Saratoga

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to a handful of non-profit organizations, the result of a joint undertaking with the City of Saratoga Springs to raise funds via the sale of limited-edition Saratoga face masks. The campaign was launched in mid-June and reportedly met with a great deal of interest in the public. The funds will be distributed evenly between AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children). A portion...

Three-time stakes winner Vanzzy (Verrazano) looks to take his game to the next level Saturday in Saratoga's GIII Saranac S. Capturing the Display S. last term, the bay won this year's Rushaway S. in March on the Turfway synthetic and was fourth next out when trying grass for the first time in Belmont's GII Pennine Ridge S. June 20. Third in the GIII Kent S. on the Delaware lawn July 4, he scored a decisive victory in the Jersey Derby last time at Monmouth July 26. "His last race was...

Basin (Liam's Map) is two-for-two at Saratoga so far in his young career and looks to extend that record and return to winning ways in the Spa's GII Amsterdam S. Saturday, which will be his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher. Previously trained by Steve Asmussen, the bay earned his diploma here at second asking last July and dominated the GI Runhappy Hopeful S. next out in September. Third to now-retired Grade I winner Nadal (Blame) in the GII Rebel S. in March, he was fourth in the nine-panel Oaklawn...

The hard-knocking Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) captured the 2018 GI Forego S. and, after missing last year's Saratoga meet, he looks to take home the trophy again in this year's renewal Saturday. Runner-up in the King Cotton S. at the start of this term Feb. 8, the chestnut captured the Hot Springs S. Mar. 7 and followed suit with a win in the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. Apr. 18. He completed the exacta behind Volatile (Violence) in this venue's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt S. last time July 25. "Pace makes...

When it comes to Grade Is on the turf in New York, it is typically Chad Brown who has three or four strong entries. However, in Saturday's GI Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga--a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf--Brown is surprisingly absent and it is Mike Maker saddling a strong trio. Cross Border (English Channel) appeared to come up up a neck short of likely race favorite Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy), who won the 2017 renewal of this race, in this venue's GII Bowling Green...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - With a mix of optimism and respect, trainer Gustavo Delgado and his son and assistant, Gustavo Delgado Jr., have gone about their primary task of the summer: preparing Caracaro (Uncle Mo) of the GI Kentucky Derby. The Delgados are based in South Florida at Gulfstream Park West, but brought Caracaro to Saratoga Race Course in July with the goal of earning enough qualifying points to make the 20-horse Derby. Following second-place finishes in the GIII Peter Pan S. July 16 and the Aug. 8 GI Travers...

Sweet Melania (American Pharoah) captured the GIII Wonder Again S. at Belmont June 20 and looks to pick up where she left off Friday in Saratoga's GIII Lake George S. A close second in this venue's P.G. Johnson S. last term, the $600,000 KEESEP buy romped in Keeneland GII Jessamine S. in October and was third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 1. The Wonder Again is her only start so far this term. "She's a quality filly and I was pleased with her effort off the...

NYRA will host a Cross Country Pick 5 that will offer three graded stakes, featuring action from Saratoga as well as Monmouth Park and Woodbine Racetrack Saturday. Live coverage will be available with Saratoga Live on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. The first leg is a juvenile maiden special weight at Saratoga, carded as Race 6. Action will shift to Monmouth in Race 9 with a 4:14 p.m. post for the 1 1/2-mile turf route for older horses. Woodbine will commence the stakes portion of the Cross Country Pick 5...

Star turf mare Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) avenged a loss as the favorite in last year's GI Diana S. Sunday at Saratoga, wearing down pacesetting Mean Mary (Scat Daddy) in a thrilling stretch duel to earn her sixth Grade I victory. The win also gave trainer Chad Brown a remarkable fifth consecutive score in the Diana and sixth overall. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' for her impressive debut victory at Belmont three seasons ago, the e Five Racing Thoroughbreds colorbearer backed that up with a victory in the GI...

3rd-Saratoga, $66,960, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:12.36, ft. FIFTH RISK (f, 2, Outwork--Blue Orleans, by Bluegrass Cat) was the even-money favorite to become the fifth winner for her freshman sire (by Uncle Mo). The dark bay filly prompted the pace through an opening quarter in :22.54 and a half in :46.13. The pacesetter began to tire into the stretch, but Fifth Risk was challenged by Jade Empress (Shanghai Bobby) and gamely outbattled that foe to the wire to win by a half-length. Fifth Risk, a $160,000 FTKJUL yearling, is...

1st-Saratoga, $72,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.14, fm. CALDEE (f, 2, More Than Ready--Holiday's Jewel {SP, $393,052}, by Harlan's Holiday), let go at a tick under 9-1 off an even fifth-place run sprinting on the dirt here July 19, seemed to find her preferred surface Sunday with a dominant front-running score. Facing minimal early resistance as she cruised along through splits of :25.25, :49.49 and 1:13.58,  the bay had plenty left in the tank for the stretch drive, and widened at will to defeat fellow second timer Uptown...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency EXPENSIVE DAUGHTER OF JACARANDA DEBUTS AT THE SPA 3rd-SAR, $72K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:20 p.m. Peter Brant went to $925,000 at KEESEP for AMERICAN WEST (Curlin), the second foal and first to make the races out of GSW Jacaranda (Congrats), who makes her career bow in this test. Jon Clay's Alpha Delta Stable went to $2 million to acquire Jacaranda, in foal to Candy Ride (Arg), at the 2016 FTKNOV sale. The Grade III winner is a half-sister to MGISW and hot young sire...