7/25: Saratoga (Day 7; Curlin)

[pointman]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Today's third race was the 12-furlong turf affair that featured a well-backed Clearbrook - a filly facing males for the first time - that was an absolute play against in my mind meaning that I saw this race as full of value.

Javier takes the lead and as is so typically the case, the entire field watches through a half-time in 1:16.71! (Skipping to the end game, the race was timed in 2:28.35 meaning the back half came in 1:11.56!)

As expected with another poorly timed Cornelio ride, he falls a half-length short as Saffron Hall prevails over Grand Rapport. Often times, you will hear that all of the jockeys in the Saratoga colony are top flight and interchangable. Watch the third race from today and explain how that is possible.

Just once, will a jockey in this colony PLEASE press the lead going two (or three) turns?

As a public service, someone should let Irad Ortiz know that he can now release the choke hold on Royal Blessing. Also, someone please let Alan Garcia know that the race has actually started.

Just curious, if the Saratoga jockey colony is not top flight, what colony is?