The six-week, 36-card 2003 summer meet that kicks off Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 1, promises to be the most scintillating stand in the Old Spa’s 135-year history, and not just because the movie “Seabiscuit” opens Friday.
The rematch between Funny Cide and Empire Maker in the Aug. 23 Travers makes it the most-anticipated “Midsummer Derby” since Affirmed vs. Alydar in 1978. The Aug. 2 Whitney will lure many of the nation’s top handicap horses. Altogether, 35 stakes, 13 of them Grade 1’s, are scheduled for the meet, which offers live racing six days a week (Tuesdays are dark) with first post at 1 p.m.
While the stakes program adds spice to the stand, the daily overnight races are its meat and potatoes. With an average daily purse payout of close to $600,000, even the Spa’s maiden, claiming and allowance races attract full fields of top-quality horseflesh, with plenty of variety, from dashes for 2-year-olds to veterans going long on turf.
The wet weather that decimated the racing at Belmont Park through the spring, forcing many races off the grass to the muddy main track and causing dozens of scratches, will play to Saratoga’s advantage. Thanks to all that rain, many horses that might have been over-raced downstate are still fresh and crying to run. That’s especially true with turf runners.
So there will be plenty of juicy wagering opportunities at the Old Spa, ranging from daily doubles to rolling Pick 3’s to the Pick 6, Pick 4 and Superfecta, not to mention win-place-show, exactas and trifectas in every race.
Best of all, with an average daily handle exceeding $16 million, the Saratoga betting pools are Olympic-sized. Whether you’re a heavy hitter, a weekend warrior or a $2 punter, there’s money to be made if you pick the right spots.
The Post’s annual “Saratoga Bettor’s Guide” points you in the right direction. It was compiled with the help of Jim Mazur’s “The Saratoga Handicapper 2003,” a 96-page booklet filled with valuable statistics ($29.95; 1-800-272-
8039).
TRAINERS TO WATCH
CHRISTOPHE CLEMENT: Top turf trainer who managed to win 14 races at Belmont despite limited opportunities, the Frenchman figures to make hay on the Spa’s lawn. A master with layoff horses, especially European imports, who win first-time back, and with maidens going long. Horses to watch: Occult, Shadow Play, Music Way, Krakowviak, Deputy Director, Il Barone.
SHUG McGAUGHEY: Went 9-for-40 last summer, has been sending out live horses at Belmont, and many horses still have conditions. Ready to unveil several running 2-year-olds, including Good Reward (colt by Storm Cat out of Heavenly Prize), Daydreaming (filly by A.P. Indy), another filly by A.P. Indy out of Queena, and “a couple of Coronado’s Quest fillies.” Horses to watch: Alchemist, A Great Team, Vespers, Clergy, Aztec Pearl.
KIARAN McLAUGHLIN: Can he possibly repeat lights-out effort at Belmont (19-for-43 through Thursday)? “No way we’ll win 40 percent,” the former D. Wayne Lukas assistant said, “but we have enough ammo to be very live.” Horses to watch: Seattle Fitz, Stage Show, Meadaar, Lord Commando, Millenium Dragon, Trademark, Tafaseel.
BILL MOTT: Lost training title last summer for just third time in last 11 years, doesn’t have killer stock he once had and isn’t tied to Jerry Bailey anymore, all reasons why Mott horses should offer value at this meet. But barn got hot toward end of the Belmont meet, Mott always points for Saratoga and the increased turf racing gives him a lift. Just steer clear of his claimers. Horses to watch: Young Star, Float And Sting, Titanium Ghost, Cozy Cay, Shire.
TODD PLETCHER: Bucking to become the next Mott after dethroning Saratoga’s perennial leading trainer last summer. On a roll after setting record for most winners at Belmont meet. Most trainers would experience a drop-off after such a feat, but Pletcher’s barn is so stocked, many of his runners still have their conditions.
Key to handicapping Pletcher, value-wise, is finding runners set to fire off sub-par efforts. Horses to watch: On turf, Dazzling Spirit, Seraphic Too, Larger Than Life, Little Buttercup, Rare Blush; 2-year-olds: Don’t Tread on Me, How Good Is That, Highgate Park, Rising Tide, Jamocha, Pollard’s Vision.
JIM TONER: Turf specialist might have been Belmont trainer hurt most by wet spring. “The weather killed me,” he said. “We were at a complete standstill.” Throw out up-the-track finishes by Toner horses in the slop once they return to grass. Horses to watch: Wonder Again (Diana Handicap), Fortune Writers, Jack’s Own Time, 2-year-old colt by Storm Cat out of Memories of Silver, 2-year-old filly by Silver Hawk.
JOHN WARD: After three strong meets at Saratoga (14-for-64 from 1999-2001), he came up empty last summer except for Sky Mesa (2-for-2, including the Hopeful), who returned from a long layoff to run third in the Dwyer and is pointing for the Travers. Barn is strong with firsters, and this year’s 2-year-olds include Grand Score (by Grand Slam), Exploit ‘Em (by Exploit), colts by Forestry and Awesome Again, three Pyramid Peak fillies, and Danzig filly She’s Exclusive.
Other New York regulars who figure to have solid meets are Jim “007” Bond, Stanley Hough, John Kimmel, Allen Jerkens, Nick Zito, Bobby Barbara, Linda Rice, Randy Schulhofer and, of course, Bobby Frankel. Among outfits shipping in from the Midwest, Steve Asmussen, Neil Howard, Tony Reinstedler, Dale Romans, Chuck Simon and Elliott Walden should pack some punch.
JOCKEYS TO WATCH
JERRY BAILEY: Didn’t set the world afire at Belmont, except for races with black-type and six-figure purses. His agent, Ron Anderson, set 80 stakes wins as his goal this year; so far, Bailey has won over 40, and Mike Smith’s record of 67 is in sight. After a restful spring, look for Bailey to put pedal to metal one more time at the Spa.
JORGE CHAVEZ: Seems to be rounding back to form after suffering injury in March that sidelined him. “Chop Chop’s” aggressive style serves him well on speed horses, which are always dangerous at the Spa, and he’s an exceptional off-track rider. Former trainer Gary Gullo handles his book.
MIKE LUZZI: Winning spring riding title at Aqueduct gave his career a boost, and now he’s picking up many of Mott’s mounts that Bailey would have ridden in the past. Over the years at Saratoga, several Bailey-off Mott horses have won at big prices, and until the public catches on to the new Mott-Luzzi connection, they should offer value.
EDGAR PRADO: Hard to believe that when he first came to Big Apple from Maryland four years ago, people wondered how he’d handle transition. Since then, he has become one of the top money riders in America, beating out Bailey for the Spa title last summer. Fact he has Bailey’s former agent, Bob Frieze, doesn’t hurt.
JOSE SANTOS: With the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby and Preakness under his belt, Santos is in his best form since he won the Saratoga riding title in 1987. Seems more relaxed and confident, and doesn’t strangle back horses in the early going anymore. Agent “Mike the Cop” has him riding on a steady basis for several strong outfits, including Clement, Kimmel and Rice.
CORNELIO VELASQUEZ: Former Florida-based rider knocked Pat Day off his perch as leading rider at Churchill Downs, rode in his first Kentucky Derby this year and currently ranks fourth in nation in wins. Will pick up live mounts from barns shipping into Spa from the Midwest, and agent Richard DePass, who used to handle Jorge Chavez’ book, will smooth his entrance into New York.
JOHN VELAZQUEZ: As go-to rider for Pletcher and McGaughey, never lacks for good mounts. Won the Spa riding title in ’98, threatened to win it again every year since, and is the chalk to take down this year’s honors. Owns Saratoga record of six winners in one day, formerly held by his agent, Angel Cordero Jr., who has knack of putting him on live longshots in turf races.
TOP 10 TRAINERS AT SARATOGA 2002
Trainer, St., 1-2-3, win%, Turfs/win%, Fave./win%, Sprints, Routes, 2YO, Avg. win
Todd Pletcher, 97, 19-18-8, 20, 3-26/12%, 11-27/11%, 41%, 22%, 17%, $9.30
Bill Mott, 87, 18-15-9, 21, 8-38/22%, 8-29/28%, 19%, 21%, 13%, $9.30
Nick Zito, 75, 10-11-13, 13, 0-5/0%, 2-11/18%, 15%, 11%, 5%, $15.30
Bobby Frankel, 32, 9-4-2, 28, 2-13/15%, 6-11/55%, 22%, 30%, n/a, $6.20
Shug McGaughey, 40, 9-6-7, 23, 2-7/29%, 3-10/30%, 21%, 24%, 38%, $8.40
Jim Bond, 46, 9-6-7, 20, 2-14/14%, 3-7/43%, 20%, 19%, 20%, $7.30
Gary Contessa, 64, 9-7-15, 14, 2-16/13%, 1-6/17%, 8%, 24%, 11%, $14.70
Elliott Walden, 30, 8-4-4, 27, 3-14/21%, 3-4/75%, 40%, 20%, 100%, $13.80
Rick Dutrow Jr., 51, 8-8-4, 16, 1-9/11%, 6-16/38%, 13%, 20%, 0, $7.40
Linda Rice, 20, 7-4-1, 35, 1-2/50%, 2-4/50%, 35%, 33%, 30%, $10.10
TOP 10 JOCKEYS AT SARATOGA 2002
Jockey, Mts., 1 2 3, Win%, Turf/win/%, Fave./Win/%, Sprints, Routes, 2YO, Avg. win
Edgar Prado 250, 54-41-34, 22, 15-73/21%, 21-52/40%, 20%, 23%, 19%, $9.40
Jerry Bailey, 186, 44-22-25, 24, 14-65/22%, 27-84/32%, 23%, 24%, 12%, $6.10
John Velazquez, 221, 41-34-24, 19, 10-68/15%, 18-52/35%, 20%, 18%, 23%, $10
Jose Santos, 163, 26-22-28, 16, 13-66/20%, 5-23/22%, 11%, 20%, 8%, $13.20
Jorge Chavez, 176, 26-31-20, 15, 4-51/8%, 11-23/48%, 17%, 13%, 0, $8.80
Pat Day, 159, 25-22-7, 16, 6-46/13%, 8-22/36%, 21%, 11%, 27%, $12.10
Richard Migliore, 134, 22-16-21, 16, 6-38/16%, 5-13/39%, 14%, 18%, 14%, $13.10
Shaun Bridgmohan, 147, 16-23-17, 11, 5-46/11%, 2-12/17%, 11%, 10%, 12%, $15.70
Javier Castellano, 144, 15-11-21, 10, 1-45/2%, 3-5/60%, 12%, 9%, 10%, $13.90
Mark Guidry, 100, 13-16-9, 13, 5-34/15%, 4-10/40%, 13%, 14%, 12%, $19.00
Winning Combinations
Money-making trainer/jockey combinations at Saratoga 2001 (2 or more wins, $10 or more profit)Trainer, Jockey, Starts/Wins, Profit
Gary Contessa, Richard Migliore, 4/2, $38.60
Gary Contessa, Pat Day, 4/2, $27.40
Dale Romans, Pat Day, 20/6, $27.10
Nick Zito, Javier Castellano, 23/4, $24.20
Lisa Lewis, Richard Migliore, 2/2, $22.60
Linda Rice, Jose Santos, 14/4, $20.90
Lisa Lewis, Jose Santos, 4/2, $20.80
Phil Serpe, Edgar Prado, 16/4, $20.70
Shug McGaughey, John Velazquez, 8/3, $17.80
Bobby Frankel, Jerry Bailey, 11/7, $11.30
Eliott Walden, Pat Day, 24/6, $11.80
Bomb Squad
Lonshot winners at Saratoga 2002 ($30 or more). With trainer/jockey combination.
Trainer, Jockey, Race type, Payoff
S. Russo, R. Davis, 6½f mdn, $95.00
J. Quiles, Y. Lasso, 1 mi. mdn, $81.50
K. Neilson, T. Foley, 2 1/16 mi. alw (S), $70.50
J. Kimmel, R. Migliore, 5½f mdn, $63.00
J. Rigattieri, W. Lozano, 1 mi. alw (T), $58.50
T. Skiffington, M. Guidry, 1 mi. allw (T), $54.50
G. Arnold, P. Day, 7f mdn, $47.40
J. Gross, J. Espinoza, 7f mdn, $42.80
L. Gyarmati, H. Castillo, 5½f mdn, $40.00
L. O’Brien, S. Bridgmohan, 1 1/16 mi. clm (T), $38.60
G. Contessa, R. Migliore, 1 mi. clm, $38.40
N. Zito, J. Castellano, 7f alw, $36.80
D. Romans, J. Santos, 1 mi. alw (T), $36.20
W. Mott, M. Guidry, 7f mdn, $35.40
D. Carroll, N. Arroyo, 6f clm, $33.80
J. Candlin, D. Whittaker, 6f mdn, $33.80
T. Pletcher, J. Velazquez, 5f mdn, $33.60
C. Simon, M. Guidry, 1 1/16 mi. mdn (T), $32.60
P. Serpe, V. Carrero, 1 mi. clm (T), $32.20
E. Plesa, R. Davis, 5½f mdn, $32.00
W. Walden, J. Castellano, 1 mi. alw, $32.00
T. Pletcher, J. Velazquez, 7f mdn, $32.00
T. Ritvo, V. Carrero, 1 1/16 mi. clm (T), $31.60
G. Gullo, R. Rojas, 1 1/16 mi. clm (T), $31.40
J. Brida, S. Bridgmohan, 1 mi. clm (T), $30.60
A. Iwinski, J. Santos, 6½f clm, $30.40
S – steeplechase
T – turf