SARATOGA – 8/24/22
RACE 1: 1-2-5-7
#1 FREDDY FLINTSHIRE takes a class jump to the stakes ranks off a handy local win. He excels during the flat portion of racing and that makes him the one to beat today.
RACE 2: 1-3-5-7
#1 SWEET BLUSH is a firster who’s a half to the multiple graded stake placed Grantham. The rail draw is less than ideal for a debuting runner, but the worktab here looks solid and progeny of Candy Ride win at a 12% clip on debut as 2YOs. #3 GAMBLING GIRL is the likely favorite as a 3rd time starter who has had modest excuses in her first two outings. She continues to train forwardly, so there must be some talent there. #5 MADDIE’S GRACE is a second timer who showed some life on debut. She hails from an ice cold barn that has had little to nothing go right at this meet.
RACE 3: 4-5-2-7
The class drop and pace edge are supposed to be enough for #4 BUILT TO LAST to beat this bunch. He drops in for a tag today for the first time and should be loose right from the word ‘go.’ Trainer Tom Morley is 16% with a $3.03 ROI dropping turf maidens in for tags. #5 SHARP SENSATION was a good second in his local debut, albeit against a softer field than the one he meets today. Nonetheless, his last couple of races have been improved and he should be waiting in the wings should the top pick falter. #2 MY SLICK NICK is brilliantly named, and now gets a surface change for Steve Klesaris. The dam was a 4x turf winner, but sire Frost Giant has a horrific record with turfers. OFF THE TURF: 13-12-4
RACE 4: 5-3-4-2
#5 ZEN MASTER rates to get an ideal outside stalking trip here for Brittany Russell. He has been in good form of late and should be quick enough to stay close in a race that doesn’t have an abundance of early foot. #3 CATHEDRAL BEACH was a handy winner of a race that has already yielded a next out winner in Arthurian. This is a negative claim, though he is coming back quickly for new trainer Eddie Barker. #4 COLE SPUR has back form that makes him a contender, even if his recent workouts have reportedly been lackluster. He is another with speed as well.
RACE 5: 5-3-6-1
All aboard the “Phil Bauer Express” as #5 RODERICK looks to have a clear pace edge in a race short on early foot. He’s also getting some needed class relief and should be prominent from the start. The work that Bauer has done here over the years is remarkable. #3 GOOD CULTURE is a late runner and potential upsetter. He is going to need some pace help, and that is of great concern given the pace scenario, but you’ll get a nice price on an honest runner from a dangerous barn. #6 KINETIC SKY is dropping in for a tag for the first time in his career. He was very dull when last seen here against tougher and is a candidate to improve on the drop alone.
RACE 6: 5-2-7-1
#11 OVERBORE gets the nod in the most interesting race on the card. He shortens up in distance after encountering significant early trouble last time out going long. This is the right trip for him and there’s more than enough pace signed on to setup his late run. #5 KING ANGELO is the one to catch given his ample early speed. He wired a softer field going this trip when last seen and retains the winning pilot. Trainer Phil Serpe has quietly had a very nice run at this meet. #6 THIN WHITE DUKE ran a bang-up race when a fast-closing 3rd behind de facto turf sprint division leader Golden Pal. He is a late player once again this time around and should be heard from in the lane. OFF THE TURF: 11-3-9-13
RACE 7: 5-8-9-7
#5 PROVEN HOPE showed some affinity for turf when last seen on the lawn at Belmont. He now stretches out in distance and is bred well to handle the added ground. Trainer Mark Hennig got off the duck last week and is 3 for his last 14 with turf maidens dropping in for tags ($2.20 ROI). #8 THE PRINCE’S SPUR is clearly the one to beat dropping in class off a trip where he had no shot rallying into a glacial pace. His trainer is giving up on him quickly, though this is the time of year when you spot horses to win. #9 DRAKON is the one to catch from this outside post. Being out there will likely prompt his rider to use aggressive tactics and that will be his only path to the winner’s circle. OFF THE TURF: 8-5-7-9
RACE 8: 2-6-5-3
#2 CRYPTO CASH goes first off a claim and recently trained with a solid runner-up here a week ago. The lack of pace here is the big concern given his preferred running style, but his back class helps him tower over these rivals on paper. #6 LASTCHANCEATGLORY is the one to catch off the claim by Tom Morley. He was last seen beating up on 32k claimers, so it’s not the greatest of signs he’s in for just 25k off the claim. His pace edge is formidable, though. #5 LIL COMMISSIONER is another who can be forwardly placed as he joins the care of Philip Antonacci. This veteran enters off a win of his own, albeit against lesser, and has the tools to be forwardly placed.
RACE 9: 5-4-3-2
In as weak a rendition of this race as there has ever been, #5 SA’AD gets a tepid nod. He was victorious on the flat at Green Mountain in May and can handle the 13 furlongs without issue. Trainer Keri Brion has made a positive impression on this circuit with jumpers and flat runners. #4 OCEANS MAP is a distance specialist who will appreciate the stretchout in distance. He has been in good form of late, too, with an improved recent effort on the Jersey Shore. #3 TIDE OF THE SEA is the one to catch and was astutely scratched out of a tougher allowance race run here on Sunday. Whether he can regain the form that made him a stakes winner late last year is the concern.
RACE 10: 8-4-5-11
#8 CONTROL FUNCTION is the morning line favorite and should be rolling late off the bench for Chad Brown. Last seen in January in Florida, this daughter of Kitten’s Joy has trained steadily for the meet’s top barn. Over the last 8 months in NY, Brown is 36% with turf routers off 180+ day breaks ($2.32 ROI). #4 LADY OF THOROTON made the only off the pace move in a largely pace dominated race last time out. She’s a late threat once again today at what should be an attractive price. #5 STELLA MARS outfinished ‘Thoroton last time out with an ideal trip from just off the pace. She is a threat today based on that performance and will be one of the choices. OFF THE TURF: 9-13-14-2
