Last week at Saratoga Race Course was characterized by top notch racing at the highest level, controversial decisions by the racing stewards, numerous wins by jockey Katie Davis, a severe injury to a visiting rider and the sudden passing of a friend of racing and friend of mine.
RACING
The on-track action saw Steve Asmussen’s filly Echo Zulu run a hole in the wind in the Honorable Miss Handicap to begin the week, followed by a similar rapid victory by New York Thunder in the Amsterdam. Both fillies ran extremely fast times and stamped themselves as candidates for divisional championship honors. Not to be outdone, the male division saw two exciting races where the favorites overcame tough opponents to score popular victories. The sprint division saw trainer Bill Mott’s Elite Power continue his winning ways (on Mott’s birthday) by resolutely running down very game Gunite in the Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap to be followed a short time later by former champion and hard luck three-year-old Forte scoring in the Jim Dandy Stakes in a roughly run race.
The rough riding in the Jim Dandy has been the source of much disagreement among racing fans and analysts and highlighted what many see as tolerance by racing officials for increasingly aggressive riding tactics on the New York racing circuit. As if to underscore the ever-present danger in riding race horses, the very next day British Jockey Richard Mullen saw his horse, the favored Rebel’s Romance, stumble when clipping heels with another horse in traffic incurring extensive injuries. While this incident was clearly traffic related there have been a spate of stumbling incidents on the turf course near the eighth pole this meet affecting the racing. The New York Racing Association should take note of the location.
STEWARDS
As alluded to earlier herein, the New York racing stewards are currently viewed as more tolerant of aggressive riding. There have been several controversial recent decisions allowing results to stand despite reviews of claimed riding infractions. The specifics of each incident are debatable but the general perception among bettors, fans, analysts and industry participants is of a steward stand willing to permit race riding that in the past would result in a disqualification.
Much like the roller derby matches in the early days of television, the viewer is left unsure of what is in fact a foul and what is permitted. Now when they turn for home a knowledgeable bettor expects/hopes/fears that the leader will herd or intimidate the closer affecting the finish. While no one wants to see on track results changed without reason the current situation is neither sporting nor safe and in fact, is bad entertainment. Only the stewards can stop it - it’s time they do.
KATIE DAVIS
On a far more upbeat jockey note - Katie Davis, of the noted racing Davis family, exuded her usual sunshine in guiding home her first Saratoga winner on the Ray Handal trained River Tay. She found the confines of the winner’s circle so cozy she decided to visit it twice more during the week for a total of three wins, beating her sister Jackie in one race and her husband Trevor McCarthy in another.
A mother of a toddler who took some time away from the saddle to start a family, Katie Davis has managed through talent, persistence, and positive thinking to compete in a very talented jockey colony.
It was Congressperson Shirley Chisholm, who, as one of a few females in a male-dominated Congress in 1970’s, defiantly stated “if they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Katie Davis’s seat at the table is now reserved.
The Whitney
This week’s feature is Saturday’s Whitney Stakes. A very small field is expected with Cody’s Wish the clear favorite. In my opinion it is time to again make the Whitney a handicap race rather than a stakes race to entice more entries in the future.
Danny Schmidt
Racing lost a huge supporter this week with the sudden passing of Danny Schmidt a man of generous spirit, highest ethical standards and significant intellect. Working largely behind the scenes as an owner and breeder, his past service included serving on the board of directors of the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association and the Backstretch Pension Fund. His service was selfless and motivated by the desire to see the sport and its participants thrive and survive. At his untimely passing he owned horses trained by Leah Gyarmati. He was part of a racing family that includes jockey agent Mike Monroe and Paradise Farms owner Peter Proscia.
He leaves behind his loving wife Kathy, adoring nieces and nephews and a whole host of racetrack family and friends, including this author. I was proud to call him a close friend and he will be missed.
