SARATOGA – 7/23/2021
RACE 1: 8-7-3-6
#8 BUCKINGHAM PRINCE is the one to beat off a narrow miss against MSW foes at Ellis where he was caught right on the wire. He is the one to catch from the outside today and sports a serious advantage in terms of experience.
RACE 2: 1-7-10-9
The narrow miss last time out by #1 FETCHING and the subsequent claim make her the one to beat today. She has good tactical speed and should be just off the pace under the ever aggressive Luis Saez. Trainer George Weaver has had success off the claim in a limited sample.
RACE 3: 6-9-1-2
If you want to avoid the competitors from the 4th race on June 12 then #6 CHARLESTON STRONG is the most interesting entrant. He showed increased speed last time out and now gets blinkers. That should sharpen him in the early stages and that’s an advantage going a mile on the inner turf.
RACE 4: 7-8-2-5
#7 BIG MOUNTAIN is the one to catch today and was given an extremely passive ride in his last start. If he gets the lead, he will be tough to catch given he has no shortage of early foot. The main players here have no appreciable advantage including #8 DARK MONEY.
RACE 5: 3-5-8-7
#3 GAILHORSEWIND is a late runner who was hindered by a rider change to Heman Harkie last time out. She wound up getting steadied shortly after the start and lost contact with the field. When finally underway, she flew home to round out the superfecta. There’ll be more than enough pace in here to set up her late bid.
RACE 6: 6-7-11-2
#6 DOT MATRIX has not won in 18 months and that last victory came at today’s distance of 12 furlongs. He is a veteran NY bred with good tactical speed who should be within range from the opening bell today. The blinkers going on should help solve his recent gate problems.
RACE 7: 11-1-10-6
#11 MAGNIFICENT CHROME is a late runner who hails from a barn that scored an easy win on Thursday afternoon. This gelding showed early interest last time out facing tougher and understandably tired late. He gets in light today and can sit back and make one run at a big price.
RACE 8: 8-6-7-1
#8 DEVIL’S CODE made a strong move from off the pace last time out to check in a game 3rd for trainer Mike Miceli. He figures to get a solid trip from just off the frontrunners today and will be an appealing price again. There’s upside here for a runner that’s still relatively lightly raced.
RACE 9: 8-7-10-6
#8 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS was wide stalking a slow pace in the Wonder Again last month and now faces weaker off a brief break. She has good positional speed and that’ll help her stay within range of #5 JOUSTER in the early stages. If this filly can take a step forward she’ll be tough to handle.
RACE 10: 6-1/1A-2-3
#6 CLOSERTOTHEHEART got completely shuffled out last time out going long and now cuts back in distance for trainer Graham Motion. This filly was a competitive 6th against MSW foes sprinting on the turf three starts back at Belmont and should handle this trip without issue.
