“WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW” – SARATOGA
By Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:
First Race – Post: 11:35 ET
Top Pick: 3-Verifying (5/2)
This maiden special weight sprint for juveniles features yet another highly regarded son of Justify, this one from the barn of Brad Cox. Impressive in his local works, including a half mile breeze in company last week in :47 2/5 that accomplished under a tight hold, this $775,000 yearling purchase has all the makings of a high class prospect, and he has been given a sufficient numbers of drills to be fit and ready right off the bat. He’ll have to be, because also in the field – and equally well thought of by his connections – is the first timer 6-King’s Glory . The son of Speightstown sports a local work tab that has been excellent if not flashy, and if this Steve Asmussen-trained colt performs to expectations, he’ll be a major player every step of the way. Both should be included in rolling exotic play with the main push going to Verifying.
Thirteenth Race: Post: 6:52 ET
Top Pick: 1-Parnac (3-1)
French-bred filly ran much better than the line will show her U.S. debut at Belmont Park in July. She was shuffled back at the start to trail, was fanned extremely wide when commencing her rally into the lane and kept to her task to wind up a willing fourth, beaten less than three lengths in a race that she should have finished in the picture. Freshened and training very well in the interim for Christophe Clement, this 3-year-old filly won her first two career outings in Germany before being imported, and in this entry-level allowance grass miler from a good inside draw she is guaranteed an ideal, ground-saving trip. With Joel Rosario riding her back, she’s a strong win play and rolling exotic single.
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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-6)
1st race: 3-Verifying; 6-King’s Glory
2nd race: 5-Triple Start; 4-Alexis Zorba
3rd race: 1-On the Hill; 2-Bold Journey
4th race: 5-Technical Analysis
5th race: 3-Jackie’s Warrior
6th race: 5-Baltasar; 7-Swift Tap; 2-Life Changer; 3-Leddy
(Races 7-13)
7th race: 2-Maxwell Esquire; 3-Discreet Tune; 1-Comedy Town
8th race: 6-Jack Christopher; 9-Accretive
9th race: 3-Clairiere; 5-Malathaat
10th race: 3-Broome; 6-Gufo; 1-Adhamo
11th race: 5-Artorius; 6-Epicenter; 1-Cybernife
12th race: 7-Heymackit’sjack; 1-Kreesa; 2-Feathers Road
13th race: 1-Parnac
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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Game Warden (August 21, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00b). Grade: B-
Sluggish leaving the gate but then moved up under some urging to be even inside Fightertown (same time) to the turn before slipping back slightly in the late stages and appearing second best in gate drill for T. Pletcher. Decent final time but not a real quick type, maybe needs distance and some experience.
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Verifying (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :47.2b). Grade: A-
In blinkers, went off quickly under a tight hold in :22.2, remained under wraps inside Instant Coffee (same time) through the lane and was noticeably best while finishing with plenty left, final quarter in :25 flat. Could have gone infinitely faster if permitted. Justify colt from the Brad Cox barn trains like the Real McCoy.
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King’s Glory (August 7, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.2b). Grade: B+
Was even but much best inside Watch This Munny (same time), always under a nice hold (workmate asked) to finish with plenty left, final quarter in a sharp :24.1. Speightstown colt has plenty of ability, could be one of the barn’s better young colts. Plenty fit by now.
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Standard of Proof (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1b). Grade: B
Stride-for-stride inside Kaon (same time) for C. Brown, not real quick early but moving up to be head-and-head throughout without undue pressure, steady splits. Gun Runner colt probably will get more comfortable as the distances increase.
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SECOND RACE:
Triple Start (August 19, Saratoga, 4f, :51.3b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Ridden a tad late to be even outside Clubhouse (same time) around dogs over the training track turf course for T. Pletcher, nice drill while gearing up for debut. Doesn’t act like a speed type, maybe more of a grinder and definitely wants to run long on turf.
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THIRD RACE:
Great Workout (August 18, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.4b). Grade: B
Never asked inside Bold Victory (same time) for L. Rice, final quarter in :24.4 while holding his form. Might be most comfortable as a late-running sprinter. In good shape.
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FOURTH RACE:
Technical Analysis (August 14, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b). Grade: B+
Never asked while inside the dogs in company with In Italian (same time, hammerlock throughout while appearing slightly best), both looking sharp and on edge for C. Brown. Daughter of Kingman should be a short price in the Ballston Spa.
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FIFTH RACE:
Jackie’s Warrior (August 15, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.1b). Grade: A-
Broke off slightly in front of Gunite (same time) and was always going much best, under wraps through the lane while full of run. Maintains his championship edge, workmate was asked to close the gap but couldn’t, was hoping to see a bit more from him.
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Cody’s Wish (August 21, Saratoga, 4f, :48b). Grade: A-
Terrific breeze, smooth as silk, never asked a drop, easy early, strong through the lane, final quarter in :23.3. Continues to improve and seems ready for a career top try.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Jack Christopher (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, :59.4b). Grade: B+
Even but slightly best outside Key Point (same time), never asked at any stage while going stride-for-stride throughout. On edge, should return to winning form when shortened back to one-turn.
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Accretive (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01b). Grade: B+
Razor sharp while going stride-for-stride inside Early Voting (same time), easy early, plenty left late final quarter in :24.2. Continues to improve and should run a career top in the Jerkens.
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NINTH RACE:
Clairiere (August 22, Saratoga, 4f, :50.4b). Grade: B
Nothing more than a high gallop in half mile solo breeze on training track for S. Asmussen. Seeks her third straight win in the Personal Ensign following terrific victories in the Phipps and Shuvee. Maintains her terrific form.
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Malathaat (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2b). Grade: B+
Just galloping outside Saint Tapit (same time), neither asked a drop, both looking fine. Certainly didn’t run her best race when second in the Shuvee but her breezes since than have been very good. Capable of rising to the occasion.
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TENTH RACE:
Gufo (August 19, Saratoga, 4f, :49b TT TC). Grade: B
In blinkers, hard held while even outside City Man (same time) both looking very sharp in easy breeze for C. Clement. Won the Sword Dancer last year and will try for a repeat score. Appears ready for a major effort.
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ELEVENTH RACE:
Artorius (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :47b). Grade: A-
Sharp as a tack breezing outside Search Results (same time) while hitting the wire slightly in front, never asked. Improves every time we see him.
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Early Voting (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01b) Grade: B
Stride-for-stride outside Accretive (same time), both going easily through the lane, final quarter mile in a sharp :24.2 for Chad Brown. Looks a bit better (and tighter) for the Travers than he did for the Jim Dandy, so improvement can be expected.
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Zandon (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b). Grade: B+
Hard held to the top and then continued under wraps through the lane, final quarter mile in :24 3/5 for Chad Brown in solo five furlong breeze. According to his speed figures, he’s never taken a backward move in six career starts and based on this drill he’s ready to step forward again.
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Cyberknife (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00b). Grade: B+
Breezed outside Angitude (5f, 1:00.4b), breaking off three lengths behind and winding up a length in front at the wire, very light coaxing only (workmate never asked), final quarter in :24 1/5 before being allowed to gallop out strongly into the clubhouse turn and backstretch. Workmanlike, solid move should keep him on edge.
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Rich Strike (August 19, Saratoga, 5f, :59.4b). Grade: B+
Strong solo five furlong breeze for Kentucky Derby winner, not asked to the top before responding to very mild coaxing through the lane to finish in a rally, final quarter in :24 flat. Always has been willing in the morning and should be fit enough for a top effort in the Travers despite the layoff.
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THIRTEENTH RACE:
Parnac (August 21, Saratoga, 4f, :50.2b TT TC DU). Grade: B+
Broke off behind Shad Nation (4f, :50.3b TT TC DU) for C. Clemente while just cruising outside and then closed the gap to finish head-and-head at the wire, strong hold, then galloped out quite well and ahead of workmate toward the late stages. Had a run in July at Belmont Park in his first U.S. outing and seems very likely to improve a ton next time.
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