Today is Day 11 of the Saratoga Race Course meet. Racing starts at 1:05 p.m.
RECENT STORIES FROM THE DAILY GAZETTE AT THE TRACK
“‘It all worked out’ for Kimari in Honorable Miss win at Saratoga Race Course,” by Adam Shinder with photos from Erica Miller
Kimari’s third stakes outing of 2022 finally gave trainer Wesley Ward the set-up and outcome he was looking for.
In the Grade I Madison on April 9 at Keeneland, Kimari ran a bit too close to the pace and didn’t have her typical closing kick.
Four weeks later in the Grade I Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs, Ward said it was a bit too quick of a turnaround on a track Kimari didn’t particularly favor.
But in Wednesday’s Grade II, $200,000 Honorable Miss at Saratoga Race Course, everything set up just right, and Kimari delivered, topping a four-horse field with an outside drive down the stretch under jockey Joel Rosario to get by Frank’s Rockette for a half-length win in 1 minute, 10.78 seconds.
“Robin Sparkles’ long, ‘improbable’ road to becoming a graded stakes winner at Saratoga Race Course,” by Teresa A. Genaro with photos from Erica Miller
“Improbable” would be a generous way to describe Robin Sparkles’ route to the winner’s circle for a graded stakes race at Saratoga Race Course.
Her dam, My Sparky, was modestly successful, winning five races from 17 starts and earning $147,000. In 2014, My Sparky was sold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, a sale that, while useful, carries none of the prestige of the company’s August yearling sales. Her sale price was $5,700.
My Sparky’s first two foals didn’t bring a lot of money at auction, and they didn’t do much on the racetrack, either. In 2016, she was supposed to be bred to Girolamo, but two cover attempts failed, and she ended up being bred to Elusive Quality—a stallion upgrade for sure, but one that happened wholly by accident.
“In Shuvee Stakes, Clairiere makes it two straight over Malathaat,” by Mike MacAdam with photos from Erica Miller
It took a year, but Clairiere has caught up to Malathaat in size.
It took 1:39.32, and Malathaat couldn’t catch up to Clairiere in the Grade II Shuvee at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday.
The two 4-year-old fillies, both daughters of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, raced against each other for the sixth time, and for the second time in a row, Clairiere was better, using a move on the rail under Joel Rosario coming off the second turn to win by a length and a half over Malathaat.
“Regal Glory continues steady progression toward Aug. 13 Fourstardave,” by Mike MacAdam with photos from Erica Miller
Regal Glory has a new workout partner, but showed the same steady pattern on Sunday as she trains toward the Grade I Fourstardave on Aug. 13 at Saratoga Race Course.
The 6-year-old mare, who has been on a roll since winning the De La Rose at Saratoga last summer, breezed five furlongs in company with stablemate Virginia Joy in 1:02.12 on the Oklahoma Training Track.
The Chad Brown-trained Regal Glory had been working with In Italian, but In Italian just won the Grade I Diana last weekend, so Regal Glory needed a new partner.
“Longtime racetrack fixture Leroy Clement honored with race named in his memory at Saratoga Race Course,” by Teresa Genaro with photos from Erica Miller
During the more than 20 years that Leroy Clement worked for the New York Racing Association, his family didn’t get to spend a lot of time with him in the summer, when his security job moved from the New York metropolitan area to Saratoga Springs. His wife Sonia worked as a nurse in New York City, and it didn’t make sense for his children to go upstate when Clement would be working six days a week.
But Saturday, they traveled from far and wide to honor Clement’s memory, nearly eight months after Clement died, with a race named “Patrolman Leroy Clement.”
Leroy’s sister Veronica and Sonia came from Brooklyn. His son Ronaldo came from Houston. His grandson Miles and wife Brittany came from Colorado, to see Clement honored at the place where he was something of a seasonal, local celebrity.
“Chatting with … Jason Blewitt,” by Will Springstead with photos from Erica Miller
Jason Blewitt is a familiar name to horse racing fans in New York. Now an account representative with West Point Thoroughbreds, Blewitt spent nearly 17 years with the New York Racing Association, first in the press box and later as television host. He was in front of the camera for NYRA’s initial seasons of Belmont Live and Saratoga Live.
From there, Blewitt moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he led the TV coverage at Gulfstream Park for the Stronach Group.
Blewitt grew up in Floral Park, one town over from Belmont Park, so he’s literally never been far from the horses. But Saratoga Race Course holds a special place in his heart.
“It’s a special, special place,” Blewitt said. “My wife is from Saratoga Springs, so one of the greatest gifts that’s ever happened to me in my life, Saratoga Race Course was the cause of that, and horse racing was the cause of that.”
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Categories: -Sports-, At The Track
