SARATOGA – 8/31/2024
RACE 1: 8-4-3-9
#8 AMERICA’S HONOR made up real ground late in the game in his debut and now gets back to dirt for trainer Greg Sacco. He should get some pace to run at, but can also be more involved early with a cleaner break from the gate. The two favorites in here are hardly anything to be scared of, so taking a price is a wise move.
RACE 2: 2-8-6-3
Veteran trainer Tom Amoss knows the value of putting speed horses on the lead and #2 AUTHENTIC GALLOP showed early foot in his debut. He now moves to turf and is not bred so much for it. The workouts, however, have shown that he can take to the weeds and the inside post is ideal for a two-turn trip.
RACE 3: 8-7-3-6
#8 HEYMACKIT’SJACK is a major pace threat provided he can get out of the gate in this affair. He has run credibly in two prior starts in 2024 despite the gate issues and now faces far weaker than he did last time out. Irad Ortiz, Jr. getting aboard is going to depress the price, but always helps the win chances.
RACE 4: 7-9-4-8
#7 CONFABULATION is a second time starter who showed little on debut, but that race came against far better competition. She adds blinkers and leading trainer Chad Brown is 30% with 2nd time starting maidens on dirt at all levels. This is clearly a spot where they’re trying to get a win and preserve the top slots in owner and trainer standings.
RACE 5: 5-6-2-8
#5 FEDERAL JUDGE is the one to catch off a good runner-up effort off the bench for Brad Cox. He made the lead in his last start, won the battle but wound up tiring late as a rival rallied on the outside. This is a spot where he should be able to get clear early and the rivals he meets don’t have the requisite speed to keep him honest early.
RACE 6: 5-10-6-1
#5 LAURICE is likely going to be favored in here given the word out about her morning activity. She was very impressive in her sale workout, posting a clocking of :9 and 4/5 at OBS in April and was taken for 460k by two-time World Series winner Alex Bregman. This is a spot where she should be ready given the workout reports.
RACE 7: 9-5-4-1
#9 MISS ENCHANTED just might prefer a dry racetrack and should get back on one today after racing on a sealed surface last time. She was in position to pounce that afternoon before weakening late and now comes back with a good workout and an outside post. Whether this barn can even win in Saratoga anymore is the biggest worry.
RACE 8: 9-4-3-2
#9 OUR FAVORITE SON is a firster who is reportedly training strongly with stablemate Two Sharp. The outside draw is a good thing and this barn seems to start nothing but live horses. The competition today is strong and the experienced runners look to have talent. We’ll get a square price on this one when all is said and done.
RACE 9: 6-9-2-5
#6 BARRAGE is back in the care of Ray Handal after two starts for Nick Palmer. The best races this gelding ran for this barn in the past are good enough to win today and he fits this class level nicely. The ability he has to lay close to the pace is significant given the likely early tempo in this event.
RACE 10: 1-9-7-3
#1 MIUCCIA is in NY after 5 starts in South Florida for trainer Gustavo Delgado. She lures Irad Ortiz, Jr. and apparently worked very strongly for this engagement a week ago. The rail draw is the only negative, but she can work out a stalking trip from the inside. The likelihood of a moderate pace will not work against her given she has some tactical speed.
RACE 11: 1-8-11-7
#1 IMMERSIVE is going to have to overcome an inside post, but should benefit from the added ground they’ll get this afternoon. She is training forwardly for her first try against winners and still has plenty of upside given the distance-oriented nature of her pedigree. If they sprint away from her early, it likely won’t matter terribly much.
RACE 12: 4-1-7-3
#4 ETERNAL HOPE can be forwardly placed enough to get the jump on the deep closers as she exits a 4th place finish in the Glens Falls. The pace in that affair was very strong, and Flavien Prat allowed this gal to get heavily involved from the start. She needs a more conservative ride today stalking the rabbit and that can still put her in an advantageous spot.
RACE 13: 7-6-12-8
#7 DEVILSGOTACAUSE is back where he’s protected from the tag after stalking the pace while wide last time out and weakening late. The blinkers go on as well and that should lead to this son of Creative Cause being forwardly placed. The connections generally struggle on turf but this one might simply have the perfect running style for this event.
SARATOGA 2024 STATS: 384-103-73-44 $716.40
