You know, I heard a lot of complaining before the Travers, how it wasn't going to be exciting because we didn't have any of the top echelon horses from this years Triple Crown running. And while that was true, how much more excitement can you ask for than a dead heat in a major Grade 1 race? Yes, there were other 3 year olds that would have trounced this field, but they have unfortunately been sidelined or retired. However, we must not forget that we watched an historic event Saturday when Alpha and Golden Ticket hit the wire together. With that being said, I do think that Alpha was the better horse in the race. Wide on both turns he had to run down the rail saving Golden Ticket.
Dullahan, solidified himself as a freak - a polytrack freak, but still a freak. Nobody else in the Pacific Classic was going to run down Game on Dude and he seemed to be home free turning for home. But just a few jumps into the stretch you could clearly see the wire was not going to come soon enough for Game on Dude as Dullahan was closing fast. There has been some criticism about the ride Chantal Sutherland gave Game on Dude, that she moved too soon. I think she rode Game on Dude like she was on the best horse in the race and made a move similar to winning ones they had made in the past. And it would have been a winning move if it wasn't for a horse with a lot of heart who is now an absolute a proven freak on polytrack. Honestly, I think Chantal rode a great race and Game on Dude simply got beat. It does continue to leave the door open for older horse of the year conversation, but if Game on Dude takes the Breeders Cup Classic, it will be hard to argue against him. And Dullahan doesn't figure to be in the BC Classic since it will be run on dirt at Santa Anita. Even if Dullahan shows up I think Chantal and Game on Dude will have his number that day.
Below I've posted my trip notes from Saturday at Saratoga and the Pacific Classic. I hope this helps.
Saratoga - Race 9
*Fast Pace
#2 Zagora - Stalked, good move on the 2nd turn, excellent ride
#4 Hungry Island - Good move on 2nd turn, chased, easily 2nd best
#5 Summer Soiree - Lead through fast fractions, past by better in stretch
Saratoga - Race 10
*Fast Pace
#3 Book Review - Last early, no bid
#8 Contested - Broke a little slow, stalked 3 length off pace, took over top of stretch, good trip
Saratoga - Race 11
*Tight Finish
#1 Willy Beamin - Close well late for win *3days rest
#4 Fort Loudon - 4 wide on turn, out closed to wire
#9 Trinneberg - Lead, faded, no excuses *pace well within means
#10 Doctor Chit - Stalked, faded just before wire
Saratoga - Race 12
#3 Golden Ticket - Rail saving trip
#6 Alpha - Good Trip, but was 3 wide 1st turn & 4 wide 2nd turn, had to run down rail saving horse
#11 Fast Falcon - Well off pace, hauling ass late
Del Mar - Race 9
#5 Dullahan - 4 wide move on 2nd turn, closed hard late for win *good move back to preferred surface
#9 Game on Dude - Broke a little slow, squeezed, 3 wide 1st turn, moved up on back stretch for lead, run down just at wire
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