Five weeks of racing at Saratoga Race Course are in the books, leaving three more weeks to go at the most prestigious meet in the land.
Frankie Dettori
Saratoga Leaders: Irad Ortiz, Chad Brown on Top after Five Weeks
Gaffalione, meanwhile, is having a terrific meet with his 26 victories coming from 133 starts for a 20% win rate. He’s finished second 17 times and third 25 times for an in-the-money rate of 51%.
Prat, too, is enjoying success at the Spa: his 25 victories from 129 starts with 23 seconds and 12 thirds for an in-the-money rate of 47%.
On the downside, the renowned Frankie Dettori has just three wins from 31 starts at his first Spa meet.
Riding full-time in the U.S. after deciding not to retire after a sensational run in Europe, Dettori is simply not getting top mounts. The best jockeys in the country ride here and trainers like to stick with their regular riders in most cases.
Others having a tough time getting to the winner’s circle include Hall of Famers Javier Castellano (8-for-81, 10%), John Velazquez (8-for-65, 12%), and Joel Rosario (8-for-84, 10%), and Luis Saez (11-for-108, 10%).
The trainers: Brown on way to another title; Maker a surprise second
Brown is having another stellar season at the Spa. From 90 starts, the native of Mechanicville (near Saratoga Springs), has 21 wins, 15 seconds, and nine thirds for an in-the-money rate of 50%. He’s winning at a 23% clip.
Brown shared the meet title with Linda Rice at 23 wins apiece in 2023 and won five of the past seven Spa training titles outright. Considered among the world’s top turf trainers, Brown has won 10 of 49 starts on turf (20%) and 11 of 41 starts on dirt (27%). His average win payoff is a decent $8.80.
Chad Brown. NYRA Photo.
Maker, a Kentucky circuit trainer gearing up for the Kentucky Downs turf meet starting Aug. 29, has enjoyed five solid weeks in upstate New York. From 73 starts, he’s 15-4-11 for a 41% in-the-money rate.
Saratoga is the most famous racetrack, and I love everything about it. We don’t come in here with any goals. Everyone here is so competitive. You are lucky to get one (win),’’ Maker told thoroughbreddailynews.com.
Pletcher, 14 times atop the Spa trainer standings, has 70 starts with a ledger of 14-7-10 (44% in-the-money). Among his winners are Fierceness (Grade 2 Jim Dandy) and Showcase (G2 Saratoga Special).
Brad Cox is eighth in the trainer standings with six wins from 32 starts, while Christophe Clement has three wins (all on the turf) from 40 starts (31 on the turf), an 8% win rate.