Saratoga Breeders' Cup Day

Dateline: 08/30/98

More Saratoga coverage: Thursday Friday Saturday

The crowds from Travers day were gone and the weather was back to picture perfect today. Everything seemed a little bit more laid back now that the big event was over but there was still a major race today.

Patrick Byrne decided to pass on a meeting with Skip Away in the Iselin for a softer spot at the spa for Awesome Again. He went off at very short odds and cruised home as expected winning by 3 lengths. Also today there were a couple of interesting turf allowance races with graded stakes players trying a new surface for the first time. Tale of the Cat went in a one mile turf race and won in a decent 1:34.95 possibly testing to see if he will point for the Breeders' Cup Mile. Accelerator also dropped out of graded company for a 1 1/2 mile turf allowance which he won going away. Perhaps the good showing on the new surface will see him aimed for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Here are the results of the big race with photos of the big horses:

Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2)
Running Time 2:03.14

8 Awesome Again     P. Day        2.50   2.30   2.10
7 Concerto          M. Smith             4.30   2.10
3 Early Warning     J. Chavez                   2.10

Also Ran: Private Song, Mr. Sinatra, Irish Silence, 
          Gator Dancer

Exacta (8-7):      11.40
Trifecta (8-7-3):  62.00

Owner: Stronach Stables
Trainer: Patrick B. Byrne

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Tale of the Cat in the winner's circle.

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Accelerator returning after his win.

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Patrick Byrne and Pat Day discuss strategy prior to the race.

Awesome Again in the paddock.

The field passes by the first time with Awesome Again second to Early Warning who eventually faded to third.

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