Weekend Preview

In what will be the last busy weekend until Super Saturday at the end of September, we know who are the leaders of some key divisions when all is said and done. With the big summer races for the 3yo Females, 3yo Female Turf, Older Male Turf and 3yo Male Turf been held last weekend, the rest of the divisions are in the Spotlight. G1's at Saratoga and Del Mar headlined with the Travers and Pacific Classic. Lets take a look at the fields for this weekend.

On Saturday at Saratoga:

9th Race - Saratoga - Saturday, August 25th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse $250,000. Ballston Spa S. (Grade 2). INNER TURF FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. (04:05 PM) (9)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Heavenly Landing 5 M L 118 Rosario Joel Kenneally Eddie
2 Zagora (FR) 5 M L 120 Dominguez Ramon A. Brown Chad C.
3 Thundering Emilia 6 M L 118 Clemente Alfredo V. Matz Michael R.
4 Hungry Island 4 F L 120 Velazquez John R. McGaughey III Claude R.
5 Summer Soiree 4 F L 120 Leparoux Julien R. Motion H. Graham
6 Tapitsfly 5 M L 123 Castellano Javier Romans Dale L.
7 Ruthenia 4 F L 118 Lezcano Jose Clement Christophe
8 Mykindofladyfriend 6 M L 118 Napravnik Rosie Seyler Douglas J.
9 Acting Happy 5 M L 119 Dutrow, Jr. Richard E.

The head of Older Female Turf division is up for grabs after the retirement of Winter Memories. Summer Soiree is making her first start since a runner up in the Matriach in November. Hungry Island had been butting heads with Winter Memories I think is the horse to beat in here. If Tapitsfly gets to the lead like she did in the Just A Game, she might just be able to wire them.

10th Race - Saratoga - Saturday, August 25th, 2012
STAKES. 7 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $500,000. Test S. (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. No nomination fee. $5,000 to pass the entry box. A supplemental nomination fee of $10,000 in addition to the entry fee will be accepted at any time prior to entry. All starters including supplemental nominees will receive a $2,500 rebate. Any filly that competes in both the Prioress and Test will have their entry fee waived for the Test. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remainingfinishers. 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade 1 in 2012 or a Grade 2 twice in 2012 allowed 2 lbs.; a Grade 1 in 2011 or a Grade 2 in 2012, 4 lbs.; a Graded Sweepstake, 6 lbs. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed Saturdday, August 11, 2012 with 23 Original Nominations and 2 Supplements. (04:38 PM) (10)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Well Kept 3 F L 116 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Gyarmati Leah
2 Aubby K 3 F L 116 Prado Edgar S. Nicks Ralph E.
3 Book Review 3 F L 116 Castellano Javier Brown Chad C.
4 Yara 3 F L 120 Napravnik Rosie Guerrero Juan Carlos
5 Beautiful But Blue 3 F L 116 Alvarado Junior Bush Thomas M.
6 Jazzy Idea 3 F L 116 Lezcano Jose Merryman Edwin W.
7 Gypsy Robin 3 F L o 120 Velazquez John R. Ward Wesley A.
8 Contested 3 F L 122 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob
9 Ullapool 3 F L 116 Rosario Joel Kenneally Eddie
10 Amie's Dini 3 F L 116 Cohen David Moquett Ron

With Emma's Encore and My Miss Aurelia skipping this race, we left with an interesting group. Aubby K, Contested, Amie's Dini and Yara are all shortning up after trying to take on the likes of Questing, Zo Impressive, and Grace Hall. Contested is my pick here as she should love the front end friendly track, but Yara also has early speed which could set up for a closer.


11th Race - Saratoga - Saturday, August 25th, 2012
STAKES. 7 Furlongs Dirt. Purse $500,000. Foxwoods King's Bishop S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. No nomination fee. $5,000 to pass the entry box. A supplemental nomination fee of $10,000 in addition to the entry fee will be accepted at any time prior to entry. All starters including supplemental nominees will receive a $2,500 rebate. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. Any horse that competes in both the Amsterdam and the Foxwoods King's Bishop will have their entry fee waived for the Foxwoods King's Bishop. 123 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade 1 in 2012; or a Grade 2 twice in 2012 allowed 2 lbs.; a Grade 1 or Grade 2, 4 lbs.; A sweepstake, or three races, 6 lbs. (Maiden, claiming, starter or restricted allowance races not considered). Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed Saturday, August 11, 2012 with 16 Original Nominations and 1 Supplement. (05:10 PM) (10)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Willy Beamin 3 G L 119 Garcia Alan Dutrow, Jr. Richard E.
2 Gun Boat 3 C L b 117 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob
3 Currency Swap 3 C L 121 Maragh Rajiv Pompay Teresa M.
4 Fort Loudon 3 C L 119 Alvarado Junior Zito Nicholas P.
5 Laurie's Rocket 3 C L 119 Rosario Joel Lukas D. Wayne
6 Spin Out 3 C L 117 Napravnik Rosie Zito Nicholas P.
7 Ever So Lucky 3 C L 117 Velazquez John R. Sheppard Jonathan E.
8 Unbridled's Note 3 C L 117 Leparoux Julien R. Asmussen Steven M.
9 Trinniberg 3 C L 121 Martinez Willie Parboo Bisnath
10 Doctor Chit 3 C L 119 Dominguez Ramon A. Pletcher Todd A.

In what is called a "stallion making race", IMO this is the race of the day at Saratoga. You can't get much better then having Currency Swap and Trinniberg who have quite a rivalry going that goes back to last September in the Hopeful (which also featured I'll Have Another in his lone off the board finish). Fort Loudon beat Trinniberg in the Carry Back, but his first start for Nick Zito he could only finish fifth. Keep an eye on Spin Out, this is his stakes debut but he's a 1/2 brother to Friendly Island who was second in the 2006 BC Sprint. Besides dear old dad won this race in 2007. This is a big step up for him thoguh.

12th Race - Saratoga - Saturday, August 25th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,000,000. Travers S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. No nomination fee. $10,000 to pass the entry box. A supplemental nomination fee of $20,000 in addition to the entry fee will be accepted at any time prior to entry. All starters including supplemental nominees will receive a $5,000 rebate. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. 126 lbs. Any horse that competes in both the Jim Dandy and the Travers will have their entry feewaived for the Travers. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed Saturday, August 11, 2012 with 22 Original Nominations and 2 Supplements. (05:46 PM) (11)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Speightscity 3 R L 126 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Contessa Gary C.
2 Five Sixteen 3 G L 126 Napravnik Rosie Schettino Dominick A.
3 Golden Ticket 3 C L 126 Cohen David McPeek Kenneth G.
4 Stealcase 3 C L 126 Bridgmohan Shaun Casse Mark E.
5 Street Life 3 C L 126 Lezcano Jose Brown Chad C.
6 Alpha 3 C L 126 Dominguez Ramon A. McLaughlin Kiaran P.
7 Atigun 3 C L 126 Smith Mike E. McPeek Kenneth G.
8 Neck 'n Neck 3 C L 126 Goncalves Leandro R. Wilkes Ian R.
9 Liaison 3 C L 126 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob
10 Nonios 3 C L 126 Velazquez John R. Hollendorfer Jerry
11 Fast Falcon 3 C L 126 Alvarado Junior Zito Nicholas P.

This is a really bad race. 1 G1 winner and that was on synthetic, Alpha will try to continue the Godolphin hot streak by going a possibly simlar running style as Questing in last week's Alabama. Street Life won the Curlin in the slop (as did Alpha did in the Jim Dandy), but who he beat is a question mark. Speightscity has the young Ortiz in the saddle, watch how many times he whips him as Questing was swishing her tail in disgust and veering out in the Bama. When all is said and done, I think that Flower Alley will be the winning sire of the 2 major mile and a quarter races for 3yo colts. Neck 'n Neck is my pick for the race.

Sunday at Saratoga:

10th Race - Saratoga - Sunday, August 26th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $600,000. Personal Ensign H. (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. By invitation only with no subscription fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. Selection of fourteen (14) invitees by Saturday, August 11. The Personal Ensign Invitational has been selected as one of the Breeders' Cup. (05:56 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 It's Tricky 4 F L 123 Castro Eddie McLaughlin Kiaran P.
2 Brushed By A Star 4 F L 118 Nakatani Corey S. Forster Grant T.
3 Love And Pride 4 F L o 114 Velazquez John R. Pletcher Todd A.
4 Royal Delta 4 F L 124 Smith Mike E. Mott William I.
5 R Gypsy Gold 4 F L 115 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
6 Tiz Miz Sue 5 M L 115 Rocco, Jr. Joseph Hobby Steve

If this was still a mile and a quarter race then Royal Delta would be my pick no matter what. However, the shortning of distance, you would think I would be pointing toward's It's Tricky, that's not where I'm going though. I loved how Tiz Miz Sue ran in the DelCap, but like Royal Delta how much was taken out of her. Brushed by a Star has been able to avoid It's Tricky and Royal Delta until now could swoop in for the spoils.

Saturday at Del Mar:

8th Race - Del Mar - Saturday, August 25th, 2012
STAKES. 1 3/8 Mile Turf. Purse $200,000. Del Mar H. (Grade 2). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $200 each, which shall accompany the nomination, $3,000 additional to start, with $200,000 Guaranteed, of which $120,000 to first, $40,000 to second, $24,000 to third, $12,000 to fourth and $4,000 to fifth. The Del Mar Handicap has been selected as one of the Breeders' Cup. (05:40 PM) (9)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Casino Host 4 C L 119 Talamo Joseph Ellis Ronald W.
2 Worth Repeating 6 H L 116 Pedroza Martin A. Machowsky Michael
3 Interaction (ARG) 6 H L 120 Blanc Brice McAnally Ronald L.
4 Hog's Hollow 6 G L 116 Espinoza Victor Gallagher Patrick
5 Brushburn 6 G L 116 Nakatani Corey S. Knapp Steve
6 Dhaamer (IRE) 5 G L 120 Gomez Garrett K. Mitchell Mike R.
7 Dynamic Host 6 G L 118 Flores David Romero Sherman Art
8 Fire With Fire 4 G L 116 Garcia Martin Drysdale Neil D.

I don't know the records of most of these horses. However, with a quick check on Equibase my pick for this race is Dhaamer off his win in the Sunset on Hollywood's closing day.

Sunday at Del Mar:

5th Race - Del Mar - Sunday, August 26th, 2012
STAKES. 7 Furlongs Synthetic. Purse $250,000. Pat O'Brien S. (Grade 2). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $250 each, which shall accompany the nomination, $3,750 additional to start, with $250,000 Guaranteed, of which $150,000 to the winner, $50,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth and $5,000 to fifth. Three-year-olds 120 lbs.; Older 123 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade I since November 3 allowed 2 lbs.; of a Grade II in 2012 or a Grade I in 2011, 4 lbs. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. Nominations closed Thursday, August 16,2012 with 9. (03:05 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Bruce's Dream 6 G L 119 Rosario Joel Puype Mike
2 Mobilized 6 H L 119 Gomez Garrett K. Mandella Gary
3 Capital Account 5 H L 119 Flores David Romero Baffert Bob
4 Don Tito 5 H L 119 Lopez Paco Sadler John W.
5 Camp Victory 5 G L 123 Talamo Joseph Mitchell Mike R.
6 Coil 4 C L 121 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob

Camp Victory is the leading sprinter on the West Coast, but Coil could be give him a solid run if he is on his A Game.

7th Race - Del Mar - Sunday, August 26th, 2012
STAKES. 1 Mile Turf. Purse $200,000. Del Mar Mile H. (Grade 2). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $200 each, which shall accompany the nomination, $1,000 to pass the entry box and $2,000 additional to start, with $200,000 Guaranteed, of which $120,000 to the winner, $40,000 to second, $24,000 to third, $12,000 to fourth and $4,000 to fifth. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. Nominations Closed Thursday, August 16, 2012 with 18. (04:05 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Tale Of A Champion 4 C L 115 Rosario Joel Mulhall Kristin
2 Calimonco 6 H L 119 Espinoza Victor Sadler John W.
3 Mr. Commons 4 C L 121 Blanc Brice Shirreffs John A.
4 Jeranimo 6 H L 123 Gomez Garrett K. Pender Michael
5 Norvsky 6 G L 120 Bejarano Rafael Warren Donald
6 Obviously (IRE) 4 G L 118 Talamo Joseph Mitchell Mike R.

Jeranimo and Mr. Commons have butted heads the 6 months. Both are very talented horses and they could be the US' best shots in this year's Turf Mile. For this race I'm sticking with my heart and going with Mr. Commons.

9th Race - Del Mar - Sunday, August 26th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Synthetic. Purse $1,000,000. TVG Pacific Classic S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. (05:05 PM) (10)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Rail Trip 7 G L 124 Valdivia, Jr. Jose Ellis Ronald W.
2 Amani (CHI) 4 F 119 Gomez Garrett K. Drysdale Neil D.
3 Richard's Kid 7 H 124 Espinoza Victor Mora Leandro
4 Where's Sterling 5 H L 124 Lopez Paco Ramirez Luis M.
5 Dullahan 3 C 118 Rosario Joel Romans Dale L.
6 Akkadian 4 G L 124 Garcia Martin Canani Julio C.
7 Jaycito 4 C L 124 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob
8 Suggestive Boy (ARG) 4 C L 124 Talamo Joseph McAnally Ronald L.
9 Game On Dude 5 G L 124 Sutherland Chantal Baffert Bob
10 Riveting Reason 4 C L 124 Flores David Romero Cho Myung Kwon

This race is full of a comeback story, girl against boys, drama and oh yeah the enigma which is Mining My Own's child. Rail Trip has blossomed back into the horse we knew and loved 3 years ago. Reunited with Valdivia, they took down the San Diego in what is Rail Trip's first win since returning to the Ellis barn after a diesastous stint in New York. Neil Drysdale sends out Amani who has only lost twice in her career. Once in her native Chile and once in her US debut last time to Include Me Out (stablemate of Rail Trip), Richard's Kid is where the drama comes in. He was expected to be going into this race with Bob Baffert, but was sold to an ownership group that includes Santa Anita CEO Mark Verge. This led to a war of words between Baffert's wife Jill and Verge. While Mora is the listed trainer, he will be trained by Doug O'Neill when his suspention is over in September. Thus this continues the rivalry the two barns had in the Spring. Where's Sterling has done okay in graded company, but he's only won once outside of his homebase of Florida. Dullahan is starting to become the enigma that Mine That Bird was after the Triple Crown. The good news is he's 2 for 2 on a synthetic surface. Akkadian has never been in the top three in a graded stakes race. It's been a bad week for Baffert, first he loses Richard's Kid, then Bodemiester is retired, Jaycito won his last start but was 6th at Hollywood before that in the LeRoy. Although McAnally is known as the trainer of the beloved John Henry, he's also known for his imports. In 2003 he won the race with another Argentinan bred by the name of Candy Ride. While Suggestive Boy did win last time out, both his US starts have been on grass. Although, last year's winner was a grass horse. I love Game on Dude, but he didn't do that great in last year's Pacific Classic. He's better on dirt and cushion then he is on poly. Riveting Reason was third in the Futurity at Del Mar at 2, but that's really it.

So who wins? My head says Amani, Dullahan and/or Suggestive Boy. However, I'm going with my heart and going with Rail Trip. I think he is very happy to be back home in California and honestly I think his owner Samantha Siegel deserves it. Dullahan for second and Amani for third.

Also this weekend is the Canadian Derby at Northlands. So that's the weekend preview, I hope all the horses return safe and sound!