Coach Saffie Joseph keeps saying one of these days of Daniel Alonso Skippylongstocking will win a big race.
That day came on August 6 when the son of Magnifier crossed his path to win 1/2 length 1/2 in the 1/8 mile West Virginia Derby (G3) at Climbing Park on a sloppy track.
Now come to a decision. Will Alonso and Joseph pull the trigger and run Skippylongstockng in the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers (G1) at Racecourse Saratoga on August 27th? Keep stable.
“Winning a race like this could give him a chance to race against the big boys,” Joseph said August 7 from his home base at Gulfstream Park In Florida. “(The Travers) came back a bit fast, but I don’t mind.”
The other choice would be to wait until September 24 and the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Racing Parx.
“We’re going to keep our options open,” Joseph said. “We’ll see how he does. He’ll be easy for the next six or seven days and then make a decision in 10 to 12 days.”
Skippylongstocking is scheduled to return to Joseph’s Saratoga barn from Chester, West Virginia on Sunday afternoon. Joseph had been watching the West Virginia Derby from Florida when he was back there to train horses at Gulfstream. He said he will return to Spa this weekend.
In the West Virginia Derby, Skippylongstocking, who was ridden by jockey Edwin Gonzalez from Gulfstream, beat the favorites 9-5 We who . Joseph is interested in We the People because he won Peter Pan Stakes (G2) May 14 by 10 1/4 lengths in an off-track race at Belmont Park.
Both horses ran at the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 11 with Skippylongstocking in third, three-quarters the length ahead of We the People.
The West Virginia Derby was Skippylongstocking’s first win and improved his career record to 3-2-3 in 12 starts.
“I’m a big believer in horses gaining confidence after a victory,” says Joseph. “When they run with a horse, they know, at least I think they know. To finally win one of these things is very gratifying.”
For the potential Travers field, the probabilities include The epicenter , Rich Strike , Charge it , Artorius , Cyberknife and like Iowa Ain’t Life Grand .
The list of features can start Zandon and Vote early with Skippylongstocking.
Taiba Tab Back to Work
Next target for TVG.com runner-up Haskell Stakes (G1) Taiba not sure blanket. Earlier this week, Gary Young, track manager for owner Amr Zedan, told BloodHorse the plans for Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner are “not settled yet.”
Taiba has put in its first timed job since July 23 Haskell Stakes August 6, consisting of four feather pads at: 48 at Del Mar25th fastest out of 116 works that distance.
The son of Gunman coached by Bob Baffert, who is currently suspended from racing at the New York Racing Association tracks until January 26, 2023. The ban, however, prevents Baffert or any of its employees. he entered and raced at Saratoga and two other NYRA tracks, excluding the time frame for transferring horses to another trainer. So, in theory, Taiba could continue training with Baffert in California and then be transferred to New York on Travers week and run for another trainer, as long as all the necessary paperwork is in place. properly paid at the time of entry.
Some Baffert owners have moved their horses to run with trainer John Terranova II at the Spa.
After the race, the horse can then return to the Baffert stables and once again run in the name of the Hall of Fame trainer at races that are not part of NYRA or Churchill Downs Incorporated. Baffert is also on suspension at the CDI tracks until 2023.
The last time Baffert ran a horse in both Travers and Haskell was 2019. That year, he returned to Haskell’s runner-up position. Mucho Gusto Go to the work tab on August 8, 16 days before the Summer Derby at Spa.
“Bob Baffert is disqualified from racing or training at all NYRA tracks through January 25, 2023. The New York State racing rules provide for the board of directors. authority to review, approve, or deny the transfer of horses from one trainer to another for the purpose of participating in a race,” said NYRA Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna.
When asked about the possibility of Taiba running for another coach in the Travers, manager Braulio Baeza Jr. of the New York State Gaming Commission said, “I have no comment at this time. As far as the Gaming Commission is concerned, (Baffert) is licensed and in good standing.”
