As of today, trainer Larry Jones still has the 4 year old filly targeted for the Breeders' Cup Classic next weekend at Churchill Downs. That race will almost certainly decide who is ultimately named HOY. Among those she will face are Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty, and Flat Out. All of whom competed at Saratoga this summer.
We also took a look at some past winners of the Woodward--again, my favorite race each year.
Now let's get to some of the other Highlights. The Top Ten that will extend beyond 10. And those glorious shots by the great lawyer and Clerk of the Court, photographe fantastique in his time off, and all around terrific guy, Bob Mayberger. (Unless noted, all the photos are his.)
#2 Jackson Bend in the James Marvin and the Forego
#2 Jackson Bend in the James Marvin and the Forego
click to enlarge any photo
(All by Bob Mayberger, unless noted.)
The little fella with a huge heart--as Zito would say--came back to win again at the end of the meet in the 7 furlong, Grade 1, Forego, where he put away some of the same competition plus Sidney's Candy, Jersey Town, and Regal Ransom.
#3 Stay Thirsty in the Jim Dandy and the Travers
remember, click to enlarge any photo
(All by Bob Mayberger, unless noted.)
No longer just Uncle Mo's stablemate, Stay Thirsty emerged as the top 3 year old of the meet with consecutive wins in Saratoga's premiere races for that group. In the mile and 1/8th Dandy early in July and then in the mile and a 1/4 Travers, Thirsty put himself among the leaders for 3 year old of the year.
In the Midsummer's Derby he faced Preakness winner Shackleford, Belmont winner Ruler on Ice, and Haskell winner Coil (who beat the latter 2 in that race), as well as Moonshine Mullen (runner up to Thirsty in the Dandy), Rattlesnake Bridge, and others.
#4 Ask The Moon in the Ruffian and Personal Ensign
Early in the meet and again on its closing weekend, the 6 year old Malibu Moon mare put in her bid for Queen of the Summer--well maybe Princess to Queen Grace (Havre de Grace that is. See #1.) Ask the Moon won both Grade 1's, the 9 furlong Ruffian and 10 furlong Personal Ensign, and she did so in convincing wire-to-wire style.#5 Caleb's Posse in the Amsterdam and King's Bishop
Like Jackson Bend, Stay Thirsty, and Ask the Moon, this 3 year old sprinter won at both the beginning and end of the meet. Caleb's Posse closed from 4th to win by several lengths in the 6 and 1/2 furlong Amsterdam, and closed from 5th to beat Uncle Mo by a nose in the 7 furlong Bishop.#6 Winter Memories in the Lake George
The 3 year old, gray filly's win over 1 and 1/16th mile on the turf was impossible. She did it, but it wasn't otherwise possible. Caught in traffic, Winter Memeories was virtually stopped in her tracks, then went far to the outside to get around the field, and just flew by the others as though they suddenly decided to lope home. Amazing feat! (She failed to win in another troubled trip in the Lake Placid, but she came back with another astonishing victory in the Garden City at Belmont.)#7 Ibboyee in the John Morrissey
Another of the most astounding performances of the meet was by the 4 year old winner of last year's New York Derby at Finger Lakes and the Spend A Buck at Monmouth. This one in the 6 and 1/2 furlong Morrissey overnight stakes for New York breds. With Johnny V on board, Ibboyee came from way behind, as in really way behind, to close deep in the stretch and beat Be Bullish by a nose--well, I'd say a nose hair. Another "hard to believe if you didn't see it yourself" victory.(Since Bob Mayberger was at his day job the Wednesday this race was run, he found me this awesome shot of Ibboyee [left] who had rallied from 10th down the stretch to finish within 1/2 length of winner Aikenite.)
It's almost 4 am Saturday night-Sunday morning. This is insane. I hope someone out there enjoys this 1/10th as much as I do. The Saratoga Highlights conclusion before bedtime Sunday--ah, later today.
