SARATOGA – 7/31/2021
RACE 1: 5-2-6
#5 HOIST THE GOLD comes in with a strong worktab and is kin to the Dallas Stewart-trained allowance type Mucho Macho Momma. This colt is bred to prefer longer distances, but draws outside the other fast workout types in this compact field.
RACE 2: 1-11-3-8
#1 FAST GORDON stretches out in distance while dropping in class and figures to be somewhat forwardly placed. The prior turf races this son of Alpha has run make him the one to beat and he’s facing a particularly weak field in this spot.
RACE 3: 2-1/1A-3
#2 CARTWHEEL returns off a layoff after winning a 25k open claiming event when last seen. She has a great deal of speed and should be involved from the start, even on the slight cutback in distance. Look for her in the stretch drive over a surface where she has already won once.
RACE 4: 2-10-7-4
#2 PIVOTAL RUN goes first off a claim by George Weaver and has shown some ability on the weeds in three prior starts. He has a good inside post and exits race where he was forwardly placed before weakening late.
RACE 5: 7-8-3-4
The trainer change on #7 SHANES PRETTY LADY is a negative one, but this daughter of Bellamy Road had a series of troubled trips prior to being shelved earlier this year. She is training forwardly and will offer plenty of value at the windows.
RACE 6: 10-7-8-1
#10 DOCTOR DAVIS drew poorly on the far outside, but is training forwardly for his unveiling. Not long ago this barn was considered incapable of having one ready on debut, but this colt has plenty to offer in a race that lacks a standout firster or proven runner.
RACE 7: 2-7-8-1
#2 INVINCIBLE GAL drops in class and was entered in the Lake George here 8 days ago. She has a cozy inside post and will wear blinkers. That should sharpen her up early and keep her from losing too much ground. Look for her to make noise late.
RACE 8: 9-2-6-1
The ‘now’ horse in this field is #9 SPECIAL RESERVE, who has improved by leaps and bounds since being claimed by Mike Maker. He enters off consecutive impressive wins and figures to get an ideal stalking trip from the outside post. He’ll be a square price to boot.
RACE 9: 5-3-2
#5 ESSENTIAL QUALITY is an overwhelming favorite and deservedly so as the reigning Eclipse Award winner and recent Belmont Stakes winner. He is training well for his return off a brief break and figures to be in an ideal stalking position from the start. Expect him to continue his march to a second straight Eclipse Award.
RACE 10: 4-1-5-7
I thought I had divorced myself from #4 ROCKEMPEROR some time ago, but he ran an improved race last time out when more forwardly placed in a N2X allowance event. This is a big step up in class, but there will be real pace in here and he should be in position from the outset.
RACE 11: 7-1-10-11
#7 TIZZARUNNER is a late runner who rallied into a slow pace when last seen at Churchill Downs. He should get some pace to run at in here, has performed well at Saratoga, and lures Irad Ortiz, Jr. for this engagement.
SARATOGA 2021 STATS: 79-23-11-12 $164.80
