Saratoga Diary: Keeneland on the Hudson

Problems with water, sound, and wi-fi, good racing, and long lines at Hattie's mark opening day at Saratoga.

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So Many Ways Surges in Schuylerville Stakes

One race after Rick Dutrow won the James Marvin Stakes (gr. III) on July 20, his brother Tony Dutrow sent 5-2 favorite So Many Ways to victory in the 94th running of the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. II).

Fillies Seek Extra Cash in Schuylerville

Seven 2-year-old fillies line up July 20 for the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) on opening day at Saratoga Race Course, and five are eligible for a $100,000 bonus.

Three Horses Bring Six Figures Early at F-T

Three horses commanded six-figure prices during the first hour of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed auction Feb. 6 in Lexington.

Winter Memories Successful in Season Debut

Winter Memories, who has been off since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT), made a smashing season debut April 21, running down Dos Lunas late to win the Appalachian Stakes (gr. IIIT).

Haynesfield Repeats as Top New York-Bred

Turtle Bird Stable's Haynesfield, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) in 2010, has been honored as New York-bred Horse of the Year for the second year in a row.

Final Mesa Makes Trip Worthwhile for Rosario

Final Mesa left her rivals behind in the stretch to register her first graded stakes score for Wesley Ward in the $100,000 Old Hat (gr. III) on opening day of the 2011 Gulfstream Park meet Jan. 5.

Roxy Gap Favored for Gulfstream Park Opener

Roxy Gap won all three of her starts at Woodbine last summer by big margins for trainer Mark Casse and is the morning-line pick for the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes Jan. 5, opening day feature of the 2011 Gulfstream Park meet.

Pletcher With Half of Spinaway Field

Todd Pletcher, who has won the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) three times, will have a 50-50 chance at winning another when he sends out four of the eight starters in the Sept. 5 race for juvenile fillies.

Freshman Sires Starting Fast

Four of the current top 10 freshman sires of 2010 already have juvenile stakes winners. Alan Porter takes an early look at what's working with pedigree crosses for this year's 'young guns.'

Wickedly Perfect Bedevils Sorrento Foes

A hot pace failed to deter Wickedly Perfect when she rallied in upper stretch to win the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 6 at Del Mar to remain unbeaten in two starts.

Final Mesa Headlines Sorrento

Wesley Ward's unbeaten filly figures to be the choice in the 6 1/2-furlong Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) at Del Mar; faces challenge from a pair of Bob Baffert-trained juveniles

Vic Zast's Saratoga Diary: Sloppy Beginning

Two French jockeys make the most of a dreadful weather day and a horse with a fondness for the course treats the smaller than desired crowd to an exhibition.

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Le Mi Geaux Takes Sloppy Schuylerville

Le Mi Geaux came from off the pace under Freddie Lenclud to pull a 9-1 upset in the $100,000 Schuylerville (gr. III), the first graded stakes of the Saratoga meet. She is the first stakes winner for her sire First Samurai.

Large Fields Highlight Opening Day at Spa

Saratoga will kick off its 142nd meet with a stellar opening day card, highlighted by the $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies and the $75,000 James Marvin Stakes that drew a field of 10

Opening Weekend Stakes Shaping Up at Saratoga

Saratoga will hold a meet for the 142nd time beginning July 23 and opening weekend promises to be an exciting one with three graded stakes.

Final Mesa Romps Again Over Juvenile Fillies

Undefeated Final Mesa made it three wins at three different tracks when she ran away from her four rivals to capture the $149,139 My Dear Stakes as the 3-10 choice at Woodbine June 26.

Bandini's First Winner Scores at Belmont

Let's Get Fiscal turned her debut into a 5 1/2-length romp at Belmont Park June 17 to become the first winner for grade I Bandini.

Too Much Bling's First Winner

Grade II winner Too Much Bling sired his initial winner July 5 when his daughter Show Me the Bling scored at Monmouth Park first time out.

Ward Back for More in Ky. Juvenile

Trainer Wesley Ward ran one-two in last year's race and has a pair for this year's running. Also, last year's third-place finisher was Mission Impazible, who runs in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Hot Dixie Chick Romps in Schuylerville

Favored Hot Dixie Chick showed she was more than a speed freak in the $111,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III), rating patiently just off the pace before grabbing the lead and then pulling away to a 6 1/4 length victory July 29, the opening day of the Saratoga meeting in upstate New York.

Saratoga Set to Open With Full Fields

Saratoga Race Course's 36-day meet will get off to a strong start July 29 with a card highlighted by full fields on both the dirt and turf, 2-year-old races, and two stakes, including the $100,000 Schuylerville (gr. III).

Jardin Surprises in Schuylerville Opener

The $112,900 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) was both good and bad for trainer Steve Asmussen, who saddled the overlooked Jardin to victory over the sloppy Saratoga main track even as favored Ocean Colors faded to last in the test of 2-year-old fillies July 23.

Subtle Aly Wins Tight One in Schuylerville

In a dramatic finish with three horses on the wire, Saratoga's opening day feature Wednesday went to Subtle Aly, who just edged a game I Promise and Blitzing in the $111,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies.

Ashado Kicks off Stakes Season at Saratoga

Ashado, a 2-year-old daughter of Saint Ballado, captured the Schuylerville Stakes (gr. II) by three lengths over Maple Syrple.