Race 1 7-3-1
Wynhurst looks like the best speed in a race where none of the closers look that dangerous. Pin and Win makes his fourth start of the meet. He was on the horses to watch list and last time he had his second excuse race in a row. He’ll be long and worth a long look. Tax Package is the stronger part of the entry. He’s not raced anywhere except SAR and has his lone win there.
Race 2 6-3-1-(11)
War Order extends to a mile and a sixteenth and that should be to his advantage. Violette is 34% first time out and sends Arctic Joy, by Kitten’s Joy a top turf sire. Highland Sky has a dynamite work from three days ago and looks ready to go. Matt King Coal is on the AE list and if he goes he’s a contender.
Race 3 3-5-1-(6)
Julie D is full of speed but will have to contend with Excuse My French. The two of them may compromise each other and if they do Predicate has a big chance. Theophilia is another one that prefers the front. The speedsters are all quality horses and the race really depends on the pace.
Race 4 3-7-9-(12)
Greenpointcrusader was coming on the well regarded Saratoga Mischief last out and should enjoy the stretch out. Ifyousnoozeyoulose is a bit of a puzzle. His sire Wilburn has had no success with first timers but the morning works are impressive as is Mike Maker’s percentage with newcomers. Revved up really ran much better than looked last out and gets a jockey switch to Irad. Possible at a price. If Star Hill gets in off the AE list he’s the potential star. He ran a mature race first out, gets a switch to the capable Johnny V and adds Lasix.
Race 5 6-8-7
Goodtolook has far and away the best last out figure, has Danny Gargan in his corner, and has speed on a turf that has favored it lately. Branded Hand was taken last out by Toscano and he jumps him up today. Good consistent figures. Blarp beat a $35K NW3 last out and was claimed by the well-named Joe Sharp.
Race 6 8-7-1
Furyofthenorseman showed a lot of heart in his last and with some improvement should be the one to beat. Gustnado is back at his winning ditance today and the figures say he should be right there. Tale of Life makes his North American debut for Graham Motion who is 26% with those shippers. Had no business in a Group 1 last time but is certainly the equal of these.
Race 7 (12)-2-10-3
Set the Trappe is the likeliest winner if he gets into the race off the AE list. HAs a lot going for him. Direct Message has looked good in the mornings. The down side – Albertrani is not known for his prowess with debut runners. But given the breeding and the sales price, I’d say this horse is pointed at bigger things. Clear the Mine threw in a strong work four days ago and goes for good debut trainer George Weaver. Silvertown is the most experienced horse in the race and has shown some talent.
Race 8 7-1-3
Frankly, there isn’t a horse in this race that you couldn’t make a case for and in the horizontals this might be an all ticket. World Approval is a G3 winner and had a bit of a tricky trip last time. Looks like one of the main contenders here. Money Multiplier comes off a nice run in the G3 Kent and picks up Johnny V today. Brown is going all out with everything he throws on the track. Takeover Target raced well in the G1 Belmont Derby and won the Hall of Fame here last out. Likely the horse to beat.
Race 9 2-5-6
Rachel’s Valentina had a nice debut and should have no trouble with the stretch out. Constellation showed a nice turn of speed and is another that should like it better as they go longer. Banree finished second in the Schuylerville and is not without chances.
Race 10 2-7-6
The Woodward comes up a competitive race, and there are certainly more than three horses that can be a factor here. Wicked Strong is a quality horse and anyone who watched him knows he likes SAR. He may run a different strategy and not let Liam’s Map get so far away. Protonico is 12-1 on the ML and failure to have him on your tickets would not be a good thing. Anyone who watched Liam’s Map last time had to be impressed with the horse’s class. He showed high speed and would have been a winner if not for the super effort from Honor Code. That race may have taken something out of him but he has had a month to recover and the works look good. He’s the one to beat. Effinex inherits the Honor Code role and should be flying at the end if Liam’s Map falters. He’s shown himself to be a solid Graded horse. Coach Inge is another quality horse and should have first run at Liam.
Race 11 6-9-4
The Glen Falls has come up basically devoid of any real speedster and that means Goldy Espony once again should inherit the front on her own pace. Hard to bet against her here. Regardez has been improving since the trip across the pond. Last race showed the kind of talent the connections thought they had in Great Britain. Don’t let the jump up fool you. At her best she’s the equal of these. Ceisteach has been delicately handled in the U.S. by Procter and it has paid off with three victories a second and a third. Interesting at the price.
Race 12 12-1-8-10
Hollywood Idol will have to overcome the outside post, but his first at SAR off a short rest showed promise and the second should be better. Ralph Nicks doesn’t bring a lot of horses to SAR but when he does they usually run. Yankee Dealer moves to the Bruce Levine barn after showing some talent in a G3 at AP and winning an Illinois bred stakes. Front has been competitive in all his races this year and gets a slight drop in price in search of the win. With Exultation should be one of the horses involved up front. Has a win and two seconds in his last three at this level.