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Saratoga Race Course Saturday, August 30, 2003 Meet Total ... 103-310

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Here's a sample of some of the headlines that were featured Thursday
>>> Sonny Hine's widow emotional as silks are carried to Spa victory on Thurs... "I had not seen my silks in action until today, after three years."
>>> Lovable loser Zippy Chippy set to try again on Saturday (needs to get in from AE list)
>>> Pletcher's Jim Dandy winner Strong Hope done for the year, "Physically, the horse is fine. It's more a decision based on the fact of wanting to come back and have a strong 4-year-old year."
>>> Wesch: Let's not bronze Candy Ride just yet
>>> Mineshaft is ML fave in BC Future Wager
>>> Profile: Top trainer Todd Pletcher... "Whenever you take on more horses, you take on more workload, more staff, higher payroll and more responsibility."

And our Coast-to-Coast picks and plays for major weekend stakes races will return in September.

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This week's contest results will be posted Tuesday on the CONTEST PAGE and next week's contest for the final week will get underway.

YOU ARE THERE Check out the new YOU ARE THERE feature. We bring you the action, both on-track and off, for the entire Saratoga race meet.

Yesterday

2-9. Grabbed a couple of winners early then cooled off later...

Winners in the 2nd (7.50) and 3rd (6.70). Fourth choice and second choice came in under that top choice in the second for the $70.50/$2 tri.

On-track, 19,065 attended on Friday. The weather was warm but overcast. There was some wind and the sky looked threatening a couple of times during the afternoon, but the rain held off. There was one winner of the P6 with the carryover from Thursday. The winning ticket paid $168K.

Today

Keep your eyes on jockey John Velazquez -- he's still sitting at 55 wins, which is tied with Jerry Bailey for the Spa meet record. His first winner will be a new record.

Today's Hopeful will be televised on CNBC from 4-5PM ET.

FIRST RACE
Queen Isabel...It looks like there will be plenty of speed to shoot at in here which will help this one have a chance to repeat.
Feather Boa...Another that might be able to sit off the pace and benefit from some speed up front.
Stay...Has appreciated the move into claimers previously.
Elegant Mercedes.

SECOND RACE
Take Her Out...Trainer is good with 2YOs. We'll go with that angle in an open NY-bred MSW event.
Lightning Lyla...Has some good experience and makes a positive jock switch.
Above The Devil...Decent debut and room to improve.
Brag Bag.
Schemer.

THIRD RACE
Heather Light...Consistently in the hunt and picks up a jock who should get the best out of her.
Miss Splash...Has been going well lately and picks up Johnny V.
Seattle Socialite...Ships up from Delaware off of a nice effort.
Hawley Lake.

FOURTH RACE
Supersonic Sun...Seems to be getting the hang of it for Mott. Gets Bailey today. Must come in from AE list.
Recollection...Question mark about how well he likes the course but we'll give him another chance today.
Mister Slew...Decent debut in a slow time. But it Beyer'd OK.
Sting Lear...Has gone very well in three starts and might rate higher except for jock that only has four wins at the meet.
Falconer.
Perfect And Regal.

FIFTH RACE
Qais...Godolphin runner won debut overseas and then blasted an impressive follow-up win at Belmont in June. Expect good things.
Draw Fire...Likes the track and the trip. Can repeat.
Seventh Inning...Started career with two big wins then faltered last time. Should rebound with a dry surface.
This Guns For Hire.

SIXTH RACE
Ender's Sister...Will be interesting to see if that Daydreaming race turns out to be a key contest for the also-rans.
Ravishly...Going so well in the morning that we expect improvement in second try.
Ellieonthemarch...Trainer has been eye-popping with the 2YOs.
Plaid.
Charming Honor.

SEVENTH RACE
Celtic Sky...Clement turfer comes out of good effort in state-bred stake and is going well lately.
Statement...Clearly capable of competing here if able to give best effort.
Equerry...Mystery horse was third to Hawk Wing in a Brit G1 last season. But his US debut wasn't inspiring.
Robbie's Rockin.
Sohaib.

EIGHTH RACE
Chapel Royal...Pletcher/Velazquez took Friday's Spinaway with a filly that had already won a Spa stake. Can repeat that pattern today with the colts. Has been ultra-impressive so far.
Birdstone...Exciting debut winner. A repeat of that effort will put this Zito trainee in the thick of things.
Limehouse...Faltered a little in the slop but we expect a rebound.
Silver Wagon.
Hasslefree.

NINTH RACE
Go Deputy...Decent debut and then followed up with a good closing win last time. Expect a repeat from Pletcher/Velazquez.
Lunar Mon...Seems to have rounded to competitive form last couple.
Noblest...Look for him to be rolling late.
Ramillus.
Carrier.

TENTH RACE
Hitchin Post...Kimmel has not been having an A+ meet but expect this one to wake-up with the drop.
Ravaro...8YO competes well at this level.
Love That Man...Had some trouble last time losing as favorite at Colonial. Expect improvement.
Sky Deputy.

ELEVENTH RACE
Rich Coins...Won nicely at the level last time and should be able to repeat if capable of stringing a couple good tries together.
Pagan Place...Should be competitive with the drop.
Bay Head King...Off a long time but was running against much better in SoCal and trainer has done well this meet with limited starts.
Kristys Excellent.

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