It was a hot day in Saratoga in New York. It was humid and
uncomfortable. A big crowd turned out to see Street Sense and Hard Spun
despite the oppressive weather, Street Sense was favored in the Travers
and Hard Spun was fancied to take the King's Bishop.
The fans were not disappointed though there was an anxious moment or
two. It was the 138th running of the Travers. The Saratoga showpiece
over 2000 metres had seven starters, all three year-olds. Street Sense,
at 35 cents on the dollar, raced closer to the top than usual, moved to
engage the pace-setting Grasshopper turning for home and went one better
in a pulsating stretch duel. The latter, up front, fought tenaciously
and went down fighting in the last 50 metres. The winning margin was one
half length and the time was 2.02.69. The winner's share of the purse
was $600,000. Helsinki took third and was ten lengths off.
That was the second Grade I win for jockey Calvin Borel and trainer Carl
Nafzger in two successive weeks. They had teamed to win the Grade I
Alabama at Saratoga on August 18.
Calvin Borel said, "I was closer to the top. I figured the pace was
slow. My horse needs a target to run at. Thay is why Curlin caught us in
the Preakness. I stayed with Robby (Grasshopper's rider, Robby Albarado)
until it was time to go ahead. I was confident down the stretch."
Carl Nafzger was looking forward to the Breeders' Cup. "There are
several roads to Monmouth Park. We will consider all of them. Calvin
used different tactics. He is a good judge of pace."
Hard Spun, in the fray in all the Triple Crown events, was the 13-10
public choice in the Grade I King's Bishop over 1400 metres for three
year-olds. Jockey Mario Pino, reunited with Hard Spun, had his mount
second behind pace-making Spinmaster. First Defence lay third and not
mre than three lengths away. Hard Spun edged ahead with 400 metres to go
as First Defence came calling. For a moment or two, First Defence seemed
to get Hard Soun's measure. Hard Spun responded to Mario Pino's urging
and an exciting duel began. The two went neck and neck until 75 metres
from home. As the line drew near, Hard Spun began to edge ahead. The
time was 1 22.1. E Z Warrior was a distant third in a field of eleven
sophomores. Hard Spun earned $125,000. It was Hard Spun's first win in a
Grade I race.
Larry Jones, Hard Spun's trainer, expressed renewed confidence. "The
dropback in distance did help. He (Hard Spun) had forward position and
was able to relax. He fought back."
In Ireland, a new all-weather track opened on Sunday. Dundalk is the
name of the track. The first race at Dundalk went to Ms Victoria, ridden
by Johnny Murtagh in a photo finish. There were eight races in the
inaugural day card.
In France at Deauville, Irish Wells returned to winning ways in the
Group II Grand Prix de Deauville on Sunday. Irish Wells was dropping
from Group I to II company. He made it all in the hands of Dominic Boeuf,
a well-known French rider. The race was over 2500 metres. Poet Laureate
and Kerrin McEvoy took the runner-up berth. Irish Wells earned 67,568
pounds.
In Australia, all racing has been halted for 72 hours. The reason is the
outbreak of equine influenza. Sixteen horses tested positive in Sydney.
Bookmakers have suspended betting on the Melbourne Cup. Equine flu
affects the upper-lower respiratory tract. It is infectious. It spreads
fast. The incubation period is one to three days. Horses lose energy,
become depressed and cough. There's a lack of appetite. There is often a
nasal discharge.
Trainer Padmanabhan is in Chicago. Holding Court is training at
Arlington Park. I will keep you posted on the 'Holding Court story.'
Summer has less than four weeks to run in America. The sun is out but
the temperatures are not as high as they were two weeks ago. Arlington
is northwest of Chicago-about 25 miles.
