The Albany ($250.000 Purse)
SAR- For Three Year Olds Foals in NY
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
August 23, 2019
It’s Travers weekend at Saratoga! Wow, has this summer ever gone by fast. Before we have the big day on Saturday, we have some racing to take care of Friday, and the card should still be plenty entertaining. The Albany offers a $250.000 for three year olds bred in the Empire State, and it will go nine furlongs. I was a little surprised to see that this race only drew a field of five, considering how strong breeding is in New York within our game. For those in this field, it’s a great opportunity as it seems to be an evenly matched group that does not necessarily have the big name as a part of it. Let’s take a look at those runners now!
#1- The Shake (Luz International, ridden by J Bravo)- Broke his maiden here at the end of the meet last year. His last start saw him running second in an N1X allowance right here as well. The trainer is hoping this is a horse for the course, because other then those two results, there is not a whole lot to be excited about. Still only has the one win. The trainer thinks highly of him, considering his placement in a couple of other ungraded results, and his efforts have been solid, though lacking in the win column.
#2- Singapore (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- Picked up in private sales by the trainer in February for $35.000, and before he could even get comfortable in his new stall, he would be gelded. This has worked out well for Mb Stables, as this horse with just one win in six starts ended up winning his first two races in his new silks. Last month, he nearly added a graded win, coming second in the Grade 3 Dwyer. A horse on the up and up that the trainer has certainly figured out.
#3- Topside (Night Rider Stables, ridden by Ro Maragh)- He would be acquired in the June auction for $25.020, and is set to make his debut for Night Rider Stables while having the trainer’s favorite jockey aboard. He’s run in a NY-bred stake previously and was third in the Gander Stakes at AQU. There was also an attempt at the Grade 3 Davis Stakes which saw him fail to hit the board, though was within a length. Liked his last race, which was his first try at turf, so for him to go back to the main track must mean Night Rider sees something.
#4- Fire N Fury (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by T Gaffalione)- Plenty of reason to love the breeding on this one, as he is by Decima, but is also out of Distant Cousin, a BC Champion and winner of over $2,500.000 in her career. Fire N Fury is just beginning to impress now, and a win here could go a long way in that. He’s 2-for-7 in his career, and won his last start, which was a NY-bred allowance. He tried the Grade 2 Rebel in March, but perhaps that was too much, too soon. This is an interesting horse to watch going forward.
#5- Downwind Revenge (Royalty Racing, ridden by J R Velazquez)- This horse got off to a late start in his career due to spending so much time in auctions or in private sales. Once he finally found a trainer that wanted him, like Royalty Racing, he’s been effective, and has won three of his last seven as the trainer has kept him busy lately. He races here on a little less then three weeks rest, though has done well with the NY-bred condition. I’m more concerned about it being his third race in six weeks.
Prediction: 2-4-1-3
— NS
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
