SARATOGA – 7/25/21
RACE 1: 2-6-3-4
#2 TRADE SECRET is the one to beat as a 3rd time starter who has ample early speed. This daughter of Goldencents has already gone 6 furlongs and that’s an advantage in this affair. Look for her to come out of the gate swinging.
RACE 2: 2-4-6-8
#2 MONEY IN THE BANK has been in good form of late and now bids to make it four straight wins. He has good tactical speed and was able to sit a bit farther off the pace last time out before grinding out a game score. If he shows up with what we’ve become accustomed to seeing he will win.
RACE 3: 8-10-5-1
It is hard to call anyone in this field reliable, but #8 EPONA’S DREAM figures to appreciate the added ground and has the right profile for this affair given that she’ll run one speed around the track. This figures to be a grinder’s race once it is moved to the main track.
RACE 4: 6-1/1A-5
There’s actually a decent chance that a fast pace develops here and #6 POWER UP PAYNTER looks to be a threat in that scenario. He was badly pace compromised last time out on a sloppy surface, but ran a credible race two back behind the likely fave in this field. Look for him in the late stages at a price.
RACE 5: 9-10-1-14
#9 HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH is a very interesting participant here if this race gets taken off the turf given that she made a couple of starts at Aqueduct over the winter where she ran against the grain of the surface. The connections will drive many away and that is a good thing given that there’s little to no solid dirt form in this field.
RACE 6: 6-5-8-4
#6 GAL IN A RUSH hails from a barn that has been spectacular with 2YO firsters over the last couple of years (6-16, $4.06 ROI). She worked :10 and 1/5 at the OBS March sale and looks to have speed based on a solid worktab.
RACE 7: 7-3-2-1
#7 KAELY’S SISTER looks significantly better than her rivals in this field given the pair of dirt races she ran in Kentucky this spring. She was victorious against lesser at Keeneland then came back to finish a good second against tougher at Churchill. Her running style and outside post put her in a position to stalk and pounce.
RACE 8: 16-14-15-6
A wet surface may be even better for #16 WINSTON’S CHANCE, but conditions are supposed to improve as the day wears on. This veteran son of Roaring Fever has been solid in the last year since moving into Dave Donk’s care and should get an ideal trip just off the pace.
RACE 9: 7-4-6-1
#7 ROYAL FLAG was a lackluster 2nd in the Doubledogdare back in April when she hung like a chandelier. The defeat became a bit more tolerable when Bonny South came back to finish 2nd in the Ogden Phipps and Graceful Princess eventually won the Molly Pitcher. This mare has been remarkably consistent and should get some pace to run at late.
RACE 10: 8-2-6-3
What do you do with a horse whose claim was voided two back, returned to win and now drops again? That’s the case with #8 MUBARMAJ. He is the one to catch in this affair from the outside and is obviously the one to beat. You must use him in the Pick 6 but need to have as many options as possible.
SARATOGA 2021 STATS: 69-18-11-11 $138.70
