SARATOGA – 9/1/2021
RACE 1: 7-3-2-1
#7 PRAYER HOPE won on the flat last time out and is a contender based on this event having an elongated run without hurdles.
RACE 2: 4-1A-3
#4 FLOWERS FOR LISA is now in the care of Matthew O’Connor and looks like the inside speed going a trip that is very conducive to forwardly placed types. Look for this one to be a factor from the outset.
RACE 3: 1-6-10-7
#1 STATIC FIRE is training well for Brian Lynch on debut and should have the speed to overcome a tricky inside post. Her dam is a half to the graded stakes placed sprinter Essence Hit Man, and her dam was a turf winner herself.
RACE 4: 2-3-8-6
Though it seems a tad too obvious, #2 TASS is a serious candidate to wire this field. She stretches out in distance off a troubled trip going 5.5 panels and is clearly the one to catch. Her rider is in the midst of an abysmal meet where he’s pressed all the wrong buttons, but this one doesn’t require much thought.
RACE 5: 2-5-7-4
Inside speed is a major weapon going 9 furlongs at the Spa, so #2 SPEED EFFECT is the one to beat in this field. He is supposed to win the race to the first turn and be very tough to beat from there. The fact that Irad Ortiz, Jr., who is generally a very passive rider, was aboard for a wire-to-wire score at Gulfstream is encouraging.
RACE 6: 9-3-6-2
The horse to beat is undoubtedly #9 FREUDIAN FATE, who drops in class while making his third start off a layoff. This 5YO has the best speed figures on dirt of any competitor, and you’ll get an inflated price by virtue of his low percentage connections. Look for him to be in stalk and pounce range from the outset.
RACE 7: 1-10-9-6
#1 JILL’S A HOT MESS has come into her own of late and has the perfect running style to overcome a tricky inside post. She has the tactical speed to stay close, and can also grab command early if veteran Johnny Velazquez so chooses. That makes her the one to beat.
RACE 8: 3-5-6-4
#3 RUNNIN’ RAY just may have a pace edge on this field given how forward he was in his last start. He wound up holding on gamely to beat subsequent 9 furlong winner Winter Pool and now steps up in class. With a good, aggressive ride he can take this field a long way.
RACE 9: 4-1-3-6
#4 PORTFOLIO COMPANY was close to the pace last time out and did the majority of the running to get the job done at first asking. He has a potential pace edge on #1 LIMITED LIABILITY, who was a smashing debut winner a couple of weeks after ‘Portfolio. Together, they look like the only two real win candidates.
RACE 10: 9-1A-10-12
#9 VIVAZANO is better on turf and looks to have a pace edge in this field. She was involved in a very strong early tempo last time out on dirt before weakening late. If allowed to get a clear lead today, she is a major threat tog o the distance.
