Walk On: A handler walks a yearling for a prospective buyer at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Rain continued to play havoc with the Saratoga racing schedule, as 20 turf races were switched to the main track during the meet's first 17 days. An intense storm August 8 forced New York racing Association officials to cancel the remaining eight races on the day's card when rainwater washed out a section of the main track on the far turn. The weekend programs of August 9-10 were held without disruption.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
French-bred Spirit One (right), the least accomplished of three European invaders in the Arlington Million (gr. IT), sprinted to an early lead and never relinquished it, eventually holding off favored Archipenko (blinkers) in the final yards to win by three-quarters of a length Aug. 9 at Arlington Park.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Mauralakana, given a perfect ride by Kent Desormeaux, swept to her first grade I victory in the $750,000 Beverly D. over the Arlington Park turf Aug. 9, winning her fourth consecutive race for trainer Christophe Clement.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Rene Douglas snuck a peek around each shoulder approaching the quarter-pole in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT), knowing that he had a loaded gun underneath him. The veteran jockey then let Winchester loose and the 3-year-old son of Theatrical swallowed pacesetter Tizdejavu, eventually drawing clear for a convincing 7 1/4-length upset victory Aug. 9 at Arlington Park.
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
River Ridge Ranch’s Maren’s Meadow, dismissed at odds of 11-1 in a field of five 3-year-old fillies, broke on top and never trailed, pulling away in the stretch to win the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (gr. III) by 4 1/2 lengths Aug. 9.
Photo: Jessica Denver / Equi-photo
Azul Leon (center) battles with Kelly Leak (green silks) and Coronet of a Baron in the final strides of the Best Pal (gr. II). Azul Leon remained unbeaten with an assist from the Del Mar stewards, who disqualified the first-place finisher Kelly Leak from victory.
Photo: Benoit Photo
Willmott Stables’ Wesley moved from last to first on the final turn before breaking free from a tightly-bunched field in deep stretch to win the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. IIT) at Saratoga Race Course.
Photo: Adam Coglianese
Mani Bhavan, ignored by the bettors in spite of a 9 1/4-length win in her debuting maiden win one month ago at Delaware Park, demolished her opposition again in the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Aug. 13.
