“WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW” – SARATOGA
By Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
*
SARATOGA BEST PLAYS:
THIRD RACE – Post: 2:15 ET
4-Robyn and Eli (5/2)
After finishing second in her first three starts, this sophomore filly should be ready to graduate in her first outing with Lasix. The Chad Brown-trained filly stretches out again, lands a comfortable draw that should produce an ideal pace-stalking trip, shows rising speed figures with each race and was a sharp in a recent four furlong workout that indicates she’s spot on for another forward move. At 5/2 on the morning line, this New York-bred daughter of Laoban offers solid value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
NINTH RACE – Post: 5:39 ET
9-Fort Ticonderoga (2-1)
High-potential 3-year-old was very impressive breaking his maiden in his second career start (and first since last July) when graduating with complete authority in a fast, highly rated turf miler at Belmont Park last month. The son of War Front is raised into a first-level allowance middle distance event that should be well within his capabilities, so in a race that should set up nicely for his second flight, stalking style, the Shug McGaughey-trained colt seems fairly solid at 2-1 on the morning line.
*
SANTA ANITA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 5-North Pole. Backup: 6-Psychic Income
2nd race: 7-Chloe Rose; 1-Closing Deals; 4-Quick Munny
3rd race: 4-Robyn and Eli. Backup: 1-Whatlovelookslike
4th race: 2-Higher Quality. Backup: 8-Cryo
5th race: 9-Rally Squirrel; 10-Marina Sauced. Backup: Mr. Kringle
(Races 6-11)
6th race: 8-Alcools. Backup: 2-In Sky We Trust
7th race: 5-Reinvestment Risk. Backup: 9-Baby Yoda
8th race: 3-Bleecker Street
9th race: 9-Fort Ticonderoga; Backup: 3-Forever Souper
10th race: 4-Forte; 9-Abdiamo a Firenze
11th race: 4-Diva Ready
*
SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Never Change (July 7, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1bg TT). Grade: C+
May have gone a couple of ticks faster than official final time but was always outrun in team drill with Up to the Mark (4f, :48bg), finishing about six lengths back when eased up after a half mile from gate. Hard to get excited about.
View Workout Video
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
THIRD RACE:
Robyn and Eli (July 9, Saratoga, 4f, :50b TT). Grade: B –
Under a nice hold in easy breeze for C. Brown in solo training track drill, final quarter mile in a solid :24.2. Second in all three career starts and is overdue for a maiden win.
View Workout Video
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
FOURTH RACE:
Higher Quality (July 8, Saratoga, 4f, :49.4b TT). Grade: B
From the quarter pole to the wire in :24.4 under a nice hold while even inside Scilly Cay (same time) for C. Brown. Tiznow gelding weas disappointing when well-beaten in an allowance main track miler last time out but seems likely to improve considerably based on this drill. Moves like he’ll enjoy a distance of ground.
View Workout Video
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SIXTH RACE:
Flamingo Hawk (July 10, Saratoga, 3f, :37b). Grade: B-
Not the prettiest of movers but wasn’t asked and looked fine in easy three furlong breeze for S. Joseph, Jr., final quarter mile on our watches in :25 flat. Had dull form in Kentucky but may improve a bit on this circuit with a class drop.
View Workout Video
In Sky We Trust (July 9, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b). Grade: B+
Tons best over Hatari (5f, 1:01.2b), good speed to the top and then coasting through the lane while drawing clear with ease, splits of :34.2 and 1:00.3 on our watches, quite nice for new trainer M. Maker. Have to think he’s display improvement with the barn switch based on this drill.
View Workout Video
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SEVENTH RACE:
Nova Rags (July 7, Saratoga, 4f, :48b TT). Grade: B
Ridden a bit late in nice solo drill for W. Mott, final quarter mile in a sharp :23.3. over training track. Has some improvement in him based on this drill.
View Workout Video
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
NINTH RACE:
Credit Event (July 8, Saratoga, 4f, :49b TT). Grade: B-
Under urging into the lane to stay even inside Fighter in the Win (same time), final quarter mile :24.2, second best to his breezing workmate. Was hoping for a bit better, probably needs grass for his best chance.
View Workout Video
Wolfe County (July 9, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1b TT). Grade: B
Even throughout outside Creative Minister (same time) in steady half mile training track team drill, final quarter under light coaxing only in a solid :24 flat. Showed improved form in last pair in Kentucky and maintains his edge.
View Workout Video
______________________________________________________________________________
TENTH RACE:
Roman Giant (July 9, Saratoga, 4f, :50.2b TT). Grade: B-
Easy breeze outside Run Poppy (same time) for S. Asmussen, never asked while coming home in a breezing :25 flat. Graduated in fourth career start in Kentucky and may have a bit more improvement in him.
View Workout Video
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ELEVENTH RACE:
Hatari (July 9, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.2b). Grade: C
No match for In Sky We Trust (5f, 1:00.3b) while dropping back through the lane to finish six lengths behind workmate. Hard to endorse based on this drill.
View Workout Video
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________