SARATOGA – 8/22/21
RACE 1: 6-3-2-5
#6 GODDESS OF FIRE trained at one point with impressive maiden winner My Prankster and now debuts for Todd Pletcher. This barn scored with another 2YO firster on Saturday afternoon and this filly is a half to multiple Grade I winner Mind Control. The worktab here looks solid.
RACE 2: 3-5-1-9
Most of this field was entered on Wednesday in a race taken off the turf, but #3 FORTINENO is a new participant. She is by Frankel and is a full sister of the impressive turfer Rubilinda. There’s another winner on the dam side, and the worktab here is solid so good things are expected.
RACE 3: 4-5-2-1
#5 STROLLING is new to the barn of Wayne Potts off a series of solid efforts both at Belmont and here at Saratoga. He has the tactical speed to be within range from the outset and should be a square price. The tactical speed he possesses is a major weapon.
RACE 4: 6-10-3
#6 SHESADIRTYDANCER switches surfaces for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and gets serious class relief today. She has run some of her best races on dirt, and figures to be actively involved from the start in this field. The turf entrants don’t sport much turf ability either.
RACE 5: 7-3-2-1
In a total guessing game, you have to try an outsider or class dropper like #7 THIEF OF HEARTS. This Tom Amoss trainee goes third off a layoff after facing much tougher last time out here at the Spa. She failed after getting a good early position and now figures to be a late threat in a field with at least two confirmed speeds.
RACE 6: 2-1-3-4
The debut effort from #2 OPENING NIGHT was not particularly impressive, but she stands to move forward at second asking. She drops in for a tag and trainer Kelly Breen has a good record with 2YO second time starters on dirt. Look for this one to improve this time around.
RACE 7: 1-5-3-6
#1 RHYTHM SECTION is the one to catch in this affair and gets back to his preferred surface. The boggy course is liable to play to pace types, and this one was in very good form before a poor effort last time out on dirt. Look for him to try to get control of this thing right from the start.
RACE 8: 14-13-12-5
The class drop for #14 FAST BREAK is the biggest factor in this affair, as this son of Uncle Mo faced much better last time out. He has the tactical speed to be a threat from the outset and figures to be a decent price as well. The winner of his last is a former stakes/allowance type, as is the runner-up and Free Enterprise came right back to win his next start.
RACE 9: 6-2-4
#6 GOLD SPIRIT was close to a hot pace last time out in her North American debut, and Chad Brown now takes off the blinkers. She needs a tad more patient ride, and the jockey change to Joel Rosario should certainly help accomplish that. Look for her to be in stalk and pounce range from the start.
RACE 10: 16-5-4-8
#16 RUDY ROD has the best dirt form of any participant in this field and figures to be tough to beat on the surface change. He has an ideal outside post and exits a performance that would win this thing handily if duplicated. All signs point to him being a very likely winner.
