Between Clubs...

Tweet Anyone who has played golf has endured the dreaded "between clubs" dilemma. For me it's 120 yards out where I'm between my pitching wedge and nine iron and it usually drives me crazy trying to decide which club to hit (the hard wedge or the easy nine). Gayego, the 2008 Derby hopeful, returned to the races Monday at Saratoga on Monday, winning an $61K allowance optional claiming race going six furlongs.

Richard Mettee, Godolphin's North American racing manager said his ideal distance sprinting is seven furlongs, so the Vosburgh (G1) on October 3 at Belmont Park would likely pit him in against Fabulous Strike at six furlongs, and a trip to California to run in the Ancient Title (G1) on October 11 at the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita would mean facing Zensational on a synthetic surface. “Which one would you rather do?,” Mettee asked. “You pick your poison. Against the good horses, he’s going to need seven (furlongs). He’s kind of a tricky horse to place. He’s won on synthetic. There are races at Keeneland.” One possible long-term goal that has been mentioned is the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, which will be run on the Pro-Ride synthetic surface at Santa Anita. Gayego is clearly between clubs. Let's hope he tries what should shape up to be a very competitive BC Dirt Mile.

I'm definitely having Saratoga withdrawal after a fun couple of days last week. Today was bombs away with some big payouts creating a $178K Pick Six carryover into Thursday's card. Another point in the Toga Party contest becomes available on Saturday for the 129th running of the Alabama Stakes (G1), which has attracted a couple of talented fillies from the Great White North in Careless Jewel, winner of the Delaware Oaks (G2) and Milwaukee Appeal, runnerup of the Prince of Wales in a photo at Fort Erie. Woodbine regular jockey Rob Landry will make a rare appearance at the Spa to ride the Jewel. It will be the first Alabama I'll miss in four years, as I will be watching from the Nittany mountains this weekend. It's shaping up to be a very good race, remember last year Music Note and Proud Spell scared off all comers and it was a four horse race by post time.

Mettee quote source: NYRA Communications