon Subtle Invading Humor Coin Flip Tenango Googleado Hello Lover Souper Speedy Sage Valley Pletcher entry Brazen Persuasion True Blue Nation Sunbio A Better Tomorrow Jesses Giant Dunk Hardest Core Royal Blessing State Flag Yankee Fortune Dual Citizen Unaccountable Pletcher entry Art of the Game Ireland Hessonite Inimitable Romanee Mystic City Irish Sweepstakes Flying K C Aspree Neck of the Moon Subtle With Honorandgrace New Line Coin Flip Indy s Illusion Souper Speedy Jaguar Paw Laurie s Rocket Bahnah Yes Liz True Blue Nation A Better Tomorrow Hudson Miracle Sunbio thisishorseracing.com 15

16 A Proper Celebration Saratoga Race Course s sesquicentennial well under way BY REBECCA FEDLER AND DAN MCDONOUGH A red oval with gold detail. Simple, yet meaningful with its presence. It s the logo used to mark 150 years of racing at Saratoga Race Course. And It s everywhere, said Anita Davies, an out-of-town visitor earlier this summer. The logo is literally everywhere throughout downtown Saratoga Springs from posters in shop windows, to water bottles, flagpoles, gardens, candy bars and pins on lapels of the well dressed. Everyone should have a pin who lives and works in Saratoga, said Roger Goldsmith, owner of Crafters Gallery on Broadway. Goldsmith made sure everyone on his staff got a pin, designed and sold by the Saratoga 150 Committee. The pin works as an admission ticket to the more than 200 events that are part of the celebration, including the $2 Bettor s Ball, specific dates at the track, and the opportunity to be entered to win one of five $15,000 giveaway bets on a specific feature race during the Spa meeting. Other events include art shows, dance history exhibits, floral fete promenade, wine and food festival, and chalk coloring contest and the Saratoga Springs Horse Show. Goldsmith said the summer-long celebration gives the track the respect it deserves on such a big occasion. I feel honored to have my business here, and to live in Saratoga during the celebrations, Goldsmith said. After all, 150 years is quite the accomplishment. Saratoga Race Course is the oldest operating sports venue in the country, and as Goldsmith pointed out, the 150th anniversary only happens once. The celebration of the 150th anniversary coupled with the hugely popular race meeting is expected to draw visitors to Saratoga this year from an even wider radius. It is a special chapter in a tradition unlike any other, and one that boasts uncommon longevity. It s a continuity, said Ken Howell, a Saratoga Springs resident since It s always there. You don t see a lot of things that are 150 years old. Nothing lasts that long. Most things are a fad. See 150 page 18 Flags are flying all over town to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the track. Tod Marks 16

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18 150 Continued from page 16 Things come in and out, but this is traditional in a time when tradition is not as prevalent as it used to be. Saratoga natives embrace the traditions, particularly those who have been around to see other milestones at the historic track. Miles Fitzgerald is a city native who recalls working at the track s 100th anniversary while a high school senior. He s as excited now about the 150th as ever. It s great to see the next big anniversary come around, Fitzgerald said. Ann O Brien, another Saratoga native, also remembers the 100th anniversary and said the way the 150th is being marked is really an incredible thing. It s so beautiful, O Brien said of the track. It looks like a painting the infield almost too pretty to be real. Business Boost The Saratoga 150 events will certainly draw people interested in the specific events, and obviously the track draws its usual huge share, but the two events combined should be a positive for businesses. Marianne Barker, owner of Impressions of Saratoga, said there already has been a big boost in business with the celebration. The community is really excited about it, she said. Caroline Blake, owner of Little Red Millinery on Henry Street, said the anniversary supplies an opportunity to show people that Saratoga is a great place to be with its intermixing of culture, art and horse racing. She said the celebration gives hope as well. This town has gone through a lot of ups and downs with the economy, she said. This gives people hope that it s going back up again. Mike Buckingham, owner of Michael L. Buckingham Thoroughbreds, and Douglas Rodriguez, a native of Albany who moved to Saratoga 25 years ago, agree. Horse racing was the number one thing that drew me here, but the town itself has far more to offer than most other towns I ve ever lived in, Buckingham said. People are drawn here for their first time due to horse racing, and then they see the other merits of the town while they re here. It s just a great town, a classy little town, Rodriguez said. That s how I would describe it. When this town puts on an event, no matter what time of year it is, people come from 100 miles around to participate. Get on board for 2013 In 2012 at Saratoga 2 wins 3 seconds 2 thirds from 8 starts. Matt Gatsas ( ) or Rich Cristiano ( ) Office: Win info@sovereignstable.com Steeplechasing A Saratoga Tradition Always Experience the thrills of steeplechase racing every Thursday of the 2013 Saratoga Race Course meet. The National Steeplechase Association congratulates Saratoga Race Course on its 150th anniversary. Tod Marks 18

19 Saratoga Fall Mixed & Horses of Racing Age Tod Marks A public viewing tower is being built on the Oklahoma side to recognize the 150th anniversary. Monday, October 7, 2013 ENTRIES CLOSE JULY fasigtipton.com In Saratoga

20 The meet gets started today with the first strides of a 40-day race meet. thisishorseracing.com Tod Marks Game T ime Magical meet opens with today s 10-race card, many more on tap BY TOM LAW SARATOGA SEASON PREVIEW The long wait is over and the day is here. A few were already looking forward to it as Golden Tornado occupied his place in the winner s circle after the final race on the final day of last year s meet. Others made a mental note that it was a little less than seven months to go once they heard the last noisemaker and finished the last of the New Year s Eve champagne. Even more start to count down the days just as the dust settles from the spring classics. Lucky for them, and for everyone, the day is here. Opening day of the Saratoga Race Course meeting is here and on tap are 40 days of racing that will go a long way toward determining berths in championship events later this fall and subsequent season-ending titles and at the same time validate or expose performances from earlier this year. There are few places to hide at the Spa and even less easy spots. Winning anywhere is tough. Trying to win at Saratoga can sometimes seem downright diabolical. Just ask some trainers and jockeys who posted win percentages in the single digits with ample opportunities last season we won t name names, just not our style but you get the point. Saratoga is the place where the oldest racing traditions on this side of the Atlantic Ocean consider that this year s meeting commemorates 150 years of racing at the Spa, the sesquicentennial as the locals like to call it meet the best competition. Other summertime spots can boast of this and that, but they re just not Saratoga. Del Mar s got the ocean. Arlington, the Million. South Florida, the heat (although it feels around here like it got pushed north this summer) and two tracks this year. No disrespect to some others, but most of the others don t have anything people are looking for on vacation. Saratoga, of course, has the horses. Just about every year, and especially so this year. Consider that each of the winners of the 2013 spring classics Kentucky Derby winner Orb, Preakness winner Oxbow and Belmont winner Palace See MEET page 21 20

21 The horses are strolling toward the races. Meet Continued from page 20 Malice are all being pointed toward the signature race of the meeting, the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes. A lot can change over the course of the five-plus weeks it will take to get to the fourth weekend in August, but if any or even all members of that trio stub their toe along the way there is more than enough star power to carry the meeting. Wise Dan is here, a Horse of the Year title, two other divisional Eclipse Awards, a Breeders Cup Mile crown and five other stakes wins from as many starts removed from his popular score in last season s Fourstardave Handicap. The 6-year-old gelding is under consideration for that same race again this year, run Aug. 10, along with a possible run back on the dirt in the Whitney Invitational a week earlier. Charlie LoPresti bedded his small string down in the same barn he trained the eventual Horse of the Year out of last year and is glad to be back. Where else am I going to go with him? LoPresti said earlier this week, just a few feet from the stall where the Horse of the Year was taking a wellearned nap after a long van ride from Lexington. As for where we ll run, it s all how he s doing. I m going to let this horse tell me. When we left Keeneland this horse was spot on. I can tell you I would not have been afraid if there was a race this weekend to just ship him in and run. There s plenty of other equine royalty already on the grounds or headed this way, including Breeders Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, Kentucky Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar, top female turf stars Stephanie s Kitten and Centre Court, defending champion female sprinter Groupie Doll and leading steeplechaser Demonstrative to name just a few. And of course, Saratoga s got the 2-year-olds. The maiden races frequently come up as tough as stakes and the six graded stakes, well, they might get knocked from time to time for not being this or Tod Marks not being that, but they remain on everyone s radar. Two of those races today s Schuylerville for fillies and Monday s Sanford get the meet started and will undoubtedly kick off the buzz about the babies that filters throughout the town right on through Labor Day. The buzz is justified, especially in recent years. Consider that the winners of the last six Triple Crown races I ll Have Another and Union Rags in 2012 and the aforementioned Orb, Oxbow and Palace Malice all competed at Saratoga at some point in their juvenile campaigns. Todd Pletcher knows a thing or two about 2-year-old racing at Saratoga. The three-time defending training champion at the meet and nine-time leader overall in a little more than 17 years with his license won 23 juvenile races at Saratoga last season. Four of the five colts Pletcher started in this year s Kentucky Derby raced last year at the Spa, including debut winners Overanalyze and Charming Kitten and second-out winner Palace Malice. He also won with champion Shanghai Bobby, Dreaming of Julia, Violence and Kauai Katie. It s always an exciting time of year with the 2-year-olds getting ready to run, Pletcher said earlier this week just outside his barn at the Oklahoma training track. It s exciting when you re debuting horses. You never know until you run them, but we think we ve got a good group. The juvenile races make up a significant portion of the racing programs at Saratoga. Case in point today s 10-race card that includes three races for 2-yearolds. To be successful up here you have to have strength in 2-year-olds, and I think that s why Todd s been so strong all these years, said Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, a six-time leading trainer at Saratoga over a seven-year span from 1986 to The purse structure is so good with 2-year-olds here that if they can run you re almost better off running them here as opposed to running them earlier at, say, Belmont or Churchill. With the way the purses are See MEET page 23 21

22 Best Bets in Saratoga Things to do, places to go, businesses to call... LOCAL FAVORITE IN A HISTORIC SARATOGA NEIGHBORHOOD A SHORT STROLL FROM THE TRACK 139 UNION AVENUE SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY THEBROOKTAVERN.COM Lyrical Ballad Bookstore Antiquarian Booksellers More than 100,000 books and old prints all sound and ready. 7-9 Phila Street lyricalballadbooks.com Specializing in books on the history of Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Put your business in front of thousands of racing fans every day during the Saratoga meet. Call (302) or (302) for information. The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that s the way to bet. Koz s Long Shot! Saratoga Long Shots of the Day Starting Bankroll: $100 - Current Balance: $100 Meet Record: I am even! Play my picks for $2.00 Win/Place/Show According to Lt. Col. Frank Slade, By the time they get to Albany in that hupmobile he drives it ll be opening day at Saratoga Whoo-ah! (Please remember that if you plan to imbibe at the races leave the jockeying home to another driver!) : -.. \, Race 3 (7) Art of the Game 5-2 Zito is just 4/79 in last six meets with first time starters works say yes! Race 8 (6) Willyconker 20-1 Stable and trainer were a no show last year but pulled off some big upsets in 2011! Damon Runyon 22

23 Meet Continued from page 21 set up here, if you think they re a stone-cold runner, you might as well run them here. Pletcher starts and usually finishes the conversation about leading trainer honors, but there s plenty of depth among his colleagues with Chad Brown, Bill Mott and Steve Asmussen most likely in the mix. The jockey colony is as deep as ever, even without threetime Eclipse Award-winner and 2012 leader Ramon Dominguez retired. Joel Rosario, John Velazquez, Jose Lezcano and Javier Castellano figure to battle it out with Rosie Napravnik, Junior Alvarado, Rajiv Maragh, Irad Ortiz Jr. and Cornelio Velasquez in the hunt. Ken Ramsey expects to lay over the competition in the owner s race, just as he did during record-setting meets this year at Gulfstream, Keeneland and Churchill. He threw down the gauntlet earlier this week, predicting a record number of winners at the Spa. It should be interesting, Ramsey said. I think 18 wins is a record up there, at least that s what I found out. We re shooting for 20. I don t know if that will The Phipps team is on the grounds, gear included. win the title, but I ll go on record and say we ll win 20 races at Saratoga. So how exactly is he going to win all those races over the 40-day meeting that opens Friday and runs through Monday, Sept. 2? We re looking the best we have ever looked, Tod Marks Ramsey said. I m going to run Stephanie s Kitten up there in the Grade 1 Diana, Kitten s Dumplings in the Lake George, she should be competitive. We ve got Real Solution, we re still trying to figure out which stakes race to run him in. They re all by Kitten s Joy of course. I ll just say, I m loaded. 23

24 Pletcher, as always Nine-time leading trainer set to make another run with barn BY SEAN CLANCY SPA STARS As far as trainers go, there is no bigger star than Todd Pletcher. Nationwide and certainly at Saratoga. He s won the Saratoga title the past three seasons and has secured nine titles overall. The trainers race stops and starts at the TAP sign at the end of his barn. As always, the 46-year-old Texan will come loaded with tents staked in every camp. Palace Malice, Verrazano and others for 3-year-old stakes. Princess Of Sylmar, Dreaming of Julia and others for the 3-year-old filly stakes. Hudson Steele, Channel Lady, Notacatbutallama, Micromanage, Charming Kitten, Yes Liz, Caixa Eletronica, San Pablo, Forty Tales the list goes on and on. Beyond the stakes horses, Pletcher can rack up numbers with the Repole Stable s approach to winning the leading owner title. To put the numbers in perspective, Pletcher breezed 40 horses at Saratoga, Monmouth and Belmont Park July 7. One morning, 40 breezes. Think about all the ones who galloped, jogged, walked and grazed. It s an arsenal. We ll try to approach it as we always do, never take anything for granted, Pletcher said in early July. I know Saratoga is a very difficult place to win horse races. We are appreciative of that. We ll see how it shakes out, and hopefully we ll get lucky and be successful in the stakes. We have a nice blend of young horses and some established 3-year-olds and older horses that we can be competitive in these races that are very tough to win. Last year, Pletcher outgunned Chad Brown by seven wins and over $1.5 million in purses. Brown won at 31 percent, while Pletcher popped at 24 percent. Pletcher dominated the 2-yearold races, winning 23 during the meet. Pletcher unleashed the likes of Palace Malice, Dreaming of Julia, Overanalyze, Kauai Katie and Shanghai Bobby. Sixteen of the 23 were debut winners. Pletcher s juveniles won the title for him. This year won t be any different. As always, our success at Saratoga is a direct correlation to how our See PLETCHER page 27 Todd Pletcher and his horses will have plenty to say about Saratoga Tod Marks Join the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation for an evening at Mama Mia s Pizza and Cafe for casual dinner and cocktails to celebrate 30 years of saving racehorses. The Gold Standard in Racing Partnerships A horse can take you on an incredible journey. With over 20 years of experience we know how to get you started in fractional ownership. Monday, July 22. Buffet served 6-9 p.m. $75 in advance. $85 at the door. (518) or Price Chopper/Taft Shopping Center 185 Ballston Ave. in Saratoga Springs Compete at the highest levels. Enjoy a unique lifestyle experience. Share the expenses. Live a dream. Make new friends. Create memories with your family. Oh, and have a darn good time doing it. Begin your journey. This advertisement is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell securities. Follow us at 24

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27 Pletcher Continued from page 24 2-year-olds run, that s hard to project a long way out, it s constantly evolving and changing, some are going to make it, some are going to need more time, you have to take it as it comes, said Pletcher, who for today entered twohorse entries in a maiden filly that goes as the third and the co-featured Schuylerville. Like everybody else, we were held up a bit by the tremendously wet spring that we ve had, because of that, we might be a little behind scheduling as where we were this time last year. In early July, Pletcher was realistic about trying to make predictions or comparisons between this year s crop and last year s prolific fleet. Last year, we were blessed with the 2-year-old winners up there, to think we re going to do that again is unrealistic, I just hope that we do well, Pletcher said. From a pedigree standpoint, a lot of our horses are later types and twoturn types, that s what we were looking for when we bought them. Hopefully we ll have enough precocious types to keep us rolling until those longer type horses get ready. I thought we were holding a pretty strong hand coming into last year and I think we re holding a pretty good hand this year, maybe not the precocity that we had last year. Some of the 2-year-old winners might come later in the meet. One of the 2-year-olds that could surface later in the meet is Ari the Adventurer, who won her July 11 debut by 6 ¾ lengths at Belmont. See thisishorseracing.com for more Spa Stars. THE WISHING WELL Since 1936 wishingwellrestaurant.com CLASSIC ELEGANCE in the foothills of the Adirondacks a few miles north of Saratoga Springs 745 Saratoga Road, Wilton, NY Jockeys Name... Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings Ramon Dominguez $4,896,216 Javier Castellano $3,837,232 Jose Lezcano $2,533,273 John Velazquez $4,027,659 Joel Rosario $2,273,909 Junior Alvarado $2,308,652 Julien Leparoux $2,166,718 Rosie Napravnik $2,023,390 Rajiv Maragh $1,585,311 Cornelio Velasquez $1,054,698 Irad Ortiz, Jr $1,793,398 Alan Garcia $1,546,396 Eddie Castro $971,104 Wilmer Garcia $717,746 Edgar Prado $772,097 David Cohen $1,084,601 Shaun Bridgmohan $284,811 Kent Desormeaux $325,661 Jose Espinoza $250,821 Abel Lezcano $127,460 Owners Name... Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings Repole Stable $724,123 Klaravich and Lawrence $865,985 Ramsey, Ken & Sarah $651,637 Michael Dubb $322,218 Godolphin Racing $1,765,150 Phipps Stable $605,686 Juddmonte Farms $328,832 Claiborne Farm $315,600 & Adele Dilschneider Stonestreet Stables $310,500 Drawing Away Stable $231,039 and David Jacobson Flying Zee Stables $226,228 Paul Pompa, Jr $193,630 David Ross Racing Stable $162, Saratoga Statistics Trainers Name... Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings Todd Pletcher $3,554,642 Chad Brown $1,978,093 Steve Asmussen $916,890 Bill Mott $1,951,420 Tony Dutrow $689,091 George Weaver $543,259 Bruce Levine $510,346 Rudy Rodriguez $587,973 Gary Contessa $487,535 Kiaran McLaughlin $2,041,214 Christophe Clement $629,712 Dale Romans $603,915 Eddie Kenneally $542,951 David Jacobson $476,526 Linda Rice $388,548 Rick Dutrow, Jr $1,023,609 Shug McGaughey $1,021,459 Al Stall $489,952 Rick Violette $479,513 Phil Serpe $386,754 Dominic Galluscio $370,351 Dominick Schettino $345,222 John Terranova $339,342 Leading owner Mike Repole. thisishorseracing.com Tod Marks 27

28 New Ground New CEO Kay takes NYRA reins at start of 2013 Saratoga meeting BY DAN MCDONOUGH The backdrop was pure New York racing, easily recognizable by fans across the state. The main track of Saratoga Race Course, appearing serene and crisp less than 48 hours before the beginning of its 150th meeting, framed from above by an awning bearing the track s signature red-and-white colors. But to Christopher Kay, a man who to this point has been more attuned to the workings of roller coasters and action figures than Thoroughbred racing, it was all brand new. The 60-year-old Kay, recently named president and chief executive officer of NYRA, acknowledged to assembled media that Friday s Opening Day would be his first Saratoga racing experience. This will be my first day of racing in Saratoga, said Kay, officially appointed July 1 following a career that has includes stints as the chief operating officer of both Toys R Us and the Theme Park Division of Universal Studios. Kay is also a lawyer and most recently served as the COO for The Trust of Public Land. In addition to relating how he will apply his business acumen to his new position, Kay spent time stressing the importance of striving to create an excellent atmosphere for fans at Saratoga and other racing venues in the state. It s the whole concept of guest experience, Kay said. We want to try to create an outstanding guest experience. We d like to bring more people to horse racing, and that includes people in the 18-to-34 demographic, as well as women. Kay frequently alluded to what he said is his main goal: to complete the intended re-privatization of NYRA by October 2015, the target date which has been set for the organization to transition back into private control after a period as a public entity. He stated that his past experience working through obstacles in the past would provide him with a framework for the restructuring of NYRA. There are certain things about each industry that are the same, Kay said. All that I ve learned in various industries in the past I intend to bring here. I m supposed to provide a plan along with our management team to be able Tod Marks Racing returns to venerable Saratoga, under the direction of Christopher Kay for the first time. to privatize this organization by the date put forth in the statute. Kay did not escape some questions about NYRA s rocky past, particularly the association s sometimes-uneasy relationship with state government. No specific issues were discussed, but NYRA s well-publicized past foibles seem destined to hang over Kay s tenure until he can prove he has a viable plan to eradicate them. Kay did paint a picture of optimism concerning the state of relations between NYRA and state officials going forward. While there may have been a difference of opinion between the state and NYRA boards in the past, now the interests are aligned, he said. Together we can do something really significant, for the sport and for the state. Kay pointed to the estimated $4.2 billion impact that horse racing has on New York s economy as ample motivation for both sides to work in harmony. As for his lack of experience in racing, Kay said the influence and expertise See KAY page 28 When your horse needs help... Our specialists provide the medical and surgical services your horse needs Saratoga Rhinebeck Equine 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK 365 DAYS A YEAR NYC Laura H. Javsicas, VMD, DACVIM Shannon J. Murray, DVM, DACVS James N. Nutt, VMD, DACVS 26 Losee Lane, Rhinebeck, New York Tel (845) Fax (845) Conveniently located 10 minutes from the Kingston/Rhinecliff Bridge 28

29 Kay Continued from page 29 of NYRA s current board of directors selected by Gov. Andrew Cuomo would play a vital role moving forward. We have a board of which is comprised of people with a great deal of racing experience, he said. I ve worked with them and I will continue to work with them. When pressed to provide concrete examples of NYRA s plans to work in conjunction with the state on fixing racing in New York, Kay declined to go into specifics but continually reiterated his belief in the importance of identifying problematic areas and working towards solutions. My way of doing business has always been to understand all the problems as soon as I can, and to begin to address them before they become big problems, he said. That s what I m going to do here. Kay did acknowledge that NYRA s road ahead will have its share of bumps, calling the task of reforming NYRA a tremendous challenge, in light of what has happened in the past and the condition of the sport. We want to provide a strategy that will make NYRA and horse racing more successful in the future. We want to put it on a stronger foundation, address a variety of capital improvements needed for Saratoga and also the tracks downstate, and provide a management team that is more effective and efficient in its operations. To hear Kay tell it, those improvements will all begin with focus on enhancing the race-day experience for the hundreds of thousands of fans who will stream through the gates of Saratoga Race Course over the next 40 live racing days. The way we can do it right now, make sure our operation is as flawless as possible every day and provide people with the kind of experience where they ll want to come back over and over again, he said. Kay said he doesn t know if Cuomo will show the supposed renewed alliance of New York state and NYRA with a visit to Saratoga, but that if he does like everybody else, he s going to have a fantastic time here in Saratoga. thisishorseracing.com 29

30 cupofcoffee T ime Passages by Sean Clancy Here we are again. A year has come and gone. A year of highs and lows, wins and losses, hellos and goodbyes. That great passage of time, marked yet again by Opening Day of Saratoga. For 150 years, it s provided the fulcrum life before Saratoga, life after Saratoga. Opening Day makes you stop and think, take note, assess. How s life? What have I accomplished? How have I failed? What needs fixing? Who s still in my life? Who s not? Just for a moment, usually on the drive up the Northway or on the first morning at the track. The introspection doesn t last long, first race springs at 1:00 Friday afternoon. The flag falls and that s the last reflection until Labor Day, when we leave here, some of us skint, some of us flush, all of us changed. In between, tickets will be cashed, crumpled. Horses will win, lose, get hurt. Trainers will get hired, fired. Jockeys, too. Romances will be kindled. Cars will crash. Records will be broken. Memories will be made. Thursday morning, the backstretch tour feels the same, except for the heat. Trees, tracks, barns, paths and horses. Friends we haven t seen in a year wave hello, their names scroll through our brains, trying to remember. Horses try to form a routine in a strange place, one gets loose and dashes the right way, then the wrong way, another walks home without a saddle, exercise rider shaking his head in disbelief. Stall screens, box fans, trainer plaques and wall boxes are measured, hung, balanced and realigned. Fresh traffic cops yell for you to stop, while you re stopped. A few subtle changes, a few major changes, the same place, the same feeling. Steve Rushing drives his golf cart along the road on the far turn, his jockey s name, Cornelio Velasquez, stenciled across the front of the green rental. Like Starsky with a new Hutch, Rushing goes about his job without his longtime comrade, Ramon Dominguez. Saratoga won t be the same without Ramon. He ll be here, don t talk about him in the past tense, one door has closed, plenty will open. His style, his accuracy, his subtle grace will be missed. Yes, that passage of time. Pat Kelly shakes hands with his left, his right fingers taped, a couple of screws holding them in place, after a horse got cast before the Belmont Stakes back in June. Ken Kelly, shank swinging, walks back from the track. Mike Kelly, back where he belongs with Alex Solis book, stops to swap stories about old Saratoga rentals. We laugh. Pat Kelly pauses, First year without Pop. We lost him in April. We ll miss him up here. Yes, that passage of time. Charlie LoPresti strolls out of his barn, under the trees, across from the five-eighths pole. Pants tucked in his boots, bandage around his wrist after a filly snagged him, shirt tail waving. He s gone from an unknown Kentucky shipper, trying his hand at the big time to a Saratoga regular, with the Horse of the Year tucked and ready to duplicate his Saratoga scourge. Yes, that passage of time. Bernie and Kate Dalton bathe Lillehammer and Cat Feathers in the yard across Henning Road. Husband and wife, jockey and trainer, exercise riders and grooms. Cat Feathers pulled off a shocker last year, changed their lives. She s back, she won t be the same price. Yes, that passage of time. The Saratoga Special staff introduces itself, a few new interns and a few old faces, stacking paper racks and handing out fliers. The boys who couldn t look over the steering wheel when we started this in 2001, now drive the golf cart, voices changed, they shave, think about girls, hold down jobs, talk back. Yes, that passage of time. Amy Tarrant, with a select string for the first time at Saratoga, smiles and introduces herself. Tom Amoss walks up the horse path, phone to his ear. Is he here for the meet? Brian Hogan drives his tractor trailer through the Clare Court gate and asks David Jacobson for directions. Lorna Chavez, with a broken ankle, drives a golf cart instead of a horse, Picasso without a brush. Chad Brown has taken over for Nick Zito in the barn across the yard from my rental house. The Chief stops and says hello, asks about a horse he hasn t seen in a year, then pounces in his cart to see a horse train on the main track. Yes, that passage of time. LERMAN LAW FIRM, PLLC Welcome back to Saratoga CRIMINAL DEFENSE DWI/TRAFFIC EQUINE & RACING MATTERS Ethan C. Lerman ~ Attorney & Counselor at Law Downtown Saratoga 64 woodlawn avenue info@lermanlawfirm.com 30

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