Four days into the 2015 Saratoga meet we have already been treated to some world class racing. There have been an abundance of opportunities for scores, some life changing, competitive races, horses and riders dueling to the finish, photo finishes separating victory from also ran by a sliver, and excitement from the day’s start to end.
The racing has not been without controversy. We’ve already had two interesting disqualifications in two stakes races, and one non disqualification in another. It goes to show with the heightened competitiveness Saratoga brings in general, it’s amplified in stakes races.
We have also seen reminders of days gone by. I remember when Saratoga was the August place to be and not what it’s called today, the summer place to be. Extending the racing from July until Labor Day changed the quality of the racing forever I’m afraid. Today’s racing in general would be hard pressed to support an old Saratoga condition book, filled with non-winner of one, two, and three conditioned allowance races. Those races were like stake prep races back then and often featured the horses we’d see running in stakes later. There was a graded stake almost every day. Today, only short meets like Keeneland Spring and Fall, and even Kentucky Downs, can support that kind of controlled quality and none of them do so in the manner Saratoga used to.
Today’s “stat guys” have been somewhat confused by the early meet success of Bill Mott with some first time starters. I’ve had this discussion with a few of them before and they really shouldn’t be. Some stats are misleading and Mott with first timers is one of them. There are some trainers that are always dangerous when they lead one over. Bill Mott is one of them. I know all about the 0 for 70 something stat with first timers. I also know I have seen him win with enough of them that to not include one because of that stat can lead to a long face or torn up ticket. Be wary with certain stats. They can hurt more than help.
I’ve been writing about it since the Gulfstream Rainbow 6 fiasco, and talking about it a lot longer than that, but we really need some new, or better said, old standards regarding stewards and disqualifications. I say old because we actually had them way back when. There was a time in New York racing when fouls meant disqualifications. You heard it throughout the grandstand, “he’s comin’ down” when you saw an infraction either live or on a monitor. This also included infractions out of the gate. If you think riders can’t control their horses out of the gate, think again. The common herding and bumping we take for granted out of the gate today, used to almost always result in disqualifications. Today, infractions right out of the gate often go without even an inquiry or objection, unless it’s of course in some very big race at the end of a super card and program, and a steward with a half smirk on his face says it did not affect the outcome. Therein lies the problem, did it affect the outcome.
Back when fouls meant disqualifications in New York, we did not have the “didn’t affect the outcome” factor. In our attempt to become advanced and eliminate disqualifications where it seemed the infraction truly did not affect the race, we added that subjectivity for the stewards to ponder. The trouble is not only can’t we agree, or at times really tell, neither can they. This is why that doesn’t really work, and that subjectivity creates more arguments, more appearances of impropriety, and favoritism, than it provides any benefit to the game. What we need in my opinion, is a simple step back, a clearly defined set of rules with minimal or no subjectivity. If you do A, B, C, or D, you will be disqualified. Include out of the gate. You will see how much the breaks and herding following them improves.
You’d be hard pressed to argue it wouldn’t be safer for all participants. And who’d miss the heated and spirited disagreements about whether a horse should have been disqualified?
I realize there are many not in favor of this and I respect the opinion but ask what would you prefer? The constant arguing and feelings of inconsistency at one track, let alone different venues clearly is not working. One just needs to look at these first few days at Saratoga to see what I mean. We’ll do that in a moment. First let me say that if you think this old method will clog the card with inquiries, you must be against replay in sports, and if there is any, it will be temporary until the riders come on board. You’d be hard pressed to argue it wouldn’t be safer for all participants. And who’d miss the heated and spirited disagreements about whether a horse should have been disqualified?
The Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks was a fantastic race this year. The race had lost some luster when it was shortened from a mile and a quarter to a mile and an eighth. It got it back Sunday when I’m a Chatterbox, Curalina, Florent Geroux, and Johnny Velazquez put on one heck of a show and race dueling to the wire in an all-out old school horse race. Geroux, who months ago we pegged right here as one of the most improved riders in the country, rode a great race. He gunned his filly from the outside post outsprinting the other speed and made the top. It was obvious his intention. He cleared and got to the rail, and refused to be baited into going too fast or surrendering the lead despite early challenges. That takes some craftiness and a cool head. Florent obviously has both and on the big stage. His filly was in position to score the minor upset as she sprinted clear in the stretch and appeared to have enough gas left in the tank to hold off favorite Curalina and John Velazquez. It would be close however. Curalina pulled alongside I’m a Chatterbox in the shadow of the wire as Velazquez whipped aggressively left handed and Geroux worked feverishly right handed. I originally thought the riders actually struck each other. Apparently they hadn’t but right at the wire I’m a Chatterbox bore out and made contact with Curalina. Chatterbox held on regardless, and Curalina may have never gotten by, but Curalina was awarded the win via disqualification. Many said right call, many said wrong call. It happened right at the wire so you can argue it didn’t affect the outcome, or it did.
The disqualification of Magna Light in The Sanford Stakes was even more controversial. Magna Light, while leading down the stretch by what looked to be about 3 lengths bore out sharply, maybe 4 paths or so, under a strong left hand by Jose Ortiz. Jose immediately corrected the two year old colt and the horse responded by crossing back inside albeit not nearly as dramatically as he went outside. He finished near the rail. The horse who took the worst of it, Percolator wound up third. The argument was the incident cost him a placing, which would have been second, not first. He wasn’t winning the race. On the pan shot it looked as though Magna Light was clear. The head on showed he clearly crossed over the path of at least two other horses. Michael Dubb, one of Magna Light’s owners was extremely upset with the decision, and he voiced his displeasure. There are many who disagree and many who agree. Dubb has appealed the decision. That rarely works but it is an option. Once again John Velazquez was in the right place on Uncle Vinny finishing second for Todd Pletcher, and being awarded the win. Pletcher also trained Curalina.
In the Lucky Coin stakes on Monday, Shore Runner fared better than I’m a Chatterbox and Magna Light, his infraction was just as dramatic however. Shore Runner came into the stretch full of run on the inside and his rider Kendrick Carmouche knew it. He tried to angle his horse outside to launch his bid. As he did so, aggressively I might add, another horse bore out some and made Shore Runner bear out more severely than he was already going to. He did however after that continue to impede a horse outside of him. True that horse appeared to be going backwards at that time, he was impeded twice. Once by Shore Runner with the help of another, and once by Shore Runner alone. Shore Runner flew home on the outside and won by a nose. He was left up.
I think with subjectivity we can’t have the consistency most of us want regarding disqualifications. I can handicap horses, tracks, trainers, jockeys, trips, weather and whatever else and whatever other intangibles this great game throws my way. I can’t handicap stewards nor should any of us have too. Way too many bad calls, and disputed calls for me. This is not to say I disagree with any of the calls this past weekend. It doesn’t matter. What I’d like to see is old school rules everyone has to follow, and have them applied equally, fairly, and consistently. I don’t believe we are getting that.
What’s interesting is I favor race riding. I love when a rider drifts just enough to intimidate a competitor and cause some hang, but not do enough to come down. That’s a part of the game I grew up appreciating. I don’t think my suggestion would take that away, just strengthen the guidelines.
In the midst of an exciting beginning to Saratoga and a strong Del Mar underway, Sunday American Pharoah returns in the Haskell. I think he may have gotten even better and faster and I am excited to see him run.
High 5
How about the ride Gary Stevens put on Catch a Flight in The San Diego Handicap. You don’t get more hall of fame ride than that. Gary can be his own biggest critic and when he publicly says something like I moved too soon last time, take notice. I don’t think at any point in the stretch did Gary not know he’d get up.
Joe Talamo is one of the best young riders in the country. You just have to admire the way he’s riding the Del Mar turf course day in and day out. He rides that course like it’s his back yard.
Florent Geroux showed once again he’s becoming world class. Great ride in The Coaching Club American Oaks. Tough DQ.
Larry Jones and assistant Andre Stock did some great work bringing I’m a Chatterbox back from The Kentucky Oaks sitting on a top effort. They came to run.
Gustavo Delgado ships to the Spa from Gulfstream and gets the money with Face of Winner at $47.40.
The guy from New Jersey who took down the pick 5 pool of 471k on a $675 play.
Carson Sullivan, who we profiled right here, for taking his tack to Saratoga and committing to New York and a go at the big time. Tough timing to try New York but you have to admire his determination and confidence.
And last but not least, hats off and continued prayers for Norberto Arroyo, who after losing everything in a fire is staying strong and fighting to get back in the saddle and winners circle. Norberto recently made the trip from Louisville to Ellis Park to start things rolling on obtaining his license. He’s anxious to start riding and winning again and he’s doing all he can to make that happen. Norberto is too determined and far too talented to not be in the saddle. He’ll get there.
Low Five
There were a few, but everybody gets a pass this week. It’s Saratoga.
