First Saturday at Saratoga

Seems to have been pretty dry up at the Spa, and watching the replays of today's racing tonight looks like the both the dirt & turf tracks are still favoring the front runners at this stage. unfortunately only a field of 5 for the CCA Oaks, but it is very wide open ("murderer's row"), with 4 of them Gde. 1 winners, 2/1 the field and the longest shot 6/1 in the morning line. IHS can't split 1 (Johnny V/Todd P.) & 4 (Lezcano/Mott), from #5 It's Tricky. 1 & 2 are the main speed, so selection is #1 Buster's Ready, to turn the tabels on closer #4 Royal Delta, victor when they met in the Black Eyed Susan at PIM in May; great ride by Lezcano. OK pedigree (by More Than Ready out of an Honor & Glory mare, DP = 5-1-10-0-0 (16) DI = 2.20 CD = 0.69) Result: It’s Tricky established herself as a leader in the three-year-old division as she bested Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Plum Pretty in the stretch to win. Godolphin’s Mineshaft filly, ridden by Eddie Castro, raced in second as Plum Pretty led through a half-mile in :47.55 and six furlongs in 1:11.06. The duo separated themselves from the other three runners entering the stretch, setting the stage for a gutsy battle. Bsuter's ready raced fwd but was gone before the turn.
Not a lot of other Group racing action this weekend. the other Gr 1 event is the Eddie Read over 1800 m on the turf at Del Mar with Acclamation & Coracortado going head to head in a field of 8. IHS selected Celtic Princess but it was scratched, so sub is Acclamation from Smart Bid & Jeranimo and don't have Coracatado in the first 4. Result: Acclamation (approx 9/2) beat Jeranimo & Coracatado. Acclamation had no problem taking command early and even less trouble pulling away in the stretch, drawing off easily to a 3 1/4-length victory. It was the third consecutive graded triumph for the five-year-old Unusual Heat horse and third career Grade 1 victory. It also cemented his status as a legitimate contender for champion turf male and champion older male honors