Betty's Critters - & History Views

 Thorpedo Anna, the bay daughter of Fast Anna and Sataves (by Uncle Mo), won the Acorn Stakes by 5 and 1/2 lengths this afternoon.  It was the first time the Acorn Stakes was run at Saratoga - due to the rebuilding at Belmont Park - and the distance of the race was increased from the usual 1 and 1/16 miles to 1 and 1/8 miles.  Thorpedo Anna was the betting favorite when the gates opened this afternoon, after winning the Kentucky Oaks on 3 May.    A field of nine fillies was originally entered, but Becky's Joker, who had drawn post position 1 in the field, scratched from the race.  Just F Y I, last year's 2-year-old champion filly, went to the lead out of the gate, and led for 3/4 mile, with times of 23.53 seconds, 46.75 seconds, and 1:10.24 for 3/4s mile.  Thorpedo Anna had stayed in second from the break, and took the lead just past the 3/4 mark.  Leslie's Rose had stayed in third behind the two front runners for the first 6 furlongs.  As Ju...

 With Belmont Park closed, Saratoga will be hosting the the Acorn Stakes and the Belmont Stakes this weekend.  The Belmont will run Saturday, at a quarter-mile shorter than the normal distance.    The Acorn Stakes used to be the last part of the fillies "Triple Tiara" races, following the Kentucky Oaks and the Black-Eyed Susan, at Churchill Downs and Pimlico Race Courses.  It is now the first  race of the "Triple Tiara" races, followed by the American Coaching Club Oaks and the Alabama Stakes.    The Acorn began running in 1931, and it used to be run at the distance of 1 mile, with a usual purse of  $750,000.  This year, at Saratoga, it will be run at 1 and 1/8 miles (9 furlongs), with a purse of $500,000.  This year's Acorn will face off the winners of the Kentucky Oaks, Thorpedo Anna, and the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Gun Song.    There are nine entries in this year's Acorn; eight were bred in Kentucky and M...

 In her first start since winning the Kentucky Oaks, Pretty Mischievous faced a stretch-long side-by-side duel with Florida-bred Dorth Vader, to win by a head.  The light bay daughter of Into Mischief took home a paycheck of $275,000 after winning the 1 1/6 mile race at Belmont Park in 1:43.33. Pretty Mischievous (left) wins the Acorn by a head over Dorth Vader   Pretty Mischievous was in front by a head over Dorth Vader; four lengths behind was Occult, who was a 1/2 length in front of Munny's Gold.   The complete order of finish, with purse money earned follows: 1.   Pretty Mischievous    $275,000 2.   Dorth Vader    $100,000 3.   Occult    $60,000 4.   Munny's Gold    $30,000 5.   Accede     $20,000 6.   Randomized    $5,000 7.   Frosty O Toole    $5,000 8.   Goodgirl Badhabits    $5,000   As ...

 The Acorn Stakes for three-year-old fillies - the match for the colts' Belmont Stakes - will be run on Friday, 9 June, this year.  A field of 8 fillies (if there are no scratches) will race for a $500,000 purse, covering a distance of 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) on the main track.  Belmont Park's main track is a 1 and 1/2 mile oval, so the Acorn is a 1-turn race over the track known as "Big Sandy."  The post time for Friday's race is 5:14 EDT (or 3:14 MDT) in Elmont Park, New York.  This race is a handicap, with weights assigned so that the entire field should have a nose on the finish line at the same time.  Six of the eight fillies will carry 118 pounds, one carries 120, and the winner of the Kentucky Oaks has been assigned the high weight of 123. Pretty Mischievous after winning the Kentucky Oaks   All of the fillies are bay in color; 5 were bred in Kentucky, and 3 in Florida - Dorth Vader, Frosty O Toole and Munnys Gold.  The 8 fillies repres...

 Well, the five filly race that was supposed to be a showdown between Echo Zulu and Matareya did not happen Friday, 10 June.  Echo Zulu did not warm up well, and seemed to be off on her left fore.  The attending veterinarian at the starting gate decided it would be best to scratch her, and only four fillies loaded into the gate.  X-rays yesterday and this morning shown no damage to Echo Zulu's leg.    With such a short field, betting was curtailed also.      Matareya won the one mile race in 1:35.77.  She bested Divine Huntress by 6 1/4 lengths; Maryland-bred Divine Huntress was 5 1/2 lengths in front of Dream Lith, who finished 16 lengths ahead of Inventing.  With Echo Zulu gone from the field, Matareya took home $275,000 in purse money; Divine Huntress earned $100,000; Dream Lith received $60,000; and Investing had a paycheck of $30,000. Matareya winning the 2022 Acorn Stakes    As usual, I report payouts for $2 bet...

 This year the Grade One Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies has only 5 entries vying for the $500,000 purse, which means everyone who finishes the race will get a paycheck.  The entries are due to enter the starting gate at Belmont Park at 12:33 EDT (10:33 MDT) for the 1 mile race on the main track.  This race used to be the "sister race" of the Belmont Stakes, and was the third jewel of the Triple Tiara for fillies.  The five fillies will carry three different weights, depending upon their past racing histories.  The filly considered the best carries the highest weight.  I have been unable to find a site listing the girls' betting odds, so I apologize for that lack,    All three girls are bay or dark brown; four were bred in Kentucky, while Divine Huntress is a Maryland  bred.  All of the sires of these fillies have produced Graded Stakes winners....   Listing the entries by post position, weight assigned, sire and dam:   ...