Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Ginger Punch Wins Go for Wand Handicap at Saratoga July 26

Posted on Saturday, July 26th, 2008

Splitting rivals with a gutsy move in deep stretch, the 5-year-old mare Ginger Punch muscled her way to the front and pulled clear for a 1 1/4-length win over Copper State in the 55th edition of the $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (G1) Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

As part of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships‘ “Win and You’re In” series, the Go for Wand victory afforded the daughter of Awesome Again, Ginger Punch, a return trip to the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, where she will defend her title in the renamed Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, formerly the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, on Friday, October 24 at Santa Anita Park.

Racing 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.43, Ginger Punch, under jockey Rafael Bejarano, paid $2.40, $2.30 and $2.10 as the 1-5 favorite. The 16-1 shot Copper State, ridden by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan returned $5.80 and $3.30. Another 1 3/4 lengths behind, Indescribable with jockey Kent Desormeaux paid $3.30 to show.

Read full story: "Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Ginger Punch Wins Go for Wand Handicap at Saratoga July 26"...

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Saratoga, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing | No Comments »

Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Go for Wand Handicap at Saratoga on Saturday, July 26

Posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2008

Race horse trainer Bobby Frankel and Stronach Stable’s Ginger Punch want to take the same road to the Breeders’ Cup that they did last year. The first leg of the journey will be Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, when Ginger Punch seeks to repeat a winner in the 55th running of the $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (G1) for fillies and mares at 9 furlongs.

As part of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series, the Go for Wand Handicap winner becomes part of the Breeders’ Cup field and earns an automatic bid to the re-named Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (formerly known as the Breeders’ Cup Distaff) on October 24 at Santa Anita Park.

Online Horse BettingSaratoga’s Go for Wand Handicap field of fillies and mares with jockeys and weight:

  1. Ginger Punch under jockey Rafael Bejarano carries 124 lbs.
  2. Inside Passage under jockey Eibar Coa, 113 lbs.
  3. Indescribable under jockey Kent Desormeaux, 115 lbs.
  4. Moon Catcher under jockey Edgar Prado, 115 lbs.
  5. Copper State under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, 114 lbs.
  6. Runway Rosie under jockey Rajiv Maragh, 114 lbs.
  7. Over Under under jockey Robby Albarado, 113 lbs.
  8. Spring Waltz under jockey Javier Castellano, 117 lbs.

The Go for Wand Handicap is the 9th of 11 horse races in Saratoga’s July 26 card. Go for Wand Handicap post time is 5:15 pm Eastern.

Read full story: "Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Go for Wand Handicap at Saratoga on Saturday, July 26"...

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Saratoga, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing | No Comments »

Saratoga Opening Weekend Stakes Schedule

Posted on Friday, July 18th, 2008

Saratoga Race Course Stakes ScheduleSaratoga Race Course will open its 140th horse racing season on Wednesday, July 23.

On Saturday, July 26, the 81st running of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (G1) is the feature on a full card that includes two other Grade 1 horse races and a Grade 2 race, all part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series where the winners will automatically become Breeders’ Cup entries.

On Sunday, the $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) for 3-year-olds at 9 furlongs, features Da’Tara, upset winner of the Belmont Stakes on June 7, when he ruined Big Brown‘s chance to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner.

Read full story: "Saratoga Opening Weekend Stakes Schedule"...

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Saratoga, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing | No Comments »