Saturday, August 03, 2002
Snapshot makes Hambletonian pitch for Philadelphia reliever
Street Cry heads today's Whitney field
Enquirer staff and news services
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Philadelphia Phillies reliever Dan Plesac has closed the deal on a lot of games during a major-league career that started in 1986.
Just a week ago, Plesac and a couple of fellow investors closed a deal on something that might be more enjoyable than a save. It was the purchase of a trotter named ENS Snapshot, a colt with a good shot at winning the $1 million Hambletonian today at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
After purchasing a 75 percent interest in ENS Snapshot before last Saturday's Hambletonian eliminations, the group watched Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi guide the 3-year-old to a win in his elimination in 1:55.4.
“Obviously I'm pleased with the "Snapper,”' Plesac said. “Anytime you race one for the first time, there is always some concern. Hopefully he'll be better acclimated to his new surroundings and benefit from the race. He has a big shot in a wide open Hambo.”
ENS Snapshot is coming into trotting's biggest race for 3-year-olds on top of his game. The colt, who is the 7-2 second choice in the morning line, has won his last two starts and six of 11 this year.
The only negative was the draw on Tuesday. ENS Snapshot got the No.8 post.
“I'm not happy with the draw, but I'm still expecting good things,” Manzi said.
Taurus Dream, who won his elimination, is expected to leave quickly from the No. 9 post position. Favorite Andover Hall and third choice Chip Chip Hooray are also expected to be near the front breaking from the two inside posts.
Post time for the Hambletonian is 2:43 p.m.
WHITNEY: Street Cry, 2-for-2 this year with impressive wins in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs and $4 million Dubai World Cup, may be the slight favorite over 2001 Whitney winner Lido Palace, Macho Uno and Left Bank today at Saratoga.
Also in the field is 2000 Travers winner Unshaded and Saint Verre, trained by H. Allen Jerkens.
“It's the best handicap race in the country this year,” said Bobby Frankel, who trains Lido Palace.
Adds Joe Orseno, trainer of Macho Uno: “Four of the best horses in the country are in this race.”
HASKELL: Magic Weisner is going after War Emblem again.
The gelding who has given trainer Nancy Alberts her first taste of racing's big time, will be one of the main challengers to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner in Sunday's $1 million invitational.
Alberts isn't worried.
She says Magic Weisner “is going to run his race and we are going to have to be there at the wire to catch him,” Alberts said.
War Emblem, who hasn't run since the Belmont, is the 7-5 morning-line favorite. Magic Weisner is 5-1. Medaglia d'Oro, who was entered in the Haskell on Thursday and made the 7-2 second choice, is now set to run in the Jim Dandy.
SARATOGA: Mandy's Gold continued her successful barnstorming tour with a front-running victory Friday in the $100,000 Honorable Miss Stakes at Saratoga.
It was the fourth straight stakes victory at four different tracks for the 4-year-old filly.
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Snapshot makes Hambletonian pitch for Philadelphia reliever
