$400K carryover at Del Mar

Jay Privman,
Daily Racing Form

DEL MAR, Calif. - There is a massive one-day pick six carryover of $427,333 for Del Mar's pick six on Monday, courtesy of a guaranteed pool that was reached on Sunday, but failed to get taken down because of a slew of long shot winners.

The guaranteed pool was $750,000, but upsets, including that of Richard's Kid in the Pacific Classic, prevented anyone from stringing together all six winners. So, there is a huge amount seeding the pick six for Monday.

There is a 10-race card at Del Mar on Monday, so the pick six will begin with the fifth race. The day's feature is the eighth race, the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity. Trainer Bob Baffert, who had a huge day on Sunday with Richard's Kid in the Pacific Classic and Zensational winning the Pat O'Brien, sends out the morning-line favorite in the Futurity, Lookin At Lucky.

After racing on Monday, Del Mar is off Tuesday and returns for closing day on Wednesday. There will be a mandatory payout in the pick six on Wednesday. With big fields on Monday, it is not inconceivable that there could be a two-day carryover into Wednesday, with the mandatory payout applicable.

Saratoga carryover hits $656K for Friday

David Grening,
Daily Racing Form

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - There is a pick-six carryover of $656,442 heading into Friday's card at Saratoga after the wager went unhit for a third consecutive day. Friday began with a $209,378 carryover and an additional $805,539 was wagered into the pool.

First post Friday is 2:30 p.m. Eastern and the pick six starts with race 4, which goes off at 4:09 p.m. With beautiful weather forecast, conditions should be fast and firm for Friday. The final five races of the day are on the turf.

The carryover was assured well before the end of Thursday's card after longshots Datt Echo ($45.60), Kristi With a K ($11.60), Crossfirehurricane ($86), and Silver Reunion ($30.20) won the first four legs. A favorite finally won when West Ocean ($4.80) won the ninth, but there was already a carryover before then. West Ocean's victory gave Todd Pletcher a 17-16 lead over Linda Rice in the race for the trainer's title.

Friday's sequence is extremely challenging. It begins with a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race for New York-bred maidens on dirt and ends with a 1 3/8-miles New York-bred allowance/optional claimer on turf.

Trainer Christophe Clement figures to have a major say in the pick six with the first-time starter Pearl River (a half-sister to Incurable Optimist) in the sixth; Belle Allure in the Voodoo Dancer Stakes, which is the seventh (Clement also trained Voodoo Dancer); and Quiet on the Tee in the ninth.

'Rachel' draws post 3 for Woodward

David Grening,
Daily Racing Form

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra's run for history will appropriately begin from post position 3 when she faces seven older males for the first time in Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga. She was installed as the 1-2 favorite by New York Racing Association oddsmaker Eric Donovan.

Rachel Alexandra will attempt to become the first filly or mare to win the Woodward, which is being run for the 56th time on Saturday and has a roster of winners that includes Curlin, Cigar, Spectacular Bid, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Forego (four times), and Kelso (three times). She is also attempting to become the first 3-year-old filly to win a Grade 1 route race on dirt in the modern era.

As a 3-year-old filly, Rachel Alexandra gets in with 118 pounds, eight less than her male counterparts, who all carry 126. Regular rider Calvin Borel will be up.

Rachel Alexandra's competition will include Whitney winner Bullsbay, Stephen Foster winner Macho Again, the multiple group stakes winner Asiatic Boy, multiple stakes winner Cool Coal Man, Oaklawn Handicap winner It's a Bird, 2008 Woodward runner-up Past the Point, and 2008 Belmont Stakes winner Da' Tara.

"She gives us confidence watching her train, watching her energy level, that she can beat any horse on any given day," said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "That being said, I do feel this is the strongest group she's faced."

Fans of Rachel Alexandra

Fans of Rachel Alexandra can connect with the star 3-year-old filly on her own website, “Rachel’s Sandbox," set up by NYRA, as she prepares to try and become the first ever female winner of the prestigious Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, September 5. The multimedia site gives fans an interactive experience and allows them to keep up with the latest news and information on Rachel Alexandra as she looks to make history over the summer. Fans can view a Rachel Alexandra photo gallery, peruse career past performances and pedigree, comment on blogs and participate in a poll on the website, which also contains a “Fun Stuff” section featuring downloadable wallpaper, coloring pages, and fun facts about the fabulous filly. Fans can visit “Rachel’s Sandbox” at www.nyra.com/rachel

SARATOGA "Last Week"

It is that time of year again when I know summer is coming to an end.Saratoga's 2009 meet is in it's last week.Once again the racing was superb and Saratoga was as beautiful as ever. For anyone who knows Sratoga in the fall is just as wonderful only without the racing. But just in case you didn't know there is one more big race to enjoy this coming weekend. The Woodward which we once again, get to see the Great Rachel Alexandra run against the boys. I hope to be on hand for this race for I have once again become star struck by this massive beauty. I haven't felt this way about a horse since Ruffian and never thought I would again. Go "RACHAEL"