Saratoga Race Course Contest Options for Picks: these picks are for entertainment purposes and are provided by an analyst using them in a handicapping contest for Saratoga Race Course on 8/19. The contest scores all selections based on the WPS payouts. Good luck!
Race 4
9
10/1 ml. Recency, speed, pace.
New gelding off the equipment change sheds some extra luggage and comes in here fresh with four solid maintenance drills since the last. This play is based primarily on two things: 1) cutting back to a flat mile which could help this gelding, and 2) the opportunity in this particular race to take this field all the way on the front end. Couple from a recent spin here will take most off the action off those figs but they come from deep range and today is shorter distance as well. I’ll take a shot at this juicy price.
Race 5
3
8/1 ml. Recency, late speed, pattern.
Skimpy field of six here going 9F this guy weakened late last out same surface/class/distance but he moved too soon. Horse should be very fit off his consistent campaign including longer races where he has been competitive. Looking on the jock change to see him let the 1 and others lead the way and then put in a sustained bid from the quarter pole.
Race 6
3
7/2 ml. Recency, speed, pace.
This horse is a stiff . . . . . but this N3L level is exactly where he belongs. Appears fit and ready to go and running much better back on the green. Others with very questionable drops just playing this guy stays within range and can have a good shot to the wire.
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Race 7
10
5/2 ml. Recency, pattern, distance.
Shades off for this plodding and grinding away NYRA gal on the appealing cutback to 7/8ths from the one turn mile last two spins where she was right there late. Very iffy crew here for these NYRAs at this grueling 7F sprint I suppose I’ll land with the one that looks fit and ready and capable of hanging on for this trip. Not a great price here but don’t trust anything else so we shall see.
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Race 8
6
5/1. Speed, recency, pace.
Rail is out at 27 feet here today on the green so I don’t want to rely on a gal from the clouds and potentially facing a lot of traffic. This gal is fresh and ready off almost six weeks after an easy score in Chicago. Also ran a 78 last year at the Spa same class/distance/surface and just missed. Has run well at 6F on the green as well so going from 5F to 5.5F shouldn’t be a barrier. Major scrambler here hoping for a clean trip and a chance to finish strong from just off the pace. Trainer very solid 28% in sprints on the lawn.
Saratoga Race Course:
Race 9
6
8/1. Late speed, Pattern, distance.
This 4YO returns from a long break since last Spa meet for his first spin as a 4YO. Confident placing right into a tough spot for a horse that showed very nice improvement as the 3YO season went on. Got a few in here that want that lead and this guy has shown he can stalk and kick it in strongly late so with the fence way out hoping for a decent trip and a chance to fire home.
Race 10
7
5/2. Distance, pattern, recency, late speed.
Nothing crazy here this gal is bred to go longer and settled nicely in the debut before rolling home late at the 5.5F. Outside slot here really has no excuses if she fires she should be able to settle and stretch it out to the 6.5F today. If she improves on that 77 should be very competitive here.
Race 11
9
5/1. Recency, speed, pattern.
This field is very modest at best. Frankly most of these are terrible. This 9 has shown effort and fired in both spins and has NOT yet been on the green. However, the mommy ran a 78 on turf and the two sibs to try turf were actually ok and ran top figs that would crush this field. Ugly race I’ll give this 9 a spin first time on the green.
Enjoy Saratoga Race Course!
