Honoring Harvey Pack: Saratoga’s Weekend of Racing Excellence
The New York Racing Association pays tribute to the late Harvey Pack with a race on Saturday’s program. The event, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint on the Mellon turf course, welcomes older horses.
Harvey Pack played a pivotal role in bringing horse racing into the homes of fans through popular replay shows like “Thoroughbred Action” and “Inside Racing.” As an executive at NYRA, he hosted “The Paddock Club,” where he and his guests discussed racing and handicapping strategies.
“May the horse be with you!” was his signature sign-off, delivered with a playful nod to “Star Wars” as he playfully tossed his racing program towards the camera.
Big Invasion Aims for Victory
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing sends out Big Invasion in the Harvey Pack race, seeking the colt’s third victory at the Spa this season. Trained by Christophe Clement, Big Invasion has already secured wins in the Grade III Quick Call and the Mahony.
Big Invasion’s journey included a trip to the Royal Ascot meeting, where he finished 13th in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee on just two weeks’ rest.
Miguel Clement, the chief assistant to his father, explained the challenging journey, saying, “He missed the first flight, and we had to reroute him. It took him nearly 35 hours door-to-door to get there.”
Big Invasion is the morning line favorite at odds of 7-5 to capture the Harvey Pack.
Dazzling Blue Leads the Prioress Stakes
Dazzling Blue, a well-traveled filly racing in the colors of the renowned Juddmonte operation, is the 6-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s $250,000 Grade II Prioress Stakes, a race for 3-year-old fillies.
Trainer Brad Cox expressed optimism, saying, “She’s doing fantastic. We’ve decided to shorten her distance from 6 1/2 furlongs to three-quarters of a mile, and we like that.”
Cox will instruct jockey Joel Rosario on the competition for the lead, which is expected to come from Unsung Melody, listed at 6-1 on the morning line.
Life Talk Shines Bright
Owner Mike Repole and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher have a potential star in their stable with the 2-year-old filly Life Talk. Sired by Gun Runner and out of Touchy Feely, she secured her second career victory in impressive fashion, winning by 6 1/2 lengths in the second race on Thursday’s card.
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