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.
Some familiar names sit atop the leaderboard at Saratoga
Looking at the showcase races over the final weeks at the Spa, there’s the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies on Aug. 17, the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds on Aug. 24, and the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) for 3-year-olds and up on Sept. 1.
For those who bet horse racing, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the leading jockeys and trainers from July 11-Aug. 11.
As usual, Irad Ortiz, Jr. tops all riders with 33 victories, with Tyler Gaffalione second at 26 wins, and Flavien Prat third with 25 wins.
And, as usual, Chad Brown tops all trainers with 21 victories, including a trio of Grade 1s – the Test (Ways and Means), the Diana (Whitebeam), and the Fourstardave (Carl Spackler). Mike Maker is second with 15 wins, with Todd Pletcher third at 14 wins.
The jockeys: Ortiz keeps rolling along; Dettori not faring well
Ortiz, seeking his third straight Saratoga riding title and sixth overall, carries a 21% win rate with his 33 victories from 158 starts. He’s finished second 21 times and third 20 times for an in-the-money rate of 47%.
More than half of his wins (18) have come aboard favorites; he’s 20-for-100 (20%) in dirt races and 13-for-58 (22%) in turf races. Overall, his average winning payoff on a $2 bet is $7.60.
Frankie Dettori
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.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
