Thursday, September 2, 2010
Contact: NYRA Press Office
(518) 584-6200, ext. 4237
- Velazquez, Castellano enter Thursday card tied atop jockey standings
- Casablanca Smile possible for Glens Falls
- Voss denies Sheppard steeplechase sweep
- Fields coming together for opening weekend at
Velazquez is aiming for his fourth
On August 21, Velazquez swept the early Pick 4 en route to a five-win day.
Castellano’s triumphs include a nose victory aboard Afleet Express in last Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers, the focal point of the Saratoga meeting, and wins in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap, Grade 2 Hall of Fame, Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap, P. G. Johnson, Ann Clare, Bennington, West Point, De La Rose, and Quick Call.
Like Velazquez, Castellano also swept an early Pick 4, getting off to a hot start on July 25 before adding a fifth victory later in the day. Castellano has won three meet titles at NYRA racetracks, but has yet to earn one at Saratoga Race Course.
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Casablanca Smile, runner-up in the Waya at the Spa on August 9, is under consideration for Monday’s Grade 3 Glens Falls Handicap, one of two featured stakes races on the Closing Day card along with the Grade 1 Three Chimneys Hopeful.
Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, who saddled Persistently to victory in last Sunday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign, the Chilean-bred made her American debut in June at Colonial Downs, finishing a close-up third in the Grade 3 All Along behind Shared Account and Dynaslew. In the 1 ½-mile Waya, the 4-year-old Ocean Terrace filly rated kindly off the early pace, and responded well when asked at the quarter-pole to finish second, beaten 2 ¼ lengths.
“She’s really had a good month up here,” said McGaughey. “The
The trainer added that Gone Astray, last year’s Pennsylvania Derby winner who was most recently fourth in the Grade 3 Iselin at Monmouth Park, has been sent to Fair Hill for a freshening and would likely return at Belmont Park in the Kelso on October 3.
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Trainer Tom Voss denied Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard a sweep of all five steeplechase races held during the 2010
A distant fourth on Open House Day, Easy Red failed to finish in an August 12 optional claimer won by Lead Us Not. Easy Red turned the tables today with a 2 ¾-length score, with Lead Us Not holding second by a nose.
“Something was pinching him, I guess, so I treated him and he all of a sudden responded, and here we are,” said Voss, who trains the 8-year-old gelding for Dumbarton Farm. “He had always run well until the last two races.”
Including Lead Us Not’s runner-up effort in the Noel Twyman, Sheppard posted a record of 4-4-1 from 12 starters in the five steeplechase races, with all victories coming for owner William L. Pape.
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Next weekend, racing returns to beautiful
Saturday’s Opening Day feature, the Grade 2, $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap at 1 3/8 miles, is expected to attract Al Khali, Coolcullen Times, Dry Martini, Grand Couturier, Interpatation, Jeune-Turc, Simmard, Strike A Deal, and Winchester, according to
Sunday, New York-breds take center stage in the $100,000 Ashley T. Cole, which fan favorite Banrock will be attempting to win for the third consecutive year. Also expected for the 1 1/8 mile race on the inner turf are Icabad Crane, Pocket Cowboys, Pretty Boy Freud, and Spa City Fever, with Solvent questionable.
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