SARATOGA – 7/20/2023
RACE 1: 5-4-6-1
#5 REVOLVING CREDIT is a first timer training well for Chad Brown out of a dam who won 4x and is by a sire whose progeny hit on debut at a 11% clip. The worktab here is strong and the experienced runners hardly ‘wow’ you on paper. The rival immediately to this filly’s inside is the one to fear most based on morning activities.
RACE 2: 1-7-2-5
While Kenny McPeek’s barn is not known for excelling with firsters, #1 WALSTIB is apparently training well and meets an underwhelming bunch this afternoon. He fired a bullet two workouts back and that signals his readiness. Progeny of Unified hit on debut at a 15% clip, which is obviously a positive as well.
RACE 3: 5-6-7-1
#5 HIGHLY FLAMMABLE did everything but win last time out rallying wide in a race dominated on the front end. He is the one to beat on paper, especially now that it has become abundantly clear he is both a turf/synthetic horse and one who prefers to go shorter. His ability to rate just off the pace should come in handy today.
RACE 4: 7-3-2-4
This is a great spot to try a price horse like #7 VEGAS WEEKEND, who goes first off a claim by Charlie Baker having faced 20k sellers last time out. The move up to the 32k level is a very positive one and Baker has done well, albeit from a limited sample with dirt starters first off of claims coming back in 60+ days over the last five years.
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RACE 5: 8-9-3-2
#8 THREEWHITESOLDIERS will seek to continue a strong run for trainer Bill Morey that included a nightcap win on Wednesday and a narrow miss in the penultimate event. This gelding is by freshman sire Catholic Boy whose progeny are precocious but yet to win on debut. The dam was a 2YO winner and the word is out this one is training forwardly for a good barn.
RACE 6: 3-11-6-10
Experience is the single biggest factor at this stage of the game when it comes to 2YOs and #3 KODIAC WINTERGREEN has an edge for that reason. She was a very good 2nd in a sow paced race on debut and the winner got a huge jump on them in that affair. Improvement is expected for a filly owned by the 3rd baseman for the reigning World Series champions
RACE 7: 1-3-2-4
Based on pedigree #1 SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS was supposed to excel on the turf, and he didn’t disappoint in a win on Belmont day. He now faces winners for the first time having earned a Thorograph figure that puts him squarely in the conversation, with the expectation being he’ll move forward in here. A slow break kept him far behind early last out, so don’t be surprised if he’s far more forwardly placed today.
RACE 8: 1-4-8-2
#1 MOSIENKO is the horse to beat coming back off a dull run against much tougher N3X optional sellers. The presence of Luis Saez is a good thing given he will keep this veteran mare involved early and her best races from 2022 and earlier this year are far better than anything her rivals in here have regularly run in the past.
RACE 9: 5-9-12-7
In an absolutely fascinating race, #5 JAMES ALOYSIUS offers a great deal of appeal dropping back out of a stake try at Monmouth and is getting Lasix back in here. He has plenty of tactical speed to help him stay close early and can be very dangerous with a repeat of that mid-April run at Keeneland where he battled hard start to finish.
RACE 10: 7-8-1-5
#7 RAMBLIN’ WRECK will be awfully tough to beat today based on his win last time out. There’s plenty of speed signed on in here to set the table for him late and this son of Redesdale looked like a potential open company stake horse when last seen at Belmont. The presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr. only ensures a paltry mutuel.
