“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: 1:05 ET
Top Pick: 9-Mademoisellejackie (5-1)
In a wide open grass grab bag for maiden juvenile fillies, let’s opt for a newcomer with several winning angles in her chart. The daughter of American Pharoah has been given a solid foundation to have her fit and ready – just as he recent workmate Dontlookbackatall was on Friday – and from a stable that has an excellent record with first time starters this $200,000 yearling purchase seems primed for a major effort first time out. She has displayed speed in the morning, so it wouldn’t surprise to see her within striking range of the leader every step of the way. She attracts top shelf grass rider Flavien Prat, so at 5-1 on the morning line there is good reason to believe that she’s extremely well-meant. Also worth including somewhere on your ticket are the 3-1 morning line favorite 2-Xigera, a reasonable runner-up over this course and distance in her debut earlier this month, and 7-Akayla, a $650,00 OBS April sale purchase by the high quality turf stallion Kingman from the Chad Brown stable.
Eighth Race: Post: 2:00 ET
Top Pick: 4-Wit (9/5)
It was always assumed that this son of Practical Joke would be best suited as a late-running dirt sprinter – just like as his sire was – but it appears this talented colt prefers to be a two-turn grass performer. A strong runner-up in his first try over a distance of ground and his first on grass in the Hall of Fame S.-G2 earlier this month, the Todd Pletcher-trained sophomore has breezed sharply since that outing and with any kind of forward move in this year’s edition of the Better Talk Now Stakes he should be able to produce a winning late kick. The early pace projects to be sufficient to compliment his style, so we’ll play him with confidence at 9/5 on the morning line. For protection, you might want to include on a ticket or two 7-Napoleonic War, overmatched in the Belmont Derby-G1 last time out but a contender based on his solid runner-up effort in the Pennine Ridge Stakes two races back.
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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 9-Mademoisellejackie; 2-Xigera; 7-Akayla
2nd race: 1-Endowed; 3-Cryo
3rd race: 3-Abuse of Power; 4-Thismightbetheone; 1-Mispelled Moon
4th race: 2-Gasoline; 5-Sidekick
5th race: 4-Microphone; 6-Irwin
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 9-Love to Shop; 5-Lovin’ On the Run; 2-Nursekringledances
7th race: 6-Summer At the Spa2-Freedomofthepress
8th race: 4-Wit; 7-Napoleonic War
9th race: 1-Ce Ce; 5-Bella Sofia
10th race: 6-Super Quality; 12-Java Buzz; 4-Steady On
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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Akayla (August 14, Saratoga, 4f, :51b TT). Grade: C+
Even but second best in training track breeze with Free Look (same time, never asked) while being niggled at to stay even in the closing stages, final quarter mile in in a slow :26.3. She’s a daughter of Kingman so maybe she’s a grass horse. Posted a 10 flat clocking at the OBS April sale over the all-weather surface before bringing $650,000 through the ring.
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Mademoisellejackie (August 19, Saratoga, 4f, :51.2b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Just galloping inside subsequent debut winner Dontlookbackatall (4f, :51b TT TC DU), breaking off a couple of lengths in front and finishing about a half-length clear at the wire, never asked and looking okay at the very least around dogs on grass (official final times should be reversed). Daughter of American Pharoah moves well, handles the turf, and could be a live item vs. maidens if no world beaters show up.
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SECOND RACE:
Endowed (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :49.3b TT). Grade: B
Easy solo training track breeze for J. Mullins, slow early but nice late, final quarter mile :23.4. Doing well, seeking another starter’s allowance affair, has some improvement in him.
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FIFTH RACE:
Microphone (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :49.3b). Grade: B
Under stout restraint outside L’Imperator (same time) for C. Brown, final quarter mile in :25.1 in easy breeze while gearing up for his first start since mid-June. Solid on numbers, has conditions, prefers turf, and should be set for an improved try.
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SIXTH RACE:
Nursekringledances (August 19, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02.3b). Grade: B
Hard held outside Street Ready (same time) for I. Wilkes, able to go much quicker if turned loose, with both fillies looking nice while coming home in :25.2. Had a bullet work from the gate (5f, 1:00.2bg) the previous week so she has enough speed to be dangerous first time out.
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Soledad (August 21, Saratoga, 4f, :48b). Grade: B-
In blinkers, under a stout hold most of the way while even but a tad the best with My Betsy (same time) for W. Mott, very late switching leads, final quarter mile in :24.3. Not the smoothest of movers but there’s something to work with.
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Lovin’ on the Run (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :48.3b). Grade: B
Stride-for-stride inside Evan Sing (same time) for A. Stall, Jr., both going very easily, neither one permitted to show any speed, final quarter mile in :24.4. Daughter of Runhappy has a lengthy work pattern and should be quite fit and appears to have some early speed, at least.
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I’m a Country Girl (August 14, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1bg). Grade: B
Was much quicker from the gate and easily best over Reflexivity (4f, :48.4bg) for C. Brown, never asked, always on her own, more than three lengths clear when eased up after a half. Moves like a filly with some dangerous early speed and should be fit enough by now.
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Alpha Bella (August 21, Saratoga, 4f, :47.1bg). Grade: B+
Mildly ridden early and hand urged late to be even but clearly best with Agua Dulce (same time) while displaying some speed and power in team gate drill for T. Pletcher. Looks like a decent sort of filly, at least. Daughter of Justify strikes us as one that will enjoy a distance of ground down the road.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Wit (August 19, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b TT TC). Grade: B
Clearly best outside Double Thunder (4f, :49.2b TT TC) for T. Pletcher, very light coaxing only while finishing with purpose (workmate asked, couldn’t quite keep pace late), final quarter mile in :24.1. May have found a home on turf after a strong runner-up effort in the Hall of Fame S.-G2 last time out.
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NINTH RACE:
Ce Ce (August 13, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B+
Breezing inside Charges Dropped (same time), not asked through the lane but edging clear late with a ton left, final half mile in :23.4 and :47.4. Arrives from California in top shape.
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Obligatory (August 21, 4f, :48.2b TT). Grade: B
Asked and ridden through the lane and swapped leads back in forth in the final furlong while finishing well, final quarter mile in :23.4. This move was on the training track; her one prior outing over the Saratoga main track last year in the Test S.-G1 was far below her best.
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Bella Sofia (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, :59.2b). Grade: B+
Mostly on her own in solo five furlong drill, final quarter mile in a very sharp :23.3 after going off easily. Disappointed in the Honorable Miss Stakes last month but should be capable of snapping back to good form based on this drill.
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