Rachel’s Woodward a rare moment outperforming hype
By kasept. Filed in Uncategorized |
In little more than one minute and forty eight seconds, the closing Saturday at Saratoga became one of racing’s most magical, historic and unparalleled afternoons in many decades. Not only an unprecedented test of sophomore filly versus older males, Rachel Alexandra’s performance in the Woodward Stakes figures to stand the test of time against any comparison for years to come.
Those in attendance, more than 30,000 who cheered themselves ‘horse’, will relish their presence at the unique occurence, and never forget this delightful day when a moment in time stood still. If there was anyone doubting that the Medaglia d’Oro miss was one of the best of her kind that trackgoers have seen in years, they need now acknowledge their error.
As if her victory wasn’t impressive enough, the way in which she won borders on impossible. Pressed from the opening bell, Calvin Borel and Rachel Alexandra set brutal early fractions as alternately Da’ Tara, Past the Point, Cool Coal Man, It’s a Bird and Bullsbay took runs at them. The filly fractured them one after another. Macho Again, who was having the affair served to him on a pace plate, took his turn past the eighth pole and could not get past the remarkable poetess in motion.
The victory marks an idyllic coda to what has been a wonderful race meet at the old Spa. And for jaded consumers of the race game, Rachel Alexandra and the audacious examinations she has been subjected to at Pimlico, Monmouth and Saratoga, provide more proof that organic development of the sport’s unscripted drama is the perfect tonic for whatever supposedly ails it. And notably, racing showed on this day that it is one of the few producers on the sports landscape capable of a spectacle that outperforms its’ hype.
SARATOGA RACE COURSE
PRE-SCRATCHES
1st: CLM, 3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)
Fabulous betting race.. Take prices..
Most Likely: #7 Right of Way 3-1
Best Value: #2 Xodo 12-1
Next Best: #8 Awesome Actor 12-1
Exotics Use: #6 Attractive Ride 15-1
2nd: MSW, 2yo-F, 7f (P4, P3, DD)
Most Likely: #2e Romans entry 4-1
Best Value: #6 Aialea 5-1
Next Best: #5 Kind Words 3-1
Exotics Use: #8 Protesting 7-2
3rd: ALW/N1X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD, Super)
Playing against ML fave #1 Lowther Street within race..
Best Value: #2 Mr. Again 15-1
Most Likely: #6 Luv Gov 3-1
Next Best: #8 Hoopoe 10-1
Super Add: #5 Birdrun 8-1
4th: MSW, 3+, 11f-IT (P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #6 Seeking the Sluice 7-2
Best Value: #8 En Fuego 4-1
Next Best: #7 Left Unsaid 3-1
Super Add: #3 Chapin Beach 5-1
5th: Commentator-NYB, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)
Most Likely: #1e Dubb entry 2-1
Next Best: #8 Cannonball 8-5
Best Value: #9 Citifest 15-1
Exotics Use: #5 Karakorum Elektra 8-1
<$75 P4 Play:
2: 2-5-6
3: 1-2-5-6-8
4: 7-8
5: 1-8
3x5x2x2 = $60
6th: NYB-MSW, 2yo, 6f (P6, P3, DD)
Really interesting group with some potential for price invaders..
Most Likely: #8 Make Note 5-1
Next Best: #2b (POE) Stellaluce 3-1
Exotics Use: #7 Elsaroarin 5-1
Best Value: #1e Hernandez entry 20-1
7th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 5.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)
Most Likely: #5 Echo in Eternity 3-1
Next Best: #10 Intercoastal 5-1
Best Value: #4 Rapid Mon 15-1
Exotics Use: #6 Voodoouthinkur 8-1
8th: NYB-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P4, P3, DD)
Superbly matched set of Empire gals.. Fire away and demand value..
Most Likely: #1a (POE) Lemon Punch 9-2
Best Value: #6 Staten Island Gal 20-1
Next Best: #7 Freedom Rings 7-2
Exotics Use: #9 Hooked on Hope 10-1
9th: 102nd Saranac (Gr. III), 3yo, 9.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)
Most Likely: #5 Sal the Barber 2-1
Best Value: #1 Uncle T Seven 15-1
Next Best: #4 Armstrong Mill 8-1
Super Add: #3 Reservoir 10-1
10th: 118th Spinaway (Gr. I), 2yo-F, 7f (DD, Super)
Most Likely: #1 Hot Dixie Chick 4-5
Next Best: #6 Beautician 5-1
Best Value: #5 Sassy Image 10-1
Super Add: #7 Worstcasescenaro 4-1
11th: NYB-MSW, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (Super)
Most Likely: #6 Runfromthestorm 4-1
Best Value: #1e Rice entry 5-1
Next Best: #4 Better Than Swiss 3-1
Super Add: #5 Idle Gossip 8-1
<$100 P4 Play:
8: 1-5-6-7-9-10 (4-8)
9: 1-3-4-5-6-7
10: 1
11: 1-6
6x6x1x2 = $72 (Add 4-8 in first leg for $96)
Good luck!
Steve