WOODWARD TOPS HUGE CLOSING WEEKEND AT THE SPA
A fine closing weekend of racing is on tap at Saratoga Race Course, with the $750,000 Woodward S. (G1) taking top billing on Saturday. Whitney H. (G1) Fort Larned has surely risen to new heights in 2012 and seemed to thrive on this oval in that most impressive tally here for conditioner Ian Wilkes. The son of E Dubai can handle the trip and has the speed to be close throughout.
Mucho Macho Man was a dominant winner of the Suburban H. (G2) at Belmont last time over a top class field, and looms a huge chance with even a similar showing in that one for conditioner Kathy Rivto. Grade 1 winner and Saratoga specialist Stay Thirsty, fine allowance winner Cease, Grade 1 star and Suburban fourth To Honor and Serve, the consistent graded winning Rule and possibly Stephen Foster H. (G1) winner Ron the Greek, will help add some fantastic depth to this field.
The $500,000 Forego S. (G1) will pit some of the best one-turn horses in the country together, with at least nine probables signed on. Defending champ Jackson Bend has a training mishap last week but seems fine now, and trainer Nick Zio is due to break through after a slew of near misses in 2012. The son of Hear No Evil is not in his best form right now, but is training well and surely likes this main oval. He’ll be tough with his best.
Grade 1 hero Shackleford didn’t fire when eighth in the Vanderbilt (G1) in his most recent outing, but the Dale Romans charge is all class and would be no surprise in this one. Grade 1 hero The Factor is a fine sprinter who could be better on the dirt, and if he ships in, he could be the one to catch in this well-matched field. Vanderbilt (G1) third Emcee, James Marvin S. (G3) winner Pacific Ocean, Vanderbilt upsetter Poseidon’s Warrior, True North H. (G2) star Caixa Electronica and fine allowance hero Dominus, are all in with a shot in this one.
Grade 1 winner Data Link and 2010 Jamaica H. (G1) winner Prince Will I Am are two of the top names in the $250,000 Bernard Baruch H. (G2), which is also on Saturday.
The Sunday card will be led by the $300,000 Spinaway S. (G1) for two-year-old fillies. The top two finishers in the Schuylerville (G3) are probable to contest this race, the Tony Dutrow-conditioned So Many Ways and Todd Pletcher’s Can’t Explain.
Also likely is track-record setter Teen Pauline, who was most impressive at first asking for conditioner Steve Asmussen, as well as the sharp maiden heroine Dreaming of Julia, also for Pletcher.
Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) winner Quick Wit is among the top hopefuls for the $150,000 Saranac S. (G3), a turf test for sophomores.
Closing day will be led by the $300,000 Hopeful S. (G2), which has been oddly downgraded this year. A fine cast of prospects will line up for this seven furlong race, including Sanford S. (G2) winner Bern Identity. The Kelly Breen pupil was a superb maiden winner two back and returned with a nice tally over a good field in his local debut.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has as many as five as he was pointing to this, and among those, the exciting Palace Malice could loom the biggest danger. The son of Curlin looked good in winning on this oval in his maiden conquer and would be no surprise today. His other interests are maiden hero Jocosity, Track Barron S. winner Shanghai Bobby, Sanford third Onetwentyeight and Overanalyze, who sure looked the part on this oval last time.
The $150,000 Glens Falls S. (G3) is also tabbed for the Holiday closing card.