SARATOGA – 8/3/2023
RACE 1: 1-2-7-8
#1 B D SAINTS had a troubled trip on debut, breaking poorly before rushing into contention n the first turn. He ended up tiring late, but understandably given what he had gone through in the opening quarter-mile. Having experience at this stage is pivotal and he drew the favorable rail post with Flavien Prat today.
RACE 2: 5-6-2-1/1A
#5 CUMBERLAND BLUES was stuck inside last time out and never produced a serious bid. He now gets some class relief and figures to be finishing as well as anyone here given distance looks like it should be his friend. When this barn has had success here over the years it has generally come in longer distance races.
RACE 3: 7-6-1-5
#7 CAMM’ DUKE is the one to catch today for Jimmy Ryerson as he switches surfaces in his second start off a layoff. He was last seen trying turf and showing some early interest before tiring in the closing stages. Those were far better horses than what he meets today and he should have a sizable pace advantage.
RACE 4: 8-1-5-4
#8 IT’S COLD IN DEHERE is returning off a break having been claimed for 20k back in June. This is a negative class drop given she’s in for 12.5k but trainer Linda Rice has played the claiming game like a poker player for quite some time. Over the last year, Rice is 39% with dirt routers first off of claims ($2.69 ROI).
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RACE 5: 2-6-1-9
#2 LET’S GO BIG BLUE had serious trouble early last time out then was steadied when he encountered a stricken horse on the turn. He goes 2nd off a layoff today and should be wound much tighter for this engagement for trainer George Weaver. There’s also enough pace in here to set up his late bid and he’ll be the best price of the real contenders.
RACE 6: 4-7-11-1
#4 DESTINY STAR hails from the potent barn of Tim Hamm, who is shipping this filly up for her debut. She has obviously turned heads in the mornings of late and should be set for s strong effort given her robust turf pedigree. She is out of an unraced dam but has one turf winning sibling and her 2nd dam was a multiple stakes winner on the weeds.
RACE 7: 5-4-8-6
#5 SILVER FIST is the one to catch here off an effort at Belmont that was far better than it looks on paper. She was involved in a white hot pace from the outset that day and stayed on as well as she could. She is loose today on paper as Javier Castellano simply needs to take advantage of that in the opening strides.
RACE 8: 3-1-2-5
#2 PIPELINE bled very significantly last time out in the Breeders’ Cup and now returns from a lengthy respite for his 2023 debut. He is the one to catch in here and will have the benefit of Lasix given this is a non-stake event. His best races are much too good for these and he should have no trouble making the lead.
RACE 9: 1-5-4-7
#1 WAR LIKE GODDESS is back in search of another Glens Falls, which would be her third straight decision. She was compromised by the turf course last time out, as well as the pitifully slow pace set by the eventual wire-to-wire winner, Marketsegmentation. The pace in here will hardly be robust, but she’ll also be able to save ground against lesser foes.
RACE 10: 1-2-9-6
#1 BANKINGONACHANCE is a second timer who was wide on debut when saving ground on the Widener turf course was of importance. He now looks to improve staying at the 40k level and should have more speed to offer with that unveiling now behind him. If he does move forward, he’ll be very tough to handle.
SARATOGA 2023 STATS: 155-44-23-21 $276.70
