Friday, August 26, 2016

Aug 27-28 - THE TRAVERS!

Let's Go To The Races - August 27-28, 2016
This is a non-commercial blog - Started as a convenience to organize my race viewing

*****************************

Robert Kieckhefer covers what is going on this weekend across the globe.

Several options to watch
Also check out XBTV - Live at 1:00 EDT Travers Day - click here
NBC TV will air the TRAVERS STAKES 4:30 - 6:00 EDT



Poof! There goes the Travers and track record!

ESPN: Arrogate rolls in Travers
Racing Post: Arrogate scorches to record Travers win
Forbes: Guy Martin on Fastest time ever in Travers
Arrogate earns highest Brisnet speed figure ever
Against Distinguished field, a 'Freak' wins by a chasm
McLaughlin stars peaking at the same time
Arrogate wins Travers Stakes by a chasm against a distinguished field
Haskin: Baffert forever linked to Unbridled's Song
Post race press conferene - transcript
Watchmaker: Arrogate now a contender for 3 year old Eclipse honors
Arrogate trounces them in the Travers
Baffert reflects on Arrogate's Travers romp; will train up to Breeders Cup
Beyer speed figures for majors races - Arrogate 122 Beyer
Sparkman on Unbridled's Song, sire of Travers winner
Dan Illman DRF reflections on Travers Day races

What they said
"Just to win at the Travers is incredible. Saratoga--when I walked
in today, it was just--you could just feel the electricity in the air...
Every time you looked up and you saw these [Juddmonte] colors,
it was Bobby Frankel, one of the greatest trainers ever. To me, it
was a very emotional win to see those colors. I feel like I finally
made it in this business." -Bob Baffert, trainer of winner
Arrogate and second-place finisher American Freedom

"I had to go for it. I was really comfortable the whole race. It was
a good second for my horse. The winner, he was just the best.
The winner, he went for it and he was still holding. I knew this
horse [Arrogate] could run all day; it was the best I could get
from my horse." -Rafael Bejarano, rider of runner-up American
Freedom

"We ran into a freak today, who ran the fastest Travers [ever]. I
thought Florent [Geroux] gave [Gun Runner] a great trip from
the No. 14 draw. He wheeled out a little early at the
three-eighths pole because he thought he had a lot of horse, but
that horse on the lead [Arrogate], he didn't back up at all. That
probably cost him second, chasing something late that you're
not catching early. On a dry track, we saw how very high quality
Gun Runner is, and it is very comforting to be able to throw out
the Haskell [fifth on a sloppy track] now.

On Creator, watching him around the turn, and Irad [Ortiz, Jr.]
was riding him around the turn. He just doesn't run the turns
here very well. When they went down the backside, I thought
Irad had him in a great spot, the fractions were obviously solid
because he [Arrogate] never slowed down, but he didn't handle
the turn." -Steve Asmussen, trainer of third-place finisher Gun
Runner and seventh-place finisher Creator
 
"I thought Gift Box and Connect got great trips. I loved that they
had no one around them in the middle of the pack there, no
traffic, with a really strong pace up front. I was feeling good
midway down the backside but, boy, that was some
performance. I don't know that I've ever seen a performance like
that in any Travers. For Bob Baffert to run 1-2, he brought two
well-prepared horses. Hats off to him and his team." -Chad
Brown, trainer of fourth-place finisher Gift Box, sixth-place
finisher Connect and eighth-place finisher My Man Sam

"[Kent Desormeaux] said he got bumped a little, but other than
that we had the trip we wanted. Other than that, no excuses."
-Keith Desormeaux, trainer of beaten favorite and 11th-place
finisher Exaggerator
********************************

FLINTSHIRE SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS THE SWORD DANCER


Flintshire dominant again in Sword Dancer - Just a tick off course record

******************************

HISTORY OF THE TRAVERS
The Travers Stakes was inaugurated in 1864, a year before Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox ending the American Civil War. The race was named for William R. Travers, whose horse, Kentucky, won the inaugural race. Video history of the Travers Stakes - the Midsummer Derby
 
The Travers has been run at four different distances:
  • 1 34 miles (2.8 km): 1864 to 1889
  • 1 12 miles (2.4 km): 1890 to 1892
  • 1 14 miles (2.0 km): 1893, 1894, 1897 and 1904 to present
  • 1 18 miles (1.8 km): 1895 and 1901 to 1903
In 1979, at the current distance of 1 1/4 miles, General Assembly set the record at 2 minutes flat, which has never been equaled.  1979 Travers Replay  Filly Davona Dale was entered.

Some of the memorable Travers renewals include:

The 1930 Travers Stakes was won by the 100:1 long shot, Jim Dandy, who beat Gallant Fox, the Triple Crown winner, an upset for the ages.  The Jim Dandy Stakes is run on the first Saturday of the late July Saratoga racing season and is named in honor of the 3-year-old colt. There are some interesting follow-up stories to Jim Dandy's career and his post-racing success as a show-jumper (see follow up by author of Colin's Ghost, here. Many have wondered what happened to Jim, but after he finished his show-jumping career, he was retired and cared for until the end of his life.  1930 Travers Replay - Silent

In 1941, Whirlaway became the only horse ever to win the "superfecta" of United States Thoroughbred horse racing consisting of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and the Travers Stakes. 1941 Travers replay is at 32:00 on the tape  (This is a documentary about Whirlaway)

In 1962, arguably the greatest Travers in history took place. Jaipur won by a nose-bob in track record time over the arguably more talented Ridan after a long, head-to-head battle over the entire mile and a quarter. Still written and talked about today, the race is listed in the 2006 book Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments written by the staff of Blood-Horse Publications. The race result determined which colt would be named the 1962 U.S. Champion 3-Year-Old Horse.  Replay - 1962 Travers

In 1982, Runaway Groom, the Champion Canadian Three year old, trained by John DiMario, arrived at the Saratoga backstretch after a grueling season competing in the Canadian Triple Crown, winning the Prince of Wales Stakes, the Breeders' Stakes, and finishing second in the Queen's Plate. At the Travers that year, Runaway Groom became the 2nd horse in racing history to beat the Kentucky Derby winner Gato Del Sol, the Preakness Stakes winner Aloma's Ruler, and the Belmont Stakes winner Conquistador Cielo in the same race. Sun Briar was the first in the 1918 Travers Stakes. Replay- 1982 Travers

Alpha & Golden Ticket dead heat 2012
On August 25, 2012, two horses, Alpha and Golden Ticket, tied for first place, making the race a Replay- 2012 Travers  dead heat. Following the race, two jockey statues were painted and two canoes were put in the pond.

The 146th Travers Stakes was run on August 29, 2015. Because Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was in the race the purse was raised to $1.6 million and NYRA capped attendance at 50,000, making the event a sellout for the first time ever. The 2015 race reaffirmed Saratoga's reputation as the "graveyard of champions" when Keen Ice defeated American Pharoah, picking up the pieces when Frosted (under a different rider) engaged American Pharoah in a speed dual, battling back and forth, so that Keen Ice was able to take down the Triple Crown hero by 3/4 of a length. Many however, consider the race to have been one of American Pharoah's best, in spite of losing. Replay - 2015 Travers

 The above information has been compiled from various sources primarily, Wikipedia.

TRAVERS MADNESS - NBC Sports

************************************
FEATURED RACES
Free PPs for Saratoga, Del Mar and Woodbine major races

To watch race replays, after the completion of a race, click on the CARD -- about a 20-minute delay.

FRIDAY
1:00 ET  FUNNY CIDE S  SAR   $200,000 2YO S  6.5F R1  CARD
3:32 ET  Albany S Sar   $250,000  3yo S  9f R5  CARD
4:47 ET  SEEKING THE ANTE S  SAR   $200,000  2YO F S  6.5F  R7  CARD
5:25 ET  Yaddo S  Sar   $150,000  3+ f/m S  8.5f T R8  CARD
6:03 ET  West Point S Sar   $150,000  3+  8.5f T R9  CARD
6:41 ET  FLEET INDIAN S  SAR   $200,000 3YO F S  9F R10  CARD
9:30 ET  Shared Belief S (L) Dmr   $100,000  3y  8f R7  CARD

Jim Rome remembers Shared Belief

SATURDAY
BC = Breeders Cup Win and You're In
2:23 ET  PERSONAL ENSIGN G1 BC  SAR   $750,000  3+ F/M  9F R6  CARD
2:59 ET  BALLERINA S G1 BC  SAR   $500,000  3+ F/M  7F R7  CARD
3:35 ET  KING'S BISHOP S G1  SAR   $500,000  3YO  7F R8  CARD
4:49 ET  SWORD DANCER G1 BC SAR   $1,000K  3+  12F T R10  CARD
4:12 ET  FOREGO G1 BC  SAR   $700,000  3+  7F R9  CARD
4:57 ET  Seaway S G3  WO   $150,000  3+ f/m  7f AW R  CARD
5:44 ET  TRAVERS S G1 SAR $1,250,000  3YO  10F R9  CARD
6:00 ET  PAT O'BRIEN S G2 BC  DMR   $200,000  3+  7F R3  CARD
6:04 ET  Philip H. Iselin S G3 Mth   $100,000  3+  9f R11  CARD
6:20 ET  BALLSTON SPA G2  SAR   $400,000  3+ F/M  8.5F T R12  CARD
8:30 ET  Generous Portion S  Dmr   $150,000  2yo f S  6f R8  CARD

Six brave horses line up with Flintshire in the Sword Dancer
Lady Eli's Miracle comeback looms in Ballston Spa

SUNDAY
4:43 ET  La Prevoyante S  WO   $125,000  3yo f S  8f T 8R  CARD
6:18 ET  Smart N Fancy S  Sar   $100,000  3+ f/m  5.5f T R10  CARD
8:30 ET  Torrey Pines S G3 Dmr   $100,000  3yo f  8f R8  CARD

Unbeaten Enola Gray steps up in Torrey Pines

*****************************************
Handicapping Travers Day
Gift Box Travers Three Value Plays on undercard
Free PPs for Travers
Wide Open Travers - Brian DiDonato
Showdown at the Spa - Steve Sherack & Brian DiDonato


*****************************************
NEWS
Cavorting to Breeders Cup Distaff, Mohaymen gets time off
Kentucky stud duty could call for Flintshire in 2017
Woodward up next for Frosted
Mohaymen rerouted from Travers to Kings Bishop
Exaggerator goes well at the Spa
Majesto enters Travers picture
Shirl Penney goes from last to first
Tepin back to her awesome self
Caton and Doug Bredar and horse racing have been perfect together
King Congie rescued and to reside at Old Friends
This is how it is supposed to turn out, but unfortunately too rarely does. A lesson for other owners to step up when their horses don't always get the retirement they deserve.
Del Mar critics speak out at CHRB meeting
Runhappy gets back to work at Keeneland
Jim Rome remembers Shared Belief

Pacific Parade puts California Chrome in pole position among World's Top horses

 
Name (country trained)
Race
Rating
1
California Chrome (US)
Pacific Classic
133D
2
A Shin Hikari (Jpn)
Prix d'Ispahan
131T
3
Frosted (US)
Metropolitan Handicap
130D
4
Postponed (GB)
Sheema Classic/Coronation Cup
126T
 
Winx (Aus)
Doncaster Mile
126T
6
Aerovelocity (HK)
Centenary Sprint Cup
125T
 
Dortmund (US)
San Diego Handicap
125D
 
Fascinating Rock (Ire)
Tattersalls Gold Cup
125T
 
Limato (GB)
Darley July Cup
125T
 10
Chautauqua (Aus)
Black Caviar Lightning
124T
 
Galileo Gold (GB)
St James's Palace Stakes
124T
 
Harzand (Ire)
Derby
124T
 
My Dream Boat (GB)
Prince Of Wales's Stakes
124T
 
Nyquist (US)
Kentucky Derby
124D
 
Terravista (Aus)
Black Caviar Lightning
124T
 
The Gurkha (Ire)
Sussex Stakes
124T
 
Time Test (GB)
Brigadier Gerard
124T


DIRT

 
Name (country trained)
Race
Rating
1
California Chrome (US)
Pacific Handicap
133
2
Frosted (US)
Metropolitan Handicap
130
3
Dortmund (US)
San Diego Handicap
125
4
Nyquist (US)
Kentucky Derby
124
5
Exaggerator (US)
Haskell Invitational
123
6
Effinex (US)
Oaklawn Handicap
122
7
Taris (US)
Humana Distaff
121
 
Songbird (US)
Alabama Stakes
121
9
Beholder (US)
Clement L. Hirsch
120
 
X Y Jet (US)
Sunshine Millions Sprint
120
 
A.P. Indian (US)
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Hcap
120
 

**********************************
POST TRAVERS WRAP

Info below from Monday, Aug. 29, Brisnet.com

Arrogate personifies a late bloomer
James Scully revisited Arrogate's record-setting victory in Saturday's Travers Stakes (G1) to discuss how the sophomore epitomizes the idea of a late bloomer.

Arrogate, making his stakes debut, demolished Saratoga's decades-old track record for 1 1/4 miles by taking the Travers (G1) by 13 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:59.36. The Bob Baffert trainee easily eclipsed the previous standard of 2:00 set by General Assembly way back in the 1979 Travers.
Baffert also visited the winner's circle following the King's Bishop (G1) after Defrong cruised to a wire-to-wire score in the seven-furlong dash.

Turf star Flintshire enjoyed another facile win at the Spa, taking the Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) and remaining undefeated on the year.

Cavorting showed two-turns was no trouble when taking a deep renewal of the Personal Ensign (G1) for older fillies and mares.

Saratoga's major sprints for older horses and fillies and mares were swept this meet when Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) hero A. P. Indian won as a prompt favorite in the $700,000 Forego (G1), while Honorable Miss H. (G2) heroine Haveyougoneaway rallied to post the upset in the $500,000 Ballerina (G1) on Saturday.

One race after the Travers, Lady Eli's return in the Ballston Spa (G2) was spoiled when 27-1 long shot Strike Charmer caught the popular filly on the wire.

Ron Flatter compared Flintshire and Tamarkuz following their efforts on Travers Day.
Ed DeRosa took a look at the three-year-old division following Arrogate's Travers win.




Friday, August 19, 2016

Aug 20-21 - PACIFIC CLASSIC

Let's Go To The Races - August 19-21, 2016
This is a non-commercial blog - Started as a convenience to organize my race viewing

*****************************


Several options to watch
 

***************************
 
Includes race stats videos, charts, etc.
Scroll to bottom of blog to see new rankings in the World's Best Racehorse standings
 

 
THE BEST HORSE AROUND? IT'S CHROME!
The GI Pacific Classic was not supposed to be easy for California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit). The opposition included last year’s winner in the superstar mare Beholder (Henny Hughes) and a serious race horse in Dortmund (Big Brown). In Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) and Imperative (Bernardini) there were still two more millionaires in the race. The wise guys were jumping off the Chrome bandwagon, many of them predicting that this would be the occasion where we would get his comeuppance.

Instead, we saw what was arguably the best performance ever by a great race horse. Songbird, Beholder, Tepin (Bernstein), Frosted (Tapit), Flintshire (Dansili {GB}), Exaggerator (Curlin), they are all wonderful horses, some of the best we’ve seen in a long time. But none of them belong in the same sentence as California Chrome. What a horse, indeed.  Read more at source

CALIFORNIA CHROME AND VICTOR ESPINOZA PLAYING WITH RIVALS IN PACIFIC CLASSIC

"To put in to perspective what the Mexican jockey achieved by taking California Chrome’s career earnings to a monstrous US$13,252,650 (Dh48,671,682), the Dubai World Cup-winning combination became just the third horse and jockey to win from the inside post position in the 26-year history of the Grade 1 contest.

"California Chrome was the first horse since General Challenge in 1999 to emerge from the inside, but it was how Espinoza flummoxed his fellow riders that will live long in the memory.

"As soon as the gates opened, Espinoza gunned California Chrome to the lead and he then drifted at least three off the rail."    Read more at source

****************************
Quotes from what they said about California Chrome's performance in Pacific Classic:

Gary Stevens: “I was hoping for the same kick she had last year. She kicked, and he opened up,” Stevens said. “When he opened up, I knew I’d have to save something for the last eighth if I wanted to be second. Victor was playing with us. I don’t think he let him run. That’s kind of scary.”

Gary Stevens: "Beholder’s jockey, Gary Stevens, said he was hoping Dortmund’s trainer, Bob Baffert, would have told jockey Rafael Bejarano to put pressure on California Chrome from the start.
“Victor was loaded,” Stevens said. “He ran a great strategic race. What a horse. California Chrome is as good as I’ve ridden against.”

Bob Baffert:  "Baffert said the race was “over the first eighth of a mile,” when jockey Victor Espinoza aggressively sent California Chrome from his rail draw and secured the lead. “Victor put the shock and awe at the beginning. That was it,” Baffert said. Baffert said he’d wait a bit before deciding on a race schedule for Dortmund and Hoppertunity this fall. “My horses fired,” Baffert said. “The other horse was too good. He was the better horse. Sometimes you’ve got to say you got your ass beat.”

Art Sherman: "She [Beholder] was driving to catch him and I knew that if Victor had to get after him, he was just going to rebreak and pull away. What can you say about him? He's just a super horse. That's why he's the best horse in the country. Sherman added, "When you get a couple of horses [like California Chrome and Beholder] in the same race--when do you ever see that. The mare ran a hell of a race".

Richard Mandella: "No way I’m anything but proud of her,” Mandella said Sunday morning. “She beat some pretty nice horses. She ran well enough to win most Classics, but not that one. The winner ran awesome.”

Art Sherman: “He’s so much stronger. He’s in the best part of his career now,” Art Sherman, who trains California Chrome, said at his Del Mar barn on Sunday morning. “It’s kinda awesome to watch. “You’ve got the best horses in the country. These races are tougher,” Sherman said, comparing the current campaign to when California Chrome was 3. “I think he’s the best horse in the world, not that I might be biased.”

Mike Watchmaker:  "Simply put, California Chrome was monstrous Saturday. California Chrome had to break from the inside, and the whole world knows that he doesn’t like getting pinned down on the inside. So jockey Victor Espinoza did the very smart thing of sending California Chrome right to the front and getting him away from the rail."

Watchmaker:  "Dortmund couldn’t keep up this time, but Beholder tried every step of the way (and did not lose one iota of stature finishing second), and yet California Chrome just kept running away from her."

Watchmaker:  "Where California Chrome might pick up some extra points for his Pacific Classic effort – like he needs them – is speed did not look like it was carrying at all on Del Mar’s main track Saturday. In fact, California Chrome was the only front-running winner from the seven dirt races on the day. So he did what he did on a track that appeared tilted against the method he employed. Yeah, most impressive."

Richard Mandella:  Beholder’s trainer, Richard Mandella, was gracious in defeat.“I went over and told Art that he did a fabulous job with his horse,” he said. “He’s always been a great horseman. I’m just sorry it was at my expense.”

MORE: UPDATED QUOTES FROM CALIFORNIA CHROME ROMPS IN PACIFIC CLASSIC

***************************
Songbird in a league of her own at Saratoga



 “She is just amazing, and she keeps on getting better and better,” said [Mike] Smith, who won the Alabama each year from 1993 to 1995 with Sky Beauty, Heavenly Prize and Pretty Discreet. “We were running along a pretty good clip and I was kind of surprised that someone was going with her [Go Maggie Go] which was fine. We can’t always get an easy lead and she was comfortable going along down the backside and well within in herself. I knew she was going to run well.”

"Hollendorfer indicated that a start in the Sept. 24 GI Cotillion S., a race in which Havre de Grace turned the tables on Blind Luck, could be next for Songbird. She could square off there with Kentucky Oaks winner and fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss)."  Read more

QUOTES FROM SONGBIRD'S ALABAMA

#################################
Four Grade 1 races top the racing on Saturday, two at Saratoga and two at Del Mar: the Alabama will see SONGBIRD favored to keep her record perfect, bringing the filly her 10th score; of course the race everyone has been looking forward to see will be the Pacific Classic featuring the West Coast's top three: CALIFORNIA CHROME, DORTMUND, and the mare BEHOLDER. CATCH A GLIMPSE looks to keep her record perfect on turf in the  Lake Placid Stakes (G2) on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, 11 sophomore fillies will line up in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) and Flamboyant will seek a trifecta of Grade 2 victories in the Del Mar Handicap (G2). The Fourstardave Handicap (G1), rescheduled due to last Saturday's card being called off because of storms at Saratoga, features defending champion Grand Arch.

DRF's Brad Free handicaps the Pacific Classic - video
XBTV Video: Debating the Pacific Classic - Aaron, Millie & Jeff look at the field
Debating the Pacific Classic: Aaron Vercruysse, Jeff Siegel and Millie Ball Debate an Extremely Strong Edition of the Pacific Classic on August 20th, 2016

DRF Matt Bernier show
DRF Matt Bernier, Dan Illman & handicapping videos

Keeler Johnson handicaps the Pacific Classic
Ten Things You Should know about the Pacific Classic

In Jalisco, there's a house that Chrome built - Jay Hovdey
"Don’t bother asking Raul Rodriguez whom he likes. He is too busy fussing with California Chrome’s hourly needs to tout the obvious. For 3 1/2 years, Rodriguez has been the man in the stall, at the shank, in the van, and on the plane."

**********************************************
 
FEATURED RACES

Time Ordered Races / Entries - Printable file
Race Index

WATCH RACING AT DEL MAR LIVE AT DRF

FRIDAY
6:18 ET  Adirondack G2, Sar $200,000,  2yof,  6 1/2f  R10  CARD 

SATURDAY
3:15 ET  Troy S (L)  Sar  $100,000  3+  5.5f T R5  CARD
4:47 ET  Play the King S G2  WO  $200,000  3+  7f T R8  CARD
5:09 ET  Monmouth Oaks G3  Mth  $100,000  3yo f  8.5f  R9  CARD
5:40 ET  Fourstardave S. GI Sar  R10 R9  CARD
6:18 ET ALABAMA S G1  Sar  $600,000  3yo f  10f  R10  CARD
6:23 ET  Mister Diz  S. Lau $75,000, 3+  6f  R10  CARD
7:43 ET  DEL MAR OAKS G1 Dmr  $300k  3yo f  9f T R6  CARD
7:45 ET  Canadian Derby G3  NP  $150,000  3yo  11f  R11  CARD
8:43 ET  Del Mar H G2 BC  Dmr  $250,000  3+  11f T R8  CARD
9:15 ET  PACIFIC CLASSIC G1 BC  Dmr  $1,000,000  3+  10f  R9  CARD

Quality field to contest Del Mar Handicap
Mokat seeks Grade 1 score in Del Mar Oaks
Grade 1 Doubleheader at the Spa

SUNDAY
4:06 ET  Sky Classic S G2  WO  $200,000  3+  10f T R7  CARD
4:38 ET  Cliff Hanger S G3  Mth  $100,000  3+  9f T R8  CARD
5:02 ET  LAKE PLACID G2  Sar  $300,000  3yo f  9fT R8  CARD
5:13 ET  Breeders' S  WO  $500,000  3yo R  12f T R9  CARD
6:40 ET  Del Mar Mile G2 Dmr  $200,000  3+  8f T R4  CARD

International - France
8:45 a.m. ET Prix Morny Deauville G1, 2yo  R4 CARD
Forecast: 1/2 Lady Aurelia, 3/1 Tis Marvellous, 4/1 Alrahma, 7/1 Peace Envoy, 9/1 Al Johrah

Result:  Lady Aurelia victorious in Prix Morny
Scat Daddy's Lady Aurelia stays perfect in Prix Morny
TBN Race Replay Prix Morny

********************************************
NEWS

'Chrome', Beholder weighing options after PC
http://www.foxsports.com/horse-racing
http://www.nbcsports.com/horse-racing
https://www.americasbestracing.net/
www.DRF.com
www.BloodHorse.com
NTRA
Bowman Provides Update on Winx
Songbird work spot on despite rain
Winx surgery revealed
Andrew Caulfield on Sea Calisi
TDN: Q & A with Ahmed Zayat - 8-18-2016

Below from Brisnet.com
Catch a Glimpse hopes to keep turf record perfect in Lake Placid
Canadian Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse will try to stay undefeated on turf when lining up as part of a seven-filly field in Sunday's Lake Placid Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

Scott Shapiro discusses the best ways to wager on Saturday's Pacific Classic (G1) featuring Beholder, California Chrome and Dortmund, while James Scully explains why Beholder is a serious threat in the race.

For those seeking all Pacific Classic, all the time, check out the Pacific Classic News & Notes blog.
Dave Litfin took a look at wagering strategies for the Alabama Stakes (G1).

Dick Powell talked about the powerful thunderstorm that hit Saratoga last Saturday which ended up causing part of the card to be canceled.

Ed DeRosa believes horse racing can pick up a few tricks after attending a wine pairing event that kicked off Arlington Million week in Chicago

Cross-country at Del Mar, five contenders for next Saturday's Pacific Classic (G1) clocked moves over the track including Hard Aces, Win the Space and Dalmore.

more interesting action at Saratoga occurred during morning hours. Undefeated Lady Eli turned in another work in advance of her upcoming return in the Ballston Spa (G2), while a trio of Travers (G1) contenders turned in drills, though Preakness (G1) and Haskell Invitational (G1) winner Exaggerator did not.

Dwyer (G3) winner Fish Trappe Road breezed in advance of the upcoming King's Bishop (G1), while trainer Jimmy Jerkens says Effinex is unlikely to race again until the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in October.

Songbird, California Chrome and Beholder star coast-to-coast
A star-studded Saturday is on tap at Saratoga and Del Mar, with Songbird going in the Alabama Stakes (G1) in New York and California Chrome taking on defending champion Beholder in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

Also on Saturday, 11 sophomore fillies will line up in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) and Flamboyant will seek a trifecta of Grade 2 victories in the Del Mar Handicap (G2). The Fourstardave Handicap (G1), rescheduled due to last Saturday's card being called off because of storms at Saratoga, features defending champion Grand Arch.

Teresa Genaro took the time to review Saratoga's meet at the midway point.

*****************************

Fox Sports 2 (Channel Finder) MSG+ (Channel Finder)
Altitude (Channel Finder)
4:00 - 6:30 p.m. race days.For complete broadcast schedule visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/


*****************************************
Pacific Parade puts California Chrome in Pole Position (133 RPR)

 
Name (country trained)
Race
Rating
1
California Chrome (US)
Pacific Classic
133D
2
A Shin Hikari (Jpn)
Prix d'Ispahan
131T
3
Frosted (US)
Metropolitan Handicap
130D
4
Postponed (GB)
Sheema Classic/Coronation Cup
126T
 
Winx (Aus)
Doncaster Mile
126T
6
Aerovelocity (HK)
Centenary Sprint Cup
125T
 
Dortmund (US)
San Diego Handicap
125D
 
Fascinating Rock (Ire)
Tattersalls Gold Cup
125T
 
Limato (GB)
Darley July Cup
125T
 10
Chautauqua (Aus)
Black Caviar Lightning
124T
 
Galileo Gold (GB)
St James's Palace Stakes
124T
 
Harzand (Ire)
Derby
124T
 
My Dream Boat (GB)
Prince Of Wales's Stakes
124T
 
Nyquist (US)
Kentucky Derby
124D
 
Terravista (Aus)
Black Caviar Lightning
124T
 
The Gurkha (Ire)
Sussex Stakes
124T
 
Time Test (GB)
Brigadier Gerard
124T

DIRT

 
Name (country trained)
Race
Rating
1
California Chrome (US)
Pacific Handicap
133
2
Frosted (US)
Metropolitan Handicap
130
3
Dortmund (US)
San Diego Handicap
125
4
Nyquist (US)
Kentucky Derby
124
5
Exaggerator (US)
Haskell Invitational
123
6
Effinex (US)
Oaklawn Handicap
122
7
Taris (US)
Humana Distaff
121
 
Songbird (US)
Alabama Stakes
121
9
Beholder (US)
Clement L. Hirsch
120
 
X Y Jet (US)
Sunshine Millions Sprint
120
 
A.P. Indian (US)
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Hcap
120