Thursday, July 28, 2016
Once again, the numbers emanating from upstate New York belie the overstated monthly reports of the demise of the thoroughbred sport.
Saratoga opened last week with 32,980 bodies packed into the quaint little oval far from the madding crowds and the on-track handle was $4,703,479. Added to the ISW figure of $13,059,558, the total handle reached $17,763,037 - on a Friday!
On Saturday, attendance dropped to a mere 30,708 souls who wagered $5,039,481. Add on ISW's $18,397,671 and the big day's total was $23,437,152. Sunday's attendance jumped to 36,126; the on-track handle was $4,367,845 and ISW added $16,674,448 for a total of $21,042,293.
There were no attendance figures listed for Monday and Wednesday (maybe they let 'em in free). Monday's handle numbers were $2,204,854 and $8,877,930, and Wednesday's $2,375,992 and $8,838,886. So, for five days, the combined handle totaled $84,540,144. That's a lot of betting from people who supposedly are leaving the game in favor of other types of more exciting entertainment.
Florida-breds, Florida breeders and Florida stallions all played a role in each of the five days at the Spa and took home a bunch of that Aqueduct casino money, much of it coming in races on the turf.
On Friday, Annie Rocks, a 3-year-old filly bred by Brenda Jones and Silver Oaks Farm, won a $40,000 claimer on the grass by a nose and collected $28,200 for the score. The daughter of A. P. Warrior was claimed by Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Later in the day, Market Strength, bred in Florida by Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg, won a $40,000 maiden claimer on the grass after having finished second at Belmont Park in his last and collected $27,000 for the effort.
SATURDAY - Our Way, a 3-year-old Florida-bred by Tizway, won at a mile on the grass. Bred by Farm III Enterprices, the gelding earned a juicy check of $51,000. Procurement, the first of two Glen Hill Farm products to win during the week, captured a 1 1/16-mile test on the turf by 2 1/2 lengths under Javier Castellano. The 6-year-old gelding by Milwaukee Brew picked up a check for $30,000.
SUNDAY - Majestic Bonnie, a 2-year-old filly by Majestic Warrior, scored by a head in her career debut at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Bred in Kentucky by the Steinbrenners' Kinsman Farm, she paid $26.60 and earned $49,800. Then, of course, the marvelous Songbird romped in the Gr. I Coaching Club of America Oaks, adding $300,000 to her coffers. The champ's dam is Ivanavinalot, the multiple stakes-winning Florida-bred mare raced by Gilbert Campbell and his Stonehedge Farm South.
MONDAY - Pinstripe, a 3-year-old Florida-bred by Ocala Stud Farm's High Cotton, won a $25,000 claimer with 6 furlongs in 1:17.71. Bred by Marion Montanari, the colt who had won his last start at Gulfstream in February paid $4.20, earned $30,000 for the score, and was claimed away from trainer Todd Pletcher by Jason Servis. Animal Appeal, a 4-year-old filly by Leroidesanimaux who had won her last at Belmont, won a $78,000 allowance optional claimer worth $46,800. She was bred in New York by Tony and Elisabeth Everard, owners of New Episode Farm in Ocala. Nice breeder's award coming.
WEDNESDAY - The second Glen Hill Farm-bred, Conscience, won a $14,000 claimer and picked up $16,800 after racing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.45. The 5-year-old Indian Charlie gelding was claimed out of the race.
Horses sold at OBS also made a big impact at the Spa, highlighted by the smart victory of Bitumen in the Gr. III Sanford. The son of Mineshaft scored by 1 3/4 lengths and is now 2-for-2. He was a $280,000 OBS March purchase by Barry Berkelhammer, agent.
A great week for racing and for the Florida breeding industry.
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