Saratoga Sunday, July 30th Recap

[ScottJ]

For a Sunday card with four off-the-turf events, there were so many interesting stories that seemed to frame the week's headlines perfectly.

Race 2 - Vintage ($31.20) gets it done under Dylan Davis by five lengths. When was the last time any horse had their prior start at Mountaineer and came back to win their next start at any level at Saratoga? (Honestly, I do not know this answer and am not sure how to construct a search to find the answer.)

Race 3 - Dylan Davis completes a 134-1 (CAW) Double with Certified Loverboy ($20.60) for trainer Ray Handal. The winner's circle questions on the broadcast were chuckle-worthy. Remember that there is huge value in the win pools, not just the horizontals and verticals.

Race 5 - This ten-panel, off-the-turf event sees Signal from Noise drop to the rail (not split the seam) at thirty cents on the dollar. Speaking of value plays, with only four horses in the race, the other two MTOs combined for a 38-1 exacta.

Race 6 - Alys Beach ($18.60) comes through on the rail for Tyler Gaffalione and trainer Tom Amoss. Amoss was lively on the Saratoga Live set to say the least and shared his riding instructions : "Let's stay outside, the rail looks like it's not the place to be." Sometimes, it really is the horse. In the same race, $1.2M firster Mugen ran decently while "name of the day" Ringy Dingy answered the bell with a middling fifth.

Race 8 - How about Katie Davis, covered in mud, winning on Leftembehind ($11.40)? Not only did she take a detour onto Union Avenue, but she ran down her husband Trevor McCarthy on Mudville Nine to get the win. Is there a better post-race interview than Katie Davis?

Race 9 - Absolutely no words for the nine-year-old Channel Maker ($32.40) in the Bowling Green. I honestly have bet this horse so many times and I do not think I have ever cashed a ticket on him. The streak remains in tact today. More importantly though, Richard Mullen's fall was frightening and have been following news. Hopefully, the Godolphin report is a sign that all will be well.

Race 10 - How about Risk Free? How can you not set a goal of $250,000 in lifetime earnings without winning a race?

Anyway, a wonderful and wacky Week #3 closes. Sharpen your pencils for Wednesday's Pick-6 carryover.

[burnsy]

I really needed Verstappen in that race but what about Channel Maker ? He’s 9 years old and winning a race like that ? That’s the thing about grass racing . Some of the best around have been here for years . Horses like Therapist and Red Knight are racing like it’s the prime of their career. It just shows that dirt racing demands a pound of flesh and if you’re fast on the dirt. You’re worth more breeding . These old timers are shaking up the distance turf rankings ! He was game as the come , refused to be passed .

[Maximillion]

There are low level claimers running on the dirt at a very high age at a lot of tracks and in many cases they look like the soundest horses in these races.

[burnsy]

No argument here . That’s why I said dirt racing takes a pound of flesh . But what’s the excuse when the horse is 3 or 4 years old?

[Brass Hat]

Happy for Channel Maker, and to be honest, have not seen a replay except for watching the race live, but Mullen's fall had to have altered the race. Best wishes to him, sucks to have this happen especially after making the trip from England.