A Wise Decision Benefits Horse and Fans

Reacting to a harsh and definite weather forecast, the New York Racing Association opted for flexibility and common-sense last weekend.  In doing so it managed to salvage two important grass races for the benefit of the fans.  This innovative flexibility acknowledged the devastating impact multiple horse scratches due to changing track surfaces can have on a race card.  Both the ugly raving in such events and the associated drop in mutuel handle need to be avoided and it is hoped this type of flexibility will be employed liberally going forward. last weekend.  While there was some grumbling by the horizontal bet players (who tend to complain far more than most about most things) this was a practical decision which benefitted the sport and its fans.

Even though the two races in question – The Fourstardave Handicap and the awfully-named Saratoga Derby, had already been pushed back a week due to wet grass conditions, the New York Racing Association employed the maxim “better late than never” and pushed both races back another 24 hours in order to allow both fields to run on a safe grass course.  The result was two quality competitive grass races that benefitted the on-track crowd who opted to stay for the late Sunday post times and the racing fans viewing off track. While this was a win for the sport in general, it was a particular win for West Point Thoroughbreds who again sprung a Saratoga grass stakes upset when Carson’s Run ran down the favored Legend of Time inside the final furlong to win going away. Owned in partnership with Steven Bouchey, Carson’s Run was purchased for the reasonable sum of $170,000 at auction. He is targeting the lucrative Nashville Derby next at Kentucky Downs with the longer-term chance of travelling down under to Australia for the large purse offered in the Cox Plate in late October.

Westpoint Thoroughbreds’ win in Saratoga Derby continued a huge meet for the high-end partnership stable. The continued success of West Point Thoroughbreds for decades, in the difficult business of purchasing and running horses is remarkable given the vicissitudes of racing. Their presence in graded stakes races has continued to expand in recent years and they have a nationwide presence. On the same day their Carson’s Run eclipsed the Grade I Saratoga Derby they ran second in the reconstituted Arlington Million, (now run at Colonial Downs), in Virginia with their colt Integration. Looking towards the future, earlier in the day on the Sunday Saratoga card they unveiled a sharp maiden winner – Sandman – who as a high-priced son of top sire Tapit only figures to get better as the races get longer.  

The win by Carson’s Run represented hot-riding jockey Dylan Davis’s first Grade I win at his home track of Saratoga. He is having a tremendous meet and is consistently making the right choice in both dirt and turf races. He is riding with confidence and has become a “go to” rider for a number of stables.  Earlier on the card Davis won the listed Mahony Stakes aboard Fandom with a persistent ride on the front end.

The aforementioned Fourstardave Handicap was won by Carl Spackler who benefited from a perfect trip under rider Tyler Gaffalione (riding for his father-in-law) to give trainer Chad Brown his first win in the event.