A Week of Milestones And A Filly Takes on the Colts

Travers week is here and the race shapes up to be a battle among the best three-year-olds – male or female – in the country. Thorpedo Anna is THE story as she tries to become the first filly to win the race since 1915. Her dominance over the three-year-old filly division was so complete that her connections felt it was time to try the colts and see how she stacks up against them. Last week’s Alabama Stakes flattered Thorpedo Anna as the foes she easily vanquished earlier this year put on a thrilling race but one without a performance that would challenge Thorpedo Anna at her best.

This year’s Travers may actually be the rare event where a race lives up to its billing. Most of the top runners in the three-year-old crop have been entered, including some late bloomers which could prove formidable. It is a nice mix of front running types and closers and figures to be a great handicapping puzzle to determine the winner. While Thorpedo Anna will likely be favored in the betting this will be by far the toughest field she has faced and might be too tough a task.

In addition to the Alabama Stakes, last week was dominated by personal milestones and the passing of one of racing largest benefactors.  

JENNIFER PARAGALLO

Trainer Jennifer Paragallo saw her runner Dunedin Causeway hit the wire in front registering her first Saratoga winner after decades of hard work in the game. Her exuberance in the post-race winner’s circle interview was such that when the New York Racing Association posted it on Twitter it garnered more than half million views. As a Saratoga native who began by galloping horses on the Oklahoma training track, Ms. Paragallo told me she was overwhelmed by the support and congratulations offered from around the world. She indicated that how happy she was that the fans “came along for the ride.”

Ms. Paragallo is emblematic of the people who work extremely hard in this business somewhat anonymously.  Ms. Paragallo took her trainer’s license in 2010 and operated on her own for a few months before deciding to continue working as a galloping/assistant for another Saratoga native, the late Glenn DeSanto.  Toiling as an assistant for almost a decade more, her opportunity presented itself when Luna Racing entrusted her with their stable.  

Jen, as she is known to her friends, told me “We have a few more planned starts for this meet and are extremely pleased how the meet has been going thus far. Saratoga has something special that brings out the best in the horses and the people!” The same can be said for Ms. Paragallo. Here is hoping that she continues her winning ways and that owners continue to send her horses.

GEORGE WEAVER

In the same week, trainer George Weaver won his 1,000th race as a trainer when his maiden filly Beautiful Thief won the last race on Saturday. In his post-race interview Mr. Weaver admitted he “had bet on her the first time and was disappointed” but she won easily for him on Saturday. He further indicated it was special to mark the milestone at Saratoga.  In an emotional part of the interview Waiver thanked his wife Cindy who worked alongside him until recently when she was gravely injured in a horse accident at the stable. Her recovery has been long and difficult, and Weaver was effusive in his praise for all her efforts accomplishing the 1,000 victories. 

JOHN HENDRICKSON

Racing in general and Saratoga, in particular, suddenly lost one of its biggest benefactors when John Hendrickson, longtime husband of Mary Lou Whitney, succumbed to a heart attack at the young age of 59.  Mr. Hendrickson and Mary Lou Whitney’s dedication to Saratoga and racing, both philanthropically and symbolically, cannot be overstated. His untimely passing is a major loss for both the city and the racing community. Condolences to all.