That might not be the Rose Bowl after he’s recorded the first of two Super Bowl wins as coach of the New York Giants.
However, for Bill Parcells, recently aged 81, there is no better place to spend the early afternoon of August 26th. Racecourse Saratoga look at his 2-year-old half-New York in a dirty way Maple leaf Mel become a bet winner.
“This is the best,” said the Pro Football Hall of Famer. “It’s great to be my age and to have something that can get you excited like this.”
Less than an hour after heavy rain turned Saratoga’s main track into a tight, sloppy surface, daughter of Parcells Cross Traffic coached by Jeremiah Englehart skipped it like Joe Morris sprinted into the end zone as she scored a 3 1/2 length win first Lady Mine (First Samurai ) for $194,000 Ante Stock Searches for Empire State bred 2-year-olds.
The 6 1/2 long stakes are one of six state-bred stakes in the New York Showcase Day 11 race card at Spa, each worth at least $200,000 initially and carrying a total value of 1.25 million dollars, underscoring the importance and value of New York’s thriving livestock program.
The day even brought New York Governor Kathy Hochul to Saratoga to rename a section of Union Avenue next to the famous race track, from I-87 to East Avenue, Marylou Whitney Way, and hand out the trophy after one of the antiques. part caused by the state.
“I want you to know that I will always be there to represent New York State’s commitment to horse racing,” Hochul said.
The posthumous honor given to Whitney is particularly fitting as she has been hailed as the “Grand Dame of Saratoga” and her many contributions to the preservation and improvement of New York motorsport.
“No one has meant more to the continued success of Saratoga Racecourse than Marylou Whitney,” said New York Racing Association President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “The NYRA has been honored to honor Mrs. Whitney’s enduring contributions to sport and to Saratoga by dedicating the entrance to the Clubhouse in her memory. And now, Marylou Whitney Way will serve as the gateway to Saratoga along the Boulevard. Union — an extremely fitting way to continue to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Mrs.
From start to finish, the card describes the New York bred races and illustrates how the program has become so positive for the NYRA.
New York Thoroughbred Breeders CEO Najja Thompson said: “The Saratoga New York Show Day is a banner day because it allows us to shine a light on everyone who owns, breeds and participates in the hybrid program. New York’s creation on motorsport’s biggest stage. “Today is even more special because we also have to celebrate the connection of five legendary New York hybrids in Fio Rito, Fourstardave, Commentator, Funny Cide and Law Tiz who have contributed to raising the stature of the program.
“Working with the NYRA to create and promote three Referral Days throughout the year is important to our program. With tokens backed by competitive stakes, allowances, and races past. Nights combined with the lucrative offers on offer, these Referral Days demonstrate why more people are looking to own and participate in the New York breeding program.”
Both Englehart and Parcells consider themselves fans of the state-breeding show.
“I think the New York hybrids are speaking for themselves,” says Englehart. “A race like this has always been special to me. (Maple Leaf Mel) may be a New York breed but I would put it up against any of my 2-year-olds.”
For Englehart, it was a particularly memorable victory as the daughter of City location The City Gift mare bred by Joe Fafone is named after Canadian assistant trainer Melanie Giddings, a cancer survivor.
“My client really enjoys working with her, and I’m so lucky to have her. We’re like brothers and sisters. I trust her more than anyone in the warehouse and it shows. in having a meeting like this and in a dirty way like this. She’s my assistant slimming coach,” Englehart said.
Englehart joked that he wanted to name the girl to make sure Parcells sent her to him after the girl was scouted by a group that included trainers Robbie Medina and George Weaver and purchased for 150,000. dollars from Robert Brewer’s shipment at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2 -Year-Olds in Training Sale. However, the famous NFL coach, who runs under the banner of the August Dawn Ranch, was quite happy to attach Giddings’ name to the speed lady’s name and send her to Englehart.
Parcells said of Giddings: “She plays around every time this gimmick wins. “She didn’t drop a single feather.”
For Englehart, working with flaming Parcells provided some valuable life lessons, especially since he attended a baseball game at the New York Mets with his children on Aug. was at the Spa for Maple Leaf Mel’s yearlong win in her career debut. .
“He said to me, ‘Yes, I can see myself telling Mr. Mara that I won’t be able to make it to the NFC Championship Game because I have to take my kids to the Mets,'” Englehart chuckled. . “I tell people you haven’t been yelled at until you’ve been yelled at by a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, and you know what, I’m a better person for knowing him and working with him. Over the past four years of our friendship, I’ll draw on the life lessons I’ve received from him. It’s like having another father.”
Defeated as the 3-5th favorite team in a five-man field, Maple Leaf Mel ($3.20) puts the initial pace through parts of: 21.74 and: 45.42 under Joel Rosario, then brushed aside Lady Mine on the turn to get past the wire in 1:18.07 and earn $110,000 for Parcells.
Trainer James Chapman and Lady Mine by Rolf Obrecht, bred by Anlyn Farms, are second at 2 1/4 lengths to WinStar Farm and Siena Farm’s Miracle one Mendelssohn was bred by Magnolia Mares and Pony Express Sale and trained by Rodolphe Brisset.
Reflecting on the quality of the state crossbreeds, Englehart said he would be looking for a next open stake for Maple Leaf Mel, and said on October 2 Frizette Stakes (G1), a test one miles at Aqueduct race trackis a “possibility.”
“I always thought she would handle the distance,” he said.
Maple Leaf Mel is the sixth pony from City Gift and the winner of her first bet. She also has a desire Brody’s Cause pony.
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