Upsets abound at Spa

SARATOGA, N.Y. » It was a day of some surprises at Saratoga Race Course. The Tale of the Cat Stakes was one of the few in which a favored horse — Stallwalkin’ Dude — came out with a win. There was also one of the biggest upsets of the meet in Race 5.

It was an overcast Friday in Saratoga, but the rain held off. Here’s a rundown of all the action.

Sweetneida injured

The hooting and hollering of the Saratoga fans as the day’s first race came down the stretch stopped with gasp. Jockey Abel Lezcano was unseated as his horse, Sweetneida, was injured.

Sweetneida had lost by a combined 50 lengths in his last two races, and was a longshot to win, despite a quick start. The horse walked into an equine ambulance and was taken away.

Dynamic War gets first win

Trainer George Weaver had a big day — with his horses picking up wins in the second and third race. He’s trained winners at the Spa this summer.

The second race, for Maidens only, was a good opportunity for Dynamic War, who was 0-for-4 in her career, but had good results recently. Dynamic War was claimed after the race, so Weaver wasn’t sure what the future held for the horse.

“We had kind of a bad post, but Irad (Ortiz Jr.) just let her do her thing,” Weaver said. “She was able to hold on. We’re always happy to get a win.”

Robertino Diodoro off the schneid

Diodoro’s horses had been 0-for-16 this meet despite five horses finish runner-up and three taking third. He thought Play Big was the best horse in the Race 4 at 3-to-1 odds, and he was right.

“Trying to stay upbeat,” Diodoro said. “When you get in a slump, everyone starts panicking. I just keep telling my help that we can’t change anything. Things will turn around. Our horses have been running well. But no one remembers the second or third place guys. To get the win, we needed that bad.”

Romantic Babe gets up with 38-1 odds

As they celebrated in the winner’s circle, one of Romantic Babe’s owners was talking about how he was just hoping the 2-year-old filly would get to second place. Then he saw the horse, runnings in its maiden race, make the shocking push.

Romantic Babe came out of nowhere to win at 38-1 odds, one of the biggest upsets of the Saratoga meet. The race was a 5 ½ furlong sprint on the Mellon Turf Course.

“The first impression, I’m just looking to educate them first time out,” trainer David Donk said. “She broke a little slow. I just wanted to see she how she’ll finish up. It was really professional. I knew she probably really liked the grass, no one was getting that off the board. She probably ran a little better than I thought she might.”

Uncle Chester wins a photo finish

The finish between Bartleby (7-2 odds) and Uncle Chester (3-1 odds) in the seventh race was back-and-forth to say the least. Uncle Chester jumped out to an early lead, while Bartleby was nestled in third on the outside.

Bartleby made a late push around the turn and seemed to have all the momentum needed to get the win. Uncle Chester made a push of his own to nose ahead, only to see Bartleby gain momentum, but Uncle Chester held off his foe for an exciting, photo finish win.

High Jingo comes back to win

It was a rewarding afternoon for trainer Teresa Pompay, who saddled a horse to a win for the first time, in two tries, during the meet. Jockey Paco Lopez got his second win in 53 mounts as well.

High Jingo burst through at the stretch after having an extremely slow start, but came out of nowhere to pick up the win.