Saturday Notes
– Nice way to start a career: Former Dale Romans assistant Elizabeth Gray earned her first win as a trainer in race two this afternoon with 7-1 Obsequious, her second starter to date. The 2-year-old Fusaichi Pegasus filly making her debut was most admirable, snatching the lead early and dueling down the stretch with second-place finisher Abundantia. Final time for the 5 1/2 furlong MSW was 1:05.78.
– Honorable Miss winner Any Limit is out of next Sunday’s Ballerina, due to a flare-up of an old injury. Trainer Allen Jerkens said the mare might be start next in the Gallant Bloom at Belmont.
– Random crack of thunder from one foreboding cloud. The Saratoga forecast does call for possibility of isolated storms this afternoon …
– Champs Elysees and Red Rocks are scratched from the Sword Dancer, leaving Manhattan winner Dancing Forever the likely favorite and last year’s victor, Grand Couturier, the wiseguy pick. But upset United Nations winner Presious Passion looks the sole speed in this paceless marathon and he should like the good (possibly soft) going, so I’ll dub him today’s longshot flyer (at 10-1 and up). [Results: The wiseguys were right, Grand Couturier repeats. And, said trainer Robert Ribaudo, “We’re going to come back next year.” Presious Passion set the pace, finished fourth.]
– Macho Again is macho. Or possibly, just crazy.
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