Bob Baffert is taking nothing for granted as his Triple Crown hero American Pharoah tackles the Travers Stakes at Saratoga tonight.

The trainer has saddled just one winner of the Grade One feature, with Point Given claiming the prize after landing the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, although he missed out on the Triple Crown as he could only finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby.

American Pharoah has outstripped the achievements of Point Given in becoming the first winner of all three Classics since 1978 and subsequently added the Haskell Invitational to his tally at Monmouth, winning by just over two lengths under a very tight rein earlier this month.

Keen Ice chased him home and tries his luck again, as does the third-placed Upstart.

Frosted and Tale Of Verve finished second behind American Pharoah in the Belmont and Preakness respectively, while Frammento has finished behind him on a couple of occasions, but there are a handful of fresh challengers in this 10-furlong heat.

Baffert has identified last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Texas Red as a particular threat after injury forced him to miss the Classics. He landed the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga last time out.

Baffert told www.zayatstables.com: “(Texas Red) is a very nice horse; he won the Breeders’ Cup very impressively. I think (his connections) have done a great job getting him back (to the races). (Texas Red) is going to be tough. It’s not an easy race. You’ve got Frosted in there. There are the new shooters coming up. So, we’re prepared for a tough race.”

Smart Transition, King Of New York and Mid Ocean all face American Pharoah for the first time but are long shots in the ante-post market.

A crowd estimated at around 15,000 was at Saratoga on Friday morning to watch American Pharoah go through his paces. Newmarket-based trainer Hugo Palmer, whose New Providence runs in the Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes on the same card, was among those in attendance.

He said: “It’s just incredible. There were 15,000 people here to see a horse work. We don’t even get that for July Cup day at Newmarket! It’s just a great atmosphere and fantastic for racing. It would be great to have something like this at home, but that’s the advantage of metropolitan racing. A lot of people live in the area and they’ve come to see the horse work.

“We have a relatively small population in Newmarket and most of them work in racing, so they’re not going to come and see a horse like Golden Horn work on the track. They might do if it took place in Hyde Park.”

William Hill make American Pharoah 2-9 to maintain his winning streak, and 2-1 to win by six lengths or more. Spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke said: “Unbeatable, unstoppable, invincible. These are just some of the adjectives used to describe American Pharoah and if they are right then form an orderly queue to collect your winnings.”

–  At The Races.com

Picture: American Pharoah and trainer Bob Baffert

Scottsville stages a low key eight race meeting on Sunday but there are certainly one or two classy sorts stepping out and punters will be in for their usual roller coaster ride.

In the first over 1200m the pacey Whatawondafulworld went close over course and distance last time and is now better drawn. Cyclone Sassy has plenty of pace too which will help her overcome a tricky draw. Coastal Spell made a fair debut and Dennis Drier-trained horses often improve noticeably in their second runs.

Hannah’s Answer has an unfavorable high draw but has a nice turn of foot. Simla has shown enough to earn here. Gordon’s Cungee has only two lengths to find on Cyclone Sassy. Jollerie is a R250,000 Judpot filly out of a half-sister to the Listed-winning sprinter Silver Nun. Seventh Moment is a R375,000 Seventh Rock filly out of a Captain Al Listed-winning mare who won nine times from 1200-1600m.  Placid Sea is a R375,000 Maine Chance Farms-bred filly by the German-bred sire Sabiango.

In the second over 1400m Master Of Mischief comes from the strong Singh Is King formline and proved suited to this trip last time on the poly. Eleven drops back to the trip of his good debut so could earn in this generally weak field despite a tricky draw and returning from a nine month layoff. Spirit Of Dover made a breathing noise last time, but has the form to earn here.

Mustang Sonny made a fair debut over 1400m on the poly when slow away and running wide. Winter Axe could improve but has a wide draw. Colonel Bling wasn’t striding freely last time, but could earn if back to his best. Golden Tongue is by Oracy out of a three-time-winning Jallad mare from 1000-1600m.

The third is a weak maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m and Way Out Front is well drawn after two good runs against good sorts over 1200m and 1600m respectively. Eleven made a fair debut when staying on over 1400m. Golden Earings flew up after being dropped out from a wide draw last time over course and distance and is now well drawn. Princess Varunya can do well here from the front if able to overcome a wide draw. Thanda was running on over 1400m here last time. Queen Delta has always been thereabouts on the poly and could earn.

The fourth is a maiden over 1950m and Township Talk should relish the step up in trip, so is tipped to win from a good draw. Grey’s A Rockin’ is a handy type with some fair form but he always finds one to beat him. Desert Sunset will be suited to the course and distance but does have a tricky draw to overcome.

The fifth is a MR 80 Handicap over 1950m and Pioneer Spirit makes appeal being well drawn over a suitable course and distance and being by Go Deputy whose progeny come into their own as four-year-olds. His stablemate Down Under is also course and distance suited and is in good form.

Mambo Master is well drawn for his front-running style and is likely to make a bold bid. Baracah might appreciate a return to the turf and has a touch of class. Jet Avenger won well the last time he tried the course and distance and is drawn well off a three points higher merit rating. Night Lock also has a form chance.

The sixth is a MR 90 Handicap over 1400m and Duncan Howells said the classy Sabaha, who is a temperamental filly, would need the run. However, her class could still carry her to victory. Her stablemate Miss Argentina will appreciate the step down to 1400m and could be the one to pick up the pieces. Time Marches On can earn if repeating her last run over course and distance in June.

The seventh is a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and Girlfriend could be the one to side with over a course and distance that should suit her down to the ground. She returns from a layoff, but has run well fresh over this trip before and has a 4kg claimer up. Class Act has a good draw and was a facile winner of a maiden over this course and distance. She proved last time out she is worthy of her current merit rating. Lady Of Scandal is probably better than her form suggests having been backed on debut, so can’t be ignored despite a high draw.

Kadeze showed improvement with blinkers over course and distance in her penultimate and is drawn well. Preamble has won twice over course and distance and is well drawn with a 4kg claimer up. Stormy Cat is a difficult sort but has the ability to earn.

In the last over 1600m the  exciting prospect Sylvester The Cat has his final preparation before journeying to Cape Town for the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas. However, he has a wide draw and topweight to carry off a merit rating of 87 so it won’t be easy.

Ze Tsar could be the one to pick up the pieces from a good draw over a suitable distance. Roy’s Ambassador needed his last run and can do well here if settling from a good draw. Buck Shot bounced back to form last time and is also a contender. Bold Attitude could earn if jumping on terms. Pure Valor is a fair sort and can’t be ignored.

By David Thiselton 

Picture: Pioneer Spirit (Nkosi Hlophe)

Donavan Mansour is moving from Johannesburg to Cape Town and he rides at Kenilworth tomorrow for the first time since his apprenticeship days.

He has five rides and three of the four for Joey Ramsden are owned or part-owned by Markus Jooste. Indeed it is at the suggestion of the latter’s racing manager that Mansour is coming south.

“Donavan is a good rider and I told him that there is a great opportunity for a lightweight jock in Cape Town at the moment,” says Derek Brugman while stressing that there is no commitment.

Mansour, a member of the Peters commentating family (Sheldon is a cousin and Craig is his uncle), calculates that he has ridden some 350 winners and rates this year’s Senor Santa Handicap on Dollar Dazzler his biggest win so far.

Now he has to reacquaint himself with the often-tricky Kenilworth course: “It was years ago that I rode here. The meeting was partly rained off but I had a winner for Basil Marcus. I also rode at Durbanville once and rode a winner there too.”

He should give Ramsden, 47 yesterday, a belated birthday present with Hard Day’s Night in the Solid Doors Maiden because this colt has looked a certain future winner on both his starts.  He is well drawn and looks nailed on.

Mansour also has a good chance on Capstone Von Kluh in the Buco Divided Handicap and this one is worth an each way interest if you can get anywhere near the 7-1 quoted in the TAB sheet forecast.

However the one they all have to beat in this 1 400m race is top weight Panga Panga who finished like a train last time after stumbling at the start and losing a lot of ground. The only thing against Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount is that the handicappers also saw what happened and have raised him a kilo.

Justin Snaith was out of luck here last Saturday but he should waste no time in gaining compensation because Brilliant Idea stands out in the opening Status Insight Maiden despite being drawn 14 of 20. At recent meetings the penetrometer analysis has repeatedly shown a definite advantage for those drawn towards the inside in sprint races. Newcomers Flying Monarch and Moonlight ‘N Roses (even though badly drawn) may present the biggest threats.

Snaith’s recent winners Ovidio and Bianzino appeal in the Matus Handicap 35 minutes later even though both have been raised 2.5kg. After Bianzino made all a fortnight ago the former champion trainer advised “he is not going to stop here” and pointed to the special polo bit that had improved the horse by giving more room for his tongue so that he no longer fights for his head. Xavier Carstens mount gets the vote.

BLOB Michael Clower tipped 10-1 winner Even Better last Saturday and has won with five of his nine selections at the last two Cape Town meetings to show a R172.50 profit on a R10 level stake.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Donavan Mansour (Nkosi Hlophe)

Champion apprentice Craig Zackey will represent South Africa for the second year running at the Asian Young Guns Challenge, which will be held in Korea this year on Saturday (August 29).

South Africa hosted the Challenge last year when Zackey and Franklin Maleking represented South Africa.

Riders from South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore will ride in the four-race challenge at Seoul Racecourse.

The concept was developed in 2009 by the Victoria Racing Club to bring the leading apprentice jockeys from Asia-Pacific racing countries together to compete against each other. It provides young, talented riders with the opportunity to gain international experience and develop their skills, relationships and experience on the world stage at world-class venues.

Johannesburg-based Zackey is in the final year of his apprenticeship and won the champion apprentice title for the first time in the 2014-15 racing season, riding 58 winners compared to second-placed Ryan Munger’s 44.

He will be accompanied by former top jockey and current riding master Stephen Jupp.

www.tabnews.co.za

Picture: Craig Zackey (Nkosi Hlophe)

The future looks bright for champion trainer Sean Tarry with nearly half of his record stakes haul last season earned by six promising three-year-olds.

Tarry’s horses earned R25,924,950 last season and R11,965,900 came courtesy of French Navy (R3,119,125), Siren’s Call (R2,571,875), Legal Eagle (R1,651,875), Zambezi River (R1,387,500), Carry On Alice (R1,103,750) and Tamaanee (R1,049,500).

Of those millionaires, only Tamaanee will not race on as a four-year-old. She has been retired to stud.

Tarry is still mulling over his plans for the other five and is not thinking much further ahead than the J&B Met in Cape Town in January: “They are on a break for their African horse sickness vaccinations and until they’ve been back and I know who’s on-song I won’t be making any firm plans,” he said. “So far it’s all good.”

The first big feature-race up is the final running of Africa’s richest race on sand, the R1-million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP, at the end of next month. The main preparatory races for that Grade 2 event take place at the Vaal this weekend, the August Stakes and the Sandy Beach Stakes.

Tarry will field 2012 winner Across The Ice and Jade Vine in the August Stakes over 1200m and Crystal’s Revenge, who he expects to need a run, in the Sandy Beach Stakes.

“Across The Ice is drawn widest of all and has a massive task, but he runs at them late. He’s nine now but did nothing wrong for most of last season. He’s a warrior. He’s certainly healthy, well and sound and has been a wonderful servant to the yard. When he shows he’s not enjoying his racing anymore, we’ll find him a good home. He’ll make somebody very happy.

“The interesting one is Jade Vine, who is running here instead of the Sandy Beach Stakes because she drew badly there and I thought I’d take a chance from a decent draw,” he said. The Woodland Sprint winner has not raced since March and Tarry added: “This might be coming a bit soon for her. She was supposed to prep a fortnight ago but the race was cancelled due to lack of support which hampered our plans. Let’s hope it hasn’t affected her. She’s running now against males and it’s hard to expect too much. Let’s see how she goes. If she does well needing it, I know there’s scope for improvement.”

Tarry is hoping French Navy will be forward enough for the Charity Mile at the end of October. “I have a host of horses who could be entered there, though.”

His plans will hinge on whether he takes French Navy or Legal Eagle to Cape Town with the Met in their sights. “I’m not going to send both to Cape Town. I still have to decide which will be my SANSUI Summer Cup horse and which will be my Met horse. I do have a few other thoughts on the Summer Cup at the end of November, but they will have to qualify and get there sound.”

Siren’s Call, who came within a head of winning the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara this year, had surgery to remove a chip in a fetlock joint after running in the Daily News 2000. “She came through well and comes back next month,” said Tarry.

She is likely to be on the float to Cape Town, among the 15 horses the trainer plans to send south for the Sizzling Summer Season and will target the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes before a decision is made whether to run her in the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes or the Met. “I’m leaning towards keeping her in fillies’ company this season, but it’ll depend on how she does in the Paddock Stakes,” Tarry said.

Cape possibilities he has also pencilled in are Carry On Alice, Zambezi River, Willow Magic, who was beaten only 0.75 lengths by Legislate in the Gold Challenge last season, and Gold Onyx.

Aged eight, Gold Onyx is another of the trainer’s old warriors. “He enjoyed last season there, placing in both the Met and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, but if he doesn’t find form there and shows signs of not enjoying himself this season, we could retire him. At this stage he’s sound and well.

“It’s amazing, if you look at him and Across The Ice. I’ve got three-year-olds who aren’t in as good a shape as they are!”

Other big Tarry horses racing fans will be watching out for this season are Trophy Wife, runner-up to Majmu in the Empress Club Stakes and third in both the SA Fillies Classic and Woolavington 2000, sprinter Trip To Heaven and impressive Camellia Stakes winner Bichette. And he’s hoping a few of his unexposed three-year-olds will hold a surprise or two – “after all, we didn’t know who French Navy or Legal Eagle were at the beginning of last season”.

“Trophy Wife was a revelation last season. She’s not a big filly and she campaigned hard, earning a lot of stake money. She’s come back nicely and there are some good races for her in Joburg.

“Trip To Heaven could well be Grade 1 material, but we’ll go one step at a time. He is also doing well and I might send him to Cape Town. He hasn’t had a lot of racing – he’s not the easiest horse to train and is still a colt. I’m hoping to get him going early. We’ll see how he goes in a Graduation Plate next month.

“Bichette ran a very good fourth to Captain Of All in the Golden Horseshoe. She’s a talented filly, but I’m not sure whether she is a 108. I do have a few options with her though. She is a possibility for Cape Town but the wisest thing would be to sit tight in Joburg and maybe go to Durban in the winter. It’s tough to travel with fillies and compete in all racing centres.”

Oaks Trial winner Epsom Downs, he said, was immature last season which is why she has not raced since the Oaks. “I’m sure she’ll do well after having the winter off but she was never in the class of my big ones. She is going to be a progressive four-year-old, though.

As for whether Tarry is hoping to win the National Trainers’ Championship again this year, he said: “Obviously I’ll be programming my horses to do the best they possibly can and targeting big races – you don’t win championships by winning ordinary races and top horses can’t run in every single big race. So that is not something you can plan for. Everything clicked last year. I had one or two issues but a lot more went right than wrong.”

Nicci Garner for TABNews