8/16: Saratoga Steeplechase

[Flatterer]

A tangled web of maidens and recent maiden graduates is on tap for this week’s non-winners of 2 life steeplechase race around 4 turns with 8 jumps and a half mile flat run after the last jump. Only 4 of the 8 runners have won over jumps.

During the spring, there were two classes of maiden special weight races. Regular maiden special weight races were under $30K purse and Sport of King maiden special weight races that were $30K and over. The only runner to win a Sport of King maiden is # 1 Kremlin.

After the fiasco with flat rider Forest Boyce trying to compete in a jump race 8/3, the National Steeplechase Association ruled that apprentice jump riders are not allowed to compete for the rest of the meet. Forest nearly caused a catastrophic incident at the next to last fence. This is bad news for apprentice rider Keith Dalton who was taken off #1 Kremlin.

Here is a look at the runners.

#1 – Kremlin – Runs back after fading in the last ½ mile on 8/2 for leading jockey McDermott and leading trainer Fisher. Kremlin was cooked on the front end by Sheppard’s Alcazar De Maram on 8/2. Jockey McDermott won’t let that happen again. Beat a tough field in Sport of King maiden win at Nashville. 2nd and 3rd runners at Nashville won Sport of King Maiden races at Fair Hill in their next start. Maiden winner Moscato from 4/29 won at Nashville 5/13 and ran 2nd in the Kiser 7/26. He has run well against the toughest competition of anyone in this race. Good turf speed. He is one of only two runners that can win. Must use on top and in 2nd spot for exotics.

#2 – Meteoroid - Trainer Young uses English jockey Garner to try and cure his “seconditious.” Unfortunately, it will not work. Even jockey Paddy Young gave up. Good turf speed. He just likes to run behind a horse that is in front of him. Is still a maiden over jumps. Put him 2nd or 3rd in exotics if you want to use him.

#3 – Hooded – 2nd leading owner Irv Naylor’s runner doesn’t like to win but likes to run 3rd. He had a good 2nd at Fair Hill 5/27 behind No Wunder who lost to #1 Kremlin 2 weeks before. However, Fair Hill turf was slow and boggy, unlike the fast groomed course today. Average turf speed. Is still a maiden over jumps. Likes to run 3rd so he may finish underneath in super.

#4 – Buck Benny – Jockey Dalton has picked up a win over jumps and ran surprisingly well over a similar course at Parx 7/11 but did not beat much. Superior turf speed but has lost to #1 Kremlin twice last spring. Is still a maiden over jumps. Strong closing kick makes him a possible underneath in tris and supers.

#5- Aflutter – Sheppard runner is still a maiden over jumps. He was beaten by #1 Kremlin and # 7 Any Given Royal in the spring. Jockey Doyle has hit the board 3 of 5 mounts so he may surprise. He will be over bet because of Sheppard. Average turf speed. Only use as part of “all” button for $0.10 supers as a saver bet.

#6 – Mutasaawy – Trainer Morris, 5th in win trainer standings, sends out his first runner of the meet. Leading race winning jockey Nagle gets the mount. Impressive stalking trip winner at Parx 7/11 and was competitive in other jump try at Fair Hill, behind Dark Gemini who lost to #1 Kremlin. Excellent turf speed. Stalking trip and late run could be too much for #1 Kremlin to handle. Possible winner and must use in exotics.

#7 – Any Given Royal - 2nd leading money trainer Ricky Hendricks sends out this runner for his mother Wendy, 5th leading owner. 4th leading jockey Geraghty gets the call. Ran well over the course 8/2 and beat several of these runners in the spring. Excellent turf speed. He can run underneath 3rd or 4th in exotics.

#8 – Bishop’s Castle – Leading owner Bruton Street sends this runner out with trainer Wyatt who is not in the top 10 for trainer standings. Jockey Mitchel won 2 races the first week. Excellent turf speed. Ran fast at Malvern but didn’t beat much. Inexplicable hesitation at the 2nd jump at Parx 7/11 caused jockey McCarthy to fall who is still recovering from his injuries. Pass.

Race shape: #7 Any Given Royal will go early and try to steal the race. He has to open up by 20 lengths after the 2nd jump to win but I doubt that will happen. #1 Kremlin and #2 Meteoroid will settle behind in the first flight and #8 Bishop’s Castle and #4 Buck Benny will be in the next flight with #6 Mutasaawy behind them. Not much will change until the 7th fence on the backstretch when #1 Kremlin, #6 Mutasaawy make a closing move. #7 Any Given Royal will be passed by #1 Kremlin, #6 Mutasaawy and #2 Meteoroid in the last ½ mile with #1 Kremlin holding off #6 Mutasaawy.

Selections: A) 1 – 6 B) 7

Projected order of finish – 1-6-7-2-4-3-5-8

Good luck at the races!!