“WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW” – SARATOGA
By Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
*
SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:
First Race – Post: 1:05 ET
Top Pick: 1-I’m Just Kiddin
Though she was beaten at even money in her debut, this daughter of Justify ran a winning race in defeat while finishing almost seven lengths clear of the rest in a similar sprint for juvenile fillies over the main track last month. Today, she switches to grass, and as a granddaughter of Scat Daddy there is no reason she shouldn’t run at least as well and probably better with the benefit of a race under her belt. She is listed as the logical 7/5 morning line favorite and, in the absence of trouble from her inside draw, should be hard to beat. Exacta players and those wishing to try to beat the favorite in the various rolling exotics should strongly consider 5-Highway Harmony, listed at or near her morning line of 9/2. The daughter of the promising freshman stallion Mo Town goes for a barn whose first timers often run better than they work and has trained decently in the morning (see below). While she may eventually want more ground to be at her best, she appears plenty fit and should be competitive first crack out of the box.
Seventh Race: Post: 4:29 ET
Top Pick: 3-Gal in a Rush (4-1)
Returning to the entry-level allowance ranks after finishing a willing second in the Alywow Stake sprinting at Woodbine last month, this talented sophomore finally gets a chance around two turns for the first time in her career and should make the most of the opportunity. By Ghostzapper from a mare by Dynaformer, the C. Clement-trained filly actually broke her maiden via disqualification inn a one turn mile last year but has been sprinting ever since. Today, from a nice inside draw and back with the barn’s “go-to” rider Joel Rosario, she should have every chance to settle in the second flight and then produce a winning late kick. Her morning line of 4-1 seems quite fair. 5-Al Qahira (ML 7/2) is the one to fear most and is worth including in the various exotics. A respectable fourth in the Lake George S.-G3 over this course and distance last month, she tackles easier foes today and she be forwardly placed throughout and have every chance.
*
SARATOA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 1-Im Just Kiddin; 5-Highway Harmony
2nd race: 2-Run Up the Score
3rd race: 6-Ny Traffic; 2-Wudda U Think Now
4th race: 6-Queen of Lies
5th race: 4-Khafre; 2-Red Revolution
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 2-Secret Love; 1-Snicket; 3-Mashnee Girl; 4-Bank On Anna
7th race: 3-Gal in a Rush; 5-Al Qahira; 10-Spicer
8th race: Tiergan; 7-Sea Foam
9th race: 3-Coolcatsnkittens; 1-Smokin’ Hot Kitty; 8-Unkoalified
10th race: 11-She’s a Mia; 8-Whatlovelookslike; 3-Theodora Grace
*
SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Highway Harmony (July 29, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.4b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Easy breeze inside Growth Mindset (same time) around dogs on training track turf course for J. Abreu, just galloping along while never being asked for her best (workmate asked a bit in the final furlong). Like the way this daughter of Mo Town moves; should be fit enough for a good effort in her grass sprint debut
View Workout Video
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
NINTH RACE:
Unkoalafied (August 5, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2b TT), Grade: B
Urged a bit through the lane and drew noticeably clear from workmate Born Dancer (same time) in training track drill for Nevin, decent enough while continuing her improving pattern. Seeking another soft maiden claiming turf sprint and might be most effective if held up early and allowed to run late.
View Workout Video
______________________________________________________________________________