The Gray - Breaking News LOL
Aug 30, 2013 23:44:21 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Aug 30, 2013 23:44:21 GMT -5
They're Off!!
Frac Daddy back on short rest for Saranac
By Mike Welsch 08/30/2013 12:00AM
DRF
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Ken McPeek will try to strike while the iron is hot when he wheels the Grade 1-placed Frac Daddy back on just one week’s rest in Sunday’s $150,000 Saranac at Saratoga.
Frac Daddy finished far back in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes after having run second during the spring in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. Frac Daddy was freshened following the Belmont Stakes, then McPeek decided to give the son of Scat Daddy an opportunity to try turf. Facing allowance company for the first time while reuniting with his former rider David Cohen, Frac Daddy responded by rallying from just off the pace to a 1 1/4-length victory.
“Like any of them, you always want to at least try them on each surface,” said McPeek when asked about his decision to put Frac Daddy on the grass after eight starts on dirt. “He’s always had a history of not liking dirt in his face and that’s a little problematic in races like the Derby. He’s a really talented horse and I was thrilled with his last race. I know it’s a wheel back quick, but he only had three works going into his last start and we were kind of using that as a prep for this one.”
Frac Daddy will have to improve and do so quickly if he’s to beat the red-hot and versatile Notacatbutallama, who has won each of his last three starts, all stakes, including the Grade 3 Hill Prince on turf and the Grade 3 Hall of Fame over a sloppy track earlier in the meet.
“I think he’s just one of those horses that just loves running and he’ll do whatever you want,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s got tactical speed, but he’ll rate,. He’s learning how to finish off his races now, which he was still trying to figure out last year, so I don’t think distance is an issue for him. He’s his typical good-feeling, high-energy self so we’ll keep going.”
The speed-favoring turf course could enhance the chances of Five Iron, who ships off a pair of gate-to-wire stakes wins at Woodbine. He figures to be pressed early by Joha, who has finished second after setting the pace in each of his last two starts, both coming against stakes competition.
Frac Daddy back on short rest for Saranac
By Mike Welsch 08/30/2013 12:00AM
DRF
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Ken McPeek will try to strike while the iron is hot when he wheels the Grade 1-placed Frac Daddy back on just one week’s rest in Sunday’s $150,000 Saranac at Saratoga.
Frac Daddy finished far back in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes after having run second during the spring in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. Frac Daddy was freshened following the Belmont Stakes, then McPeek decided to give the son of Scat Daddy an opportunity to try turf. Facing allowance company for the first time while reuniting with his former rider David Cohen, Frac Daddy responded by rallying from just off the pace to a 1 1/4-length victory.
“Like any of them, you always want to at least try them on each surface,” said McPeek when asked about his decision to put Frac Daddy on the grass after eight starts on dirt. “He’s always had a history of not liking dirt in his face and that’s a little problematic in races like the Derby. He’s a really talented horse and I was thrilled with his last race. I know it’s a wheel back quick, but he only had three works going into his last start and we were kind of using that as a prep for this one.”
Frac Daddy will have to improve and do so quickly if he’s to beat the red-hot and versatile Notacatbutallama, who has won each of his last three starts, all stakes, including the Grade 3 Hill Prince on turf and the Grade 3 Hall of Fame over a sloppy track earlier in the meet.
“I think he’s just one of those horses that just loves running and he’ll do whatever you want,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s got tactical speed, but he’ll rate,. He’s learning how to finish off his races now, which he was still trying to figure out last year, so I don’t think distance is an issue for him. He’s his typical good-feeling, high-energy self so we’ll keep going.”
The speed-favoring turf course could enhance the chances of Five Iron, who ships off a pair of gate-to-wire stakes wins at Woodbine. He figures to be pressed early by Joha, who has finished second after setting the pace in each of his last two starts, both coming against stakes competition.
