SARATOGA – 8/23/2023
RACE 1: 9-1-4-8
#9 MCTIGUE enters off a huge win and looks like a prohibitive favorite in the crown jewel of steeplechase racing at the meet.
RACE 2: 3-4-7-6
#3 BUSTIN SHOUT put forth a strong effort last time out when victorious against open company and now returns to the NY bred ranks. He has excellent tactical speed and looks to be in an ideal spot early chasing #6 LOHENGRIN TWO. With any improvement off of his last two outings he’ll be tough to beat.
RACE 3: 6-8-3-7
#6 BRING ME A CHECK ran a winning race last time out when he finished third beaten a head in a tough turf sprint affair. He now goes first off a claim by Pat Reynolds, who has quietly had success in 2023. He has the tactical speed to stay within range from the start and that should put him in a solid position.
RACE 4: 9-5-1-8
The last turf race from #9 LT. MITCHELL was far better than it looks on paper as he had some serious traffic trouble in upper stretch. He is the one to catch today after showing more speed in his last two starts, even from an outside draw. With a cleaner go of it, he’ll be tough to handle at a fair price.
RACE 5: 3-6-1-4
#3 DISRUPTION is getting a bit of a makeover today with blinkers and Lasix. The last race this filly ran was dull but it was her first off a lengthy break. She can improve as the main speed on paper with Irad Ortiz, Jr. getting back aboard. There is little to no speed signed up in this affair and that helps her cause by leaps and bounds.
RACE 6: 3-5-8-6
#3 MISCHIEF JOKE is clearly the one to beat for trainer Mike Maker off a narrow miss here last month. He has plenty of early speed and has improved with each passing start, so it stands to reason this will be his best effort to date. Irad Ortiz, Jr. is aboard and should have him in position when the running starts.
RACE 7: 8-5-7-6
#8 SY DOG goes third off a layoff and should take to the distance without issue. The last race he ran was respectable, as he laid a tad closer to a hot early pace than he’d prefer. If he is able to harness his energy for the 13 panels, he’ll be a major player as one of the choices. The distance, of course, is the variable.
RACE 8: 4-12-9-8
#4 ROCKSTAR RED snatched defeat from the jaws of victory two starts back and now gets back on the lawn second off a claim by Linda Rice. This barn has had a tremendous meet and this gelding should get an ideal stalking trip this afternoon. His best turf races are too much for his competition today.
RACE 9: 4-6-7-1
#4 AGGREGATION looks to continue a record-setting meet for Klaravich Stables as he returns from a layoff a new gelding. This son of Flatter has drawn the rail in each of his first five starts and now gets a mid-pack post in a race with plenty of confirmed speed. His last can be excused to an extent as he was inside chasing a slow pace in a heat that yielded two next out winners.
RACE 10: 11-8-12-10
#11 ACCEPT THE OUTCOME drops in for a tag for trainer Chad Brown and has run well enough to contest MSW events. She is a layover on paper in this field on the drop given that she has ample early speed and can stay forward early under the meet’s top pilot, Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA 2023 STATS: 294-75-43-46
