SARATOGA – 7/27/23
RACE 1: 4-7-8-10
#4 INSTAMATIC makes up for a lack of pedigree with a good worktab, as this son of More Than Ready supposedly has looked very strong in the mornings. He should have speed in his unveiling and will be a square price in a competitive heat. Trainer Danny Gargan is perfectly capable of having one ready on debut.
RACE 2: 2-8-5-9
#2 MISS SAN GABRIEL is fresh off a maiden win in her first turf outing around two turns. She is the one to catch today from a cozy inside draw and her struggling pilot will be best served by putting her on the lead. She still has upside being so lightly raced and the morning line odds would make her a value play.
RACE 3: 2-3-7-5
#2 ARELLA STAR is now in the care of Bill Morey after a good effort last time out in the Game Face. That has come back a key race so far with the runner-up returning to take the Azalea at Gulfstream over the weekend. She has good tactical speed, gets Lasix and figures to be just off the early pace under the meet’s top pilot.
RACE 4: 6-4-1-3
#6 MERAVIGLIOSO has not tried a dry track since early April when she was a non-factor in the Grade III Distaff Handicap. She is back in a realistic spot class-wise on the drop and gets in light with the bug boy astride. Her best races make her competitive and Rick Dutrow, Jr. should have her ready to roll here.
RACE 5: 3-7-4-1
#3 MISE EN SCENE was inside last time out, made a big move around the turn before weakening late. She now takes a massive class drop given she ran out of condition last time out facing N3X optional sellers. The addition of blinkers should help her finish and she’ll be a great price at her morning line.
RACE 6: 7-3-8-6
#7 LADY ARWEN is a firster who performed nicely at the OBS April sale earlier this year, posting a furlong drill in :10 and 1/5. She is training up a storm for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, who is more than capable of having one ready on debut. An aggressive pilot aboard helps her cause.
RACE 7: 5-8-12-3
#5 EYES ON TARGET represents the barn of Mike Maker, who is due to get rolling at this stand. He has previously started this meet very strongly but things have not gone well so far, with his record stretching to 1-23 after Wednesday’s card. This ridgling, however, is due to make a splash here on the class drop as he should get some pace help as well.
RACE 8: 7-5-2-4
#7 NEXT is the one to beat regardless of the pace scenario in this spot. He was a powerful winner in last month’s Brookyln and should be tough to handle today as long as he can avoid an early pace battle. The success he’s had going long is amazing considering his final start with his original trainer came at 7 furlongs.
RACE 9: 10-2-4-7
There’s reason to like #10 ROYNE, who goes 3rd off a layoff after checking in a strong 2nd last time out against a comparable field at Laurel. This barn had a firster outperform expectations on Wednesday afternoon and you should get every bit of 20-1 on this son of Ghostzapper this afternoon.
RACE 10: 9-8-1-4
#9 CHARGING is the main speed on paper and is likely to get clear in this bunch. He has the aggressive pilot aboard who helped him wire two starts back, so he is very likely to get loose today. If he does get a clear lead, he’ll be a serious candidate to go the distance.
