WATCH

(photos by Cindy Pierson Dulay – horse-races.net)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phooey.

So, he is wonderful racehorse and a mere mortal after all. The Haskell, a walk in the park with a 109 Beyer Figure, was one of the fastest races of his life.  Another long trip to the Travers was both exciting for fans and for the sport but had some wondering if it was too much for the colt after his Triple Crown series.

If he had won yesterday, there would be no second-guessing. But fans are a bit sad he lost and now we are hoping Zayat Stables don’t let emotions run wild and retire the colt before he tries the Breeders’ Cup.

Those most observant with the keen eyes (pardon the pun) noted that as AP went into the gate, he all of a sudden became very hot. Even Victor Espinoza remarked on it. But when the half mile went in 48 and he put away Frosted, things looked like they would be okay.

Until the eighth pole.

Keen Ice, coming off a 105 Beyer Figure and a hard trying guy who has been improving, simply duplicated that Beyer while AP came down a bit – the 106 for the Travers was decent – but not of the ilk of horses of the past like Spectacular Bid, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, etc.

Hey – we loved watching the Travers, we can’t be mad at Zayat for running him now that he has lost.

Hope that he does run in the Breeders’ Cup, though.  If  he is good and sound, he deserves a chance to bounce back.

 

Ahmad Zayat said..

My gut feeling right now, without being outspoken, is to retire.  It’s to say we had a Triple Crown champion.  I feel a huge responsibility.  I don’t think you guys understand, and I pushed so hard.  I hope I didn’t push Bob because I know Bob is not the person to be pushed. Bob let the horse tell us.  And we were day on, day off because we honestly genuinely wanted the horse to tip us.  The horse could not have been better.  He gained weight.  So we came here because of what we’ve seen on Friday.  15,000 people, this is what it is all about, this game.  I’m second guessing myself because now, if the horse is tailing off and he’s not the Pharoah we are used to, even though he fought hard, then I have a responsibility for my horse, and I have to come to say it was unbelievable run.”

Winning trainer Dale Romans said, “American Pharoah’s legacy is not tarnished in any way. Secretariat got beat, Seattle Slew got beat, Affirmed got beat. He has run very hard all year and he ran a very good race today. He was pressed, Frosted took it to him, and we were fortunate to be running behind. I’m not going to take anything away from our horse. He ran him down. He bellied down to get him. My horse was extremely gutsy. He got a good ride from Javier. He’s been great to train, and people are going to know who he is before his career is over.”

Owner Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing said, “I want to say a heartfelt thanks to Team Zayat for bringing American Pharoah here today.  The reason this is a great victory for us is because they were willing to be true sportsmen.  They made this race as huge as it was, probably one of the biggest ever.  So I’m grateful to them for being true sportsmen. Our horse has gotten better every single race.  He’s been coming and coming and coming.  You saw that in the Haskell, even though it was not his preferred distance.  Today was a distance he likes a little better.  I can’t say I’m surprised by the outcome.  Obviously, I’m pleased.  I didn’t think we were an even money shot or anything like that, but I thought we were going to run really well.”

more from Travers:

 

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED – excellent write-up by Tim Layden

 

http://www.si.com/horse-racing/2015/08/29/american-pharoah-loses-travers-stakes-saratoga-retirement

 

On the Travers card – PRIVATE ZONE, the leading Canadian-bred horse right now, won the Forego – Grade 1, with ease, and with a 105 Beyer Figure. The son of Macho Uno – Autumn Beauty by Siphon,is 10 for 30 in his career and it was his first race at Saratoga. he had worked in 45 4/5 on the surface before the race.

Jorge Navarro trains for Good friends Stable.

The eye-popping races of the day were the KING’S BISHOP – for 3yos at 7 furlongs – and the Sword Dancer.

RUNHAPPY ran possessed in the King’s Bishop – 1:20.54 and just missing the long time track record of 1:20.40 set in 1978 by Darby Creek Road.

It was a 113 Beyer Figure.

This Super Saver colt is 4 for 5 in his career (only loss came in a 2 turn stakes race) and he is owned by Jim (Mattress Mac) McIngvale. A $200,000 yearling purchase and trained by young trainer Maria Borell.

FLINTSHIRE toyed with rivals in the Sword Dancer – 2:23 for 1 1/2 miles on turf and he posted a 112 Beyer Figure. How he lost the Breeders’ Cup last year to Main Sequence, no clue. He is a 5yo horse by Dansili.

 

BREWSKI AND CITO: wins add to yearling siblings pages

Woodbine Saturday wrap

 

SWEET ROSE, a Stronach Stables’ 2yo filly, won her maiden in her 3rd start as she came from 3 lengths off the pace to win the 6 furlong dash in 1:10.32 – a 72 Beyer Figure. She is an ONtario bred by Hat Trick (Jpn) out of Sugar Swirl by Touch Gold. Sid Attard trains and Luis Contreras rode.

race 2- Gerald Pike’s AMBER BREWSKI pipped favoured Kasuga at the wire to win this $32,00 maiden claiming race at 7 furlongs, hitting at 15-1 for trainer Mike DePaulo. Eurico Rosa da Silva rode the daughter of Milwaukee Brew – Golden Vow by Broken Vow and there is a yearling half sister to this filly in the Sept. 8 yearling sale. There is also a half sister to Kasuga in the sale from Woodlands, agent.
Ericka Rusnak bred the winner. The Beyer was 65.

race 3- a theme of big upsets continued at Woodbine and other tracks – in this race, 2 to 5 shot BELLE CHLOE could not stay with SIMPLYIRRESISTABLE who won by 8 1/4 lengths in this 1 1/8 mile turf race.  The winner is a Sligo Bay filly out of Miss Irresistable bred by Andy Stronach in New York. It was the 3yo’s 11th career race and she won this maiden race under Juan Crawford. Nick Nosowenko owns and trains.

race 4- The Pick 4 started off with a bang – VICTORY RING owned and bred by Larry regan and trained by Daniel Wills, chased a front runner who was gong far too fast and she inherited the lead and held off her rivals to win her maiden for $11,500. Jeanne Ryan is a co-owner of this 4yo filly and Kirk Johnson rode. She was 21-1

race 5- an allowance race on the grass was the fastest race of the day according to Beyer Figures. MOON RAINBOW held off Internal Bourbon to win this 1 1/16 mile turf race in 1:40.21, an 85 Beyer Speed Figure.
The winner was making her turf debut and is by Smart Strike out of Scarlet Butterfly by Theatrical. It was her 3rd career race and 2nd win, Da Silva rode for Sam-Son Farms and Malcolm Pierce trains.

race 6 – a 7 furlong Ontario sired allowance race went to the pretty colt NIIGON’S EDGE, by Niigon out of Lemon Edge by Lemon Drop Kid. A Chiefswood Farm homebred, this colt is trained by Stuart Simon and Gerry Olguin rode. It was his 2nd career start and he posted a 66 Beyer Figure. The promising Conquest Cavalry was 2nd and the Old Forester fellow has a sibling in the yearling sale.

race 7 – a maiden allowance on the grass saw HINES finally get his maiden win in his 14th start.
He was one of 3 (yes, three) sons of Tapit in the race and he was originally a $500,000 yearling but then later sold privately to Chad and Crista Joe’s Copper Water Thoroughbred Company. Luis Contreras gave the grey gelding a super ride and he won for the red-hot Pat Parente stable.
race 8 an allowance race/optional claimer was won by CITO, an Alphabet Soup gelding owned by Lisa MacCallum Smith and Cindy Cox, trained by Greg Cox. This 4yo posted an 83 Beyer Figure and it was his 3rd win in 10 races and 2nd win this year. His dam Victoria Bay, by Northern Afleet has a sibling in the yearling sale )see above)

race 9 an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs for Ontario sired non-winners of 2 had a 4-5 shot in the race, Playmetheblues, who fell so far back early in the race he had no chance of catching up. Atypical, by Seeking the Best, won for Tucci Stables who bred the gelding.
2nd win for Sid Attard – 3rd for Luis Contreras

race 10 SKY DANCING, a John Oxley homebred by Sky Mesa, won this $20,00 claiming race under Gary Boulanger and was claimed by Roger Attfield, owner/trainer.

Betting at Woodbine was $4.8 million.

 

 

CANADIAN PREMIER YEARLING SALE – siblings to catalogued yearlings

today at Woodbine

Race 1                    MDN 25K

#4                            Barney Come Home            Hip 276        1/2 brother by Bold N Flashy

#6                            Prince Of the Dawn             Hip 168        1/2 sister by Court Vision

Race 4                    CLM 20K

#1                            Majestic Sunset                    Hip 218       1/2 sister by Gemologist

#6                            Imperatore                            Hip 206        1/2 brother by Stormy Atlantic

#8                            Executive One                        Hip 199       1/2 brother by Spaniard

Race 5                    MSW OSS

#6                            Mechanical                            Hip 197        1/2 brother by War Cry

#7                            Bradman                                Hip 295         1/2 brother by Forestry

Race 8                    ALW OSS

#6                            Peggy O                                Hip 204          1/2 sister by Stroll

#11                          Izitlegal                                 Hip 201          full sister

Race 10                  CLM 10K NW2

#3                        New Forester                           Hip 193          1/2 sister by Court Vision

 

Saturday’s Woodbine results – sales catalogue updates

Race 2                MDN32

#4                        Amber Brewski      1ST – UPDATE YOUR CATALOGUE!                      Hip 64            1/2 sister by Court Vision

#5                        Kasuga            2ND                             Hip 62             1/2 sister by Victor’s Cry

 

Race 6                MSW OSS

#3                        Conquest Cavalry         2ND                Hip 128            1/2 brother by Uncle Mo

RACE 8

#4                        Cito 1ST                                                Hip 241             1/2 sister by Silent Name