Graveyard of Favorites Claims Another Victim

Marylou Whitney waves to the clubhouse crowd prior to the
running of the Whitney Handicap Saturday | WMML Photo

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Graveyard of Favorites claims another victim, this time in the name of Palace Malice.

Moreno, the horse who got nipped at the wire by Will Take Charge in the 2013 Travers Stakes went wire-to-wire to win the $1.5 Million Whitney Handicap, the richest race in the history of Saratoga Race Course.

Junior Alvarado, the rider on Moreno, said to media he felt the race was his as his horse turned for home.

Itsmyluckyday angled outside after Alvarado angled inside, but couldn't get the kick he needed to get past Moreno.

Moreno would win by better than a length.  Will Take Charge finished third.

Moreno hits the wire first in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap
WMML Photo

The Whitney score was the first Grade 1 for the four year old horse by Ghostzapper, and only his third career trip to the winner's circle.  He faded in the stretch to finish three lengths back of Zivo in the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.  The win boosted his career earnings to over $1.7 Million Dollars.

Palace Malice, the 3/5 favorite, never fired in the stretch and faded to an uncharacteristic sixth place finish in the Whitney Handicap, the richest race in the history of Saratoga Race Course.

"I don't know what went wrong," jockey John Velazquez told media after the race.  "He didn't run at all."

The favorite entered the race fresh off a length victory in the Grade 1 Met Mile at Belmont Park, rattling off four straight victories.  He hung in third behind Moreno and Golden Ticket, however, had nothing for the stretch run.

And They're Off!  Horses spring from the gate in the
Grade 1 Whitney Handicap | WMML Photo

The win was trainer Eric Guillot's second career Grade 1 win at Saratoga.  In 2010, he trained Champagne d'Oro's path to the winner's circle in the Test.

However, it was bittersweet for Gulliot, who saw his two year old colt, Sir William Bruce, fatally fall following his run in the fifth race.

At this time there's no word where Moreno will race next, though the Woodward on closing weekend is a possibility.

However, one thing will be on Guillot's mind.  Moreno now has an expense-paid trip to Santa Anita in the fall, as the Whitney is a "Win And You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

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Moreno before receiving making his way to the winner's circle
WMML Photo

Over 36,000 attended the races on Saturday, which is approximately 10% better than last year's Whitney card.  However, the 36,000 figure is questionable as NYRA released a statement to the media that their 2014 daily attendance figures have counted the nearly 6,000 season pass holders.  

$3.75 Million Dollars was wagered on the Whitney through mutuals and single-race exotics, which is 10% better than the money that was wagered last year when Cross Traffic went wire-to-wire.

NYRA boosted the purse of the Whitney Handicap this year, doubling the purse from $750,000 to $1.5 Million, effectively making it the richest race at Saratoga Race Course.  The attempt was to persuade owners and trainers to keep their horses out east.  

In addition, NYRA added three stakes races to the Whitney card, the Test and the Vanderbilt as well as the overnight Lure Stakes.  They also boosted overnight conditional races, resulting in Allowances being worth over $100,000.

Our Top 5 Saratoga Race Course Races of the Meet

Labor Day brings the end to the 2013 season at Saratoga Race Course.

As has been the case in the past, the 150 year old oval has seen some memorable moments during the course of the 2013 meet.  Here's our pick for the top 5 moments from 2013 at the Spa as we enter closing weekend

5 - Wise Dan, Fourstardave (G2)

The reigning Horse of the Year recipient came to the Fourstardave Handicap on Saturday, August 10th, looking to remain strong on his path to the Breeder's Cup Mile.

Carrying 12 pounds more than the competition, Wise Dan did not disappoint his backers through a stretch drive gaining on front-running King Kreesa.  Wise Dan's win was his 8th in a row, and 13th out of 15 starts.  

4 - Brazen Persuasion & Bahnah, Schuylerville (G3)

Six furlongs wasn't enough as these two 2 year old fillies hit the wire together in a head-bob finish on opening day of the 2013 Saratoga Race Course meet.  

Yes Liz was trying to set up the race for her stablemate, Elena Strikes, by dueling with Brazen Persuasion through the race's opening 3 furlongs.  As Yes Liz tired, Elena Strikes started to give chase, but Brazen Persuasion still had something left in the tank.

Bahnah then caught up to the pace-setter, entering a head-bob duel to the wire.  But at the wire, Bahnah was unable to stick enough head in front, as the photo showed both horses touching the wire together for the dead heat.

3 - Laughing, Diana (G1)

Laughing survives many challenges in the Grade I Diana.

Laughing turned aside her early duelers, then won the race to the wire with Stephanie's Kitten and Dream Peace trying to catch the 5 year old Mare.  The win would be Laughing's second win of 2013.  She would later go on to win the Ballston Spa Cup (G2) on the Travers Day undercard, narrowly beating a late-closing Pianist by a neck.

2 - Cross Traffic, Whitney (G1)
Cross Traffic goes wire-to-wire for his first Graded Stakes victory.

After a tough break resulted in a second place finish in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park, Cross Traffic proved that he deserves to play with the Grade I horses with a front-running victory piloted by John Velazquez.

Cross Traffic saw some pressure late by Successful Dan, but was able to hold on by 3/4 lengths at the wire. Last year's winner, Fort Larned, was unable to duplicate his success from the previous year and finished a disappointing 5th.

1 - Will Take Charge, Travers (G1)

The Travers and Whitney always provide great races, and it's always tough to choose between the two when it comes to one of the best races of the Spa meet.  Last year it was easy - Alpha and Golden Ticket's dead heat made the Travers the best race of the 2012 meet.

This year's nod goes to the Travers because of yet another exciting finish, this time thanks to Moreno, Orb and Will Take Charge.  The latter of the three was sitting three lengths back at the 1/16th pole, then gained a strong surge that allowed him to pilot past Moreno and Orb, winning the photo by a well-defined nose.

Will Take Charge came into the race after an inspiring 2nd place finish in the Jim Dandy (G2), finishing 2nd behind Palace Malice. The win was his second graded stakes win, coming in the Rebel (G2) back in March at Oaklawn Park.  Will Take Charge ran all three races of the Triple Crown, however faring no better than 7th in the Preakness.

With a strong lineup of races this weekend, it's possible any of the remaining 45 races could knock off these 5.  But entering closing weekend, these five are prime examples of why Saratoga Race Course is the Summer Place to Be.

Midday Recap: MLB Squeezes Juiced Up Players

Well, by now you already know what the big story today is.

The hammer comes down as 13 players are suspended in the Major League Baseball Biogenesis investigation.  Unsurprising, Alex Rodriguez gets the stiffest penalty, suspended through the end of the 2014 season, which he is appealing.

The appeal allows A-Rod to continue playing for the Yankees during the appeals process, which is expected to last for the remainder of the 2013 season.  Because of that, the Yankee 3rd baseman was in the lineup, batting clean-up as the Yankees visited the Chicago White Sox.

Greeted by a roar of boos from the home crowd, A-Rod went 1 for 4, including a strikeout, as Andy Pettitte allowed 7 runs on 11 hits in the Yankees 8-1 loss.

Associated Press

The other 12 suspended for 50 games include Jordany Valdespin, whose animated personality frustrated Mets players and management, especially earlier this season when he got into an argument when being told he was going to be sent down to Triple-A Las Vegas.  Cesar Puello, who is on the Mets 40-man roster and was batting .328 with the Double-A team in Binghamton, also received a 50 game suspension.

Francisco Cervelli of the Yankees also took a 50 game suspension.  Cervelli was batting .269 with three home runs in his 17 games as catcher.

The suspensions make up the largest quantity of off-field suspensions since Major League Baseball handed its suspensions in the 1919 World Series fix attempt.

But the Biogenesis suspensions isn't the only news from yesterday.  The Los Angeles Dodgers are closer to history with their 15th road win in a row.  Adam Wainwright gave up two hits in his first three innings, but found himself in trouble in the 4th inning when he walked Adrian Gonzalez, surrendered a double to Yasiel Puig, and then gave up a single to Andre Ethier that brought Gonzalez home.  An A.J. Ellis ground out yielded the inning's first out, but also a run as Puig came home on the force play.

Pitcher Zack Greinke contributed to his own cause with a single in the 7th inning to score Nick Punto.  It was important that he did, as the Cardinals would get one back in the bottom half of the inning as Adron Cambers scores on a Allen Craig ground out to get back within 1.

The Cardinals gained one more base runner in the 8th when David Freese was hit by a pitch to lead off, but he was taken out as Tony Cruz hit into the inning-ending double play, and the Dodgers would go on to win 3-2.

Zack Greinke's 100th win comes as the Dodgers build a 6 game cushion over Arizona for the top spot in the National League West, and helps extend the Dodgers road win streak to 15.  The 15 road wins ties the Dodgers for 3rd all-time, two back of the all-time record held by both the 1916 New York Giants and the 1984 Detroit Tigers.

And finally a belated congratulations to the winning connections of Cross Traffic, winner of Saturday's Whitney Invitational.  John Velazquez teamed up with trainer Todd Pletcher to ride the lightly-raced horse, who heading into the race had only 4 starts.  But now, at 5 starts, the 4 year old horse will have a spot reserved for him in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Don't Forget: The Buffalo Bills start their 2013 Preseason as they travel to Indianapolis to face Andrew Luck and the Colts this Sunday.  Kickoff is at 1:30PM live on 1410 CBS Sports Radio.

Midday Recap: Wheeler wheels and deals into the 7th, Whitney field drawn

Another game, another walkoff for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Meanwhile, their AL counterparts have a wild game in Texas.  Jake Peavy's heading from one Sox to another.  And today's the draw for the Whitney.

But the big story this morning is Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler, and his flirtation with a no-hitter last night.  For 6 innings, Wheeler looked good as he kept the Marlins at bay, allowing only two base runners by way of walks.  After getting Giancarlo Stanton to strike out, Wheeler then gave up a walk to Logan Morrison, then Ed Lucas broke up the no-hit bid with a single to right, as four straight Marlins reached base as they plated two runs to tie the game.  But after a visit to the mound by the Mets pitching coach, Wheeler returned his focus and got Jeff Mathis to ground into a double play, allowing him to escape the inning.

But those two runs yielded a no-decision for Wheeler.  Marlon Byrd tripled to lead-off the 8th, but was stranded after Ike Davis struck out, John Buck grounded to 3rd to keep Byrd where he was, and Omar Quintanilla struck out after a Juan Lagares walk.

After a scoreless 9th, David Wright led off the 10th with a single, and Marlon Byrd singled after Giancarlo Stanton was unable to scoop in the ball on a diving play.  Ike Davis walked to load the bases, and John Buck made up for his ground out in the 8th with a 2-run single to center field.

So armed with a two run lead, Bobby Parnell made things a little easier for Mets fans by getting the first two hitters to ground out.  But a walk to Christian Yelich allowed the tying run to come to the plate.  Not tonight, Marlins fans, as Yelich would be stranded on a Adeiny Hechavarria ground out.

Wheeler only needed 87 pitches to get through his 7 innings of work, in which he struck out 5 and walked 3.  The two runs he allowed on three hits brought his season's ERA to 3.55.

SAME OL', DIFFERENT DAY
For the 2nd straight game, both the Yankees and the Dodgers were involved in walk-offs.  For the Yankees, however, they were the victim of one as the Los Angeles Dodgers walked-off in the 9th inning off a Mark Ellis single.

Tied 2-2 in the 9th inning, Andre Ethier singled to left.  Then as Mark Ellis was batting, Ethier put himself closer as he steals 2nd base.  Then on a 3-2 count with 2 men out, Shawn Kelley delivered a slider that Ellis got a piece of.  Kelley delivered another slider, which Ellis got enough of to drive to center, scoring Ethier to win the game.

The Dodgers walked off against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday when Yasiel Puig homered in the 11th inning to break a scoreless tie.  Earlier in the day, the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays when Alfonso Soriano singled to win their game in the bottom of the 9th inning.

WEARING OUT HOME PLATE
The Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers combine for 25 total runs as the two teams duke it out until the 10th inning.

The scoring started early as Mark Trumbo homers to center field, scoring Mike Trout for the 2-0 Los Angeles lead.  But Texas struck back, scoring on an Ian Kinsler single and tying the game on a Nelson Cruz single.

Mike Trout would get the Angels back on top with a single to left to score Erick Aybar for the 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the 3rd.  But Los Angeles was unable to maintain the lead, as C.J. Wilson got into trouble, and further caused more trouble when his wild pitch scored Nelson Cruz.  Craig Gentry would give Texas the lead, 5-3, with his 2-run single.

After Adrian Beltre singled to widen the gap to 6-3, former Met Collin Cowgill homered to lead off the Los Angeles 5th, pulling the Angels back within two.

Then in the 7th inning, Josh Hamilton unloaded the bases with a 3-run double to give the Angels a  7-6 lead.  But Texas answers back with Elvis Andrus's single, tying the game at 7-7.

Los Angeles would take the lead again in the 8th inning as Erick Aybar grounds out, allowing Kole Calhoun to score.  Howie Kendrick brings home J.B. Shuck and Collin Cowgill, and Mike Trout comes home on a Josh Hamilton single.  The four run inning made the score 11-7, but it wouldn't last as Geovany Soto hit a 3-run homer in the 8th inning to pull Texas within 1, then with two outs in the 9th, Adrian Beltre singled home Ian Kinsler to tie the game and to force extra innings.

After a scoreless top half, the Angels walked the first two Rangers, who advanced to 2nd and 3rd on a David Murphy ground-out.  But their position didn't matter as Leonys Martin brought everyone home with his 6th of the season, giving the Rangers the 14-11 win in 10 innings.

The two teams combined for 35 hits.  Every batter for Texas touched the bases, as the only one who didn't have a hit, Engle Beltre, came in to run for Nelson Cruz in the 8th inning.

14 pitchers in all were used.

TRADING SOX
In a three-team trade, Chicago White Sox Jake Peavy is changing his socks to those of the Boston Red Sox.  In the deal announced late last night, Peavy will head to Boston, who will send Jose Iglesias to the Detroit Tigers, who will in turn send Avisail Garcia to the White Sox.

In 13 games this season, Peavy is 8-4 with a 4.28 ERA.  He's struck out 76 and granted 18 free passes via 17 walks and 1 hit batter.  Against the Mets in May, Peavy went 6 2/3rd innings, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 6 as he allowed one lone run in the winning decision.

Peavy has spent some time in June and early July on the disabled list with a rib injury, but has won his two starts since his return.

WHITNEY DRAWING
And finally, post positions have been drawn for this Saturday's Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.  A field of 8 is set to run in the 86th running of the midsummer prep for the Breeder's Cup Classic.

In post position order:
1 - Successful Dan - 12/1 - The 4th place finisher in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.
2 - Mucho Macho Man - 6/1 - Last year's runner up in the Woodward Stakes.
3 - Fort Larned - 7/5 - Resume includes wins in the Stephen Foster Handicap, last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, and last year's Whitney.
4 - Cross Traffic - 5/2 - Only has four races to his resume, but all four he has finished 1st and 2nd in.  Was the runner up in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont in May.
5 - Ron The Greek - 6/1 - Last year's runner up to Fort Larned in the Whitney.  Finished 4th in the Breeders' Cup Classic, and finished 3rd in this year's Stephen Foster.
6 - Alpha - 10/1 - Co-winner of last year's Travers Stakes, will try to continue his perfect 3-for-3 record at the Spa.
7 - Csaba - 20/1 - Entered the race after an overnight stakes he was slated to run in didn't fill, comes out of a 3rd place finish in the Salvator Mile at Monmouth.
8 - Fast Falcon - 15/1 - Hasn't won since a Maiden at Pimlico last year, comes out of a 3rd place finish in the Suburban Handicap and the Brooklyn Handicap, both at Belmont.

Post time for the Grade I Whitney is scheduled for 5:45PM.  If you're unable to make it to Saratoga, the race will air locally on WNYT, Channel 13.