Saratoga Pace Chart for Friday, August 26

August 25, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Tom’s d’Etat Confirmed for PegasusPace Makes the Race!

Friday is Travers Day Eve at Saratoga. Utilize this complimentary pace chart to help you envision how each of the races will set up at the Spa on Friday, August 26, 2022.   Understanding how the race will set up is critical to your handicapping success!

Always remember to wager within your comfort level and pick your spots. Best of luck!

SARATOGA – FRIDAY, AUG 26, 2022
Race 1 Expected Pace Leaders Stalkers Mid-Pack Closers Unknown
6.50 Furlongs / Dirt Very Fast 3-1-5 4 2
Race 2
6.00 Furlongs / Dirt Honest 1 7-4 3-2-1A 5 6
Race 3
9.00 Furlongs / Dirt Honest 2-3 1 4 5
Race 4
7.00 Furlongs / Dirt Unknown 1 10 3-9 2-4-5-6-7-8
Race 5
9.00 Furlongs / Dirt Fast 1-2 4 5 3
Race 6
5.50 Furlongs / Turf Fast 2 5-6 11-8-7-14-4 1-3-16-13-12-15-9-10
Race 7
6.50 Furlongs / Dirt Very Fast 1-3-5 2 6 4
Race 8
8.50 Furlongs / Inner Turf Honest/Fast 6-8 1-10-4 3-12-7-11 2-5-9
Race 9
7.00 Furlongs / Dirt Honest/Fast 11 2-4-10-8 3-1-7 9-12-6-5
Race 10
8.50 Furlongs / Turf Fast 3-2 9-6-5 7-10 4-8-1
Race 11
8 Furlongs / Inner Turf Modest 2-1 6-11-10 3-5-7 9-4 8
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This Week on Saratoga Horse Racing

August 3, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Art Collector headlines a field of three other graded stakes winners in Thursday’s $135,000 Alydar, a nine-furlong test for older horses. The Alydar honors Calumet Farm’s Hall of Fame thoroughbred who finished second to Affirmed in all three legs of the 1978 Triple Crown.  If you are at the track, there is more than just Saratoga horse racing this week, including:

Jockeys vs. Horsemen Hoops Game

The 13th annual jockeys vs. horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, will be played at 6:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center. Fans will be able to participate in raffles and one lucky fan will leave with a custom, autographed bobblehead of champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Admission is free.

Saratoga backsideTaste NY Pavilion

The Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, features New York craft beer, cider, wine and spirits products, including offerings from: Bolton Landing Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Common Roots Brewing Company, Druthers Brewing Co., Frog Alley Brewing Co., Northway Brewing Company, Paradox Brewery, Nine Pin Cider Works, Brotherhood Winery and Old Tavern Farm Winery, and spirits from Cooperstown Distillery, Great Jones and Pick Six Vodka. It is open from noon until 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Community Outreach Booth

NYRA will host the Race Track Chaplaincy of New York, which serves the unique community of backstretch workers and their families based at Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack through extensive programs and services that minister to their needs.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The Lustre Kings.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and Troy Stakes

Multiple graded-stakes winner Wit will make his turf debut in Friday’s Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomores. Wit captured the Sanford Stakes last year at Saratoga. Top turf sprinter Golden Pal will attempt a stakes victory at Saratoga Race Course for the third straight year in the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy for 4-year-olds and upward sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs over the Mellon turf.

Prior to the start of racing on Friday, eight new members will be enshrined in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The ceremony will get underway at 10:30 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion and is free to attend.

More from NYRA.com on Saratoga Horse Racing Week 4

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$120,364 Pick-6 Carryover into Day 2 of the Saratoga Meet

July 14, 2022 by Leave a Comment

copyright AGameofSkill.comFriday’s program at Saratoga Race Course will feature a $1 Pick 6 carryover of $120,364 after the multi-race wager went unsolved on Opening Day Thursday’s 10-race program. 

The $1 Pick 6 returned $115.50 for bettors who selected 5-of-6 winners correctly. 

The sequence kicked off in Race 5 when Majority Partner [No. 3, $5.30*] picked up a maiden claiming victory for trainer Jeremiah Englehart with Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in the irons. 

Trainer Marcelo Arenas saddled Winter Son [No. 3, $89] to an upset victory in Race 6 with Junior Alvarado in the irons, one race before Tarabi [No. 7, $4.40*] captured the $135,000 Wilton [Race 7] for trainer Cherie DeVaux, giving Castellano his second win on the card. 

Castellano picked up his third win on the program when guiding the Christophe Clement-trained Canisy [No. 1, $9.30] to an allowance optional claiming victory in Race 8. 

Clarkland Farm’s Just Cindy [No. 1, $6.20] captured the penultimate leg of the sequence in Race 9, the Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville for trainer Eddie Kenneally with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons. 

With only 4-of-11 horses covered in the final leg, Abuse of Power [No. 6, $6.60*] triggered the carryover in Race 10 and earned her second lifetime win for a $35,000 tag. Ricardo Santana, Jr. piloted the 5-year-old mare for trainer Philip Antonacci. 

Friday’s Pick 6 sequence begins in Race 5 at 3:21 p.m. Eastern and includes the $150,000 Coronation Cup in Race 8 and the Grade 3, $175,000 Forbidden Apple in Race 9. First post is 1:05 p.m. 

Saratoga Live will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

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AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Aug 8

August 8, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Complimentary horses to watch and trip notes for Agameofskill.com visitors

DEL MAR

WARREN’S CANDY GIRL (Race 1 at Del Mar, July 30) – Turf runner made a powerful late run to take over at the top of the lane and draw off to an impressive win.

SARATOGA

FULL COURT PRESS (Race 13 at Saratoga, August 1) – bumped hard start and then raced wide throughout most of the running.  Drew off strongly in the lane and won this race despite wide trip.  Tom Morley runner could win back in the right spot.

CREATE AGAIN (Race 6 at Saratoga, July 29) – Peter Walder runner was boxed in during most of this race despite the short, four-horse field.  When he finally got clear he couldn’t run down the horse who dictated the pace.  Solid effort for potent new barn and should prove tough in similar spot.

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AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – July 27

July 27, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Horse Racing Fans at the Saratoga Clubhouse Rail

Fans at the Saratoga Clubhouse Rail

Put these Horses to Watch and Trip Notes from A Game of Skill in your Stable Mail or StableAlert service.

SARATOGA

WAR SMOKE (Race 1 at Saratoga, July 17, 2021) – Trip notes saw this first timer run huge. Squeezed badly at the start, and then unleashed a big late run.  The son of War Dancer got bumped and knocked off stride by the winner when both were rallying in the final 1/16th of a mile.  He is a half to 3 turf winners.

MISSPELL (Race 3 at Saratoga, July 17) – Got hit hard at the start of the race.  She recovered with a huge late and just got nosed out.  It was the first start since September for the Chad Brown filly who showed a lot of talent last year.  She was getting Lasix for the first time here.   Figures to break through her conditions very soon.

DANCE CODE (Race 9 at Saratoga, July 17) – Lost all chance at the start of the G3 Sanford Stakes but came on late to finish a very game third, despite being well beaten by winner Wit.  Showed a lot of talent in this loss.

TOO SEXY (Race 6 at Saratoga, July 16) – Clement runner looked like one that had trouble finding the winner’s circle but now she has won two of her last four races.  She was much the best in this entry level allowance race, overcoming trouble in the stretch to win going away in this turf sprint.

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AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – July 15

July 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Saratoga canopy walk throughComplimentary horses to watch and trip notes for visitors of AGameofSkill.com

ELLIS PARK

ORCHESTRATION (Race 5 at Ellis Park, June 2, 2021) – Bounced around at the start and then unleashed a huge late run to get up for 2nd and blow past the winner just past the wire.  Big gallop out from the Chad Brown first time starter by Flatter.

SARATOGA

MAINSTAY (Race 9 at Saratoga, July 15, 2021) – In watching the head-on replay you will see that 2yo filly from the Robert Reid, Jr. barn stumbled badly from her two post.  However, she recovered like a real pro and ran a huge race to be 2nd to the second choice and wire-to-wire winner Pretty Birdie.  She was about 4 lengths clear of the show horse.

OMAHA CITY (Race 8 at Saratoga, July 15, 2021) – This talented turf runner finished extremely well to get up for 2nd in the Quick Call Stakes.  Trained by a 3% barn, this son of Temple City had not been out since mid April at Gulfstream.  Super honest and looks primed for top efforts at 6 1/2 furlongs or less.

EKHTIBAAR (Race 1 at Saratoga, opening day July 15, 2021) – The 8yo shipper from Parx showed a new dimension by rallying from off the pace.  Broke from a tough outside post in this 9 furlong dirt opener and was gained furiously on the leader in the lane, and that rival was drifting in and out in the final 1 1/16th.  This old timer loves Saratoga and could surprise at the same or similar level next out.

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America Best’s Guide to the Saratoga Race Course Meet

July 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

With more than 150 years of history, it’s no wonder that Saratoga has picked up a couple of nicknames along the way. The track’s two most used are The Spa and The Graveyard of Champions – and the latter isn’t nearly as dire as it sounds, so don’t worry! The nickname refers to the fact that some of the most famous racehorses in American history have lost races at Saratoga: Man o’ War, Secretariat, American Pharoah, and Gallant Fox, just to name a few. In fact, local lore tells us that Saratoga gifted sports with the term “upset,” since that was the name of the horse who defeated the mighty Man o’ War. It’s just one reason that bettors love the races at Saratoga so much: when favorites lose, savvy gamblers win big.

Get 10 Tips to Beating Saratoga

The track and town are colloquially called The Spa because the city sits on top of natural springs with waters rumored to bring good health to humans and horses. Saratoga became a playground for the rich throughout the Gilded Age thanks to the mineral water and the race meet, and there are still bathhouses and drinking pavilions galore throughout the town.

When: July 15 to Sept. 6

Saratoga is called the “Summer Place to Be” for good reason: the meet lasts from mid-July through Labor Day, and it draws vacationers and racing industry professionals throughout the season. Saturdays tend to have the most prestigious races, and the highlights of the 2021 meet are below…

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Racetracks Announced for NHC Tournament in Las Vegas

June 25, 2021 by Leave a Comment

NTRA NHC logoLEXINGTON, Ky. (Friday, June 25, 2021) — Seven North American racetracks, including premier summer-time race meetings Del Mar, Saratoga and Monmouth Park, make up a menu from which all mandatory and optional races will be selected when the world’s richest and most prestigious handicapping tournament – the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), presented by Racetrack Television Network, Caesars Entertainment and Bally’s Las Vegas – is contested Aug. 27-29, 2021. The official NHC 2021 racetracks are Del Mar, Ellis Park, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Saratoga Race Course and Woodbine Racetrack.

This year’s NHC, which includes more than 600 entries, was originally scheduled to be held February 9-11, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and was rescheduled for late August. The total cash and prizes to be awarded at the 2021 NHC are estimated to be nearly $3.8 million, including an estimated $3 million in prize money.

“The menu of racetracks represents the best possible mix of quality racing and geographical diversity,” said NTRA Chief Operating Officer and NHC Tournament Director Keith Chamblin. “Del Mar and Saratoga, which on Saturday, Aug. 27, will feature six Grade I events headed by the Runhappy Travers Stakes, highlight the racing, but it will be great to introduce Ellis Park, Monmouth Park and Woodbine to NHC contest play.”

The three-day NHC requires players to make mythical $2 win and place wagers on eight mandatory races and 10 optional races on each of the first two days. The top 10 percent of players achieving the highest bankroll at the conclusion of the first two days will advance to Sunday morning’s Semi-Final round which will consist of 10 optional plays. The top 10 players following the Semi-Final round will advance to Sunday’s Final Table where they will compete in seven mandatory races to determine the National Champion. The winner will receive $800,000 and an Eclipse Award as the Horseplayer of the Year.

The NHC is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping websites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. There are no buy-ins to the NHC. Each year, the NHC winner joins other human and equine champions as an honoree at the Eclipse Awards. The NHC is presented by Racetrack Television Network, Caesars Entertainment and Bally’s Las Vegas.

For more information on the NHC Tour and a complete contest schedule, visit NTRA.com/nhc.

ELIGIBLE TRACKS FOR 2021 NHC IN LAS VEGAS*

Del Mar

Ellis Park

Golden Gate Fields

Gulfstream Park

Monmouth Park

Saratoga Race Course

Woodbine Racetrack

* Subject to change

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Saratoga Race Course Sees Horses Back in Barns

April 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Saratoga Race Course welcomes horses back; fans up nextThe barns were nearly empty.

That will change soon enough.

The seats were empty.

That will change on July 15.

Thoroughbred training began at Saratoga Race Course this weekend, and, on Monday morning, several horses from James Bond’s barn galloped over the main track, while renovation work continues at the Oklahoma Training Track on the other side of Union Avenue.

The barns will continue to fill up this spring, and the Oklahoma is scheduled to open for training in a few weeks. The New York Racing Association, meanwhile, expects to get guidelines from the state soon, perhaps this week, on what procedures and protocols it will need to follow to let spectators attend the races again.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced [on April 14th] that racetracks in New York could re-open to 20% capacity as of this Friday, which means that Saratoga fans, shut out of the track in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be able to attend the 2021 meet. The familiar sight of horses on the track Monday will be joined by the familiar sound of fans when the 153rd meet opens on July 15, a welcome development for those who race, as well as those who watch…

Download Rich Nilsen’s 10 Tips for Beating Saratoga

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Alabama Stakes Set for August 15 at the Spa

August 12, 2020 by Leave a Comment

 

The year 2020 will be the only time the Travers has been run before the Kentucky Derby and the only time The Alabama has been run before the Kentucky Oaks.

By Art Parker

Like the Travers Stakes, the Alabama Stakes is one of the great historic races held annually at Saratoga. Like the Travers it is run at 1 ¼ miles and usually one week before it. This year the Alabama will be run on August 15th, a week after the Travers due to COVID-19 rescheduling. The Alabama is restricted to three year old fillies.

walking horse through Saratoga crowdThe Alabama was first run in 1872 making it one of the oldest races for females in America and the longest continuously run stakes race for three year old fillies. The race is named in honor of William Cottrell of Alabama. The race is named in honor of the Confederate Captain who was heavily involved with thoroughbred racing and breeding before and after his service in the Civil War. When approached by the Saratoga Association in 1872 about having a race named in his honor, he declined and requested the race instead be named for his home state of Alabama. Cottrell used his activity in racing to help and mend relations between the North and the South after the Civil War.

While the Kentucky Oaks stands as the female version of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the Alabama is the female edition of the Travers Stakes, which is open to all 3-year-olds at Saratoga.

The great filly Go For Wand set the stakes record in 1990 for the Alabama at 2:00 4/5 minutes.

Jockeys Jorge Velasquez, Jerry D. Bailey and Mike Smith have all won five Alabama Stakes.

Many great fillies have won the Alabama such as:  Elate, Songbird, Royal Delta, Silverbulletday, Heavenly Prize, Sky Beauty, Open Mind, Shuvee, Gamely, Vagrancy and Beldame to name a few.

Only four fillies and have ever won the Kentucky Oaks and the Alabama Stakes: Open Mind, Make Sail, Princess of Sylmar and Blind Luck.

The year 2020 will be the only time the Travers has been run before the Kentucky Derby and the only time The Alabama has been run before the Kentucky Oaks.

The purse for the 2020 Alabama is $600,000.

Did you miss?

Handicapping Tip #60 – Watch ’em and Learn

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