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Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, July 10-16

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Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA’s “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Among this week’s rulings, Bonnie Lucas has been banned for 60 days and fined a total of $8,000 for violating the rules on intra-articular joint injections within a specified standdown time prior to a timed workout or race. For the 47 horses that had been administered joint injections within 14 days of post-time, the horses were disqualified and forfeited any purse winnings.

In a March agreement order with HISA, Lucas accepted a lifetime ban from participating in the sport of horse racing after admitting to her role in 43 intra-articular joint injection violations.

The enforcement over intra-articular injection violations transitioned from HISA’s anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) Program to HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program on July 8, last year.

The timing of the joint injections to which HIWU recently issued sanctions against Lucas fell under HISA’s ADMC Program, and are in addition to the lifetime ban already imposed by HISA, wrote a HIWU spokesperson.

“Under the ADMC Program Rules, these violations required the disqualifications of race results, which Lucas was seeking to avoid,” wrote the HIWU spokesperson.

Though intra-articular injections are now being enforced under HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program banner, HISA will still “seek disqualification of race results for any horse that competes in violation of a mandatory standdown time,” a HISA spokesperson wrote.

Elsewhere, trainer Phil Serpe has been banned for two years, beginning July 15, plus a race disqualification and forfeiture of purse winnings stemming from a Clenbuterol positive related to Fast Kimmie’s (Oscar Performance) win at Saratoga Aug. 10 last year.

There are several important wrinkles in this case, which are outlined in detail by the TDN here. One is that the decision did not impose any monetary fine upon Serpe-a notable departure from how the agency has handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections.

Serpe has initiated a federal lawsuit against HISA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). His legal team has argued in a Florida federal court that HIWU’s non-pursuit of a monetary penalty is an alleged attempt to subvert Serpe’s efforts to prove he has been wrongfully denied a Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

The Florida federal court judge David Leibowitz wrote in May that he was denying Serpe’s request for a preliminary injunction in the case, though left the door open for Serpe to still pursue his Seventh Amendment injunction claim in light of the (then) impending HIWU arbitration decision.

On Tuesday after the arbitration decision was made public, Serpe renewed in federal court his request for a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against HISA and the FTC. His legal team also filed an immediate appeal with the FTC to have his July 14 HIWU arbitration decision reconsidered by an administrative law judge.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 07/16/2025
Licensee: Anthony Granitz, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vet’s list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a Class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Scenic Justice (Harry’s Holiday) 6/13/25.

Date: 07/15/2025
Licensee: Marcelino Salas, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac–a Class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella (Karakontie), who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis 5/28/25.

Date: 07/14/2025
Licensee: Gabriel Alexis Silva, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a Class B controlled substances–in a sample taken from Dansmetothendoflov (Paynter), who finished second at Canterbury Park 5/31/25.

Date: 07/14/2025
Licensee: Phil Serpe, trainer
Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable). Final decision by arbitral body.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted in certain circumstances–in a sample taken from Fast Kimmie, who won at Saratoga 8/10/24.

Date: 07/09/2025
Licensee: Michael Maker, trainer
Penalty: None.
Explainer: Maker was facing alleged charges for the presence of Diflunisal–a banned NSAID–in a sample taken from Intermittent Fast (Tapwrit), who won at Churchill Downs 11/29/25, but the charges were withdrawn due to “Deficiency identified in processing of B Sample.”

Date: 07/09/2025
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 9, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $5,000. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Violation of Rule 4222, Intra-articular injections within 14 days of post-time, concerning the following 47 horses linked here.

Date: 07/09/2025
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Violation of Rule 4222, Intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed and reported workout, concerning the six horses linked here.

Pending ADMC Violations
07/16/2025, Joseph David Perez, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Digits (Street Boss) 6/15/25.

07/16/2025, George Papaprodromou, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sneaker (Oscar Performance), who won the Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita 5/24/25.

07/14/2025, Justin Evans, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Big Beauty (Mr. Big) 6/20/25.

07/14/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from American Sue (American Lion), who finished second at Prairie Meadows 6/14/25.

07/10/2025, Jeff Mullins, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sparta F.C. (Astern {Aus}) 6/5/25.

07/10/2025, Jose R. Gonzalez Sr., trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in a sample taken from Ol’McClintock (Marking) 4/22/25.

07/10/2025, Carlos Acosta, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violations for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in samples taken from Storm Leader (Attila’s Storm) 4/22/25; and from Tucum (King Bull) 4/22/25.

The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, July 10-16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Casse Pleased With Sandman’s Final Jim Dandy Work

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SARATOGA SPRINGS – Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse wasn’t going to lie. There is no joy in facing Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the clear leader of the 3-year-old division. But that doesn’t mean Casse isn’t chomping at the bit for another chance at the champ.

That comes a week from Saturday when Casse’s Sandman (Tapit) takes on the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner in Saratoga’s $500,000 GII Jim Dandy.

“I don’t know if you ever look forward to facing Sovereignty,” Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. “He is a very good horse, and, so far, he has shown his superiority over us. I love the challenge.”

Casse will try with the popular grey, who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby, beaten a dozen lengths by Sovereignty. The only other time the two faced each other was last year when Sovereignty won the GIII Street Sense and Sandman was third, five lengths behind.

Sandman, owned by D J Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and C J Stables, had his final Jim Dandy work on a steamy Wednesday morning, going four furlongs in :49.01 (11/33) with exercise rider Reynaldo Dumont on board.

“Just what we were looking for,” Casse said. “If you look, that is what we have done with him in the past and it has worked out pretty good. He has been on a 10-day schedule. He puts a lot into his gallops. He is not a big, robust horse. He is more of a taller, leaner kind, so he doesn’t need near as much as some.”

Casse found this worked for Sandman when he was in Arkansas this winter and had to work the colt around some inclement weather. The more days in between works seemed to be something Sandman adapted well to.

Sandman will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in the Jim Dandy, a decision Casse wrestled with ever since it first came up after his third-place finish in the GI Preakness.

“My concern is it is going to make him a little more aggressive early,” he said. “We will see how he handles this in the Jim Dandy. We know he loves the track. Without a doubt, his most impressive performance as a 2-year-old was here.”

Sandman broke his maiden going seven furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths last summer.

Of Course The Name Is From The TV Show

The name might not mean much to you if you weren’t a fan of the original television show, “Hawaii Five-O.”

But, if you were, the 4-year-old whose title is Book’em Danno (Bucchero), makes perfect sense.

In the show, which ran from 1968 to 1980, the main character, Det. Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), usually ended an episode with this catchphrase after they caught the bad guys:

“Book ’em, Danno!”

Book’em Danno wins the True North last month at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

The owners of the horse, a group of six buddies from the Jersey Shore–Atlantic Six Racing LLC–are of the age when watching “Hawaii Five-O” back in the day was must-see TV.

“I have to give the credit to (partner) Mark Rubenstein,” Atlantic Six Racing managing partner Jay Briscione said by phone Wednesday. “He remembered the show, I remembered the show. In those days, there was not as much to get your attention, so we watched TV. That was one we watched. Book ’em, Danno. Murder One!”

The horse has gotten his fair share of attention because of the name, but also because he can run a little bit. Book’em Danno has won eight of 14 career starts–two of three this year–and will be in Saratoga for Saturday’s six-furlong, $400,000 GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt.

In his last start, he won the GIII True North at Saratoga on June 7 over a sloppy track. Two starts ago, he was fourth in a four-horse photo in the GI Churchill Downs. That race was won by the highly regarded Mindframe (Constitution).

Trainer Derek Ryan said he had hoped to ship Book’em Danno from Monmouth Park on Tuesday but the heavy rains caused the New Jersey Turnpike to be closed in some parts. Ryan said Wednesday that he expected the horse to be in Saratoga early Thursday morning.

Briscione, who was in Saratoga, won’t be here to watch Book’em Danno on Saturday. He has a good reason for the absence. His youngest son, Geoff, is getting married.

“I told my wife he would understand if I was not there,” Briscione said with a laugh, “but that didn’t go over very big.”

 Defending Vanderbilt Champ Nakatomi Looks For Rebound

The race was over before it started the last time Nakatomi (Firing Line) ran.

Trainer Wesley Ward hopes his 6-year-old owned by Qatar Racing LLC and Mrs. Fitriani Hay has better luck in Saturday’s Vanderbilt ,than he did in last month’s True North.

He had a slow start and then had to contend with a sloppy track in the True North. The result was a fifth-place finish as the favorite.

Nakatomi won last year’s Vanderbilt | Sarah Andrew

Ward is throwing that race out and moving on to the next. Nakatomi won the Vanderbilt last year when it was a Grade I.

“When you get left at the gate, you kind of want to take them back a little further,” Ward, a former jockey, said by phone from Kentucky. “You hope they burn out in front of you. When he broke slow, (jockey) Irad (Ortiz, Jr.) did not want to give up too much and he had to use him a little bit. It didn’t work and it never does. When they broke, I knew that was it.”

Ortiz could not overcome the bad start and Nakatomi was beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Book’em Danno in the True North.

Ward likes that Nakatomi drew the outside post in the eight-horse field.

“We have a great post,’ he said. “If the speed hooks up early, we can sit on the outside and kind of watch them.”

Nakatomi will be reunited with Florida-based jockey Emisael Jaramillo, who was on board when he finished second–beaten a neck–in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Ortiz is riding at Monmouth on Saturday.

Ward said he would prefer more time between races for Nakatomi, but the horse is telling him he is ready to go.

“He shipped in from Keeneland and he was jumping and playing… I don’t know if (True North) took any toll on him,” he said. “He acts like everything is good. It’s a very contentious race; we’ll see what happens.”

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Casse Pleased With Sandman’s Final Jim Dandy Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, July 10-16

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Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA’s “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Among this week’s rulings, Bonnie Lucas has been banned for 60 days and fined a total of $8,000 for violating the rules on intra-articular joint injections within a specified standdown time prior to a timed workout or race. For the 47 horses that had been administered joint injections within 14 days of post-time, the horses were disqualified and forfeited any purse winnings.

In a March agreement order with HISA, Lucas accepted a lifetime ban from participating in the sport of horse racing after admitting to her role in 43 intra-articular joint injection violations.

The enforcement over intra-articular injection violations transitioned from HISA’s anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) Program to HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program on July 8, last year.

The timing of the joint injections to which HIWU recently issued sanctions against Lucas fell under HISA’s ADMC Program, and are in addition to the lifetime ban already imposed by HISA, wrote a HIWU spokesperson.

“Under the ADMC Program Rules, these violations required the disqualifications of race results, which Lucas was seeking to avoid,” wrote the HIWU spokesperson.

Though intra-articular injections are now being enforced under HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program banner, HISA will still “seek disqualification of race results for any horse that competes in violation of a mandatory standdown time,” a HISA spokesperson wrote.

Elsewhere, trainer Phil Serpe has been banned for two years, beginning July 15, plus a race disqualification and forfeiture of purse winnings stemming from a Clenbuterol positive related to Fast Kimmie’s (Oscar Performance) win at Saratoga Aug. 10 last year.

There are several important wrinkles in this case, which are outlined in detail by the TDN here. One is that the decision did not impose any monetary fine upon Serpe-a notable departure from how the agency has handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections.

Serpe has initiated a federal lawsuit against HISA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). His legal team has argued in a Florida federal court that HIWU’s non-pursuit of a monetary penalty is an alleged attempt to subvert Serpe’s efforts to prove he has been wrongfully denied a Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

The Florida federal court judge David Leibowitz wrote in May that he was denying Serpe’s request for a preliminary injunction in the case, though left the door open for Serpe to still pursue his Seventh Amendment injunction claim in light of the (then) impending HIWU arbitration decision.

On Tuesday after the arbitration decision was made public, Serpe renewed in federal court his request for a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against HISA and the FTC. His legal team also filed an immediate appeal with the FTC to have his July 14 HIWU arbitration decision reconsidered by an administrative law judge.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 07/16/2025
Licensee: Anthony Granitz, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Vet’s list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a Class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Scenic Justice (Harry’s Holiday) 6/13/25.

Date: 07/15/2025
Licensee: Marcelino Salas, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac–a Class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella (Karakontie), who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis 5/28/25.

Date: 07/14/2025
Licensee: Gabriel Alexis Silva, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a Class B controlled substances–in a sample taken from Dansmetothendoflov (Paynter), who finished second at Canterbury Park 5/31/25.

Date: 07/14/2025
Licensee: Phil Serpe, trainer
Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable). Final decision by arbitral body.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted in certain circumstances–in a sample taken from Fast Kimmie, who won at Saratoga 8/10/24.

Date: 07/09/2025
Licensee: Michael Maker, trainer
Penalty: None.
Explainer: Maker was facing alleged charges for the presence of Diflunisal–a banned NSAID–in a sample taken from Intermittent Fast (Tapwrit), who won at Churchill Downs 11/29/25, but the charges were withdrawn due to “Deficiency identified in processing of B Sample.”

Date: 07/09/2025
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 9, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse’s Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $5,000. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Violation of Rule 4222, Intra-articular injections within 14 days of post-time, concerning the following 47 horses linked here.

Date: 07/09/2025
Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: Violation of Rule 4222, Intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed and reported workout, concerning the six horses linked here.

Pending ADMC Violations
07/16/2025, Joseph David Perez, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Digits (Street Boss) 6/15/25.

07/16/2025, George Papaprodromou, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sneaker (Oscar Performance), who won the Fran’s Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita 5/24/25.

07/14/2025, Justin Evans, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Big Beauty (Mr. Big) 6/20/25.

07/14/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from American Sue (American Lion), who finished second at Prairie Meadows 6/14/25.

07/10/2025, Jeff Mullins, trainer: Pending vets’ list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sparta F.C. (Astern {Aus}) 6/5/25.

07/10/2025, Jose R. Gonzalez Sr., trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in a sample taken from Ol’McClintock (Marking) 4/22/25.

07/10/2025, Carlos Acosta, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violations for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in samples taken from Storm Leader (Attila’s Storm) 4/22/25; and from Tucum (King Bull) 4/22/25.

The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, July 10-16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Casse Pleased With Sandman’s Final Jim Dandy Work

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SARATOGA SPRINGS – Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse wasn’t going to lie. There is no joy in facing Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the clear leader of the 3-year-old division. But that doesn’t mean Casse isn’t chomping at the bit for another chance at the champ.

That comes a week from Saturday when Casse’s Sandman (Tapit) takes on the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner in Saratoga’s $500,000 GII Jim Dandy.

“I don’t know if you ever look forward to facing Sovereignty,” Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. “He is a very good horse, and, so far, he has shown his superiority over us. I love the challenge.”

Casse will try with the popular grey, who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby, beaten a dozen lengths by Sovereignty. The only other time the two faced each other was last year when Sovereignty won the GIII Street Sense and Sandman was third, five lengths behind.

Sandman, owned by D J Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and C J Stables, had his final Jim Dandy work on a steamy Wednesday morning, going four furlongs in :49.01 (11/33) with exercise rider Reynaldo Dumont on board.

“Just what we were looking for,” Casse said. “If you look, that is what we have done with him in the past and it has worked out pretty good. He has been on a 10-day schedule. He puts a lot into his gallops. He is not a big, robust horse. He is more of a taller, leaner kind, so he doesn’t need near as much as some.”

Casse found this worked for Sandman when he was in Arkansas this winter and had to work the colt around some inclement weather. The more days in between works seemed to be something Sandman adapted well to.

Sandman will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in the Jim Dandy, a decision Casse wrestled with ever since it first came up after his third-place finish in the GI Preakness.

“My concern is it is going to make him a little more aggressive early,” he said. “We will see how he handles this in the Jim Dandy. We know he loves the track. Without a doubt, his most impressive performance as a 2-year-old was here.”

Sandman broke his maiden going seven furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths last summer.

Of Course The Name Is From The TV Show

The name might not mean much to you if you weren’t a fan of the original television show, “Hawaii Five-O.”

But, if you were, the 4-year-old whose title is Book’em Danno (Bucchero), makes perfect sense.

In the show, which ran from 1968 to 1980, the main character, Det. Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), usually ended an episode with this catchphrase after they caught the bad guys:

“Book ’em, Danno!”

Book’em Danno wins the True North last month at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

The owners of the horse, a group of six buddies from the Jersey Shore–Atlantic Six Racing LLC–are of the age when watching “Hawaii Five-O” back in the day was must-see TV.

“I have to give the credit to (partner) Mark Rubenstein,” Atlantic Six Racing managing partner Jay Briscione said by phone Wednesday. “He remembered the show, I remembered the show. In those days, there was not as much to get your attention, so we watched TV. That was one we watched. Book ’em, Danno. Murder One!”

The horse has gotten his fair share of attention because of the name, but also because he can run a little bit. Book’em Danno has won eight of 14 career starts–two of three this year–and will be in Saratoga for Saturday’s six-furlong, $400,000 GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt.

In his last start, he won the GIII True North at Saratoga on June 7 over a sloppy track. Two starts ago, he was fourth in a four-horse photo in the GI Churchill Downs. That race was won by the highly regarded Mindframe (Constitution).

Trainer Derek Ryan said he had hoped to ship Book’em Danno from Monmouth Park on Tuesday but the heavy rains caused the New Jersey Turnpike to be closed in some parts. Ryan said Wednesday that he expected the horse to be in Saratoga early Thursday morning.

Briscione, who was in Saratoga, won’t be here to watch Book’em Danno on Saturday. He has a good reason for the absence. His youngest son, Geoff, is getting married.

“I told my wife he would understand if I was not there,” Briscione said with a laugh, “but that didn’t go over very big.”

 Defending Vanderbilt Champ Nakatomi Looks For Rebound

The race was over before it started the last time Nakatomi (Firing Line) ran.

Trainer Wesley Ward hopes his 6-year-old owned by Qatar Racing LLC and Mrs. Fitriani Hay has better luck in Saturday’s Vanderbilt ,than he did in last month’s True North.

He had a slow start and then had to contend with a sloppy track in the True North. The result was a fifth-place finish as the favorite.

Nakatomi won last year’s Vanderbilt | Sarah Andrew

Ward is throwing that race out and moving on to the next. Nakatomi won the Vanderbilt last year when it was a Grade I.

“When you get left at the gate, you kind of want to take them back a little further,” Ward, a former jockey, said by phone from Kentucky. “You hope they burn out in front of you. When he broke slow, (jockey) Irad (Ortiz, Jr.) did not want to give up too much and he had to use him a little bit. It didn’t work and it never does. When they broke, I knew that was it.”

Ortiz could not overcome the bad start and Nakatomi was beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Book’em Danno in the True North.

Ward likes that Nakatomi drew the outside post in the eight-horse field.

“We have a great post,’ he said. “If the speed hooks up early, we can sit on the outside and kind of watch them.”

Nakatomi will be reunited with Florida-based jockey Emisael Jaramillo, who was on board when he finished second–beaten a neck–in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Ortiz is riding at Monmouth on Saturday.

Ward said he would prefer more time between races for Nakatomi, but the horse is telling him he is ready to go.

“He shipped in from Keeneland and he was jumping and playing… I don’t know if (True North) took any toll on him,” he said. “He acts like everything is good. It’s a very contentious race; we’ll see what happens.”

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Casse Pleased With Sandman’s Final Jim Dandy Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.