Columnist Ralph Siraco: Del Mar, Saratoga take center stage for summer

Ralph Siraco

Monday, July 21, 2003 | 9:54 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Although the temperature has pushed through triple-digits with regularity recently here, most horseplayers define summer by the calendar of race meetings.

So for race players, summer officially starts Wednesday when two of the most popular and prestigious meetings get under way.

In Southern California, Del Mar will ring in a 43-day summer session while in upstate New York, historic Saratoga will start a 36-day stand. Each track represents a summer spa getaway from the daily routine at the major racing centers.

Number 5 suntan lotion, a loaded ATM and the hope of good weather will be the sentiment of the day on Wednesday. Here in the Las Vegas race books, attendance and interest will be noticeably higher and the action will stay fast-paced during a six-day race week for both meetings.

Many Las Vegas transplants from Southern California find their way to Del Mar for the season. Some stay for the entire meeting although most favor a quick three-day holiday from our dry heat to the breezy beach of the Pacific.

But for all raceplayers, the summer meetings will bring the cream of the crop. Del Mar and Saratoga are the starting grounds for many top 2-year-olds.

The royally bred yearling toppers at those pricey sales of Keeneland and the promising homebreds from aristocratic farms will begin or deflate dreams throughout the summer stands.

At Saratoga, expect trainers Todd Pletcher, Neil Howard, Shug McGaughey and possibly D. Wayne Lukas to march out their 'A' team of promising stars. On the left coast at Del Mar, trainer Bob Baffert will unleash his babies while his stiffest challenge in the 2-year-old category may come from a former assistant. Eoin Harty, who learned his lessons under the Baffert shedrow, brings the powerful Darley Stud Management stable of high-price 2-year-olds in for a Del Mar graduation procession.

But this year, unlike recent spa meetings, the handicap division is loaded for bear. As the first half of the year focused on the 3-year-olds and the Triple Crown, this year the summer racing will focus on the deep and talented older horse division that leads to the fall classics.

The marquee handicap races at both spa tracks could highlight vintage renewals and truly set the stage for a Breeders' Cup Classic showdown at Santa Anita during the Oak Tree meet Oct. 25.

The Aug. 2 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga could pit the strongest field assembled so far this year on the East Coast.

Harlan's Holiday, who just finished second in the Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park, has the $750,000 race as his next stop.

Trainer Bobby Frankel has marked the Whitney as the comeback race for his top pair of Milwaukee Brew and Medaglia d'Oro. Milwaukee Brew returns after becoming only the second horse in history to win more than one Santa Anita Handicap, which he repeated this year. Medaglia d'Oro comes back after an authoritative victory in the Oaklawn Handicap at Hot Springs.

Although Mineshaft, who won the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park with ease, will skip the Whitney for a freshening leading to the Breeders' Cup Classic, defending Classic winner Volponi, who was runner-up to Mineshaft in the Suburban, and recent Cornhusker winner Tenpins are expected to make the race.

The $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar is certain to bring together the best of the division west of the Mississippi.

Baffert-trained Congaree, who won the recent Hollywood Gold Cup in sensational fashion, heads the lineup for the Aug. 24 race. Frankel has indicated he will send his 3-year-old Peace Rules to Del Mar for a go at his elders along with a turnaround start for Medaglia d'Oro after the Whitney.

South American-bred Candy Ride will put his unbeaten record on the line in the Pacific Classic. A Ron McAnally-trained runner, Candy Ride is undefeated after two Hollywood Park starts and has impressed rider Gary Stevens.

Bypassing the Whitney and Pacific Classic, Perfect Drift will head for a showdown in the Breeders' Cup Classic after an ambitious start in next month's Arlington Million on the turf.

Perfect Drift recently won the Washington Park Handicap over Arlington's dirt track in impressive style. It was the second such performance as Perfect Drift took the measure of Mineshaft in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs in June.

Also, the older filly and mare division will be showcased at Del Mar, courtesy of Horse Of The Year Azeri. She is scheduled to start in the Aug. 10 Clement L. Hirsch on her way to defending the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

And, as if Frankel does not live a charmed life already, he has a Chilean import that may give Azeri all she can handle. Wild Spirit impressively won Sunday's $750,000 Delaware Handicap for her second stateside Grade II victory in as many starts. She may have to be supplemented to the Breeders' Cup and the proposition of putting up a six-figure stipend for the privilege of taking on Azeri may be something Frankel may pass on, even if she has earned the chance.

Finally, let's remember those glamour horses from the Triple Crown.

The Aug. 23 Travers Stakes at Saratoga is scheduled to be another chapter in the rivalry of Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide and Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker. The $1 million "Midsummer Derby" should attract other contenders, but those two will make it a must see event.

What a summer it's going to be.