Bauer Wins Three of Six Starts at Saratoga

There was no magic for trainer Philip Bauer in the fifth race at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 12.

His 3-year-old gelding Commander Compton  failed to hit the board in the 1 1/8-mile race.

That has been a rarity at this meet for the 37-year-old Bauer, whose home base is in Kentucky. In his first five starts of the Saratoga summer meet, Bauer's horses found the winner's circle three times. Not a bad percentage.

"You never just expect to lead them over and win up here," Bauer said outside his barn near the Oklahoma Training Track Aug. 12. "Never. Not up here."

The most recent Spa success came Aug. 11 when Rigney Racing's Claytnthelionheart  won a 1 1/8-mile claiming race by four lengths. The son of Declaration of War  had a win and two seconds at Saratoga last summer.

"We hope to run him back this meet knowing that he likes it up here," Bauer said. "He is a grinding type of horse who stays on. We have had horses that I think have been well spotted."

Bauer, who has been training since 2013, won three races at the meet last year from 21 starts. He brought a dozen horses with him from Kentucky and, so far, so good.

"You need luck, you need everything to bounce your way," Bauer said. "I really think the environment plays a big role up here. Horses seem to thrive. Mornings like this, you just can't beat it. It's like comparing the country to the city."