Challenge for NYRA, PJ Campo

[richiebee]

Saturday is Travers Day, and the feature event looks to have a full field of
quality 3YOs which should make for a great betting race. A glance at the
extended weather forecast for next week (as far as it can be trusted) shows a
dry week coming up and no reason why the conditions shouldn\'t be track fast,
turf firm.

Big Brown and his traveling Drug and Pony show will not be there, which is a
shame from where I sit because whether BB was trying to make a quick return
from the Haskell or running his first race after his bizarre Belmont, he would
have been a very short priced absolute bet against (just one man\'s opinion).

Here is my challenge: You are, I presume, running a 12 race card (because
nothing succeeds like excess): Lets say that there are no more than 2 maiden
races on this card,one of which should be for 2YOs. Lets say that there is only
one 5-1/2 furlong turf sprint. Lets say that there is no more than one NYB race
on the entire card. Lets say that we try to utilize all possible distances on
dirt and turf to provide horseplayers with some variety, maybe even run a
starter handicap at 1-1/4 miles so the figure makers can\'t whine that it was
difficult to make a figure for the Travers.

New York Racing has been dreadful this year. The poor weather and the lack of a
permanent deal with the state are realities, but should not be used as excuses.
I think the only reason that horseplayers such as myself stick with the NYRA
product is that racing has become equally or more dreadful in other venues.

Its up to you, New York (Racing Association). There is a lot of quality
horseflesh stabled at NYRA facilities and other racetracks near and far. Write
the right kind of races and they (the horses and the horseplayers) will come.

[jbelfior]

richiebee:


With NYRA\'s luck, the rain from Tropical Storm Faye (now near Florida) will be knocking at Saratoga\'s door on Saturday morning.



Good Luck,
Joe B.

[mlnolan00]

Haha, very true about the storm.

I like Ritchie\'s idea about the 1 1/4 starter race.  Did they run a 2 mile dirt race last year at the Spa?  That was fun.  I\'d rather see that than eight 5 1/2f. turf sprints every friggin day.

[hooper]

TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY -- SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2008
(Entries Close on Wednesday, August 20, 2008)
1 FIRST RACE ALLOWANCE
Purse $78,000. (Up to $14,820 NYSBFOA) For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never
Won A Race Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Or Restricted or Which Have Never Won
Two Races.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
Non-winners Of $19,200 At A Mile Or Over On The Turf Since June 23
Allowed 2 lbs.
(Races Where Entered For $50,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
(Preference by condition eligibility).
ONE MILE AND ONE SIXTEENTH (TURF)
2 SECOND RACE MAIDEN
Purse $72,000. (Up to $13,680 NYSBFOA) For Maidens, Two Years Old.
Weight 119 lbs.
SIX FURLONGS
3 THIRD RACE MAIDEN
Purse $73,000. (Up to $13,870 NYSBFOA) For Maidens, Three Years Old and Upward.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
ONE MILE AND ONE SIXTEENTH (TURF)
4􀀄
FOURTH RACE MAIDEN
Purse $66,000. For Maidens, Two Years Old foaled in New York State and approved by the
New York State-Bred Registry.
Weight 119 lbs.
SIX FURLONGS
5 FIFTH RACE ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING
Purse $77,000. (Up to $14,630 NYSBFOA) For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never
Won A Race Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Or Restricted or Which Have Never Won
Two Races or Optional Claiming Price Of $75,000 for Three Year Olds.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 123 lbs.
Non-winners Of $24,000 Since June 23 Allowed 2 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $75,000
(Races Where Entered For $50,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
SIX FURLONGS
6 SIXTH RACE ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING
Purse $79,000. (Up to $15,010 NYSBFOA) For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never
Won Two Races Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Or Restricted or Which Have Never
Won Three Races or Optional Claiming Price Of $50,000.
Three Year Olds 120 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
Non-winners Of $24,000 Since June 23 Allowed 2 lbs.
Non-winners Of A Race Since Then 3 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $50,000
(Races Where Entered For $35,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
SEVEN FURLONGS
7 SEVENTH RACE HANDICAP STAKE
The 50th Running of
THE BERNARD BARUCH
Grade II
$200,000(Up to $34,000 NYSBFOA)
A HANDICAP FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $200 each, which
should accompany the nomination; $1,000 to pass the entry box, $1,000 to start. The purse to be
divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided
equally among remaining finishers. TURF Weights Sunday, August 17. DIRT Weights: Three year
olds, 120 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. Non-winners of a Graded Sweepstake on the dirt in 2007-08 allowed 2
lbs.; $40,000 on the dirt in 2007-08, 4 lbs.; four races on the dirt, 6 lbs.; three races on the dirt, 8 lbs.
(Maiden, claiming and starter races not considered). Starters to be named at the closing time of
entries. A Trophy will be presented to the winning owner. The New York Racing Association
reserves the right to transfer this race to the Main Track. In the event that this race is taken off the
turf, it may be subject to downgrading upon review by the Graded Stakes Committee.
Nominations Close Saturday, August 9, 2008
ONE MILE AND ONE FURLONG (TURF)
8 EIGHTH RACE STAKES
The 6th Running of
THE VICTORY RIDE
Grade III
$100,000 Added(Up to $19,000 NYSBFOA)
FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. By subscription of $100 which should accompany the
nomination. A supplemental nomination fee of $1,000 may be made at time of entry. $500 to enter
and $500 to start, with $100,000 added. All entrants will be required to pay entry and starting fees.
The added money and all fees to be divided 60% to the owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to
third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among remaining finishers. 123 lbs.
Non-winners of a Graded Sweepstake in 2008 allowed 3 lbs.; A sweepstake; or three races, 5 lbs.;
two races, 7 lbs. (Maiden, claiming, starter and restricted allowance races not considered). Starters
to be named at the closing time of entries. A presentation will be made to the winning owner.
Nominations Close Saturday, August 9, 2008
SIX FURLONGS
9 NINTH RACE STAKES
The 24th Running of
THE NETJETS KING\'S BISHOP
Grade I
$250,000(Up to $37,500 NYSBFOA)
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. By subscription of $250 each, which should accompany the
nomination; $1,250 to pass the entry box, $1,250 to start. The purse to be divided 60% to the
winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among
remaining finishers. 123 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade 1 in 2008; or a Grade 2 twice in 2008 allowed
2 lbs.; a Grade 1 or Grade 2, 4 lbs.; A sweepstake, or three races, 6 lbs. (Maiden, claiming, starter
or restricted allowance races not considered). Starters to be named at the closing time of entries.
Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. NetJets wishes to give $50,000
in flight service time to the winning owner of the NetJets King\'s Bishop Stakes.
Nominations Close Saturday, August 9, 2008
SEVEN FURLONGS
25
10 TENTH RACE STAKES
The 139th Running of
THE TRAVERS
PRESENTED BY SHADWELL FARM
Grade I
$1,000,000(Up to $70,000 NYSBFOA)
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. By subscription of $1,000 each, which should accompany the
nomination; $5,000 to pass the entry box, $5,000 to start. The purse to be divided 60% to the
winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among
remaining finishers. 126 lbs. Any horse that competes int the Jim Dandy and runs back in the
Travers will have their subscription fees for the Travers waived (total value $11,000). Starters to be
named at the closing time of entries. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and
jockey.
Nominations Close Saturday, August 9, 2008
ONE MILE AND ONE QUARTER
11 ELEVENTH RACE ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING
Purse $80,000. (Up to $15,200 NYSBFOA) For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never
Won Two Races Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Or Restricted or Which Have Never
Won Three Races or Optional Claiming Price Of $50,000.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
Non-winners Of $26,000 At A Mile Or Over On The Turf Since June 23
Allowed 2 lbs.
CLAIMING PRICE $50,000
(Races Where Entered For $35,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
(Preference by condition eligibility).
ONE MILE AND ONE SIXTEENTH (TURF)
12
􀀄
TWELFTH RACE ALLOWANCE
Purse $71,000. For Three Year Olds and Upward foaled in New York State and approved by
the New York State-Bred Registry Which Have Never Won A Race Other Than Maiden,
Claiming, Or Starter or Which Have Never Won Two Races.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 123 lbs.
Non-winners Of $24,000 Since June 23 Allowed 2 lbs.
(Races Where Entered For $35,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
SIX FURLONGS
S1
􀀄
SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 1 ALLOWANCE
Purse $72,000. For Three Year Olds and Upward foaled in New York State and approved by
the New York State-Bred Registry Which Have Never Won A Race Other Than Maiden,
Claiming, Or Starter or Which Have Never Won Two Races.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
Non-winners Of $24,000 At A Mile Or Over On The Turf Since June 23
Allowed 2 lbs.
(Races Where Entered For $35,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
(Preference by condition eligibility).
ONE MILE AND ONE SIXTEENTH (TURF)
S2 SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 2 MAIDEN
Purse $72,000. (Up to $13,680 NYSBFOA) For Maidens, Three Years Old and Upward.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
SEVEN FURLONGS
S3
􀀄
SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 3 MAIDEN
Purse $67,000. For Maidens, Three Years Old and Upward foaled in New York State and
approved by the New York State-Bred Registry.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
ONE MILE AND ONE SIXTEENTH (TURF)
S4 SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 4 ALLOWANCE
Purse $77,000. (Up to $14,630 NYSBFOA) For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never
Won A Race Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter, Or Restricted or Which Have Never Won
Two Races.
Three Year Olds 119 lbs. Older 122 lbs.
Non-winners Of $24,000 On The Turf Since June 23 Allowed 2 lbs.
(Races Where Entered For $50,000 Or Less Not Considered In Allowances).
(Preference by condition eligibility).
FIVE AND ONE HALF FURLONGS (MELLON TURF)
S5 SUBSTITUTE RACE NO 5 MAIDEN
Purse $72,000. (Up to $13,680 NYSBFOA) For Maidens, Two Years Old.
Weight 118 lbs.
FIVE AND ONE HALF FURLONGS (MELLON TURF)
26

[richiebee]

Hooper:

Thanks for reproducing the Condition Book, which is available at NYRA\'s website.

Things will be pretty ugly if the need to use the substitute races, no?

Only 4 of the 17 total listed races (12 plus 5 subs) limited to NYBs; what a
shame if all of them end up being used.

[trackjohn]

Official NWS forecast for Saratoga region for Saturday

\"All the models
keep Fay on the south or west wide of the large 500hpa ridge over
region through Sat. This will just increase the subsidence under
the ridge. Essentially if Fay\'s moisture ever gets here it will be
ahead of sundays cold front or later. Went with gmos. That brings
slight chance thunderstorms in for Sat nt and chance on Sunday.\"

Translation...At this point in time, the rain from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Fay will be west of the region and not (at this time) affect the region until, at the earliest, Sunday, if at all.