It was a wise decision by NYRA to cancel Sunday’s racing. The heavy
rains and winds didn’t relent until 4:00 pm and, even then, being in
Saratoga would have felt like being at Aqueduct in April. This morning
brought clear skies and sun and the forecast that the next several days
will seem like summer again. Those who stick out the meet after Travers
Day know, nonetheless, there will be more talk of next year than this
year.
Caption: Hurricane Irene rains halted racing on Sunday
Photo: Vic Zast
Fire On Ice, a son of Unbridled’s Song out of the unraced Storm Cat mare
Lost in the Storm (how’s that for synchronicity?), delivered the same
kind of dominating performance that Uncle Mo gave as a juvenile on last
season’s Travers Day card. Owned in part by his trainer John Kimmel,
Fire On Ice now commands his ultimate price and it would come as no
surprise to see at least Kimmel’s share sold. Saratoga’s horse sales
may have ended officially weeks ago, but the give and take between folks
with a runner and folks with a dream of the first Saturday in May has
just initiated.
Although Lael Stable’s Penn’s Grant finished almost a dozen lengths
behind Fire On ice and was 25-1 in the wagering, in him Barclay Tagg may
be training, at Mike Matz’s loss, the three-year-old star that
everyone’s looking for. A slow start, by the way, kept the muscular son
of Empire Maker from finishing higher than third. But he did finish
strongly. The simple truth is that two-year-old colts that don’t win at
Saratoga, but race here to learn, often turn out to be spring’s most
accomplished runners.
Monday’s card is heavy on claiming and dirt races. The three meant for
the turf will be switched to the main track, unless the person in charge
of making such calls went west for the weekend. NYRA’s eager approach
to pulling some grass races at the slightest suggestion of give in the
ground is one of the season’s confounding realities. What has happened
to “yielding?” Fans believe that there have been more than the typical
number of questionable stewards’ inquiry decisions and have been
frustrated by numerous gate scratches.
In the upcoming week, SPAC will feature Stevie Nicks, Incubus, Journey
and Sir Elton John. NYRA conducted a sweepstakes which permits one
lucky winner and a friend to see the rock legend in concert. The winner
will receive money to spend on souvenirs at the track. It will be
tendered, of course, in the form of a voucher.
On Saturday, September 3, a day earlier, the gr. 1 Woodward Stakes will
decide if Havre de Grace can beat the boys. That stellar card will
likewise offer the gr. 1 Forego and now, thanks to Hurricane Irene, the
gr. 1 Personal Ensign.
Vic Zast is the author of “The History and Art of 25 Travers.” He’s attended the races at Saratoga for 48 straight summers.
