SARATOGA – 8/7/21 – WHITNEY DAY!
RACE 1: 5-8-2-10
The Whitney day opener is a good opportunity for #5 BOSTON FLAGSHIP to improve and clear the maiden ranks following a troubled debut. He was very rank early before settling on the backstretch and wound up third behind a pair of solid runners. This is a great spot for him to try and clear the maiden ranks here.
RACE 2: 2-4-8-6
All signs point to #2 AMERICAN TATTOO is most suited for route races. He has a ton of back class and is a threat to go the distance if left to his own devices on the front end. This barn has seen at this meet the benefit of letting speed horses strut their stuff.
RACE 3: 1-2-4-5
#1 LIFE CHANGER was a tremendously impressive debut winner at Belmont in the thick of the pandemic. After one subpar try, he was whisked off to the turf. He has a nice worktab coming in and lands in a field that’s not exactly loaded with speed.
RACE 4: 7-9-5-2
#7 DREAMPOINT is a late runner who has been compromised by poor trips and/or slow paces in recent outings. He tipped out just outside the eighth pole last time out and had to angle out even farther before rallying. The pace should be to his liking in here and he will offer value at the windows.
RACE 5: 2-7-6-10
#2 BRIGADIER GENERAL is a second time starter who showed serious ability on debut, checking in second in a bulky field at Churchill Downs. He has trained forwardly since and can make noise with even modest improvement off that outing. Look for him to get a good spot early just off the pace.
RACE 6: 5-2-3-11
The Chad Brown entrants look to be way too tough in here and #5 FLAVIUS is the best of them. He was a good second last time out at Belmont going a mile and has the tactical speed to stay within range from the start in here. Flavien Prat getting aboard is a positive, as they nearly picked up a GI win in the Kilroe two back.
RACE 7: 6-3-5-1
All signs point to #6 DALIKA being pretty tough on the front end once again. She wired the Robert Dick Memorial last time out at 11 furlongs and now has to negotiate an extra eighth of a mile. The pace in here should be nowhere near as hot as it was in that affair, which will help her get the trip.
RACE 8: 4-7-6-8
#4 OBLIGATORY is a late runner who nearly overcame a slow pace to score an upset in the Acorn. She was very impressive two starts back in winning the Eight Belles, and the 7 furlong trip seems to be her best by far. There’s more than enough pace in here to set up her late bid and you’ll get a square price here as well.
RACE 9: 4-6-3-8
#4 CADILLAC is the interesting European participant for trainer Jessica Harrington coming off a Group III win at the Curragh. He scored gamely that day going 10 furlongs and now goes 9.5fs in his second stateside outing. This colt was a competitive fourth here in the BC Juvenile Turf last year and is in better form now.
RACE 10: 4-1-5
In a star-studded but compact field, #4 KNICKS GO looks way too tough for his rivals. He is the clear speed and will be well in front through the opening stages. Two turns are truly his game and there is not a rival in here who can keep up with him early.
RACE 11: 2-1/1A-3-8
#2 SUPERFECTO ran a solid race as the favorite last time out for Ralph Nicks and now goes 2nd off a layoff. He has the speed to get a good spot in the opening stages, and these 9f races at the Spa are almost always won by horses on the lead or within 2 lengths at the half-mile pole.
RACE 10: 10-3-6-7
#10 BAY STORM showed serious ability in two prior outings in 2020 and now returns off a layoff. Trainer Jonathan Thomas is 6 for his last 12 with turf sprinters off 180+ day breaks ($5.28 ROI) and this filly will get a serious pace to run at late. You’ll get a nice price as well.
