“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:
Ninth Race – Post: 5:39 ET
Top Pick: 6-Diva Ready (3-1)
The Rudy Rodriguez barn has had a poor meeting (1-for-50 at last check) but the stable always is dangerous with the first-off-the-claim angle and this lightly raced filly appears ready to step forward after being haltered for $35,000 out of a runner-up here last month in a race that was for older horses but restricted to non-winners of two. She moves into the straight 3-year-old $50,000 category today. A recent workout indicates she’s doing well, and with the patient ride she requires the daughter of More Than Ready may be capable of producing a winning late kick. Her morning line of 3-1 seems about right. Also worth including on your ticket is 3-Hatari, a clever winner in a 3-year-olds only $40,000 seller last month while earning a speed figure that makes her dangerous on the one level raise. I. Ortiz, Jr. stays aboard for Mike Maker and will try to get her early cover and then produce her late.
Tenth Race: Post: 6:13 ET
Top Pick: 4-No Nay Hudson (4-1)
After winning his debut impressively at Keeneland in April and then finishing fourth after a rough start in the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park in June, this Wesley Ward-trained colt finally gets a chance to perform on the surface that he’s bred to love, namely, turf. The son of No Nay Never breezed very impressively over the local training turf course earlier this month (see below) while proving best of a team when displaying speed and power and getting over the surface effortlessly. He’s a fast colt to begin with, and with the switch to grass he seems likely to improve considerably, so at 4-1 on the morning line he offers a good gamble in a tough, competitive edition of the Skidmore Stakes. 3-Oxymore crushed maidens in his debut at Belmont Park while on the pace throughout and will be tough to catch once again if he can out-quick his foes during the early stages. 8-Appraise projects to enjoy a stalking trip – similar to the one he capitalized on when winning his debut with authority earlier this meeting – and on pure numbers he should be a major player right back.
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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 2-Psychic Income; 3-North Pole
2nd race: 1-Beachfront Bid ; 7-Gather the Facts
3rd race: 4-The Reds; 1-Galerio; 5-Two Thirty Five
4th race: 1a-Indemnify
5th race: Eminency; 8-Got the Gold; 5-Perfect Silent Cal
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 9-Provision; 2-Secretary of War
7th race: 8-A Little Faith; 6-Tuscan Queen; 2-American Starlet
8th race: 7-Bonny South; 3-Envoutante; 5-First to Act; 2-Misty Veil
9th race: 6-Diva Ready; 3-Hatari
10th race: 4-No Hay Hudson; 3-Oxymore; 8-Appraise
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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
EIGHTH RACE:
Misty Veil (August 10, Saratoga, 4f, :47.1b). Grade: B+
Smooth through the lane while mostly on her own, final quarter in a sharp :23.3 while hitting the finish with plenty left in solo half mile main track breeze for T. Amoss. Arrives in excellent form and always has been genuine and consistent.
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First to Act (August 7, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.3b). Grade: B+
In blinkers, a tad hot but under restraint throughout while inside and clearly best with Aunt Naughty (same time) for Shug, final quarter mile in :25.3, able to go considerably faster if permitted. Looks in fine fettle with plenty of improvement to come, will get tested in the Summer Colony S.
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Bonny South (August 6, Saratoga, 4f, :48b). Grade: B+
In blinkers, excellent breeze, always willing without being asked a drop in solo main track drill for B. Cox, final quarter in a quick :24.1 to the wire. Winless this year and has been below her best form but appears ready to perk up based on this drill.
View Workout Video
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NINTH RACE:
Diva Ready (August 10, Saratoga, 4f, :48b). Grade: B
Stride for stride inside Mo Rewards (same time) for Rudy, final quarter in :24.4, under restraint early and very mildly urged late. In good shape, in good form, should fire a good shot in her first off the claim.
View Workout Video
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TENTH RACE:
Oxymore (July 31, Saratoga, 4f, :49.3b TT TC). Grade: B
Quite keen leaving the pole and was hard held throughout in turf work inside the training track dogs while in company with Video Consumer (same time), final quarter in :25.2. Astern gelding is loaded with speed and is certain to be let roll in the Skidmore Stakes.
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No Nay Hudson (August 7, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.4b TT TC). Grade: B+
In blinkers while breezing inside the dogs, broke off several lengths in front of Asymmetric (5f, :59.2b TT TC) for W. Ward, and after being challenged by that one entering the lane, held workmate off in good style under mild coaxing only, final quarter in a smart :23.2. Workmate was ridden pretty good through the lane, so ‘Hudson was noticeably best. Can’t wait to see him on grass (bred for it).
View Workout Video
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