As Labor Day Weekend wound down it was fun to look back at the week of racing at Saratoga and Del Mar we were so much looking forward to. The five races over three days certainly did not disappoint.
Battle of Normandy’s second place finish in the Grade 3, $175,000 With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga was extremely encouraging. Had he been able to find a clear running path late in the race, he very likely could have been the winner. Battle of Normandy is a talented 2 year old colt who will continue to develop.
Juan Valdez lost all chance in his first start at Saratoga when the starting gate opened. Leaving from post position #8, he was sandwiched by the horses to his inside and outside. After untangling himself, Juan Valdez made a good run to get back in the race but was left with too much to do. Jockey Luis Saez said after the race, “we got killed at the start”. Juan Valdez came out of the race fine physically and will likely run at the Belmont Park Fall Meet.
Juan Valdez
Luis Saez
In the Grade 1, $1,000,500 Jockey Club Gold Cup, First Captain ran third. After running wide throughout most of the race, he made a late run but was not going to catch the horses who ran first and second. Third in this prestigious Grade 1 race was no embarrassment and First Captain exited the race in good shape. He will also likely race next at the Belmont Park Fall Meet.
First Captain
Hawker broke well in his race at Del Mar from post position #10. After running wide most of the race, he tired and finished eighth. His trainer (John Sadler) mentioned Hawker was keyed up (anxious) in the saddling area which probably didn’t help his chances. More schooling in the saddling area will get him comfortable with the process and allow Hawker to better maintain his composure.
The last race of the weekend had most people throughout the racing world doing a “double take”. Flightline destroyed a quality field in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Pacific Classic by 19 1/2 lengths. You would have to go back to Secretariat’s 31 length win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes to find a similar performance. Flightline answered the questions regarding whether he could run a mile and a quarter around two turns with an emphatic yes and yes! He came out of the race fine physically and his trainer (John Sadler) will begin to map out a plan to get Flightline to peak in the Grade 1, $6,000,000 Breeder’s Cup Classic on November 5.
Breeder’s Cup Article on Flightline
Bloodhorse article on Flightline (page 7)
Thoroughbred Daily News article on Flightline
Daily Racing Form article on Flightline