Horseplayers Tour Tournament Selections and Analysis Friday 08/29/2025
By Adam Discepolo I @adamdiscepolo on X
Saratoga Race 9: 6-4-1
The #6 Light Man goes 3 rd off the layoff and keeps Carmouche aboard which I think
may say something since he has also ridden the #4 Light the Way for Rice his last 4
times. Light Man broke from the outside in both recent starts chasing the pace around, I
think being drawn a little more inside will help ration his speed a little better. The
aforementioned #4 Light Man cuts back from a mile to todays 7f distance which I also
find to helpful as these horses tend to be able to stay on for the distance where horses
stretching out seem to get tired. The #1 El Grande O also goes out for Rice and this
horse gets back on a fast track which looking through his form line is a rarity. Will need
to workout a trip from the rail but has shown the ability to sit just off the pace and make
a run.
Saratoga Race 10: 6-2-3
Tough group to differentiate but I will take my chances with some newer faced horses at
this level. The #6 Boxed Wine goes off the claim for Abreu who is 29% first off. This
horses turf race speed numbers are extremely competitive and if can take to the dirt will
be a handful. The #2 Margaux Treasure is coming 2 nd off the layoff and making another
step up in class. This isn’t the toughest field and if she can continue to develop will be
competitive at a price with K Davis aboard. The #3 Purpose is going 3 rd off the layoff
and can make an excuse last out being checked sharply removing all chances. With a
better trip she should be competitive here.
Saratoga Race 11: 7-9-2/8
The #7 Les Reys I will assume the price will come down a little as this horse beat both
of todays rivals 2 back. Goes 2 nd off the layoff for Clement who is having a great meet
and draws Rosario aboard Speaking of pace, keep an eye on scratches as both the #2
and #8 are both going to look to get to the lead, if one of them scratches definitely
elevate the other as a potential wire to wire candidate as speed held up pretty well
yesterday on the lawn. The #9 Ribaltagaia made her first North America start and
broke awkwardly, should be sharper off the break this time and keeps Alvarado aboard
who seems to have opted to ride this filly over motts #4 A Lilac Rolla.
Saratoga Race 12: 10-2-1
I typically prefer drops down for these types of affairs which brings us mainly to the
#1,#2 and #10. Prat opts to stay aboard #1 Channel Check for Chad over the #8 but
this horse seems to be a merry go round type, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins but I
don’t think shes going to offer much value. The #2 Key Actress has good early forward
position and speed which I think is important when dropping down to the maiden
claiming level which should be the key. At a bigger price I like the #10 Via Vento who
got a good speed figure for her first attempt after being fractious in the gate and
subsequently breaking slow. With the experience under her belt she should break better
and be more forward and did make a middle move before tiring after expelling all that
energy earlier. She draws Irad aboard as well.
Del Mar Race 1: 8-7-4
The #8 Shes a Joker is dropping back down in class after facing much tougher last 2
times out. Draws Rispoli aboard who rides this turf great and should make his move
around the turn as the speed should come back to him. The #7 Empress Ellie has
been in great form, is just going to be half the price of the #8 both have similar running
styles and the #8 finished ahead of this rival 3 back. The #4 Corporal Violette should
also have a trip sitting just behind the early speed and get the first jump before the 7
and 8 make their runs.
Del Mar Race 2: 4-2-8
I will take a shot again at a price on the #4 Seattle Surf who I used 2 weeks ago. I
thought the horse ran well off the layoff, goes 2 nd now and there doesn’t seem to me
much speed sign on and could shake free at a price again after battling a contested
lead last time. The #2 My Hero owns the highest last out speed figure. Make a drop in
class after making his first dirt appearance last out and took to the surface well. The #8
Springs drops in class from MSW and goes turf to dirt, workouts in the morning seem
like this horse will handle the surface well and should be a good price.
Del Mar Race 4: 7-5-9
The #7 Bigredsandribeyes ran great returning to the dirt. Will be competitive here if he
can carry the form over . The #5 Spun not Stirred takes a big drop in class, ran a
competitive race 2 back however that seems to be its lone stand out race compared to
his other ran. The #9 Hard to Figure figures to be a handful has he makes the drop
down for Baffert as this horse possesses speed and the most consistent speed
numbers in the field.
Del Mar Race 6: 2-7-5
The #2 Clever Clover ran a bang up race last out and should get pace to close into if
he can save more ground than last time should be competitive coming late. The #7
Nation goes off the claim for Hess should also be coming late and has been consistent
in closing off the pace in his last 2 races. The race 3 back for the #5 Tiger in my Tank
would make him extremely competitive here. He goes second off the layoff getting back
onto dirt. The horse if 3-5 at this distance and 2-5 on dirt so should show a competitive
effort.
Del Mar Race 7: 8-6-1
The #8 Barbara T comes out of the most competitive races, goes 2 nd off the layoff, adds
blinkers has speed and has been training lights out. If she takes to the turf she is going
to be tough to catch. If anyone can catch her, the #6 Uncorked ran great for D’amato
first off last out in the Daisycutter. The #1 Lovin on the Run comes out of the same
race but has excuses after breaking slower and encountering traffic down the stretch at
a big price
Del Mar Race 8: 8-3-2
The #8 Gray Frost possesses good early foot, drops in class here for Hess and should
shake free here on the lead. The #3 Putt for Dough ran an improved race out last time
after being claimed. Another step forward could have her right there at the end if pace
develops in front of her. The #2 Ole Silver has back races making her super
competitive, drops back down a little to where she was more competitive 2 back and
should also sit off the pace. Recent works have been good for her as well.
