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The Post provides all the inside info you need to have a profitable meet at the Old Spa this summer
The year came full circle last week when champion colt Uncle Mo returned to trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn at Saratoga Race Course after recuperating from a liver ailment that forced him out of the Kentucky Derby, accompanied by the standout filly R Heat Lightning, who missed the Kentucky Oaks because of a knee chip.
Both of these all-stars made a splash as 2-year-olds last summer at Saratoga: Uncle Mo, romping first time out on Travers Day by 14 lengths; and R Heat Lightning, when she won the Grade 1 Spinaway on the next-to-last day of the meet.
Now, here we are again, headed back to the Old Spa, which opens Friday for its 143rd summer season. The 40-day meet runs through Labor Day, Sept. 6, with racing every day but Tuesday.
2010 PROFITABLE TRAINER-JOCKEY COMBOS
More than $500 million in all-sources handle was wagered at last summer’s Saratoga stand. Because of the overflowing betting pools and large, competitive fields, there are nine or more chances every day to make a score. And so we present our annual Saratoga Bettor’s Guide, with a nod to Jim Mazur’s “The Saratoga Handicapper 2011” (1-800-272-8039; $29.95) for providing valuable statistics.
50-CENT PICK 4s & DIME SUPERS
These offer a cheap chance to take the track home with you. With the pick 4 minimum bet reduced from a buck to 50 cents, you can use three horses in each leg for a ticket that costs $40.50. Not a bad investment, especially when there is a $500,000 guaranteed late pick 4 pool every Saturday except Travers Day, when the all-stakes pick 4 is a guaranteed $1 million.
As for superfectas, the top payouts at the last five Saratoga meets were $210,562, $58,106, $76,159, $111,310 and $303,014. If you hit it for a dime, you get 5 percent of that. For 10 cents, you can box four horses for $2.40. For that same $2.40, you can key one horse on top and wheel four horses underneath in second, third and fourth.
OWNERS
Every handicapper takes the trainer and jockey into account, but at Saratoga, it also pays to pay attention to the owner, some of whom make a special point of having their horses ready to win at the Old Spa.
Mike Repole ran away with the owner’s title last year, thanks largely to leading trainer Todd Pletcher. Others in the top 10 were Klaravich Stable (trainer Rick Violette), Gary and Mary West (Chad Brown), Ken and Sarah Ramsey (Mike Maker, Wesley Ward), Melynk Racing Stables (Seth Benzel), Dogwood Stable (assorted), Zayat Stables (Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert) and Darley Stable (Kiaran McLaughlin, Tom Albertrani).
Other owners to watch are Augustin, Black Swan, Chester and Mary Broman, Michael Dubb, Juddmonte, Bob LaPenta, Live Oak Plantation, Phipps, Barry K. Schwartz, Stonestreet and West Point Thoroughbreds.
JOCKEYS
Last year John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Ramon Dominguez were in a tight battle through most of the meet for the riding title. Look for the same trio this summer, joined by a resurgent Cornelio Velasquez, the leading rider at the Old Spa in 2007. Alex Solis, Rajiv Maragh, Jose Lezcano, Alan Garcia, Eddie Castro, Edgar Prado and David Cohen are in the next flight.
Julien Leparoux leads an out-of-town contingent that includes former New York regulars Kent Desormeaux and Shaun Bridgmohan, along with Robby Albarado, Frederic Lenclud, Miguel Mena and Jesus Castanon. Manny
Cruz will ride first call for Ken McPeek’s stable.
2-YEAR-OLDS
Todd Pletcher, as usual, is overstocked with 2-year-olds; Chad Brown, Bill Mott, Linda Rice (queen of the turf sprints) and Nick Zito have their share.
Other horsemen listed some of their 2-year-olds to watch:
Mike Hushion said a Barry Schwartz colt named Will Geer Road could be ready soon.
John Kimmel said he has “a really nice group of babies.” They include the New York-bred fillies Newbie (by Bernardini), Strike Accord (by Smart Strike) and Kibosh (by Discreet Cat); and a “nice roster of colts.” Among these are Give Peace a Chance (by Pulpit out of Missamerica Bertie); Fire on Ice (by Unbridled’s Song); and a son of Street Sense out of Andora Springs that Kimmel calls “as nice a 2-year-old as I’ve been around in a long time.”
He also tabbed a filly by Scat Daddy out of Evangelical; another named Phantasticus (by Yes Its True); and Splurgess (by Purge).
Shug McGaughey’s barn is strong with royally-bred fillies: Party Interest (by Bernardini out of Search Party); Spare Change (by Bernardini out of Finder’s Fee); Coasting (by Smart Strike out of Cat Cay); Raise the Flag (by Awesome Again out of My Flag); Sea Island (by Pulpit out of Resort); Trophy Wife (by Giants Causeway out of Pleasant Home); and Gloat (by Mr. Greeley out of On Parade).
Ken McPeek likes the fillies Illegally Blonde, Volcat and Dream Pegasus, who is pointing for the P.G. Johnson on turf.
“We have some nice youngsters, including a War Front colt named State of Play that will sprint on the grass early in the meet, and a very nice Manduro filly, Vapour Musing, that will run long on grass,” Team Valor’s Barry Irwin said.
Barclay Tagg didn’t name names, but said of his 2-year-olds, “I have some really nice ones.”
Jimmy Toner gave us an unnamed Dixieland Band filly out of Ellie’s Moment, and a Hardspun colt, Candy Feat, that is a half-brother to the turf stakes winner Masseuse.
Rick Violette, whose 2-year-olds are “behind schedule,” named colts by Congrats, Henny Hughes and Citizip as being the most advanced.
THE RUNDOWN
WHEN: 40 racing days; Friday, July 22, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5; no racing on Tuesdays.
FIRST POST: 1 p.m. except Party at the Spa Fridays, July 29-Sept. 2, at 2:30 p.m.; and Travers Day, Aug. 28, at 11:35 a.m.
ADMISSION: $3, grandstand; $5, clubhouse; children under 12 free. Travers Day: $5, general; $10, clubhouse. Season passes: $35, grandstand; $75, clubhouse; good for the entire meet, including Travers Day.
PARKING: Trackside, $10; Oklahoma Preferred (corner of Union Avenue and East Avenue), $5; general, free.
COOLERS: Permitted on trackside apron, top of stretch and backyard. No glass containers.
RESERVED SEATS: Limited number on sale each race day at Union Avenue gate, limited to four per person. Clubhouse: $11 Monday-Thursday, $16 Friday-Sunday. Grandstand: $7 Monday-Thursday, $9 Friday-Sunday. Travers Day: clubhouse, $26; grandstand, $19.
RESTAURANTS: For reservations, call (888) 516-NYRA.
GIVEAWAYS: July 31, baseball cap; Aug. 14, short-sleeve T-shirt; Aug. 21, sports bag; Sept. 4, long-sleeve T-shirt.
HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT: Aug. 10-11, limited to 150 players; first prize: $75,000, with cash rewards for top 10 finishers; entry fee: $1,000.
DIRECTIONS: N.Y. Thruway (I-90) to Exit 24 in Albany, then Northway (I-87) to Exit 13N or 14. By train: Amtrak offers daily service, (800) USA-RAIL.
INFORMATION: Call (518) 584-6200.