SARATOGA – 9/2/21
RACE 1: 3-7-1
#3 SUBIACO is the one to beat on the surface switch after being claimed by Mertkan Kantarmaci last time out. She is in good form and is ideally suited to this trip. Any moisture in the racetrack will only help her chances as well.
RACE 2: 11-8-4-10
#11 LANZONI is a firster by Speightster, a 14% debut sire, and is out of a dam who was a one-time winner. She produced one multiple winner from as many to race. The outside post is ideal and this race will be greatly affected by scratches.
RACE 3: 2-7-1
#2 ESOTICA enters off a maiden win for Mike Maker after bursting clear of her competition early and pulling clear late. She is the one to catch once again and is a major threat if able to get clear in the opening stages. The inside post is the only real negative.
RACE 4: 2-3-4
The hesitant riding #2 AMERICAN POWER received all winter and spring hurt his chances, and he now has an opportunity to get clear of this field early. He is a two-time winner over this oval and will be very dangerous if left alone on the front end. Hopefully he is ridden aggressively by Jose Ortiz.
RACE 5: 1A-5-4
#1A DEFERRED TAXES has reportedly trained well on dirt going back to his debut and now gets an opportunity on the main track. He will meet a weak bunch with this race taken off the turf, and it won’t take much to contend for top honors.
RACE 6: 8-1-2-6
#8 FATHER WALSH is a firster by Twirling Candy, whose progeny hit at a 20% clip on debut as 2YOs, and is out of a dam who produced two winners from as many to race. He’s training well and lures Irad Ortiz, Jr. for his unveiling. Tab the tote action to see if he’s ready.
RACE 7: 5-4-9-8
The move to dirt clearly makes #5 MOTIVATED SELLER the one to beat. She is the best dirt horse in the race by a mile, and enters off a performance that was much stronger than it looks on paper. She is the main speed to boot.
RACE 8: 2-4-10-1
#2 DARK STORM ran a bang-up race last time out to narrowly miss at the 25k level. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez moves him up in class off the claim, and he is a late player in this pace-laden affair. Look for him in the late stages at a price.
RACE 9: 2-6-8-9
It took 3 races for #2 MISS INTERPRET to finally get the job done, but she has upside and will be a good fit at today’s 7 furlong trip. She closed strongly into a slow pace last time out and can be a serious threat with a more forwardly placed trip.
RACE 10: 15-16-8-5
The improvement shown at second asking by #15 STONECOLDWARRIOR is enough to make him the one to beat in this race taken off the turf. He should be in an ideal spot on the outside stalking the pace, and will be a square price in a competitive heat.
