SARATOGA – 7/24/21
RACE 1: 2-1-7-6
#2 GOOD CULTURE goes first off a claim by Mike Maker and will get back to 9 panels. This son of Anchor Down is a slow, galloping gelding who will benefit if there’s any pace in front of him. Maker is off to a very strong start at the meet and this one will be a square price.
RACE 2: 2-9-4-8
On closing day of the 2020 meet, #2 FREEDOMOFTHEPRESS ran a bang-up race to finish 2nd behind the impressive Lovestruck. This filly is now returning off a layoff after running into a couple of next-out winners to close out the year at Aqueduct. She gets Lasix today and her trainer is overdue to get rolling at this meet.
RACE 3: 5-3-2
The recent claim by Amira Chichakly of #5 ALCOOLS is not a worry here given that this gelding is still sharp based on his recent bullet workout. There’s little to no speed in this field and that will help this son of Gemologist get to the front early in this affair. If he gets control, he’ll be very dangerous.
RACE 4: 5-10-3-1
The ride that #5 KNOCKOUT PUNCH received last time out was aggressive, but it was probably the wrong one for this son of First Defence. He is at his best when he can sit back and make one run, and a return to those tactics is sure to help his chances. There’s confirmed speed in this affair to boot.
RACE 5: 1-2-4
What can really be said about a 500k Grade I with four entrants? #1 MALATHAAT is expected to end a 20-race skid for John Velazquez and score just a second win of the meet for Todd Pletcher. This filly is unblemished and was a tremendously game winner of the Kentucky Oaks over subsequent Acorn winner Search Results. She meets a weak group in this summer staple.
RACE 6: 9-7-4-2
#9 IRISH SEA is reportedly training well and is bred to be ready at first asking. The dam here was an 8x winner and a graded stake winner for trainer Chad Brown. She has dropped one winner from as many to race, and progeny of Honor Code hit at a 9% clip on debut as juveniles. Tab the tote action for more clues.
RACE 7: 4-6-11-12
In what looks like one of the more wide-open races of the day, #4 HOMBRE is actually one of the likeliest winners. He was a very impressive maiden winner last time out with a cleaner trip than the one he endured on debut back in April. There could be stakes in his future based on that most recent effort, and trainer Barclay Tagg is 4 for his last 11 with turfers coming off maiden wins ($3.62 ROI).
RACE 8: 3-2-1-7
#3 RASTAFARA did everything but win last time out when she came up wanting late and checked in 3rd behind subsequent allowance winner Third Draft. She had trouble early in that affair and wound up racing inside late. That’s not the ideal recipe for success and a cleaner trip should help her get the job done here.
RACE 9: 9-3-5-2
The open company dirt races here at Saratoga have once again been dominated by Churchill shippers like #9 MUCHO MACHO MOMMA. She was a game second last time out for trainer Dallas Stewart against similar N1X foes in Louisville. Her tactical speed is a major weapon and the outside post is ideal given her style.
RACE 10: 1-2-5-6
#1 CARAVEL has been razor sharp in her last two and should get a great setup from just off the pace this time around. She gets Irad Ortiz, Jr. on board and his prowess getting horses to relax and finish on the turf is unmatched. The rival to her outside is a serious one, but this Pennsylvania-bred is no slouch.
RACE 11: 7-6-12-10
The card ends with a lead-pipe lock in #7 MY LIPS ARE SEALED. She was a very strong 3rd as the favorite last time out in a stronger than par NY Bred N1X event on Belmont day. There’s other pace in here and that may put this filly in more of a stalking spot, but she is capable of doing that successfully.
SARATOGA 2021 STATS: 69-16-10-10 $127.60
