Journalism Wins, Sovereignty Returns

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Racing kicks into high gear this weekend at Saratoga Race Course with the return of three-year-old pro tem champion Sovereignty. 

Seeking to match his rival Journalism‘s impressive victory in New Jersey in the Haskell Stakes, Sovereignty runs in the Jim Dandy. The traditional prep for the Travers Stakes and named after one of the greatest upsetters in Travers history, the Jim Dandy has attracted a small, but extremely talented field of five. The group includes strong challengers in Baeza and the social media darling Sandman. At first glance, the field seems to be devoid of early speed, placing Sovereignty at somewhat of a tactical disadvantage.

While Journalism’s connections have stated they will stay out west prepping for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Sovereignty’s connections have spoken openly about the Travers Stakes being their most important target. One gets the sense that the Breeders’ Cup Classic and another potential meeting with Journalism is a lesser priority. A Travers victory by Sovereignty would seem a crowning achievement for Sovereignty’s owners Godolphin, his trainer Bill Mott, and his rider Junior Alvarado. This week’s Jim Dandy is a means to an end for them. For racing fans, the Jim Dandy is an opportunity to see Sovereignty perform in person.

Journalism

Journalism won a hard-fought victory in the aforementioned Haskell Stakes last week, lengthening his stride late in the stretch to run down two game and talented rivals in Gosger and Goal Oriented. His effort was remarkable and one that shows his honesty and tenacity. He shows up every time and is atypical in his ability to perform at a top level after dancing every dance on the Triple Crown trail. Unfortunately, racing shot itself in the foot once again on the large stage by imposing a fine on his rider, Umberto Rispoli, for violating an arbitrary rule regarding use of the crop. A similar sanction was placed on Sovereignty’s rider, Junior Alvarado, for his ride in the Kentucky Derby. This HISA rule is arbitrary and needs to be refined. No fan or horseman saw anything about Rispoli’s ride that warranted a fine.

Victor Espinosa

Hall of Fame rider Victor Espinosa, riding full-time at Saratoga, scored a longshot victory last week on Navy Seal, trained by Wesley Ward, in an eventful grass marathon. Espinosa, represented by the young, capable, and affable agent Jose Santos, Jr., has a world of experience, riding more than 3,500 winners and earning over $200,000,000 in purses while competing at the highest levels. 

Espinosa over the years has been generous with his time and money (his lifetime philanthropic efforts are impressive and extensive). Here’s hoping we see more winning Espinosa rides at the Spa.

Strange Doings 

This column has pointed out many times that strange things happen each year at the Saratoga Race Course. Maybe it’s being away from home in unfamiliar surroundings, maybe it’s fatigue from the long days, maybe it’s Sundays, maybe it’s the famed spring water, but over the years there are simply odd occurrences here. Races have been run at the wrong distances. Races have been halted mid-race by outriders thinking there was a fallen rider in danger. Famously, the wrong horse was disqualified from a victory (Allemeuse – look that one up). In other words, anomalies abound. 

Last week added one to the list. In Sunday’s second race, two horses were placed into the wrong starting positions, an error which this writer does not recall ever seeing. The horses, Sonje Hennie and Fast Market, were to be loaded into stalls three and four, respectively, but those positions were transposed and no one noticed prior to the race. Fast Market managed to finish second in the race putting the stewards in a quandary.  Given the circumstances, they reviewed the race and determined that the wrong post positions had no impact on the outcome of the race and let the results stand. It was the correct decision. Mistakes happen, they just seem to happen up here more than elsewhere.