Horse Betting World

The Saratoga Scene: August 18-23

By Joey Adams

While certain trainers have been near the top of the standings throughout the Saratoga meet, a few household names finally got into the winner’s column, namely Hall of Famer Nick Zito. Also getting off the “duck” last week with multiple winners were Alan Goldberg, Gary Gullo, and Michael Matz. The following is a list of trainers who sent out multiple winners last week (wins in parentheses):

• Pletcher, Todd: (6) … among six winners were a trio of two-year-old first-time starters. Pletcher now has eight debut winners at the meet. Finally providing some value, only one winner from this barn was the betting favorite. Payoffs: $16.60, $9.80, $8.80, $8.30, $5.40, $4.20. Saratoga Online Horse Betting

• Rice, Linda: (6) … last year’s leading trainer was red-hot. Five winners raced on turf, including four in sprints, and the other winner came in an off-the-turf event. Rice sent out winners returning from layoffs of 358 and 329 days. Despite the hot hand, only one winner was a betting favorite. Payoffs: $20.00, $14.60, $12.60, $6.70, $6.30, $5.50.

• Galluscio, Dominic: (2) … both wins came in main track sprints. Payoffs: $9.40, $7.60.

• Goldberg, Alan: (2) … both wins came in turf routes with shippers from Monmouth Park. Payoffs: $26.20, $4.10.

• Gullo, Gary: (2) … both wins came in main track sprints with John Velazquez aboard. Payoffs: $9.60, $8.90.

• Kenneally, Eddie: (2) … both wins came in main track sprints. Payoffs: $15.00, $4.20.

• Martin, Carlos : (2) … both wins came on turf (1 sprint, 1 route). Payoffs: $7.90, $7.90.

• Matz, Michael: (2) … both wins came in routes (1 main track, 1 turf) with shippers from Delaware Park. Payoffs: $9.40, $6.30.

• Serpe, Phip: (2) … both wins came with maidens on the main track. Payoffs: $27.80, $8.80.

• Violette, Rick: (2) … won a claiming sprint on the main track, and a $100K stake going long on turf. Payoffs: $11.00, $5.90. Saratoga Race Track

• Zito, Nick: (2) … both wins came on the main track (1 sprint, 1 route). Payoffs: $16.40, $6.50.

The following is a list of trainers who sent out debut winners last week;

• Pletcher, Todd
o Tap for Luck … ($16.60, Castellano)
o Street Chimes … ($8.30, Cohen)
o Curlinello … ($5.40, Velazquez)
• Galluscio, Dominic
o Pin Number … ($9.40, Prado)
• Rice, Linda
o We Need V L T’s … ($12.60, Velazquez)
• Rodriguez, Rudy
o Salmontes … ($27.00, Gomez)
• Serpe, Phil
o Linear Motion … ($27.80, Lezcano)
• Stall, Al
o J.B.’s Thunder … ($16.60, Bridgmohan)
• Weaver, George
o Running Tap … ($12.00, Castellano)
• Zito, Nick
o Mountain Town … ($16.40, Lenclud)

In the race for leading jockey, a handful of riders have separated themselves from the pack. Consider that last week there were 58 races run, and 41 of them (71%) were won by either Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, Alan Garcia, John Velazquez or Julien Leparoux. The following is a list of jockeys with multiple wins last week (wins in parentheses):

o Castellano, Javier … (13)
o Velazquez, John … (9)
o Dominguez, Ramon … (8)
o Garcia, Alan … (7)
o Leparoux, Julien … (4)
o Desormeaux, Kent … (2)
o Gomez, Garrett … (2)
o Prado, Edgar … (2)

And finally, it is starting to pay dividends to have a recent race over the track. Of the 48 races run last week by experienced horses (10 races were won by first-time starters), 26 of them (54%) were won by horses who had started previously at the meet. The following is a list of where race winners made their most recent start (number of wins in parentheses) Saratoga Race:

o Saratoga … (27) … *one winner was returning from a 358-day layoff.
o Belmont Park … (5)
o Monmouth Park … (5)
o Delaware Park … (3)
o Churchill Downs … (2)
o Finger Lakes … (1)
o Keeneland … (1)
o Laurel Park … (1)
o Philadelphia Park … (1)
o Presque Isle Downs … (1)
o Suffolk Downs … (1)