“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:
Fifth Race – Post: 3:21 ET
Top Pick: 8-Peace Cruiser (7/2)
This promising first-time starter has displayed enough ability at the sales at Timonium and locally since arriving at Saratoga to expect a big effort in this contentious seven furlong sprint with several promising newcomers in the field. The daughter of Violence was best of a team in a good gate work last month (see below) and, assuming she breaks well, projects to be forwardly placed if not on or near the lead. Listed at 7/2 on the morning line, she’s a strong play at or near that price both in the straight pool and in the various rolling exotics. For protection, you may consider tossing in 4-Raging Sea and Renegade Rebel somewhere on your ticket.The former doesn’t train like a speed type and in fact might be a race away from showing her best stuff, but there’s no doubt she has talent, and at this extended sprint distance she could be heard from late. The latter brought $700,00 at the OBS April sale after impressing with a :10 flat breeze but is a long-striding type that should like this seven furlong trip.
Eighth Race: Post: 5:05 ET
Top Pick: 8-Portilla (9/2)
Lightly raced and improving with experience, this daughter of Dialed In appears ready to step forward again in this extended sprint for first-level allowance fillies and mares. Second in a similar affair last time out with a career top sped figure in a strong race that already has produced a next-out winner, the Albert Stall, Jr.-trained filly is comfortably drawn outside and should enjoy an ideal stalking trip. A recent sharp breeze over the track is another big plus. At 9/2 on the morning line, we’ll make her a strong straight play and a rolling exotic single.
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SARATOA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 8-Talkin Pharoah; 4-Scarpia
2nd race: 3-Blue Jays; 5-Majestic Tiger
3rd race: 2-Goodnight Olive
4th race: 2-Naughty Gal ; 3-Promise of Hope
5th race: 8-Peace Cruiser; 4-Raging Sea; 9-Renegade Rebel
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 4-Pink Hue 9-Delight
7th race: 4-Walkathon; 2-McKulick; 3-With The Moonlight
8th race: 8-Portilla
9th race: 1-Love And Thunder 5-Jouster; 6-Our Flash Drive
10th race: 1-Digital Software; 5-Maseta; 10-Merci
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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Scarpia (July 28, Saratoga, 3f, :36.4bg). Grade: B-
In blinkers, did well in training track gate drill inside (and best) over Monterey Peninsula (same time) for W. Ward, mostly on his own, (opening quarter :24 flat). Though pedigree suggests he might be better suited over a distance of ground, Union Rags colt has some run, moves well, and should be competitive first crack out of the box sprinting vs. juveniles. Bred to enjoy grass on the bottom side.
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FOURTH RACE:
Naughty Gal (July 31, Saratoga, 4f, :49.4bg TT). Grade: B
Didn’t go fast in training track gate drill while much best over Western Ghent (4f, :50.2bg TT) but was under cruise control throughout, splits of :24.3 and :49.4, and looking fine for Lukas. Into Mischief filly crushed maidens in Kentucky last time out and has done quite well in the morning since.
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Promise of Hope (July 29, Saratoga, 4f, :48b). Grade: B
Nothing flashy but did fine in breezing half mile drill inside Malibu S S (same time) for T. Amoss, splits of :24 flat and :48 flat, never asked. Scored handsomely in debut at Churchill Downs in debut last month, will get tested in the Adirondack S.
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Sabra Tuff (July 30, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.1h TT). Grade: B-
Easy to the top, then was ridden aggressively through the lane, final quarter mile in :24 flat for D. Stewart. Okay move, probably will do her best when the distances increase.
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FIFTH RACE:
Raging Sea (July 24, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02.1b). Grade: B-
Under a tight hold throughout just galloping along, final quarter mile in :26 flat while even but slightly best outside Pink Hue (same time) for C. Brown. Curlin filly probably is a route-type but certainly could have gone considerably faster if allowed to run at any stage of this drill (workmate breezing, too). Like the way she conducts herself, could be a very nice type down the road.
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Peace Cruiser (July 22, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1hg). Grade: B-
Nice gate drill by daughter of Violence while even but clearly best with Milieu (same time) for W. Mott, easy early and then pulling away late without need of urging. Has done everything asked and should be live at first asking. Breezed a quarter mile in :21 4/5 at Timonium during the preview session of the Spring Sale and looked quite good doing it.
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SIXTH RACE:
Gifted (July 28, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2b). Grade: B-
Slightly second best outside Spelterini (same time) for W. Mott, very late changing leads and urged some in the final stages to wind up slightly behind at the finish. Probably should see one first.
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Pink Hue (July 24, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02.1b). Grade: B
Hard held inside Raging Sea in five furlong main track breeze for C. Brown, able to go much faster early if permitted. Looks to have plenty of zip and hopefully will be allowed to show it when she debuts. Bred for turf, female family leans toward pure speed.
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Invest Wisely (July 31, Saratoga, 4f, :47.3bg). Grade: B-
Inside Avant (same time) in team gate drill for T. Pletcher, ridden along throughout while almost a length back when eased up after a half mile, okay drill at best. Not a particularly quick type, probably a wise move to debut this Justify filly on grass over a distance of ground.
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La Mazel (July 31, Saratoga, 4f, :51b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Mostly in hand throughout though slightly second best with Coexist (same time) around dogs on turf for A. Dutrow, okay work. Definitely trains like a long distance turf type.
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SEVENTH RACE:
McKulick (July 31, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b TT TC). Grade: B
Breezed through the lane outside Haughty (same time), both under a nice hold throughout while inside the dogs, both with plenty left late. Acts like she’ll continue to improve with distance and maturity.
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With The Moonlight (July 31, Saratoga, 6f, 1:15b TT TC). Grade: B+
Broke off more than two lengths behind Nations Pride (6f, 1:15.1b TT TC) to the head of the lane, then went on by while being asked to quicken, nice for C. Appleby. Daughter of Frankel ran well in U. S. debut when second in the Belmont Park Oaks and seems to come on well since that race. Workmate came back to win the Saratoga Derby, franking this drill.
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Contemporary Art (July 31, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b TT). Grade: B
Inside the dogs, head-and-head at the finish with Oakhurst (same time), stalking that one outside and then responding without need of coaxing through the lane in solid drill for C. Brown. The longer the better for this well-regarded recent maiden winner. Workmate was under a tight hold throughout, looked quite sharp, maintains her edge.
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Oakhurst (July 31, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b TT). Grade: B
See Contemporary Art (above)
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EIGHTH RACE:
Portilla (July 31, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1b). Grade: B+
Breezing outside to prove clearly best over Reigning Spirit (5f, 1:02b, out an extra furlong) in smooth drill for A. Stall, Jr., final quarter in :25.1 with plenty in hand. Lightly raced daughter of Dialed In has further improvement in her and seems primed for a major effort.
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