You Had to See Finish

Horse racing fans who missed the $250,000 Test Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga should make every effort to see a replay.

The 77th renewal of the Grade I for 3-year-old fillies was arguably the best in the history of the Test and belongs on a list of the great races in the history of the sport.

At the wire, You, the 4-5 favorite, had beaten the talented New York-bred Carson Hollow by the slimmest of noses after a stretch duel. As track announcer Tom Durkin aptly said at the conclusion, it was a photo finish that didn’t deserve a loser.

For You, it was her seventh victory in 11 starts and her fifth Grade I score since she was purchased privately by trainer Bobby Frankel for owner Edmund Gann last summer.

Both the daughter of You and I and jockey Jerry Bailey showed exceptional courage, overcoming some early trouble, then squeezing through a narrow opening to battle a gutty Carson Hollow all the way to the wire. Those who think Bailey may be on the decline should be forced to watch the replay of the Test over and over.

A daughter of Carson City who had won her first four starts by a combined 27 lengths, Carson Hollow lost nothing in defeat. She set torrid fractions (21 3/5 and 44 1/5) for the seven-furlong distance and she refused to yield when challenged by You on her inside.

This race came about an hour after Frankel had won another thriller with Tates Creek--and Bailey--edging favorite Voodoo Dancer in the $500,000 Diana Handicap.

Race of the day: Blind Ambition, who provided Chris McCarron with his second-to-last win as a jockey on June 23, makes her two turn and turf debut in today’s seventh at Del Mar, a $57,000 allowance for California-bred fillies and mares.

Who’s hot: Jim Chapman. The trainer has struck with two longshots at Del Mar already, Humorous Lady, who was 40-1 when winning the CTBA Stakes on Friday and Posadas, who won Saturday’s ninth at 20-1.

Who’s not: Scott Lake. The trainer, who ranks second behind Steve Asmussen in wins for the year, didn’t hit the board with any of his first seven starters at Saratoga.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Double Shot Latte, Sainte Maxime and Bel Air Belle in the fifth, singling A Colt For David in the sixth, Surprisingly, Blind Ambition and Sunset Serenade in the seventh and Sonoita, Rippin N Roarin and Sunday In Moscow in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/9. Money: Previous day/meet total: $29.80/$57.20. Total money bet: $88.