BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $819.50

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, or HISA, has done more right than some want to admit. A simple glance at falling fatality rates nationwide can confirm this. However, my takeaway from several inquiries, objections, and disqualifications last week is that the organization needs to do more in some respects. I’d argue that this entire process falls under “integrity” and “safety,” and that very few people ever really know what to expect when lights start flashing on the tote board.

Please don’t see this as me bashing stewards. I’m not doing that. In fact, I think NYRA stewards got all three calls right last week. However, would stewards in other states have acted similarly in these situations? There’s no way to know for sure, and horse racing fans have been crying out for consistency and transparency for years.

Why not issue the clearest possible answer to the question, “what is a foul that merits a disqualification?” Such an action would provide a single, public, consistent set of rules. Perhaps there’s no perfect response to that question, but one answer for all to follow would at least make sure we know the lay of the land. Given the power HISA has, this feels doable.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Miztertonic scratched, which cancelled my action.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: Let’s go to the third, where I think #7 CHALKY WHITE will move forward considerably on turf. I’ll have a $40 win bet on him.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Chalky White, Race 3
Longshot: Signal Chat, Race 6

R1

Hidden Path
Zarak the Brave
Givemefive

#2 HIDDEN PATH (10-1): Merits a long look at a price in the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard. His win at this route last time out was sharp, and his lone clunker over fences was excusable given it was his first try in over eight months. Further improvement third off the bench would give him a big shot; #6 ZARAK THE BRAVE (4-1): Returned to form last time out with a third in the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick. The top two finishers from that event don’t show up here, and while this is far from a soft spot, a repeat of that effort could get him the money; #1 GIVEMEFIVE (2-1): Merits respect coming over from England (as a note, if you have Brisnet PP’s, they won’t have all of his races), but I don’t think his form towers over that of his rivals here. Given that he’ll carry 158 pounds in his first try over a course like this one, I can’t back him on top at his likely price.

R2

R Disaster
Legadema
Striker Has Dial

#3 R DISASTER (3/5): Did everything but win in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss, when she set a fast pace and was beaten a half-length by a longshot. She takes a significant class drop, gets to run with Lasix, and will be an overwhelming favorite for good reason; #1 LEGADEMA (8-1): Makes her first start in 11 months and showed plenty of form last season. She’s a stakes winner with an ability to stalk and pounce, and while the layoff is a legitimate question mark, she could present some value underneath if she’s ready to go; #4 STRIKER HAS DIAL (5/2): Threw in a rare clunker in the Honorable Miss and gets to run with Lasix again, which she should appreciate. I think she may prefer running downstate to here, but if she can find the early-season form she flashed, she could factor.

R3

Chalky White
Lexington Pike
Mr Browns Town

#7 CHALKY WHITE (3-1): Has a bottom-side pedigree that screams turf, and he finally gets to run on it here. He’s got a considerable experience edge over most of his rivals, and it doesn’t hurt that he looks like he could be the lone speed in this two-turn turf route; #8 LEXINGTON PIKE (5/2): Seems to be training well for Todd Pletcher ahead of his unveiling, and the presence of Irad Ortiz Jr. is noteworthy. There’s not a lot in his pedigree that says he wants the grass, though, and this barn also sends out #5 MISSING BRIAN, which is curious; #3 MR BROWNS TOWN (7/2): Merits respect first time out for Chad Brown, and his pedigree says he wants every bit of two turns. The two-back gate drill is a strong one, but I’m wondering why he’s entered for a $75,000 tag first time out.

R4

Acoustic Ave
Amundson
Stewie

#1 ACOUSTIC AVE (9/5): Ran well to be second last time out and seems to do his best running at the Spa. He’s got two wins in three starts since being claimed by Linda Rice downstate, and he’s a candidate to sit an ideal stalking trip in this one; #6 AMUNDSON (5-1): Didn’t break well last time out and didn’t do much running after that, so I’m inclined to draw a line through it in the form. He’s a 17-time winner with four victories over this track, and a return to form first off the claim for Ilkay Kantarmaci wouldn’t be out of the question; #4 STEWIE (4-1): Got his nose down last time out against state-breds and takes a bit of a class jump to run here. However, this small barn has yet to finish worse than second at the meet, and he may be the one they have to run down turning for home.

R5

Willpowered
Oat Coutour
Spirit of the Law

#8 WILLPOWERED (4-1): Sold for $200,000 back in 2023 and debuts for Miguel Clement, who’s figured out how to get first-time starters ready to go of late. He’s a half-brother to six winners, and he might not have to be much to make his unveiling a winning one; #6 OAT COUTOUR (5-1): Was second behind a perfect-trip winner last time out and leaves the maiden claiming ranks for this event. Given both that race and this one are for state-breds, that’s not a massive class jump, and further improvement for a horse that seemed to like two turns last time out isn’t out of the question; #3 SPIRIT OF THE LAW (3-1): Was claimed by Mike Maker last time out and figures to be rolling late. This barn does well with new acquisitions, but he’s had a lot of chances and it’s not like there’s a ton of speed signed on here, so I’m not overly enthusiastic given his likely short price.

R6

Hot Currency (MTO)
Ticket to Ride
Signal Chat

#6 TICKET TO RIDE (5/2): Has moved to the Saffie Joseph barn and merits respect after a tough-trip third last time out. That day’s runner-up came back to win, Irad hops aboard here, and she looks like a logical candidate to move forward considerably; #10 SIGNAL CHAT (15-1): Didn’t draw a great post in her debut, but her bottom-side pedigree screams that she may be a solid turf horse. She’s kin to a debut winner, her dam placed in multiple stakes races at similar routes, and I think she could be ready to go at a big price; #3 LAST CALL JENNA (3-1): Is kin to eight winners, including a few stakes-quality runners, and has a right to be a runner herself. Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride, and my only question is if turf is really what she wants.

R7

Passing Game
Notah
Flat On

#2 PASSING GAME (5/2): Goes back to what’s probably the right level for Linda Rice after a clunker first off the claim at Ellis Park. That was over a very sloppy track against a better group, though, and his two-back effort for this tag at Churchill was very good; #5 NOTAH (4-1): Was a good second last time out off the layoff, and I liked him quite a bit when he was entered in a race going shorter earlier in the meet. He figures to be going well late and has a chance, but I wonder if this distance is a bit longer than what he wants; #4 FLAT ON (8-1): Has run well here twice this summer and was second at this route last month. On paper, this is a jump up in class, but I don’t think this came up particularly strong for the level and Kendrick Carmouche has been riding very, very well.

R8

Loco Abarrio (MTO)
Belouni
Johny’s Fireball

#12 BELOUNI (9/2): Is a tepid top pick in a wide-open turf route. He capitalized on the drop in class last time out, and that day’s runner-up came back to win on Sunday. The far-outside post isn’t ideal, but I do think he’ll have plenty of pace to close into, and that should help him; #3 JOHNY’S FIREBALL (4-1): Drops in class for this one and could sit a perfect stalking trip just off of a contested pace. His two-back effort, where he ran second in a swiftly-run race for the level at Churchill, was a very strong one, and if he can channel that form here, he could have a big shot; #11 IRWIN (5-1): Makes his first start since October, but does so for an astute barn that’s had some success at this stand. Frankie Dettori will be aboard, and like my top pick, he figures to benefit from the likely race shape.

R9

Sod Siren
New Attitude
Bolt House

#9 SOD SIREN (6-1): Is bred up and down for the grass and is a candidate to improve after a first-out dud over the synthetic at Gulfstream. Irad will be aboard in the Wednesday nightcap, and any sort of a move forward could be enough in this wide-open turf sprint; #7 NEW ATTITUDE (8-1): Cuts back in distance and adds blinkers first off the claim here, and she may have been compromised by wide trips in each of her first two starts. She ran into a runaway winner first time out, too, and perhaps the most recent effort was a bounce off of that performance; #3 BOLT HOUSE (6-1): Drops in class for Bill Mott, whose numbers with maiden claimers doing that are exceptional. She also adds Lasix, which could prove powerful, and the most recent work downstate hints that she’s moved forward off of a disappointing debut.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $819.50

Kudos to the trainers who took part in Saturday’s fundraiser for the Lustgarten Foundation. It featured horsepeople taking time out of their insanely-busy schedules to sign autographs for fans, with proceeds going to a foundation that aims to advance research pertaining to pancreatic cancer.

The fundraiser was in honor of longtime trainer Dominic Galluscio, who passed away in 2014. However, it could’ve easily been for any number of people whose battles with the disease are all too familiar to so many folks out there.

(We all miss you, Jarboe.)

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: On a lighter note, Victory Hall defied a phenomenon called the Pink Sheet Curse (copyright Nick Kling, all rights reserved), which occurs when all five handicappers in the pick box land on the same horse. The DQ in the third meant a small double win got wiped out (and I found yet another way to run second…), but in total, $55 in post-scratch bets returned $84.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: #11 MIZTERTONIC is an also-eligible in the ninth, but if he runs, I need to play him. I’ll have a $30 win bet on that one, and I’ll also play a cold $10 double starting in the ninth that singles #10 SECURED LENDER in the finale.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Miztertonic, Race 9
Longshot: Woodster, Race 6

R1

Endorse (MTO)
Inesperee
Abundant Love

#2 INESPEREE (6-1): Was eased out of his last race, so you can just draw a line through it. Her two and three-back efforts were both fine, and I think she’ll relish the cutback to a shorter distance in the Sunday opener, where she may be a bit more of a price than she should be; #4 ABUNDANT LOVE (3-1): Also cuts back from a few marathon races and was most recently second here last month. She’s one of several in here that’s had plenty of chances, though, so I probably need more of a price than I’m likely to get; #7 READY FOR CANDY (7/5): Comes in off a long layoff after trying some tough company at Woodbine most of last season. Her back class is considerable, but I do have some doubts. I think her best races came on synthetic, not turf, and it’s not like her speed figures tower over this bunch. She could win, but she could also very much need a race.

R2

Daisy Duke
Moon Cache
Fortuna Mia

#5 DAISY DUKE (8/5): Has had some truly nightmarish trips of late, including last time out, when she nearly overcame a lot of traffic and was beaten just a neck by a next-out winner. In fact, she’s run into next-out winners in each of her last four outings, and I think this field may be a bit weaker; #4 MOON CACHE (5/2): Has proven to be an astute claim for this outfit, as she’s won one listed stakes race and placed in two others. It feels like she may be the main speed in here, and while I think she wants longer than this six-furlong trip, her best is certainly good enough; #1 FORTUNA MIA (7/2): Relished a big drop in class and got her first win in a while last time out. She was claimed out of that race and goes back up the class ladder here, but it’s also possible she got some confidence from that last-out score.

R3

Proud Foot (MTO)
Kairyu
Obstreperous

#3 KAIRYU (2/5): Hasn’t won in more than two years, but she’s been facing stakes foes exclusively since coming to America and gets massive class relief. She was beaten less than a length by Future Is Now last time, and there are no such monsters in this optional claimer; #5 OBSTREPEROUS (4-1): Didn’t run well when last of nine in the Grade 3 Caress, but she was wide that day and raced without Lasix. She gets Lasix back here, and a return to her two-back form would likely get her at least a piece of this one; #6 SOL HOPE (6-1): Didn’t sit her desired trip last time out, when she was 10th of 11 early. She wants to be closer to the pace, and my guess is she shows more tactical speed here first off the claim for Mike Maker.

R4

Valentinian
New Magic
Trident Hit

#1 VALENTINIAN (7/5): Just missed in a stakes-caliber optional claimer at Monmouth last month and ships north for Todd Pletcher. His Monmouth operation is usually his second string, but the grandson of Rachel Alexandra has shown enough talent to be an imposing favorite; #4 NEW MAGIC (3-1): Showed maturity in his debut, when he overcame a terrible start and rallied from last to first. I don’t know what he beat that day in New Jersey, but he certainly has a right to improve with experience and a cleaner trip; #6 TRIDENT HIT (6-1): Exits some salty races for the level at Churchill, ones that featured several horses coming back to win at next asking. Ron Moquett doesn’t ship in much, and this is an astute outfit that merits respect when it shows up.

R5

Three B’s
Trust Issues
Holleman entry

#5 THREE B’S (4-1): Goes back to Linda Rice after a win against weaker foes last time out. He’s 2-for-2 at this 6 1/2-furlong trip, and his only clunker for Rice earlier this year came in a failed turf experiment. He’s doing what he wants to do for a high-percentage outfit, and he likely won’t be favored; #2 TRUST ISSUES (2-1): Ran second at this level a few weeks ago, and he likely wants to be closer to the pace than he was that day. Irad sees fit to ride back when he likely had several options, which inspires some confidence; HOLLEMAN ENTRY (5/2): Both #1 PLAUSIBLE DENILE and #1A ZIPPY MARK could factor in here. The former would benefit from a pace meltdown, while the latter goes second off a layoff for Ken McPeek and sports a recent bullet drill over the Oklahoma track.

R6

Stimulate (MTO)
Teleport
Woodster

#4 TELEPORT (2-1): Is bred up and down to be a very good turf horse and sold for more than $400,000 across the pond last fall. He’s a full brother to a European stakes winner, and his dam is kin to French Group 1 winner Intello, among others; #7 WOODSTER (8-1): Is a half-brother to Andrew Champagne Gambling Hall of Famer Lord Miles, who won the 2023 Wood Memorial at 59-1 (you may have heard me mention this horse before). Half-kidding aside, his bottom-side pedigree also includes a dam that’s a half-sister to champion Caledonia Road and graded stakes winner Officiating, so he could have potential; #3 GUITARIST (8/5): Hammered for $900,000 at Keeneland last year and debuts for Chad Brown, who’s been winning lots of 2-year-old races at this stand. This son of Quality Road boasts a strong pedigree, but if there’s hesitation here, it’s because that pedigree hints he may want dirt, not turf.

R7

Irish Jackson
Spiritual Lady
Jackson’s Dixie

#1 IRISH JACKSON (3-1): Gets a massive jockey switch to Flavien Prat and is a closer in a race with lots of early speed signed on. She was second beaten a neck by the likely favorite two back at Aqueduct, but given the race shape, I think she’s got a big chance to turn the tables; #6 SPIRITUAL LADY (2-1): Pulled off an 11-1 upset last time out in her first start off the claim and will look for her third straight score here. She could win, but she could face more opposition up front, and this barn’s 1-for-20 year to date doesn’t inspire enough confidence to back her at a short price; #7 JACKSON’S DIXIE (5/2): Is already making her 11th start of the calendar year and goes first off the claim for Mike Miceli, a talented horseman with a smaller barn. The rider switch to Dylan Davis is certainly notable, and she’s another that figures to benefit from a fast early pace.

R8

Cy Fair
Snow Face Princess
My Sweetheart

#4 CY FAIR (8/5): Couldn’t have been much more impressive in her debut, when she won by more than three lengths in professional fashion. John Velazquez rides back for George Weaver, and any sort of a step forward would make her strictly the one to beat in the Bolton Landing; #3 SNOW FACE PRINCESS (6-1): Took to the turf with aplomb last time out, when she won by two lengths earlier in the meet. I’m not sure what she beat that day, but it sure seems like the grass moved her up, and these connections merit plenty of respect; #2 MY SWEETHEART (7/2): Won first time out on the turf and didn’t run badly when second in the Schuylerville on Independence Day. Jose Ortiz rides for Mark Casse, and she figures to be prominent early in her return to the lawn.

R9

Miztertonic (AE)
Hey Toby (MTO)
Zapruder

#11 MIZTERTONIC (5-1): Needs a scratch to draw in off the AE list but merits plenty of respect if he gets to run. He had no pace to run at last time, when he was second behind a perfect-trip winner, and there are a lot of speed horses signed on that could set things up for him to come rolling late; #1 ZAPRUDER (8-1): Makes his first start since December, but he’s another that figures to do his best running late. Todd Pletcher knows how to get horses ready to run off of long breaks, and it’s interesting that Irad lands here when he almost certainly had several options; #2 ANNEXPERIENCE (5/2): Capitalized on an ideal trip last time out, when he ran off the screen after being left alone on an uncontested lead. He gets Lasix for the first time here, but he also faces several others that will want to go early, and if form on paper translates to the racetrack, we’ll see how he handles adversity.

R10

Secured Lender
Araucano
Senor Poncho

#10 SECURED LENDER (7/5): Takes a colossal class drop in the Sunday finale and looks very, very imposing. He cuts back to seven furlongs, a distance where he’s done some of his best running, and the cushy outside post should give Flavien Prat plenty of options; #1 ARAUCANO (15-1): Was a good second at this level last time out and is a candidate to move forward in just his third lifetime start. He adds blinkers for this one and should show some tactical speed from the inside draw; #4 SENOR PONCHO (15-1): Was third in the race my second choice exits, and like that rival, he also adds blinkers in this spot. His two-back effort wasn’t bad, either, and his sheet looks far better if you cross out the two failed turf experiments at Gulfstream from earlier this season.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $790.50

Saturday’s seventh race is the type of event that draws genuine excitement from all sorts of fans. It’s one of the 2-year-old maiden races that boasts an array of exciting prospects from top barns, and we may look back on it as a key race down the road.

Consider this: All 10 horses in this field sold at auction. None of them commanded less than $100,000. Four sold for more than $500,000, while four others hammered for more than $250,000. In total, nearly $4.4 million in horse flesh will be in the paddock before the seventh, and if you’re in attendance, you may want to make your way from wherever you’re sitting to the backyard. You never know when you may be seeing something special. 

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: I got too cute. The Grand Slam sequence wound up very chalky, and my $20 post-scratch investment returned just $16.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: My action focuses on another baby race. I thought #1 VICTORY HALL ran well in her debut, and she’s my key to a big day. In addition to a $30 win bet on her, she’s a single in $5 doubles that start in the first with #2 AIRBORNE ELITE, #4 HOUSE UNITED, and #5 SWEETALKINGBOURBON and end in the third with #2 TREATY OBLIGATION, #4 STOLEN BASE, and #6 ALTERNATE REALITY.

TOTAL WAGERED: $60.

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Victory Hall, Race 2
Longshot: Stolen Base, Race 3

R1

House United
Airborne Elite
Sweetalkingbourbon

#4 HOUSE UNITED (3-1): Did everything but win last time out, when he had a poor start, traveled wide most of the way, and was beaten just a head. He cuts back to the Wilson chute in the Saturday opener, and Irad Ortiz Jr. sees fit to ride back; #2 AIRBORNE ELITE (9/2): Was second at a similar route at Ellis Park in his first start off the claim for Linda Rice. I think he may be at his best going shorter, but he hits me as the main speed in here and he draws well; #5 SWEETALKINGBOURBON (7/2): Hasn’t fired a bad shot all year and was another that suffered a near-miss last time out, when he was second at this level at Churchill. He may need a bit more pace than he’s likely to get, but his best may be good enough in a competitive lid-lifter.

R2

Victory Hall
Probable Angle
Belloro

#1 VICTORY HALL (5/2): Was a solid second in his debut behind a well-meant runner, and she figures to improve second time out. Her two works since that outing look solid, and she should have every chance to save ground from the rail draw; #2 PROBABLE ANGLE (6-1): Ships up from Penn National and seems to be working very well. That surface is a quirky one, but if the form she’s flashed comes up the highway with her, she could have a chance to win on debut; #6 BELLORO (7/2): Was third in the race my top pick exits and adds blinkers for a barn whose runners tend to improve after an initial start. She does have some ground to make up on the likely favorite, but there’s a lot here that says improvement is logical.

R3

Treaty Obligation
Stolen Base
Alternate Reality

#2 TREATY OBLIGATION (5/2): Broke his maiden out of the chute last summer and takes a significant class drop into straight claiming company. He’s run just twice since February, so it’s safe to assume he’s had his issues, but he got quite good late last year and merits respect on the drop; #4 STOLEN BASE (5-1): Has a sheet that looks far better if you cross out races run over off tracks. He’s 3-for-7 over fast dirt tracks, and while the distance here is a bit of a question mark, he certainly fits on speed figures and may offer some value; #6 ALTERNATE REALITY (7/2): Has had plenty of success at this level in the past and exits a pretty competitive race last month. That day’s runner-up has since come back to win, and while the outside post is a problem, this is one that has shown he’s good enough to contend here.

R4

Nonna Teresa
Cognition
Tennessee Belle

#4 NONNA TERESA (7/2): Debuts for Todd Pletcher after an impressive gate drill and is bred to be a good one. Her dam, Teresa Z, was a multiple Grade 3 winner, and her lineage traces back to third dam My Flag, the dam of champion Storm Flag Flying (and a runner in her own right); #5 COGNITION (4-1): Makes her first start for Chad Brown and fetched $170,000 at auction last summer. Digging into the work tab a bit shows a very impressive gate drill on July 13th, and this barn’s 2-year-olds have been firing all summer long; #6 TENNESSEE BELLE (7/5): Ran in spots in her debut last month and finished second, but I have some reservations about betting her at a short price. I’m not sure what she ran against that day, there are some serious prospects in here, and while experience is valuable, I think her likely price is an underlay.

R5

Valentinian (MTO)
Il Siciliano
Fuerteventura

#5 IL SICILIANO (4-1): Did everything but win last time out, when he lost a photo at a big price at this route. He hasn’t won in a while, but to be fair, he’s run up against some serious horses, and it wasn’t long ago he was fourth in the Grade 3 Pan American behind Far Bridge; #4 FUERTEVENTURA (2-1): Is another that hasn’t found the winner’s circle in a long time, but he improved first off the claim when second in a fast race at this route last month. Kendrick Carmouche rides back, and he’s enjoyed probably the best Saratoga meet of his career to this point; #1 KIGALI (6-1): Stretched out with aplomb last month to get the job done and was claimed out of that race by a sharp outfit. This is a step up in class, to be sure, but it’s also possible he’s finally doing what he’s wanted to do all along.

R6

Bibi Dahl
Keto Drink
Santina

#8 BIBI DAHL (4-1): Debuted running second in stakes company before traveling to Royal Ascot, where she beat half the field home in a 17-horse Group 3 event. That day’s winner and runner-up have both come back to win, and if she’s overcome the jet lag from her intercontinental journey, she hits me as the one to beat; #3 KETO DRINK (5/2): May finally get to run here after a few appearances on AE lists, and she’s a major player. She had trouble in her debut but rallied to be third, and this patient barn tends to move horses forward at second asking; #2 SANTINA (7/2): Debuts for Wesley Ward, which already makes her formidable. She’s been working well both here and at Keeneland, but her bottom-side pedigree is pretty stamina-heavy, and I wonder if she may truly want more ground than she’ll get in this turf sprint.

R7

Hero Declared
Cost Effective
It’s Our Time

#4 HERO DECLARED (5/2): Hammered for $575,000 at auction this year, and word seems to be out on this Whit Beckman trainee. He turned in a fantastic gate drill not long ago, and his productive bottom-side pedigree gives him even more reason to be a runner; #6 COST EFFECTIVE (8-1): Hits me as an overlay at this price given his pedigree. He’s by Into Mischief and out of the very classy mare Lewis Bay, who won graded stakes races in four separate seasons. He’s working well, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was well-meant; #5 IT’S OUR TIME (9/2): Boasts a strong series of works for Tom Amoss, whose barn has enjoyed plenty of success at this stand. This is far from an easy spot in which to debut, but this $425,000 auction purchase is another one to take a closer look at in what is, for my money, the most interesting race of the program.

R8

Get a Job
Crimson Light
Cicciobello

#3 GET A JOB (7/2): Is 2-for-2 out of the Wilson chute, a route some horses (and handicappers…) don’t particularly care for. His win last time out was in an off-the-turf race, but his sheet looks far better if you toss his two clunkers at Oaklawn. Do that, and he looks very much like the one to beat in here; #8 CRIMSON LIGHT (6-1): Misfired last time out downstate but ran well off the long layoff two back. That leads me to believe the clunker was a bounce, and that we might see a return to form here. The question is, how much does the outside post compromise him?; #4 CICCIOBELLO (9/2): Won a stakes race two back and probably needed his last race, which was his first outing since November. He’s a bit inconsistent, but his best race could absolutely win this, and the rider switch to Ricardo Santana is notable.

R9

Schwarzenegger
Sandal’s Song
Spirit of New York

#1 SCHWARZENEGGER (4-1): Has been entered a few times but will make his debut in the Skidmore, and rumblings are that this $950,000 yearling purchase may have a lot of talent. He’s been working sensationally for Wesley Ward, and the ambitious spotting lines up with those drills; #2 SANDAL’S SONG (2-1): Was a competitive third in the Group 2 Norfolk at Royal Ascot, and that day’s runner-up has come back to win. George Weaver’s horses have been running lights-out in turf sprints all meet, and this one is a legitimate favorite; #8 SPIRIT OF NEW YORK (7/2): Won his debut like a very good horse last month, when he sat back, pounced, and drew away convincingly. There seems to be some speed signed on in here, and if he gets the setup he got in his unveiling, he could come running once again.

R10

Good Cheer
La Cara
Nitrogen

#2 GOOD CHEER (8/5): Was 7-for-7 going into the Grade 1 Acorn, where she didn’t run a jump. However, that race was contested over a very wet, very quirky track. I don’t put much stock into it, she’s worked very well since, and if she’s back to her old self, I think she’s the one to beat in the Grade 1 Alabama; #6 LA CARA (5/2): Led every step of the way in the Acorn and could establish herself as the top filly in the country with another Grade 1 win. She sure looks like the controlling speed; my question is, just how far does she want to go, and is this 1 1/4-mile distance within her scope?; #4 NITROGEN (9/5): Comes back to the dirt after a near-miss in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and is intriguing given her runaway score in the Wonder Again. Having said that, that was an off-the-turf race two back over that aforementioned quirky, wet surface. Maybe she’s a freak, but I can’t bet her at her likely short price.

R11

Assertiveness
Kid Kreesa
Mo Go

#1 ASSERTIVENESS (2-1): Comes up from Monmouth for Todd Pletcher, which is sometimes a red flag. However, this colt takes a big, big drop in class. He was fifth in a stakes race two back, runs against restricted claimers here, and his best race crushes these; #10 KID KREESA (7/2): Is a known quantity at this point. He’ll go out early and lead them for as long as he can. There’s some other speed in here, but he does get a rider upgrade in this spot and he figures to be the one they’ll have to catch turning for home; #5 MO GO (9/2): Goes back to the grass here, and I think that’s his best surface. He earned the diploma in a turf route at Gulfstream last year, and this is his first two-turn event on the lawn since then.

R12

Vekinda (MTO)
Pay the Juice
Spoken Bluntly

#10 PAY THE JUICE (4-1): Cuts back to a sprint here and seems far more effective going short. He was third at this route last summer in a race that’s aged very, very well, and while the outside post isn’t ideal, he should be rolling late in the nightcap; #1 SPOKEN BLUNTLY (9/2): Seems like the main speed and gets both Kendrick Carmouche and the rail draw, both of which bode well. His wire-to-wire score off the bench last time out was a good one, and it sure seems like he’ll be the one they have to catch; #2 NOT FOR HIRE (3-1): Had an adventurous trip last time out and finished a distant fourth. He wants to be much closer to the pace than he was on that occasion, and he’d move forward considerably with a cleaner trip.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $794.50

I usually find trainer Ken McPeek a breath of fresh air, and I respect him a great deal, but I think he got something wrong at this week’s Racing and Gaming Conference. At one of the event’s panels, he suggested changing the Triple Crown and running the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont on the first Saturdays of May, June, and July.

I wish I had more space to expound, but I’ll do my best: The Triple Crown isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be hard, and it’s not the fault of those races that horses aren’t bred to run three times in five weeks anymore. Even if you think modern thoroughbreds aren’t more fragile than their predecessors, the most important races some will run are one furlong against a clock at 2-year-old sales, which is ridiculous. Furthermore, as other panelists pointed out, Triple Crown viewership and wagering numbers are very, very strong.

Don’t change the races. Go back to “breeding to race” instead of “racing to breed” or, even worse, “breeding to sell.” That won’t just benefit the Triple Crown. It’ll benefit racing as a whole.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: My action was cancelled when a Saratoga monsoon rolled in and forced the sixth off the turf.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: We’re going to try the Grand Slam again, as I think the first two legs are pretty wide-open and there’s a horse I like enough to single in the payoff leg. My $5 ticket starting in the sixth goes as follows: 4,8 with 1,4,6 with 5 with 6.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30.

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Will Not Be Swayed, Race 8
Longshot: Dontlookbackatall, Race 9

R1

Honoree
Newlyn
Head of Plains entry

#7 HONOREE (3-1): Saw his debut rained off the turf, which makes it a throw-out because he’s bred up and down to love the lawn. He should improve with experience and his desired surface in the Friday opener; #6 NEWLYN (8-1): Debuts for George Weaver, which is already a significant positive given how hot that barn has been this summer. His dam is a half-sister to Grade 1-placed router Normandy Invasion, who did his best work going two turns; HEAD OF PLAINS ENTRY (2-1): #1A CAROLINE ST. BEAT is the half of the entry to watch here in his unveiling for Miguel Clement. His dam was a multiple stakes winner on turf, and that mare is one of several stakes winners in a very strong female family.

R2

Invictus
Dreamlike
The Boondocker

#4 INVICTUS (9/5): Is one of a few runners today taking a big drop in class for aggressive trainer Brad Cox. His last-out effort wasn’t a good one, but stretching out to a mile may help him, and he also adds blinkers in this event; #2 DREAMLIKE (8/5): Ran in some big races back in 2023, when he was second in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and third in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial (behind Lord Miles, a horse you may have heard me mention once or twice). His efforts this year, however, have been far from impressive, and perhaps the drop into restricted claiming company wakes him up; #5 THE BOONDOCKER (7/2): Ships up from Monmouth for Chad Brown after breaking his maiden two back and running third against optional claimers last time out. He’s going against older here, though, and this race came up pretty strong for the level.

R3

Baby Sassicaia
Here’syourtrouble
Employeeofthemonth

#3 BABY SASSICAIA (3-1): Came off a long layoff to be third at Gulfstream, and while that effort was disappointing, that was her first start in over a year. It also helps that that day’s winner came back to repeat at next asking against winners; #5 HERE’SYOURTROUBLE (3-1): Comes back to the maiden claiming ranks after a clunker against straight maidens downstate in her first start for Linda Rice. This is almost certainly the right level for her, and a repeat of her two-back effort at Keeneland would make her a major player; #6 EMPLOYEEOFTHEMONTH (7/2): Disappointed as a heavy favorite at Finger Lakes last time out and didn’t appear to have much in the way of excuses. However, she’s relatively inexperienced, with just two starts under her belt, so perhaps she can move forward beneath new rider Irad Ortiz Jr.

R4

Strictly Taboo
Weekend Rags
Just Add Water

#1 STRICTLY TABOO (4-1): Has never run a bad race in three tries at this route, and she goes third off the layoff in this spot. She was very wide last time out in a race with a much-the-best winner, and she should save much more ground from the rail here; #3 WEEKEND RAGS (5-1): Was second in the race my top pick exits and goes first off the claim for Linda Rice. She hasn’t won in a while, but she’s a consistent sort that always seems to fire, and this barn does very well with new acquisitions; #6 JUST ADD WATER (4-1): Steps up in class for the Chad Summers barn, which has enjoyed plenty of success at this stand. She’s 2-for-2 at the Spa, retains the services of Jose Ortiz, and could still have room to improve in her fourth career outing.

R5

Rice entry
Suspiciously Named
Bermuda Triangle

#1 VINTAGE VINO (5/2): Is approaching “now or never” territory in his eighth start, but there are some things to like here. He probably went too far last time out and cuts back to a one-mile route he should appreciate. Given his tactical speed, he could work out an ideal stalking trip; #6 SUSPICIOUSLY NAMED (10-1): Was aggressively ridden last time out and ran second in his first start going two turns on turf. There may be some stamina issues here, but it’s also possible he makes the lead, gets comfortable, and proves tough to catch at a nice price; #4 BERMUDA TRIANGLE (10-1): Gets a few big changes here, including the ultimate one (he’ll run as a first-time gelding). He also goes back to the turf, which he’s bred to love, for new trainer Bill Morey, and I’m willing to give him one more shot on that surface.

R6

Pride of the Union
Arctic Beast
Froutien

#4 PRIDE OF THE UNION (9/2): Is a tepid nod in a wide-open 2-year-old maiden race. This Jorge Abreu trainee has a few solid drills on his sheet and is a full brother to two multiple winners, so he may have some potential; #8 ARCTIC BEAST (5-1): Sold for $275,000 at auction and has a right to be a runner. He’s a son of Yaupon and a multiple stakes-winning mare, and he gets an agreeable outside draw in his unveiling; #3 FROUTIEN (7/2): Hammered for $700,000 earlier this year despite a modest pedigree and debuts for Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez, but I have some doubts. Pletcher’s Monmouth horses are his second string, and that’s where this one has been. It’s possible he’s got talent, but other runners at better prices interest me more.

R7

Golden Irish
That’s Funny
Feasible

#4 GOLDEN IRISH (3-1): Did a lot of the dirty work setting a fast pace last time out and was run down by a horse that’s got some talent. There’s other speed in here, to be sure, but I don’t think she’ll have to work that hard early on again, and if that’s the case, she may have more in the tank late; #6 THAT’S FUNNY (10-1): Comes back to a dirt sprint, which she’s shown is her desired route of ground. The last-out turf experiment was a dud, but she has back races that are good enough to win this, and it’s intriguing to see Paco Lopez hop aboard; #1 FEASIBLE (5-1): Has had some gate issues and draws the rail, which isn’t the best spot for a horse like that. However, she ran well to be third last time out in the same race my top pick exits. If she’s able to break cleanly here, she’ll have a big chance in what hits me as a pretty wide-open event.

R8

Will Not Be Swayed
Starlight Dancer
Boxed Wine

#5 WILL NOT BE SWAYED (2-1): Isn’t a favorite I’m in love with picking, as she’s trying two turns for the first time on a major class drop. However, this field is, to put it kindly, not a strong one. Her prior turf races are simply significantly better than those of her counterparts, and if she runs anything close to those figures here, the race is for second; #7 STARLIGHT DANCER (3-1): Has turned a corner in her last three starts, with a win and two seconds since Kendrick Carmouche hopped back aboard. She ran well to miss by just a half-length last time out at this level, and Carmouche has been riding very, very well this summer; #10 BOXED WINE (8-1): Doesn’t draw a great post here, but she drops in for a tag for the first time since October and has had some quirky trips lately. The far-outside draw makes this a tough ask, but in a field of horses that are tough to recommend, at least there’s some reason for optimism.

R9

Little Prankster (MTO)
Future Is Now
Dontlookbackatall

#6 FUTURE IS NOW (6/5): Faces a strong field in the Smart And Fancy, but is one of the premier female turf sprinters in the country and is very much the horse to beat. She always seems to fire, she loves Saratoga, and she has tactical speed without necessarily needing the lead to run well; #7 DONTLOOKBACKATALL (15-1): Hasn’t run well of late, but she’s also had some layoffs that indicate she’s been dealing with some issues. Her 2024 form was very, very good, and she beat my top pick in last year’s Grade 3 Caress. She’ll need to find that form, but if she does, she’s got a big chance at a big price; #4 ELLEN JAY (3-1): Has been off 10 months but has been working well at Churchill ahead of her return to the races. She won three in a row last year before going to the sidelines, and this daughter of Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint heroine Covfefe merits respect if she’s ready to run.

R10

Dormello
Solo Jim
Undisputed

#2 DORMELLO (4-1): Debuts for a barn whose runners tend to need a race, but this is a mess of a finale with several contenders drawing terrible outside posts. Add in a few very solid five-furlong gate drills and a solid pedigree, and I think this one could win if he’s ready to fire; #8 SOLO JIM (7/2): Came flying late to be second beaten less than a length in the slop last time out, and given his terrible start, you can argue he was best that day. The post isn’t ideal, and neither is his late-running style out of the chute, but it’s also possible he’s just better than this bunch; #4 UNDISPUTED (9/2): Was third behind Iron Dome last time out, and that one romped again over winners at next asking. This figures to be a significantly softer spot, and he draws well by comparison to some of the other contenders.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $794.50

We’re coming up on the Grade 1 Alabama, which headlines Saturday’s Saratoga program. It’s one of my favorite races of the summer. In addition to the prestige, I’m a massive fan of the 1 1/4-mile distance, which many of these 3-year-old fillies will never see again.

I wish there were more races that rewarded stamina in the ways the Alabama does. For instance, I was a big fan of the Personal Ensign being contested at that 10-furlong distance until 2012 (a younger Andrew saw Beautiful Pleasure, Pompeii, and Storm Flag Flying win at that route). Alas, the breed is going the other way, and it has been for quite a while.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Another day, another second-place finish. Nonna Lynne ran well in the feature, but couldn’t quite get the job done. I dropped $20.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: #5 SCHWARZENEGGER would’ve been my best bet of the day in the pick box if I was sure he’d run in the sixth (he’s cross-entered in Saturday’s Skidmore). If he runs here, though, my action flows through him. I’ll play $8 exactas with him on top of #2 BELGIAN and #9 GREEN SCREEN, and $4 exactas using him above #4 GYPSY ART and #7 AUGUSTINIAN. Finally, I’ll single him in a cold $10 double starting in the sixth that ends with #3 FRIEND OFTHE DEVIL in the seventh.

TOTAL WAGERED: $34.

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Enlighten, Race 9
Longshot: Riyadh Moon, Race 2

R1

Danzit
Bon Vivant
Absolute Honor

#3 DANZIT (9/5): Is bred up and down for two turns and gets that trip in the Thursday lid-lifter. Her return off a long layoff downstate wasn’t bad, and I’m expecting a step forward for this one-time $1.1 million purchase; #2 BON VIVANT (4-1): Is another stretching out in distance whose pedigree screams that she wants more ground. Her two-back effort going seven furlongs was the best race she’s run so far, and her tactical speed should put her in a good spot; #6 ABSOLUTE HONOR (3-1): Had things all her own way last time out but was third in a pretty slow race for this route. She may once again make the lead here, but she may have to improve off of her last-out effort, and I’m not sure that’s likely.

R2

Tizmarkus
Riyadh Moon
Golden Symphony

#2 TIZMARKUS (3-1): Returns to what’s probably the right level after losing all chance at the start last time out. He’s been gelded since that clunker, and the return to a one-turn route of ground should also suit him; #5 RIYADH MOON (8-1): Faltered after setting the pace last time out, but his two and three-back efforts at Monmouth weren’t bad. I actually think he’s better coming from a bit off the pace, and his ability to do that may make him a factor at a price; #1 GOLDEN SYMPHONY (8/5): Has won two of three since being claimed by Brad Cox, but I’m skeptical at a short price. He comes up in class and sat a picture-perfect trip last time out against a suspect group. I think he has company up front here, and he hasn’t proven he can handle a hotly-contested pace yet.

R3

Our Starry Night
In the Dark
Leading Role

#4 OUR STARRY NIGHT (2-1): Has shown speed twice at Churchill and cuts back to a sprint, which seems like his best game. For a turf sprint, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of other early speed signed on, which means this one could get comfortable and forget to stop; #2 IN THE DARK (7/2): Was second in his debut at Monmouth and has since moved barns. Joel Rosario sees fit to ride, and it’s certainly possible he moves forward at second asking; #5 LEADING ROLE (6-1): Goes back to the turf, and while his debut on the lawn wasn’t great, it’s safe to assume something went wrong because we didn’t see him for nearly a year. He’s bred up and down for the grass, and it wouldn’t shock me if he improves.

R4

Ranger Battalion
Shifty Gold
Bob’s Carrot

#2 RANGER BATTALION (7/2): Seems to have put things together in his last two starts, and his last-out win was a very good one. He crushed high-priced claimers by more than five lengths that day, and while this is technically a move up in class, I don’t think this is a super-strong optional claiming event; #7 SHIFTY GOLD (4-1): Comes up from Monmouth for Chad Brown, cuts back in distance, and drops in class. He’s 2-for-2 going one turn on the dirt, and his sheet looks a lot better if you can forgive the last-out clunker; #4 BOB’S CARROT (9/2): Broke through with a wire-to-wire score sprinting at Churchill and tries winners for the first time here. He added blinkers that day, and he sports the “two-back bullet” work pattern that I love to see on Steve Asmussen trainees.

R5

True Connection
Gotta Guy
Dark Vector

#2 TRUE CONNECTION (7/2): Feels like the main speed, which is always dangerous in races out of the Wilson chute. He broke through two back in his first start for Brad Cox, and two turns was probably just a bit too far for him last time (especially given how wide he was early); #6 GOTTA GUY (9/2): Has a history of gate issues, but ran well to be second at a price last time out in the same race my top pick exits. The one time he got out of the gate cleanly, he won, so if Jose Ortiz can ensure a fair start, he could have a big chance; #3 DARK VECTOR (4-1): Hasn’t been seen in over a year and a half, but he’s been working steadily since April for Keri Brion, who can win with comebackers like this. This is a big class drop for him, but if he’s ready to run, he’s a contender.

R6

It’s Our Time (MTO)
Schwarzenegger
Belgian

#5 SCHWARZENEGGER (8/5): Sold for nearly a million dollars across the street last summer despite a pretty modest bottom-side pedigree, and he’s been working very, very fast ahead of his debut. Wesley Ward’s one of the best with first-time starters, and this one sure seems ready to go; #2 BELGIAN (8-1): Sold for $185,000 at auction earlier his year and has been working very well for George Weaver, who’s extremely sharp with first-out turf sprinters. His bottom-side pedigree has plenty of class to it, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s cranked up right away; #9 GREEN SCREEN (8-1): Has a very classy turf pedigree on both sides, being by Oscar Performance and out of a stakes-winning mare. That mare, Penjade, comes from another mare that threw, among others, French Group 1 winner Wonderful Tonight. He may be at his best going a bit longer, but it wouldn’t shock me if he’s talented enough to factor going shorter.

R7

Friend Ofthe Devil
Moe Eighty Eight
George Briggs

#3 FRIEND OFTHE DEVIL (7/5): Stretches out to two turns for the first time in the Thursday feature, but four magical words apply here: “Lone speed, inner turf.” He’s never been headed in three tries on the grass, and while the distance is a question mark, if he gets comfortable early, it may not matter; #8 MOE EIGHTY EIGHT (15-1): Didn’t break well last time out, but he rallied to be second behind a very impressive winner. Blinkers go on here, as does Joel Rosario, and I think we may see a step forward at a big price; #5 GEORGE BRIGGS (8/5): Was third against a good group in a listed stakes race at Gulfstream last time out. We haven’t seen him since, and he’s been working down at Monmouth almost exclusively since a break of nearly two months in May and June. Monmouth isn’t as much of a red flag as it used to be, but I’ve got questions about a horse that may be a short price.

R8

Nantz
Preposition
Levitating

#1 NANTZ (6-1): Is a tepid top pick in a mess of a maiden claimer. At a minimum, he’s got some excuses for his last-out clunker (being wide out of the chute is never a good thing), and it’s possible one turn is his best game; #10 PREPOSITION (4-1): Didn’t run a step last time out in his first try going two turns, but he has a couple of one-turn efforts that aren’t bad compared to the rest of this bunch. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides, and a return to form gives this one a big chance; #6 LEVITATING (5-1): Goes first off the claim for Tom Amoss, and he ran OK when third going a mile at Churchill. A repeat of that effort may be good enough to top a field that just doesn’t bring much to the table.

R9

Enlighten
Indy Magic (MTO)
Mo Kreesa

#3 ENLIGHTEN (9/5): Did everything but win last time in a weirdly-run race that many others in here also exit. Given a more conventional setup, he hits me as the one to beat first off the claim for Tom Morley (whose numbers with similar stock are excellent); #6 MO KREESA (15-1): Merits a long look as this race’s possible only early speed. He does come up in class, but his last-out effort was a good one and he should sit his desired trip at a big price; #7 STEADFAST RESOLVE (7/2): Cuts back after running several races at marathon distances. His late-2024 form at similar routes led to back-to-back wins, and his best could get the money here, but I wonder if he needs more pace than what’s signed on here.

R10

Naguile
Deemer
Blame It On K J

#7 NAGUILE (2-1): Hits me as the more likely winner of what looks like a two-horse race in the finale. He ran well to be third in his debut, and that’s sometimes tricky for horses being unveiled at two-turn routes. I’m expecting a significant step forward for the Clement family; #10 DEEMER (6/5): Does take a drop in class, but note that he comes in out of already-restricted state-bred races, so it’s not as big a drop as it might appear. First-time Lasix does help, and he’s run well here before, but the far-outside post on the inner turf is a big problem; #5 BLAME IT ON K J (15-1): Lost all chance at the break in his debut, but I liked him a bit that day given his all-turf pedigree and I’ll give him another shot at second asking. Two turns shouldn’t be a problem given those bloodlines, and at least he passed some horses late after all the trouble at the start.