The Honorable Miss

With less than an hour before the first race on Friday the skies let loose with a violent thunderstorm turning the track to a sea of slop (as well as parts of the Paddock Tent). The heavy rains resulted in 39 scratches on the card and all races off the turf. The Honorable Miss which lost Xtra Heat earlier in the week proved to be an exciting race. Mandy's Gold led the charge to the line, winning by almost two lengths over Shine Again  

Mandy's Gold leads the charge

The Amsterdam Stakes

All eyes in this race were on favored Mayakovsky who was making his first start since The Santa Anita Derby in early April. An early speed duel with Boston Common compromised his chances and set up the race for the fast closing Listen Here. Ridden by Pat Day and trained by Bill Mott the three-year-old Gulch colt was pulling away at the wire.

Listen Here comes from off the pace

The 75th Whitney Handicap

What a field assembled for the running of The Whitney Handicap!! Last year's winner Lido Palace was in the starting gate again, as well as World Cup & Stephen Foster winner Street Cry, and Mass Cap winner Macho Uno. Trainer Tod Pletcher decided to give Left Bank a shot at the race. Left Bank figures to be better at the shorter distances but a masterful ride by John Velazquez got the French Deputy colt to the finish line in the track record tying time of 1:47:04.

John Velazquez and Left Bank go to post

The Jim Dandy

Leading jockey Jerry Bailey shot to the lead out of the stating gate and this race was over. The heavily favored Medaglia d'Oro won by better than thirteen lengths. Derby winner War Emblem was in Jersey putting on a show at Monmouth but appears to be heading back to the West Coast leaving Medaglia d'Oro as the early Travers favorite.

An easy victory in The Jim Dandy

Saratoga Coverage

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