Strike The Tiger headlines Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes

The meet at Saratoga Race Course is quickly coming to a close. We have just a few graded stakes races left and I’m looking forward to each one. The Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes presents a unique challenge. It is for two-year-olds over 8.5 furlongs on the turf. Nownownow won the race in 2007 prior to taking the inaugural running of the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf. You can bank on seeing some of these colts in the Breeders Cup.

Strike The Tiger is a very interesting entry. He is undefeated in three career starts, including a victory at the Royal Ascot meet in Great Britain. He made history with that win, becoming the first American trained horse to ever win a race at the meet. He did so at odds of 33-1. He won’t be anywhere near that price in this spot, but could still offer value. The son of Tiger Ridge will be racing at a route distance for the first time.

He has a lot of early zip, but I would like to see if he can settle behind the early leaders to avoid a speed duel.  He did well to win his first start back in the U.S., taking the $50k Chenery Stakes at Colonial Downs in wire to wire fashion over 5.5 furlongs on the grass. The works are solid entering the race. Wesley Ward has been doing a great job with him and the same can be said for jockey John Velazquez. I’m thinking about keying him first in exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. I might single him on my Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Two Notch Road is likely to get some support after shocking the racing world by winning the Continental Mile at odds of 107-1. Now that’s what I call lighting up the tote board! That win was the first time the son of Partner’s Hero had raced over the turf. I have my doubts about his ability to duplicate that form. I may use him to round out some exotic tickets, but he will be left off all exacta tickets.

Todd Pletcher has a pair of interesting entries in Zapster and Interactif. I like Zapster the most even though he is a maiden. The son of Ghostzapper ran a good race as the favorite to finish second in a maiden special weight last out over this same distance and surface. I like his early speed and expect a good run from him here. Interactif ran strong to break his maiden first out, but ran poorly in the Grade 2 Sanford Stakes last out. He should improve while switching surfaces and extending to a route distance.

The New York bred Jung Man Scott should have plenty of support after breaking his maiden in 1:02 2/5 for 5.5 furlong on the turf, earning a BRIS figure of 92. The Richard Dutrow trainee is progressing very well. The son of Freud will have ace jockey Ramon Dominguez in the irons. He is the likely pacesetter.

I’ll make Strike the Tiger my top selection. This race promises to be an interesting one. Who do you like?!

Summer Bird wins the Grade 1 Travers Stakes

I love the line by David Grening at the Daily Racing Form. He said “He is no longer the other Bird”, referring to Belmont and Travers Stakes winner Summer Bird. That is certainly true. The son of Birdstone sat somewhat close to the pace in this race and was an easy winner over Hold Me Back. Kent Desormaux said after the race that he was only galloping for most of the race and he could’ve gone past the leaders much sooner if he had wanted. This colt is for real.

I feared that the stretch in distance would be too much for Quality Road and unfortunately it was. The Florida Derby winner had too much ground to make up after not racing for so long. He stalked close to the pace and flattened while ending up third. The off track didn’t help his chances either.

I expect to see him come back in the Jockey Club Gold Cup where he will be a decent price and come with a peak effort. I’ve always been a huge fan of the son of Elusive Quality, but just couldn’t take him with all the question marks here. However, I can already tell you I will have a bundle on him regardless of where he ends up next.

My top pick was Kensei. He stalked close to the leader but came up empty when jockey Edgar Prado asked him the question. I’m thinking he didn’t like the track. It will be interesting to see how he does in his next race. I wonder where he will show up. Perhaps in the Jockey Club Gold Cup?

I learn something new everyday. Summer Bird is the 30th horse to win the Travers and also win the Belmont Stakes. I must admit that I was ignorant to this trend, but I will definitely be keeping it mind next year. I was very satisfied with this years race, and I am already looking forward to watching Rachel Alexandra next week.

What are your thoughts? Send me a tweet via Twitter @gradedstakes, or leave a comment below!

Rutherienne the pick to win the Grade 2 Ballston Spa Handicap

Rutherienne is the definition of a distance specialist. She has won at today’s distance of 8.5 furlongs over the turf seven times in nine tries. The daughter of Pulpit has only won a single time from her four starts at Saratoga. She ran third in the other three, two of which were Grade 1 races. She has the right style to win this race. Trainer Christophe Clemente is among the best in the nation with turf horses. You can bet that he will have this one ready to roar.

I’m not thrilled with the favored Cocoa Beach’s chances here. She worked very hard to beat a field of New York breds last out, and just doesn’t seem as good as she was last year. I won’t be using her on top of any of my tickets, but I might throw in her third just because I’d hate to get beat by her. I hope she takes a lot of money, because I really don’t see her winning this one.

Captain’s Lover is entering this race after a seven length triumph in the $200k Matchmaker Stakes, a race that was taken off the turf. She seems to be improving  for trainer Todd Pletcher. She has performed much better across the pond, but if she runs like she did in her last race here then she could have this race won.

My Princess Jess could surprise some folks here. She closed well last out in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes but could only finish fifth. Prior to that race she was third behind champion mare Forever Together in the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes. A yielding track would help the daughter of Stormy Atlantic, and I think she will get one.

It’s hard for me to go against Rutherienne here. I love her record at the distance, and she is just very tough overall. Who is your pick? Leave a comment and let me know!

Free Horse Racing Picks Updated

I’ve added several new picks for tomorrow on Travers day at Saratoga Race Course. Check them out by clicking “Free Horse Racing Picks” on the red toolbar. I’m really excited for the card, but mostly for the all stakes Pick 4. I love graded stakes races. They are my forte. I will be pretty disapointed if I don’t hit this Pick 4, although I don’t expect it to pay too much.

The rain will really mess things up at Saratoga. I read they are expecting over an inch of rain between now and tomorrow. I have handicapped the night before making the assumption that races are going to come off the turf. I will have to readjust if the early turf raced aren’t moved off.

Good luck and be sure to come back and share your stories with me if you have a nice hit tomorrow!

Indian Blessing headlines Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes

Horse bettors and fans of Indian Blessing could be in for a surprise at the windows on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. Indian Blessing could be the largest price in her career. She will likely be in the 1-1 to 2-1 range. The daughter of Indian Charlie has been bet under even money in all but one of her fourteen career starts. That is a tribute to her excellence and the great job that trainer Bob Baffert is doing with her.

Indian Blessing’s most recent start came in a minor stakes where she tired to finish fourth. That was the first time she had finished worse than second. Before that she performed well in Dubai where she finished second in the Grade 1 $2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen. She has scored two big wins at this distance of seven furlongs, and ran second at this distance in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

The biggest challenge for Indian Blessing will be Informed Decision. Trained by Jonathan Sheppard, this filly has won five races in a row, two of them which were Grade 1 events. She is a specialist at the distance and has never lost in five tries going seven furlongs. She went wire to wire last out, but you can expect to see her revert to her mid pack running style for this race.

Informed Decision is a win machine. She has found the winners circle in eight of her ten races. She enters this race with a very fast :58 H five furlong bullet. This will be her first race in over 50 days, but she has run well on rest in the past. Julien Leparoux will be in the irons. She has a huge shot to win this thing at 2-1.

Music Note is an interesting entry. If this race were a little further, I’d love her chances. However, its hard to support her facing excellent sprinters like Indian Blessing and Informed Decision. Her first race of the year was a lackluster fifth place finish in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap.

She ended last year with a runner up finish in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic. Her best wins last year came in the Grade 1 Mother Goose and Grade 1 CCA Oaks. She is a very classy filly and cant be counted out, but I have my doubts because of the distance.

Tar Heel Mom freaked last out to win an optional claimer by 5 lengths. She earned a career best figure for that race, but I don’t think she will be able to duplicate that form. Modification and PSU Grad round out the field.

I’m excited for this race. Who do you like?

Munnings favored to win the Grade 1 Kings Bishop Stakes

A contentious field of eight has gathered to try to win the Grade 1 $300,000 King’s Bishop Stakes over seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga Racecourse. Last year’s race was won by Visionaire. Prior to that, Hard Spun took the race. The list of stars to have competed in this event is a mile long, and this years winner will certainly have a bright future.

Munnings is the morning line favorite at odds of 2-1. Though he is much hyped, he has yet to win a Grade 1 race. His last trip to the track was a third place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. That was too far for the son of Speightstown to run, and he should perform better while returning to a sprint distance. The best win for Munnings to date came in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park.

Todd Pletcher is concerned about the rail draw for Munnings. Nobody wants the rail, especially when sprinting. Great horses overcome problems and I’ve heard only the highest of praise for Munnings. If he is as good as everyone thinks he is then it shouldn’t cost him the win. I’ll look elsewhere for my winner, but I’m certainly giving a big look to this one with John Velazquez in the irons.

I’ve grown fond of Big Drama. He is quite a temperamental horse as he proved prior to the start of the Grade 1  Preakness Stakes, and last out in the Grade 3West Virginia Derby. I love his early zip and the stubbornness that he shows to win races. He went crazy on the front end and wasn’t able to hold off Soul Warrior in the West Virginia Derby, but should do well turning back in distance. The son of Montbrook would be a perfect three for three at the distance if not for an iffy disqualification in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes.

He has enough early speed to be close or to take the lead. I expect jockey Eibar Coa to try and go wire to wire. This colt always shows up with a strong race. His only off the board finish came against fierce competition in the Preakness Stakes, where he ended up fifth. I’d like to see him calm before the race. He clearly holds a strong hand for trainer David Fawkes.

Vineyard Haven is the only Grade 1 winner in the race, but will be making his first start since finishing fourth in Dubai back in February. The son of Lido Palace has been training here at Saratoga since early July, but will probably be a bit short coming off the shelf. He has good early speed, but his running style might have changed since his freshman campaign. I won’t be using him on top.

There was a split second when I thought Capt. Candyman Can might run Quality Road down last out in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes. The gelding ran a strong race, but was not able to get by Quality Road. The gelded son of Candy Ride has never lost at this distance and looks primed for a peak effort.

This will be a good one for horse betting. I’ll go with Big Drama at 3-1. Who do you like in the King’s Bishop Stakes?

North American Racing Academy

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris McCarron last summer at River Downs. He was there to help his pupil, Jessica Oldham Stith, get through her first race. Stith’s parents were both jockeys and she was riding a mare named Greenwood Lady that was trained by the students at NARA. She was the first of many students to graduate from McCarron’s North American Racing Academy.

McCarron started the school to help jockeys learn the tricks of the trade. The video does a better job of telling you about the school than I could, so sit back and enjoy!

Grade 1 Travers Stakes

The Travers or the “Midsummer Derby” as it has become known, is one of the most important races of the year. It is named after William R. Travers who was the President of the Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the event in 1864. The winner of the race will have his silks painted on a canoe that sits in the infield. This tradition has existed since 1961.

Another cool tradition is the awarding of the Travers Trophy. It was designed by the world famous Tiffany & Co and donated by Samuel Riddle’s wife. Riddle owned the great Man O’ War who the found the winners circle in the Travers in 1920. A replica of the trophy is given to the winner each year and is presented by a member of the Riddle family.

A field of seven horses has gathered for the 140th running of the Travers. Quality Road is the 8/5 morning line favorite after winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes. He broke the track record in both of those events. I’m a bit concerned about his ability to go from 6.5 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles in the span of one race.

The son of Elusive Quality is one of the best horses in the entire country, but he is not a machine. He will be racing past his optimal distance and is probably susceptible to a bounce after running so well off the shelf in the Amsterdam. I love the horse and I would be happy to see him win, but I won’t be betting him at a short price.

My choice to take the $1,000,000 purse is Steve Asmussen’s and Jess Jackson’s Kensei. The title of “Kensei” is one from ancient Japan that was given to a warrior of legendary skill. I like the that, and this colt has plenty of skill. The son of Mr Greeley has improved with every start and if he moves forward  AGAIN it would be bad for his foes.

While watching the replay of the Jim Dandy Stakes I saw Edgar Prado look back as they had just straightened out for the home stretch. It was as if he knew he was sitting on a ton of horse, which was the case as Kensei was a fairly easy winner. His final time of 1:47.90 was more than stellar. He holds a very strong hand in this race and will offer good value thanks to the favored Quality Road.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird will provide good value after running second to Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. He was taken out of his game in that race and had to stalk closer than he probably would have if the filly was not in the race. Look for Desormeaux to drop back further off the pace in this one. This colt is probably the most optimal for the distance.

Warrior’s Reward stayed on well in the Jim Dandy after setting the pace and being overtaken by Kensei. I don’t think he will win this one, but it will be up to him and Calvin Borel to keep Quality Road honest on the front end. Charitable Man is a colt I expect see mid pack. I have to think if he was going to win this one, he would ran better in the Jim Dandy.

Grade 2 Lane’s End Stakes winner Hold Me Back and Our Edge round out the field. This race promises to be an exciting one, but don’t expect to get rich. Bettors can probably get away with going two deep in the Pick 4 and Pick 6. Who do you like in the 140th running of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes? Send me a tweet @gradedstakes on Twitter, or leave a comment and express yourself!

Rachel Alexandra to the Woodward

Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra, winner of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, will make her next start in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes against older male horses on September 5.  The connections opted to go here so that their Jim Dandy winning colt Kensai could race in the Travers. It’s a smart move because if Kensai is able to take the Travers his next career as a stud is pretty much set in stone.

If Rachel Alexandra is able to win the Woodward, she would become the first filly to do so, and perhaps the first filly to beat older males in graded company. Her competition is likely to include Whitney Handicap winner Bullsbay, Asiatic Boy, Cool Coal Man, and Da ‘Tara. The older male division has been weak for years and none of the names previously listed strike fear into the heart of their foes.

Rachel’s best wins to date include a 20+ length triumph in the Kentucky Oaks, a victory in the Preakness Stakes, and a romp in the Haskell Invitational. She will find her name listed among the legends of the sport if she continues to win races of such a prestige at this rate.

The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro worked an effortless five furlongs in :59.60 on Monday morning. The purse for the Woodward is being raised from $500k to $750k because of Rachel Alexandra’s presence.Despite the new challenge, this race will probably be another laughable win in which Borel doesn’t even need to go to the whip. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Legacy,” Asmussen said. “Jess’s sportsmanship about what they can do is quite obvious instead of just talking. No filly has won the Woodward. For everything else that she’s done I think it’s a showcase or a platform that she’s worthy of.”

Stallion Profile: Medaglia d’Oro

Photo by Suzie Picou-Oldham

Stallion Register: Medaglia d’Oro

Pedigree Query: Medaglia d’Oro

Grade: A

Medaglia d’Oro is the complete package. The son of El Prado was a Grade 1 winner at the ages of 3,4, and 5. Retired to stud duty, he has already produced Grade 1 winners like Rachel Alexandra and Gabby’s Golden Gal. He will probably become well known as the sire of Rachel Alexandra, but Medaglia d’Oro was no slouch on the track either. He was a winner at distances ranging from 6 to 10 furlongs. In 17 career starts he earned a Beyer Speed Figure under 100 only twice.

The career of this great horse began at Turfway Park in the barn of David Vance while he was a two-year-old. He finished second in a twelve horse field after stalking the pace at odds of 5-1. His next start would come at the age of three, where he freaked to break his maiden by 4 lengths at Oaklawn Park. He earned a 100 BSF for that race. After that win he was purchased by Edmund Gann and switched to the barn of Bobby Frankel. Gann also owned Peace Rules and 1988 Japan Cup winner Pay The Butler.

Gann and Frankel had big plans for Medaglia d’Oro. His next race was in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Sent off at odds of 8-1 in a six horse field, he went to the lead and took back only to re rally for the win. After that race he would run a very strong second in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial behind Buddha.

The Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown weren’t particularly kind to Medaglia d’Oro. He finished a troubled fourth in the Run for Roses, and was up track in the Preakness. By the time he had reached the Belmont Stakes everyone had jumped off his bandwagon. He almost made them pay at odds of 16-1, but just missed super long shot Sarava while finishing second by a half of a length. The Belmont Stakes was the only race in which Kent Desormeaux rode him.

The Triple Crown left the son of El Prado a much better horse. Battle hardened from his previous races, he won the Jim Dandy under wraps by 13 lengths, earning a massive 120 BSF. That would be the largest number of his career. He bounced just slightly next out in the Travers but was still good enough to win by a half of a length over Repent. Coming for home it looked like Repent had a chance to run him down over the sloppy track, but Medaglia d’Oro dug down deep and held him off.

Medaglia D’oro’s next race would come in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Classic. He would face horses such as Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem and Florida Derby winner Harlan’s Holiday; but it would be another horse that proved trouble for the Travers winning son of El Prado. Volponi romped home in the Classic at odds of 44-1, while Medaglia d’Oro was second best. This would mark the second time he was denied a classic win by a horse at odds of 40-1 or more.

The first start at four for Robert Frankel’s trainee would result in a win in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes. He then produced wins in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap and the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap. His streak would end at the hands of Candy Ride in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Candy Ride scorched the time, stopping the clock in 1:59 4/5 seconds for the ten furlongs distance. Medaglia d’Oro came home second.

The Robert Frankel trainee would be sent off favored for the second consecutive year in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Classic, a race that included Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. He would ultimately end up second bumping at the start of the race. Pleasantly Perfect won the race.In his final two starts, he won the Grade 1 Donn Handicap and finished second in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup behind Pleasantly Perfect. His career earnings finished at $5,754,720.

Medaglia d’Oro was prolific on the racetrack and is proving to be even better at stud thus far. Although he has only a single crop racing right now, it looks like he could be one of the best in the nation. It seems like he does a better job at siring good fillies, although he has also produced the stakes placed colt Warriors Reward. Medaglia d’Oro isn’t just a funny name; he is a great racehorse.

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