Yesterday was fairly formful, although the turf races seemed to be all about speed. The last two races were won by some cheap speed, so I’ll be upgrading speedier sorts on the turf today.

Race 1      7-6-5

Path Dependent had been off close to a year before coming out a few weeks ago at SAR. Broke a step slow last out and closed well. Previously had shown some speed so if he breaks better should be the main factor. Ready for You ran well first out in the same race as the top pick. Ian Wilkes has been ice cold at this meet, but the horse should improve off the start. Jockey stays for the trip. Bow Tie Boss makes the top three because he is the top speed in the race and speed was deadly yesterday.

Race 2      5-7-1

Noble Hustle has been gelded since his last race in May and he’s got a couple of nice works in prep for this one. Magical Connection takes another drop in search of win number one. Has some nice figures from his dirt races. Bird Humor dueled up front in his last and faded. Most of the other front speed has scratched so he may have things his own way at the front and never look back. Don’t leave out of the horizontals or verticals.

Race 3      3-1-4

A number of horses coming out of the same race, and all of them look similar. Capriana had the lead in that race and just did get nipped. Ack Naughty is one of the horses not coming out of the August 10 race. She dominated the field and doesn’t really change class levels. Take It Inside has done well at the distance and does have a second at SAR. 12-1 ML is attractive.

Race 4      4-1-6

Saratoga Snacks hasn’t fun a bad one in 2015 and has very competitive figures. Has been successful at the distance and at SAR. Empire Dreams was over his head last time but is back at a more competitive level. Zivo was running in Graded races last year and had a win in the G1 Suburban. Has done well off the layoff and Chad Brown is exceptional getting them ready.

Race 5      5-6-7

Native Gold is the interesting horse at 8-1 ML. He was taken last out by DJ after breaking slow and not getting into the race. Totally throw that race out. Before that he had shown speed and ability to finish at a mile. I like his chances today. Sandcat comes off the horses to watch list. He stumbled out of the gate, rushed up and expectedly tired. At 20-1 ML he’ll be on my tickets. Noble Doss was claimed last out by Bruce Levine who is 23% 1st off the claim. Cuts back slightly in distance and Carmouche is not doing bad competing with the big boys. Works look ok

Race 6      7-3-2

Egyptian Magic comes off the horses to watch list. She was an impressive winner last out, but does take a healthy jump up. Still, she has a decent figure off the last and could be a big longshot winner. Autumn Squall broke his maiden on the turf, did not finish his second start, switched to the dirt with some success and is back on the turf today. Has the speed to be a big factor here. Comet Sixty Two was taken last out in a rare claim by Chad Brown. Has been working well for his new trainer.

Race 7      11-2-3

Mind Your Biscuits is another from the horses to watch list. He was on the AE list, but got in and looks the strongest. Awesome Gent goes first time for the deadly Pletcher/Velasquez combo and the works look like he’s ready. Holdtherightcards is a Tiz Wonderful colt and they are often precocious. Just a bit of a stab at 15-1.

Race 8      8-10-5-2

Willow U has plenty of speed and has a win and a second at the meet. Swoop closed into what was more of a speed biased day and although the speed was ruling yesterday, I’ll still have him underneath. Chow Fun pressed last out and weakened in the same race as Willow U. Does have a couple of wins at the distance. William’sluckygray has good speed and I’m throwing him in based on the potential speed bias.

Race 9      7-9-3-2

Spectacular Me was an impressive winner last out and returns at the same distance and level. Iroquois Girl ran well first time out in 2015 and Ralph Nicks is 38% second time off the layoff. Hinder wired a field in courageous fashion last out after being off a couple of months. Works suggest she’s still in good shape. Runway Ready showed a lot of speed last out but couldn’t last. Perhaps a more favorable track and a reduction to the OC level will be the ticket.

Race 10   11-4-7-9

Plundering may appreciate the cutback in distance. Second time on the turf at SAR was a definite improvement. Hirshbein stumbled out of the gate last out and had no chance. Drops from MSW to the claiming ranks and Clement is 26% with that move. Heavenly Sun is another dropping from MSW to the claiming ranks after having a bad trip the last time. Better than the 10-1 ML suggests. Adirondack Posse is one of a number of these dropping out of MSW. Has the figures to be a factor.