SARATOGA – 7/29/21
RACE 1: 7-4-5-6
#7 MO HEAT is the one to catch as he drops down a notch in class for trainer George Weaver. This gelding has elevated his game since he moved to dirt and looks to be in a spot where he’ll graduate today.
RACE 2: 7-1-6-3
#7 STRAW INTO GOLD is dropping in class after trying the Manila last time out for trainer Christophe Clement. He was in position from just off a slow pace and came up wanting late, but now gets some class relief and should be able to stalk and pounce. OFF THE TURF: 10-1-8-5
RACE 3: 6-10-3-2
#6 MONTAUK SUMMER goes 2nd off a layoff for trainer Christophe Clement and drops in class. He was on the lead against tougher last time out before weakening in the stretch and should be able to settle and make one run today. There’s more than enough pace signed up in this bulky field to set things up. OFF THE TURF: 13-9-5-4
RACE 4: 8-6-5-1
The class drop on #8 THE QUEENS JULES is not the best sign given he was taken for 20k and is in for just $12,500 this afternoon. He does his best running late and there’s enough speed to set up his bid in this spot. Expect him to arrive on the scene in the stretch in this affair.
RACE 5: 10-7-9-11
#10 BROTHER JEREMIAH gets some class relief after making two starts at Belmont against MSW runners and he gets a pretty substantial upgrade at pilot. The blinkers are going on and that’ll sharpen him up a bit more in the opening stages. The outside post will suit him quite well also.
RACE 6: 5-4-10-9
The worktab on #5 HER WORLD indicates that this daughter of Caravaggio is ready to roll on debut. Trainer Wesley Ward specializes in juvenile races on any surface and John Velazquez has become his go-to rider. This filly should have speed as most Ward trainees do. OFF THE TURF: 1A-4-8
RACE 7: 9-2-1-3
#9 TROUBLING MOON takes a substantial class drop this afternoon and ran two bang-up races in his last two tries against claimers. He is a deep closer who’ll need some pace to run at, but this event is loaded with speed. Look for him to take back and make one run. OFF THE TURF: 11-12-6-7
RACE 8: 1/1A-6-9
Both #1 SECONDARY MARKET and #1A MOTIVATED SELLER are good enough to win this thing and both get in being eligible for the N2X condition. The latter is the more talented of the two and should be in a good stalking spot from the outset in here. They’ll each have to stub their toes in order to keep out of the winner’s circle.
RACE 9: 4-5-3-8
#4 OUR LAST BUCK blossomed into the best NY bred sprinter late last year and into 2021, winning the Say Florida Sandy by open lengths over Funny Guy. He now returns off a layoff with an impressive worktab in a race that should unfold to his liking. Expect him to get in the mix at the top of the stretch.
RACE 10: 1-4-8-10
#1 SUM KINDA PRETTY returns off a layoff and drops in class for trainer Al Stall, Jr. This barn has long done some of its best work at Saratoga and this daughter of Summer Front faced considerably better in a couple of prior outings on the lawn. OFF THE TURF: 4-1-9-11
SARATOGA 2021 STATS: 69-18-11-11 $138.70
