Domenic Costanzo Memorial Horse-By-Horse Write-Up
Saratoga - Race 3, August 7th, 2024 Card - By PTF
Domenic Costanzo was a wonderful man. I had the pleasure of getting to know him late in his life. He was an avid soccer and horse racing fan and owned many winners in his day, both thoroughbreds and standardbreds. Wagering-wise, he was always backing the grays – I wish there was one in here, we’d have a fantastic hunch play opportunity. We spent many fun afternoons at Saratoga together with his family and mine. He is sorely missed.
Wednesday’s third race is named in memory of him so I wanted to do a horse-by-horse writeup on it. I’ll update based on any late changes.
#1 OWN THE FIELD has been competing in tougher starter allowances and holding his own. He should be up near the pace for the potent combination of trainer Mike Maker and Tyler Gaffalione. He’s not exactly a win machine – just 1 for 12 with 6 small slices. But he might be seen to better effect against the easiest field he’s faced in a while. (83)
#2 MASTER OF ARMS has a similar profile to Own The Field in that he’s been competing against slightly better starter allowance fields. He is stretching out in distance, making him a candidate to lead these early: he won and notched a career best 89 Beyer Speed Figure the last time he was able to get the lead. Trainer John Ortiz has won with three of his five runners at the meet and regular rider Ricardo Santana is in the irons. I do not like that he has broken slowly the last two races, a potential sign that he’s off form. Another strong win candidate but could also be going in the wrong direction. (84 but low confidence in the prediction, could be 70 or 90 really)
#3 DILLINGER just won impressively at the meet but that was against much weaker company. The raw time figure he earned gives him a chance but I am not sure I buy his ability to match it against better horses. Beautifully-bred gelding could get a good stalk-and-pounce trip and may have reinvented himself, but it’s also possible the last was a cyclical top and he’s going to go the other way on the class rise here. (79)
#4 RIDER’S SPECIAL has put in two strong efforts for different barns in the ’24 campaign, and it’s impressive he ran so well against better company in the most recent start. My main issue is that the last two races came with perfect setups and it’s unclear to me what type of trip he’ll get here. Usable as a B-type in your exotics at least. (79 but on TFUS I’d say more like 82)
#5 PARKWAY was super impressive in finally winning his maiden for 40k back on July 11. This race has some strong pedigrees and this horse is no exception. It’s good to see protected in this spot for new connections (including ITM friend Larry Roman) but on figures he’s got something to find with this group. Late-running style makes him interesting for the bottom rungs of the tri and super. (76)
#6 PRINCIPE D’ORO is another runner who hasn’t been breaking well and that always makes me nervous. In his two wins, he was able to lead throughout and I don’t think he’ll be able to do that here. (75)
#7 FIGHTING BACK just won a much weaker claiming race and new connections show confidence putting him in a protected spot. Chris Engelhart has been a little cold/unlucky at the meet and is certainly due to get going. Guessing he’ll attempt to close from midpack but not sure there will be enough early gas to set up his run. Another to consider for third and fourth, (77)
#8 MR. PAPGIORGIO looks a bit like Parkway in that he just won at the maiden claiming level with a great setup and now comes back protected for a new barn. The Irad Ortiz – Rick Dutrow combo might attract some interest from bettors but my main concern is that the early pace here – while by no means super fast – will still likely be such that it’s hard for this guy to make the top. Just doesn’t quite look fast enough. (70)
VERDICT: I’m torn between #1 Own the Field and #2 Master of Arms. We’ll see what happens with the prices but one approach might be to key a bit more around the #1, making sure to cover exactas with the #2 over him. For the trifecta, I might put #5 Parkway third, thinking he’ll be going best late.
#1 Own the Field
#2 Master of Arms
#5 Parkway