Post Woodward Day Thoughts & Trip Notes...

Saratoga Race 8 - Bernard Baruch G2
Dominus was an easy bet in here being the lone speed.  While Data Link was the best horse in the race he was severly compromised by the pace.

Trip Notes:  Slow Pace
Data Link - Stayed close, had to shift to outside, but could not catch winner, no pace help
Dominus - easy lead uncontested, with plenty left for good kick str
Guys Reward - up close 1L off, held 3rd
Sky Blazer - horribly missed break, then hopped out of gate, lost several lengths, still ran good


Saratoga Race 9 - Forego G1
Even with the scratch of Shackleford there was still some speed here, but Emcee still seemed the best.  The fear that Jackson Bend wouldn't run well because of the recent training accident turned out to be a good thought.  I like Jackson Bend, so I'm hoping for a good recovery.

Trip Notes:  Honest pace, but Speed held 
Jersey Town - rail 2L off, saved ground, reached contention off turn, then faded late
Jackson Bend - last early, rail no bid but sp held, seemed out of gas  *first race since training accident
Pacific Ocean - lead pressed by Emcee, faded late str
Emcee - pressed pace 1/2L off, floated a little wide into str, then kicked away good str for win
Caixa Eletronica - Ran evenly  *Sp held, no help
Hamazing Destiny - good position outside 2L off, came late just up for 2nd



Saratoga Race 10 - Woodward G1
To Honor and Serve seem like he was going to get the best trip in the Woodward, which he did.  Mucho Macho Man was up against it after a slow break, then getting bumped and pinched back and having to race inside and wait to get out.  Once he did get out, Johnny Velazquez riding To Honor and Serve floated him wide.  With all of that said, Mucho Macho Man may very well have been the best horse in the race, but once he got out it looked like he was going to run right by To Honor and Serve.  To Honor and Serve dug in and Mucho Macho Man seemed to hang a bit at the end.

Trip Notes:  Honest Pace - Mucho Macho Man & To Honor and Serve were easily best
Rule - shared lead, tired str
Gourmet Dinner - far back, nothing
Mucho Macho Man - broke slow, bumped/pinched at break, pinned on rail through 2T, got out str, gained looking like was going to win, dueled str, was floated out in str, but hung beside stubborn foe
Trickmeister - shared lead flattened off 2T, held 4th, no match
Stay Thirsty - stalked 3L off pace, 4w on 2T, no match, evenly
To Honor and Serve - Excellent Trip, stalked outside, took over str, dueled fought stubbornly for win holding off Mucho Macho Man
Cease - last early 7L off into bckstr, 9L off into 2T, had to shift out early str, closed well for 3rd but not match