Contessa Putting on a Clinic–Literally

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York–For most trainers at Saratoga, Tuesdays represent a chance to grab some much-needed rest and relaxation from the hectic nature of a six-day racing schedule. But not Gary Contessa.

The veteran conditioner has spent part of his dark days during the meet providing free clinics to interested fans on a variety of racing-related topics including horse conformation and psychology.

So after watching his GI Hopeful S. contender Runaway Lute (Midnight Lute) breeze over the Oklahoma Training Track Tuesday in a bullet 1:00.71, his day was far from over. Tuesday's clinic: a history lesson and walking tour of the Oklahoma barn area.

“I don't know how many people were there, but it had to be 100,” enthused the veteran horseman. “It was amazing. I'd like to spend Tuesdays with my family, but as long as people want to learn, I'm willing to give up my Tuesdays to be with people who love racing. It's been really good, and the people are so appreciative. They've been really well attended, so as long as people keep coming, I'll keep having them.”

With his side gig done for the summer, Contessa can focus on his solid crop of 2-year-olds. First up is New York-bred Mo Promise (Uncle Mo), who will stretch out and seek her diploma in the grassy P. G. Johnnson S. The bay overcame a rough start on debut to rally for second going short on the grass against restricted company July 25.

“All I can tell you is, I'm not just taking a shot,” Contessa said confidently. “I tried to stretch her out in a New York-bred maiden race, got buried on the also-eligible list; put her in an open-company race going long, got buried on the also-eligibles. And, it's not like there are any multiple winners in the race. It's basically a glorified maiden race or a-other-than allowance, and I think she's that good–I think I have a legitimate chance in that race.”

On Monday, Contessa will again test a New York-bred against open company when he sends out the more established Runaway Lute in the prestigious Hopeful.

A 12-length box-to-wire winner at short odds first out at Belmont May 28, the Harold Lerner and Nehoc Stables colorbearer started slow but finished fast to romp by 8 3/4 lengths in that venue's Rockville Center S. July 16.

“Before he made his first start, his workmate was a filly called R Precious Stones (Bustin Stones), and they were well advanced over all my 2-year-olds,” Contessa recalled when asked about his early impressions of Runaway Lute. “They worked together–three works out from his race he beats her by like three; then in the next work he beats her by four pretty handily; then he comes back the third time and he beats her by like 10. So, we knew that he was somewhere between four and 10 lengths better than R Precious Stones, and she ran two days before he did and won for fun and paid $47 in a maiden special weight.”

And while Contessa knew he had something in Runaway Lute before and after his first race, he learned plenty more about him second out.

“He came back in the New York-bred stake and we saw a new side of him, because he got left in the gate, but managed to rate and still won,” Contessa noted. “That's what you want to see. If you're training 2-year-olds, you don't want to find out the hard way that they're one-dimensional speed horses. This horse is a speed horse, but he doesn't have to be a speed horse, which is a trainer's dream.”

Contessa could've entered Runaway Lute in last week's Funny Cide S. for New York-breds–although that spot certainly didn't come up easy with a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' signed on. He also noted his respect for fellow expected Hopeful participants Bitumen (Mineshaft), winner of the GIII Sanford S. and also a 'Rising Star'; and GIII Bashford Manor S. hero Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile). But he's not shying away from taking on anyone.

“The bottom line is, it's time to find out if he belongs in the Hopeful,” he said. “We know we can always go back to New York-bred stakes, but the Hopeful is the Hopeful, and there's only one crack at that.

“We've never had to put the pedal to the metal. He won off in the maiden, and he won off in the stake, so maybe there's a lot more there. He's continued to train exceptionally well, so I'm going into the race to fire my best shot and everything's going well for us.”

Contessa did reveal, however, that 'Rising Star' Aspen Hilltop (Bernardini) will not likely be seen until the winter at Gulfstream Park. A $350,000 KEESEP buy for Lee Pokoik, the 2-year-old filly rallied from last to first going 6 1/2 panels on a “good” main track Aug. 14, and gave the impression that more ground would be right up her alley. She exited that race with a minor injury, however, and will instead be given time before gearing up for what Contessa hopes will be a big sophomore campaign.

“[GI] Ashland, [GI Kentucky] Oaks, then the big 3-year-old filly races here,” the trainer said of his goals for her in 2017. “Hopefully we come through with that filly next year–I think she's the real deal.”

But for all the fans showing up to listen to Contessa at his Tuesday clinics, very few apparently took heed when he revealed his high hopes for Aspen Hilltop before her debut.

“That shows you how little my opinion matters,” he quipped. “Somebody interviewed me and asked, 'Who's your one winner for the meet?' I said Aspen Hilltop–then she paid $30.”