#forego stakes

[startinggate]

Drefong

[startinggate]

Drefong wins the Forego Stakes (I)

[startinggate]

A.P. Indian runs home first in the Forego Stakes (I)

[downthehomestretch]

A.P. Indian wins the 2016 Grade I Forego Stakes, setting a stakes record of 1:20.99 over the fast main track and automatically earning a berth into the 2016 Breeders' Cup Sprint (x)

[startinggate]

Woodward Double

I had a $10 late pick 4 ticket yesterday... lost just one of the four legs mainly due to lazyitis. My brain skipped over looking at the also-eligibles list, so when I saw them on the wagerpad I went huh? Looked at a few real quick, REALLY considered including the winner of the first leg because of pedigree, and lost a bomber. Ah well. I know not to do that in the future... but I did not entirely anticipate there being a heavy rainstorm heading into today's card -__-

Because of some late announcements regarding scratches (Mucho Macho Man may scratch, Saratoga Snacks scratched) and turf-to-main switches, the pick 4 looks like a bad bet, so I'll encourage a double only today if you still want to:

Leg #1: Forego Stakes - #7 Justin Phillip can close into a fast pace and is at his best right now... not to mention today is Mr. Zayat's birthday for gut bettors. However, try to include someone in B column because Justin Phillip is coupled with #6 Fast Bullet for free, but that just about murders his odds. The pair finished 1-2 back in June. #4 Jackson Bend will try again in the Forego, which is at his best distance of 7 furlongs and will have enough pace for him. He was at the neck of Trinniberg last out and his workouts look good. #4 Lea is an intrigue bet; he ran great behind Wise Dan who is arguably the best horse in the country... but on turf. An off track might help him.

Leg #2: Woodward Stakes - #5 Paynter looked great arriving at Saratoga and is in the right form to win big. If you really feel uneasy using just Paynter, #2 Successful Dan could have beaten Cross Traffic last out in the Whitney had a few things been different. #1 Ron the Greek romped on an off-track earlier in the year if you're feeling nostalgic.

[startinggate]

Jackson Bend Comes Alive in Forego

After snapping his 12-race losing streak in the James Marvin, Jackson Bend has proved he's no longer a fluke. Nick Zito's horse has his groove back.

The field of ten broke a bit bumpy, with the three horse Golddigger's Boy stumbling at the bell. Hamazing Destiny broke to the front quickly followed in tantum by favorite Sidney's Candy and speed horse Escrow Kid. Those three set a rapid :22 flat quarter mile going down the Saratoga backstretch as Todd Pletcher's Aikenite fell to the very back of the pack.

Rounding the far turn, Escrow Kid fell away to leave it up to the two dueling front runners. Sidney's Candy and Hamazing Destiny kept the fire going, but not for long as they ran out of steam rounding the final turn for home, neither surviving the grueling 44 1/2 half mile.

It was on the homestretch that Jersey Town and Jackson Bend began their moves, both slowly nudging towards the leaders. Coming into the final furlong, it was Jackson Bend that was moving the fastest as Jersey Town clung to him speeding toward the wire. Aikenite made a proud late surge to nab a strong third while Golddigger's Boy bounced up for fourth place. 

I wasn't sure if it was going to happen-- after all Jackson Bend is coming off quite a long losing streak and was down on the very risky rail spot-- but now that it has, I'm willing to fork over the kudos to Nick Zito and Jackson Bend. It's been a long haul for them and I'm glad to see it happened for them. Next stop: more challenging sprinters for Jackson Bend needs to happen for them to move up. 

[startinggate]

Motley Crew of Nine Makes Up Forego Field

A couple darkhorses are thrown into the fray of champions making up the Forego Stakes (I), the closing bell dirt sprint sure to pique last-minute interest in this year's BC Dirt Mile contention. Several horses are taking a cut back in their usual distance here, even heavy favorite Sidney's Candy, who is trying to decide on the Turf Mile or Dirt Mile come Breeders' Cup time. He won't have it easy out there by the looks of it.

$250,000 Forego Stakes (I) - 3-Year-Olds & Up. 7 furlongs on dirt at Saratoga Race Course. Post Time: Saturday September 3 at 5:12pm on VERSUS.

[Post Position, Horse - Jockey, Trainer - Summary, Opinion in italics]

1) Jackson Bend - Corey Nakatani, Nick Zito - 1 for 1 at Saratoga, Jackson Bend snapped a 12-race losing streak in his last start in the James Marvin at Saratoga, which was also at 7 furlongs where he managed to beat out Escrow Kid and Hamazing Destiny. I hate to say it, but I think his James Marvin win may have been a bit too hyped, though he beat several good horses. I don't expect him to smash this one out of the park.

2) Sidney's Candy - John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher - A six-time graded stakes winner who is mainly a turf specialist. He's cutting back in distance and switching to dirt this time out. The last time he competed at 7 furlongs on dirt was in the San Vicente (II) in February 2010, which he won. Normally I don't like such a huge sudden change, but it's a Todd Pletcher-Johnny V combination and a very, very good horse to boot. He'll stalk Regal Ransom and probably make third.

3) Golddigger's Boy - Stewart Elliott, Ramon Preciado - With a single race under his belt, this Jump Start son is taking a big leap of faith bouncing from a win at 7 furlongs at Parx Racing to here. I think he's the most promising of the underdogs and could possibly pull the wool over our eyes, but I can't help but be discouraged by a lack of real experience here. 

4) Jersey Town - Cornelio Velasquez, Barclay Tagg - Upset winner of last year's Cigar Mile (I), Jersey Town has had a long layoff between that and his second in the 6-furlong Teddy Drone, but that Cigar win boasted the highest Beyer speed figure of this entire field. He's never run at Saratoga, but I entrust my gut with Barclay Tagg on this one. Jersey Town for the win!

5) Hamazing Destiny - Robby Albarado, D. Wayne Lukas - He's been mostly consistent in hitting the board, with a few misses thrown in here and there. A classy sprinter, he has run and done well with the best of them looking for his first win at Saratoga. I think he's been pushed too hard and will probably miss the board at best in this race. He didn't do so hot (6th) in the Vanderbilt (I) and may need an extended rest.

6) Escrow Kid - Oliver Castillo, Carl Doran - A step up in class for Escrow Kid here, whose best start was a second place in the Chesapeake at 6 furlongs. He hit the board again as third in the James Marvin. A deservedly longshot entry, I think he'll be apt to put out a lot of speed early only to be passed by better horses.

7) Aikenite [pictured] - Javier Castellano, Todd Pletcher - Not the best sprinter in the country, but he's shown some grit in top company and is a 7-furlong specialist. He lacks his usual rider John Velazquez (on Sidney's Candy), who rode him past top horses to win the Churchill Downs Stakes (II) back in May. He's clearly very skilled in the 7-furlong, though missed by a lot coming in fifth in the James Marvin. However, I think that race can be thrown out. I'm bidding Aikenite will strong-arm this field enough to make second to Jersey Town.

8) Regal Ransom - Ramon Dominguez, Saeed bin Suroor - A hit-or-miss kind of horse, Regal Ransom hogs the front every race he's in, making for good reason that he should cut back in distance down to a much more suitable 7 furlongs. He's 2-for-2 at Saratoga and should set the pace. Now THIS is a much better distance for this horse. If he can maintain good fractions (and with Ramon, I rest easy), I think he can brush up for second or third. Don't count him out for the win, either.

9) Rule by Night - David Cohen, Steve Asmussen - While he hasn't shown much of anything this year (an 8th preceded by a 3rd in ungraded stakes), Rule by Night has won a few times at 6-7 furlongs. This will be the classiest field he's been in, and I think he's overmatched here, especially considering he's coming from the far outside, which he has shown he doesn't particularly like.