Saratoga Archives

The 'Little Man' That Could
by Emily Hufford

Birdstone's nickname in the Nick Zito barn is "Little Man" because of his tiny stature. There is nothing little about his heart, however, as this colt storms down the stretch with the force of a runaway train. In a dramatic downpour in the dark at Saratoga, Birdstone wrote another chapter into racing history, a saga that started at Saratoga a year ago.

Last summer, Birdstone broke his maiden by over twelve lengths at New York's fabled racing grounds. This year he shocked all with a gutty win against Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes, denying racing's king his crown. Many believed it must be a fluke, but Birdstone just wanted the crown for himself, and he proved his worth while winning the Travers Stakes (gr. I).

Lion Heart and Purge dueled on the lead throughout much of the race. Coming around the turn, when the blinding rainstorm began, Lion Heart dropped out and Birdstone took the lead. The only obstacle that stood in his path was a flying The Cliff's Edge who was catapulting from the back of the pack and tearing down the track towards his stablemate. With all of the heart and determination of a champion, Birdstone dug in and warded off the challenge, darting under the wire to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

It was his first start since that glorious Belmont Stakes. A drenched but happy Mary Lou Whitney received her trophy while Nick Zito raved about how the colt wasn't a fluke at all. Little Birdstone, who now has five wins in eight starts, walked home with a legitimate shot to steal the three-year-old championship title from Smarty Jones.

The Cliff's Edge finished second and Eddington ran on for third. They were followed by Purge, Sir Shackelton, Suave, and Lion Heart. Birdstone, a son of Grindstone, was ridden by Edgar Prado.

A Win for Grandma
by Emily Hufford
5:33 pm EDT

Storm Flag Flying, who won the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies the day that Azeri won the 2002 Breeders' Cup Distaff, staged one of the best races of the year when she and Azeri dueled down the stretch in the Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga on Friday. The two champions displayed true heart and grit, as Azeri had dueled with Roar Emotion through fast fractions throughout the race.

Storm Flag Flying is a granddaughter of Personal Ensign, who won the Breeders' Cup Distaff in 1988 during an undefeated campaign. Storm Flag Flying's dam, My Flag, won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Gazelle Stakes in 1996. Storm Flag Flying is a daughter of Storm Cat.

Azeri appeared to labor in the final strides but finished second. Storm Flag Flying is trained by Shug McGaughey and is owned by the Phipps.

Vying for the Title
by Emily Hufford

Smarty Jones is retired. Nothing is going to change that.

On Saturday, seven of the "other" three-year-olds will attempt to lay claim to a title that many believe Smarty Jones owns, the three-year-old championship. Lion Heart, who won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth earlier this month, will attempt to stretch his brilliant speed to 1 1/4 miles. The Cliff's Edge is out to prove that he is as good as everyone hoped he would be. Purge has been given favoritism off of a win in the Jim Dandy Stakes, and Eddington has to show that the hype is worth it. Sir Shackelton has to demonstrate he is not simply "Zito's Other Horse" and Suave has some stepping up to do.

And Birdstone, the only one to ever topple Smarty Jones, will be making his first start since the Belmont Stakes. The three-year-old son of Grindstone is Nick Zito's third entrant in the race, and he has already shown an affinity for Saratoga, breaking his maiden there by 12 1/2 lengths last summer. He is 3 - 1 on the morning line. A win by either Birdstone or Lion Heart would thrust them solidly in a position to topple Smarty's championship and move them to the head of the class.

The Travers is called the "Mid-Summer Derby" and is traditionally one of the top-most prestigious races in America, along with the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. Last year Ten Most Wanted swept to victory.

Azeri to Run Friday, Classic Possible?
by Emily Hufford

The 2002 Horse of the Year and all-time leading female money earner Azeri will be running on Friday at Saratoga in the 1 1/4 mile Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I). She will face only four others, including the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Storm Flag Flying.

If Azeri wins the Personal Ensign, there is a strong possibility that she would run in the Breeders' Cup Classic against colts. The six-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter is trained by D. Wayne Lukas.

The field for the Personal Ensign:

1. Storm Flag Flying, John Velasquez
2. Azeri, Pat Day
3. Nevermore, Edgar Prado
4. Roar Emotion, Jerry Bailey
5. Board Eligible, P. Fragoso

Society Selection Wins the Alabama
by Emily Hufford

Society Selection, who was coming off a win in the seven furlong Test Stakes (gr. I), took the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) in a mild upset over Stellar Jayne and Ashado at Saratoga on Saturday. Considered the second-best race for three-year-old fillies all year, after the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), the Alabama always features top class fields and valuable runners.

Ashado went favored in the 1 1/4 mile race, which was run in the slop. She ran close to the pace behind Yearly Report and Susan's Angel. Ashado and Stellar Jayne moved on down the stretch, but Society Selection caught them and won going away by 2 1/2 lengths. Yearly Report faded to fourth.

Society Selection is trained by Allen Jerkins and was ridden by John Velasquez. She is now also a contender for the three-year-old filly championship.

Bwana Charlie Wins at Saratoga
by Emily Hufford

Bwana Charlie defeated Pomeroy in the grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. Weigelia finished third.

Bwana Charlie, a three-year-old son of Indian Charlie, was ridden by Shane Sellers and is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Purge Takes the Jim Dandy
by Emily Hufford

Purge absolutely blew by the front runners to open up a seven length lead heading into the stretch of the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga and still had enough left to hold off the late charge by closers The Cliff's Edge and Eddington, winning by 4 1/2. The three-year-old Pletcher trainee had not started since a dismal effort in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

The Cliff's Edge finished second, Eddington third, and Niigon, the Queen's Plate winner, finished fourth. However, Eddington was disqualified for interference in the stretch and was placed behind Niigon.

Purge is a son of Pulpit. He also won the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) this year.

Roses In May Wins the Whitney Handicap
by Emily Hufford

After a torrid pace, Roses in May was able to hold on by a nose to defeat Perfect Drift in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I). Yessirgeneralsir took the field through shocking opening fractions before dropping back. Peace Rules and Newfoundland, the favorite and second choice, were unable to make a run as Roses in May took the lead and ran nose and nose with Perfect Drift down the stretch. Roses in May was on the inside.

Dale Romans was the winning trainer and Edgar Prado rode Roses in May, who is a four-year-old son of Devil His Due. He is owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey.

Azeri Moves to the Top of the Female Earnings List
by Emily Hufford

Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year who many felt was "done" after a few poor showings at Belmont Park in May and June, won the grade 1 Go For Wand Handicap at Saratoga, annihilating Sightseek, Storm Flag Flying, and Mayo on the Side, three other top fillies.

The win made Azeri the all-time leading female money winner, replacing Spain, who was trained by the same trainer as Azeri, D. Wayne Lukas.

Azeri was ridden by Pat Day.