Saratoga July 31

Yesterday was a total bust. Lots of scratches and races off the turf. By the end of the day the sun came out and it is supposed to be sunny today. Hopefully the turf will dry out enough for the races to stay on.  All turf race selections are for races that stay on the turf .

Race 1      3-1-6-8

This race is a hodgepodge of dirt and turf runners. Strong Impact should get a good early spot and has had a lot of early success at SAR and at the distance. Most of the speed is with the MTO’s so there may not be a torrid pace. That gives Partly Mocha a better shot from the one. He’s another that has had success at SAR and the distance and is dropping to his lowest level in a while. Slamarama has had some trouble catching the winner’s share but he has the figures to be competitive. Political Farce has the top early speed of the non-MTO’s and has to be respected even at 12-1 ML.

Race 2      9-5-3-6

Killarney Rose goes from the outside on the inner and that may put her up against it, but I like her figures and she looked good first time dropping into the MCL ranks. She would be the tepid choice. Hundred Year Storm only has two starts and drops from MSW to MCL. Brown is almost 50% moving from MSW to MCL. Figures aren’t dominant but the stats say she will be tough in this spot. Summer Chant looked good at this trip last out. Pletcher is 33% with MCL. Break Away finally drops into the MCL ranks. She looks well meant for the mile trip and picks up top jock Castellano.

Race 3      7-2-6

20-1 ML shot Bridgetta is 50% on the SAR dirt. She’s been fairly consistent and she seems to be in good condition. Lady Gracenote is making a slight drop in price. Her SAR numbers are very competitive with this group. Champage Ruby was running with state-bred stakes horses last year and has been struggling this year, but her last race was encouraging and she’s worth a look at longer odds.

Race 4      2-3-5

Stanford is the remaining Pletcher entrant after the scratch and hasn’t finished worse than second in his stakes races. Tekton just missed in the Pegasus at MTH and is another looking at West Virginia. Certainly has chances if the top one falters. Smart Transition ran an uninspired race in the Dwyer but still has the talent to give these some competition.

Race 5      1/1A-8-3

The entry of Goodrevy and Tradesman looks strong for Albertrani. Tradesman actually has a maiden win but was DQ’d. Since then he ran third in a stakes and threw in a clunker in his last MSW. Still, at his best he’s as good as anything in this field. Indian Trail goes for Pletcher/Velasquez. He improved in his second start and keeping that up puts him right in the mix. Gangster should appreciate the entended distance. When do you get 10-1 on Pletcher.

Race 6      4-5-9

O’Prado Ole moved to the Clement barn and he’s been prepped well for this start. Graded turf runner should fit well at this level. Global Strike has not run a bad one in 2015 since being moved to the turf. Have to respect his tactical speed. Artic North didn’t look as good when moved to the two mile distance but he should be comfortable at this distance.

Race 7      1-6-3

Street Jersey puts the blinkers on and gets first Lasix for his 2015 debut. The works look promising and Tagg is 20% with long layoff horses. Choir Director has been working well at SAR and he should be a factor in the stretch. Chomsky had been off close to two years and made a nice return a month ago. He has a nice workout since that race and it looks like he’s overcome whatever problems kept him on the shelf. At 12-1 he’s worth a look.

Race 8      5-8-9

Brickyard Kitten has had some success at SAR and Johnny V stays for the trip. He’s run some good figures this year and while Ben Perkins doesn’t start a lot of horses here, but he’s still a top trainer. Stormy Rocit has a win at SAR and fits well at this level. Figures say he is competitive. Pure Sensation ran primarily in stakes races last year. He’s been gelded and takes the blinkers off today. He’s got a win at SAR and could wind up as the controlling speed.

Race 9      5-7-6

Catholic Cowboy has the best last race figure and although he’s been struggling to find the winner’s circle, his last race was his best this year. Big Looie just missed in his first start in the Jacobson barn and has been consistent in his figures. Touchofstarqualiy won at this level and distance  last out. His races are spaced so you have to wonder just how sound he is, but he has three works leading up to this and that is encouraging.

Race 10   2-4-1

Sudestada switched to the turf, showed plenty of early foot from the outside post and didn’t fold that badly. I love this move and think he is a good play even if he goes off at less than his 15-1 ML. Hardcore just missed at a shorter turf sprint last out and should be part of the early scrum. The experience should help him to stay longer. Ward/Hernandez is at 27% success. Diva Express cuts way back in distance and he should like the sprint.