BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $766.10

Once each summer, an army of Scots attacks the track, bringing with it loud noises, plenty of liquid encouragement, and several hangers-on who somehow become part of the loosely-organized chaos that ensues. Today is that day, and this entry acts as fair warning to Saratoga-area establishments that they are, in fact, on the warpath.

Tagging along with them is at least one bystander who may very well wind up requiring swift corrective action. If you see a man stuck in a locked cage being forced to listen to “Hotel California” on a constant loop, it’s a safe bet that he has either reminded everyone he is the four-time club champion at Copake or that he is threatening to begin running golf tournaments again. If the latter scenario ensues, everyone who reads this has my permission to go yell at him.

(Hi, Dad!)

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: For the fourth day in a row, we were washed out of our action when a race was taken off the turf. Thankfully, the weather forecast for the next few days looks encouraging (knock on wood).

FRIDAY’S PLAY: My action comes in the 10th, the Albany Stakes for state-bred 3-year-olds. #2 BANKIT was nearly my best bet of the day, as I think he’ll get a perfect setup going a two-turn distance he’s shown to like. In addition to a $20 win bet, I’ll play him in $5 exactas above #7 NOT THAT BRADY and #9 DOUPS POINT.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30

– – – – –

BEST BET: Offering Plan, Race 9
LONGSHOT: Veterans Beach, Race 6

R1

Deeply Analytical
Jen’s Battle
Moana’s Tale

#1 DEEPLY ANALYTICAL: Fetched $270,000 at auction, which is remarkable considering she doesn’t have much of a pedigree. She’s worked consistently for Chad Brown and merits respect in her debut; #7 JEN’S BATTLE: Tries turf for the first time and is bred to love it. She has an experience edge on most of this field and comes in off a recent bullet drill; #2 MOANA’S TALE: Is by Bayern, whose first foals have hit the ground running. This barn has done great work this summer, but its track record with debuting runners is a bit spotty.

R2

Jerkens entry
Waynes Footsteps
Jimmy Jazz

JERKENS ENTRY: #1 KLICKITAT just missed off of a long layoff earlier this meet. He could take a step forward in his second start off the bench, and stablemate #1A OVERLAND looms large if this is moved to the dirt; #4 WAYNES FOOTSTEPS: Exits the same race as my top pick and also makes his second start off a long layoff. Luis Saez sees fit to ride back, which is a plus; #5 JIMMY JAZZ: Exits a different race than most of these runners, and was last seen running second downstate at Belmont. He figures to be running well late and would benefit from a fast pace.

R3

Newly Minted
Behind the Couch
Wait a Minute

#2 NEWLY MINTED: Stretches out in distance for the first time, but the presence of damsire Bernardini inspires some confidence. She’s beaten many of these runners in the past, and a return to dirt should be a welcome one; #5 BEHIND THE COUCH: Hasn’t run a bad race in four career starts and has a pedigree that says she’ll love two turns. Her tactical speed is a plus, as is the arrival of jockey Jose Ortiz; #4 WAIT A MINUTE: Wired a field at this level going two turns at Finger Lakes and seems to have woken up with added distance. This seems like a tougher spot, but she’ll be prominent early and could hang on for a piece of it.

R4

Lord Camden
Scilly Cay
Three Jokers

#4 LORD CAMDEN: Showed some late interest in his debut on turf and comes to dirt for his second career start. He has an experience edge over most of these and is bred to get better with seasoning; #8 SCILLY CAY: Has some strong works ahead of his debut, most notably a swift five-furlong move last week. This isn’t the strongest spot for the level, and he may be good enough to win right away; #9 THREE JOKERS: Is bred to be a good one and also comes in off of a flashy drill. This barn’s horses sometimes need a race to get going, but if he runs to the pedigree, he’s got a big shot.

R5

Fifty Five
English Soul
Munchkin Money

#1 FIFTY FIVE: Drops back into the state-bred ranks after finishing a close second in a Grade 3 event. She’s won several races at this level, and anything resembling her recent races would make her tough; #2 ENGLISH SOUL: Has plenty of speed and won’t be panicked if this race gets switched to the dirt. She’s run well twice against open company this season and will be prominent early on; #6 MUNCHKIN MONEY: Has won three of her last five and takes another crack at my top pick, who has defeated her several times. She’ll likely be going well late and could absolutely snag a piece of this.

R6

Bassman Dave (MTO)
Veterans Beach
Red Zinger

#11 VETERANS BEACH: Draws a terrible post for the second time in a row, but could very well get the setup he wants. There’s lots of speed signed on, and he’s one of a few that figures to be running well late; #4 RED ZINGER: Has run well twice at this meet, including last time out when he was second in his turf debut. He doesn’t need the lead and could sit a strong stalking trip; #12 CALL ME HARRY: Drew off impressively earlier this meet and tries winners for the first time. The post is a killer, but perhaps he’s good enough to negotiate a trip from there.

R7

Fierce Lady
My Italian Rabbi
Time Limit

#5 FIERCE LADY: Likely wasn’t 100% when beaten a nose earlier this meet. She’s worked three times since that defeat and should be considerably sharper in this spot; #6 MY ITALIAN RABBI: Sprang the upset in the Stillwater, which doubled as her second win in as many starts. The outside post is a plus, and the extra half-furlong shouldn’t be an issue; #3 TIME LIMIT: Lost all chance in the Stillwater when she stumbled badly at the start. Her debut was very good, and if she runs back to that, she could be a contender at a price.

R8

Sky of Hook
City Man
Cleon Jones

#8 SKY OF HOOK: Has rallied in both of his prior starts and beat a number of these runners in the Rick Violette. This barn doesn’t always work horses quickly, so that sharp five-furlong drill is notable; #3 CITY MAN: Debuted with a nice win in an off-the-turf event earlier this summer. His most recent work was a bullet, and he’s bred to improve with added distance; #7 CLEON JONES: Came out of left field (great line, Larry) to graduate here last month. Further improvement could be in the cards as he makes his stakes debut for a strong barn.

R9

Offering Plan
Dot Matrix
Voodoo Song

#3 OFFERING PLAN: Comes back to the state-bred ranks after being beaten just three lengths in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple. He’s winless this year but could get a perfect trip well behind what figures to be a very fast early pace; #8 DOT MATRIX: Has won five of nine starts since going to the Brad Cox barn nearly two years ago. Joel Rosario has signed on to ride, and he’s another that will likely be doing his best running late; #7 VOODOO SONG: May be going the wrong way but hasn’t tried state-bred competition in a long time. He may have to work hard to get the lead, but perhaps the class drop will wake up this Grade 1 winner.

R10

Bankit
Not That Brady
Doups Point

#2 BANKIT: Looks like the class of this field, and I’m surprised he’s not favored on the morning line. There’s plenty of speed signed on, and he figures to be running well late over a track he’s proven to like very much; #7 NOT THAT BRADY: Has shown lots of early zip and was second behind my top pick last time out. He was beaten just a head in the Grade 3 Withers earlier this year and he could get brave if he’s left alone on the lead; #9 DOUPS POINT: Has burned plenty of money as the beaten favorite in his last three starts. However, he could sit a nice stalking trip, and such a journey would give him first run on tiring pace-setters at a bit of a price.

R11

Wacky Pal
The Happy Giant
Mr. Vincent

#2 WACKY PAL: Drops into the maiden claiming ranks after being beaten less than two lengths here earlier in the meet. He’s got plenty of early zip and is a big threat to wire this group; #9 THE HAPPY GIANT: Is another running against maiden claimers for the first time. He’s been one-paced in his prior turf efforts, but those have come against much better groups than what he’ll face here; #10 MR. VINCENT: Misfired thanks to a troubled trip last time out and is wheeled right back for a barn that has had success with similar stock. His race two back wasn’t bad, and a repeat could put him right there in a wide-open finale.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $766.10

Prior to the start of the Saratoga meet, NYRA management stated a goal of running a large percentage of races on turf. The reasoning for this is sound enough: It’s the racing office’s job to card races that will fill and draw betting money. Turf races tend to check both boxes. However, it seems like NYRA forgot one huge detail: Mother Nature.

It rains during the summer in upstate New York, and it seems like every year, those in power forget this until the first “Saratoga monsoon” (copyright Tom Amello, all rights reserved) descends upon Union Avenue. Last year, the first half of the meet was decimated by surface changes and scratches, to the point where turf races needed to be handicapped four different ways (firm turf, wet turf, fast main track, wet main track). It certainly seems like nobody learned from that.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: For the third straight racing day, our action was washed out when turf races were switched to the main track.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: I’ll go after the early Pick Five, which starts in the second race due to the Grade 1 steeplechase that kicks things off. My 50-cent ticket looks like this: 2 with 2,4,5 with 3,4,6 with 6,7 with 1,5,6.

TOTAL WAGERED: $27

– – – – –

BEST BET: Internet of Things, Race 2
LONGSHOT: Claytnthelionheart, Race 4

R1

Winston C
Gibralfaro
Peppay Le Pugh

#2 WINSTON C: Rolled in the meet’s prior Grade 1 over fences and looms very large. Much of this field is comprised of horses he’s already beaten, and someone else would likely need to take a giant step forward; #5 GIBRALFARO: Was fourth behind my top pick in the AP Smithwick, but has back races that would make him a contender. A return to his 2018 form would give him a shot; #7 PEPPAY LE PUGH: May have needed the Smithwick coming off the bench, and that was his first start in America. He could take a big step forward here at a nice price.

R2

Internet of Things
Purchasing Power
Curlin’s Knight

#2 INTERNET OF THINGS: Flopped when favored against better horses on turf last time out. However, he returns to dirt and tries two turns on it for the first time against what seems like a subpar group; #4 PURCHASING POWER: Also exits a failed turf try and has done his best running going two turns on turf. He drops back to a level he ran second at two starts ago; #5 CURLIN’S KNIGHT: Has hit the board in his last four starts and was second against similar earlier in the meet. He’s got tactical speed and may be able to dictate terms on the backstretch.

R3

English Soul
Quiet Dignity
Cap de Creus

#5 ENGLISH SOUL: Has run second in both of her starts this year, which came against strong groups for this level. This doesn’t seem as strong a spot, and she’ll be even stronger if this race gets moved off the turf; #2 QUIET DIGNITY: Chased a next-out winner when third in her North American debut earlier in the meet. She gets an extra furlong here and has every right to improve second off the bench; #4 CAP DE CREUS: Just missed going longer at a big price here last month. She has back form, most notably running second to eventual Grade 1 winner Cambier Parc in January at Gulfstream.

R4

Derby Memories
Claytnthelionheart
Soul Fight

#4 DERBY MEMORIES: Woke up here earlier in the meet when he stormed home clear by nearly 15 lengths over a weak field. He faces winners for the first time, but a repeat effort would make him very tough; #3 CLAYTNTHELIONHEART: Graduated here last month, and that day’s second-place finisher has since come back to earn the diploma as well. That was a swiftly-run event, and this barn has had success with a small number of starters this meet; #6 SOUL FIGHT: Rallied from last to first downstate and is another trying winners for the first time. That day’s early pace wasn’t particularly fast, and she’s bred to like this two-turn trip.

R5

Project Whiskey (MTO)
Las Ramblas
Let It Slide

#7 LAS RAMBLAS: Looms large in her debut against what seems like a subpar group of maidens. She’s breed up and down for turf, and first-time starter maestro Wesley Ward has gotten John Velazquez to ride; #6 LET IT SLIDE: Merits a look at a price. Her dam has thrown seven winners, her second dam was Group 3-placed in Europe, and sire Freud throws runners at an alarming rate; #2 BLESSINGSOFLIBERTY: Hated dirt in her debut, but gets the turf here, and she’s bred to like the lawn. This barn’s horses tend to take big steps forward at second asking as well.

R6

Casse entry
Portos
Cowtown

CASSE ENTRY: I prefer #1A ENFORCEABLE, a full brother to Mohaymen who had a deceptively rough trip on turf last time out. Stablemate #1 LUCKY CURLIN looks well-meant as well, but Enforceable has been begging for this trip; #6 PORTOS: Is bred up and down for distance, being by Tapit and out of a Tiznow mare. Pletcher saddles two debuting runners, and this is the one that gets go-to rider John Velazquez; #5 COWTOWN: Hammered for $260,000 at auction last year and has been working consistently for Pletcher. The July 20th work looks impressive, although the pedigree says he may need time to mature.

R7

Deep Space (MTO)
Freddymo Factor
Tatterazzi

#5 FREDDYMO FACTOR: Stalked a hot pace downstate and should get a better trip in this spot. She adds blinkers for a barn that’s far better than its recent record would indicate; #10 TATTERAZZI: Didn’t have a great trip in her unveiling, but Saez sees fit to ride back in her second career start. She’s certainly eligible to improve, especially with a cleaner trip; #7 THE GREAT JOHANNA: Almost definitely needed her start earlier this meet, which doubled as her first race in a year. She showed late interest that day and ran well going long before heading to the sidelines last summer.

R8

Fiery Opal
Calculated Risker
Storm Prophet

#2 FIERY OPAL: Does his best running going two turns, and that’s the route he gets here. He won at this route two starts ago and could sit an ideal stalking trip beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #1 CALCULATED RISKER: Won two and three back before catching a runaway winner at Finger Lakes. He’s got a win and a third in two prior starts here, and this barn has eight top-two finishes in 18 tries at the meet; #5 STORM PROPHET: Hasn’t won since late-2017, but makes his first start off the claim for a solid barn and has caught some tough fields for the level. He was second behind a next-out winner at Belmont, and he’s hit the board in 20 of 28 career outings.

R9

Queen of Beas (MTO)
Catch a Bid
New and Improved

#6 CATCH A BID: Comprises half of a powerful 1-2 punch for trainer Chad Brown. She finished a neck behind Varenka last time out, and before that broke her maiden with an authoritative debut win downstate at this distance; #8 NEW AND IMPROVED: Endured an awful trip in her debut, but rallied to win going away with what seemed like plenty in reserve. Going from a maiden win to a stakes race is no easy task, but she showed lots of maturity earlier this meet and has every right to be a good one; #10 HOTSY TOTSY: Makes her American debut and gets Lasix for the first time. She doesn’t draw well, but she was third in a 27-horse stakes race at Royal Ascot earlier this summer and is a contender if she can channel that form.

R10

Dark Storm (MTO)
Noble Spirit
Perceived

#10 NOBLE SPIRIT: Drops into the maiden claiming ranks and gets Lasix for the first time. He ran big race two back off the layoff at Belmont and may have simply bounced going a marathon distance earlier this meet; #4 PERCEIVED: Has been gelded since his debut and is another dropping in class. This barn must be respected, but its shippers from Monmouth aren’t usually its most well-meant runners; #5 SANDY LANE KITTEN: Was claimed earlier this month by an outfit that doesn’t drop many slips in. He was fourth against similar competition that day and attracts Javier Castellano here.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $766.10

Social media was in an uproar over the weekend due to events that transpired before Saturday’s Alabama. Jockeys made entrances akin to professional wrestling, complete with a smoke machine, and many people lost their minds.

I honestly have no opinion on this whole thing. If it doesn’t spook the horses and jockeys haven’t been strong-armed into it, whatever. What I find curious is the alarming number of people complaining about the smoke machine when their real complaint is not getting a smoke machine and/or entrance music for themselves.

(P.S.: Next week, when I come to Saratoga, I expect a valet following me around with one of these machines, as well as a Bluetooth sound speaker blasting The Ultimate Warrior’s theme music on a loop. If NYRA cannot provide such accommodations, I will need to force Pink Sheet editor Stan Hudy into service.)

WEEKEND ACTION: It’s been a while since we’ve had a total in here due to an incredibly busy weekend at my day job. We dropped $30 on Friday, but had no action Saturday and Sunday due to late surface switches. Remember, all bets involving turf races assume those events stay on the grass.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the sixth race, where I really like the 9/2 third choice. That’s #7 FLUTE MAKER, who stretches out in his second start for Ken McPeek. I’ll put $10 on him to win, and I’ll single him in doubles beginning in the fifth and sixth races. My $10 double starting in the fifth singles #7 JEWEL OF ARABIA, and $5 doubles ending in the seventh use #2 AUTOSTRADE, #4 AIR ON FIRE, and #6 KEEPING THE PEACE.

TOTAL WAGERED: $35

– – – – –

BEST BET: Jewel of Arabia, Race 5
LONGSHOT: Morissette, Race 8

R1

Sportswear
Cite
Chief Justice

#5 SPORTSWEAR: Is 2-for-2 since switching to steeplechase racing and tries stakes company for the first time. Any jump horse hailing from this barn merits respect, and he’s done nothing wrong this season; #3 CITE: Won here earlier in the meet and adds blinkers for this event. He ran well on the flat earlier in his career, so he may simply be a “horse for course;” #7 CHIEF JUSTICE: Was a close-up fourth in his American Debut, which came off of pretty short rest given the journey from Europe. That day’s third-place finisher came back to win a Grade 1 here earlier this summer.

R2

Smooth With a Kick
South of the Shore
Team Win

#5 SMOOTH WITH A KICK: Put it all together last time out in her first effort going two turns. This is the route she’s been bred for all along, and she seems to be coming to hand late in her 3-year-old year; #1 SOUTH OF THE SHORE: Chased Grade 1 winner Dunbar Road home at Belmont and completes a strong 1-2 punch for trainer Chad Brown. She’s never finished out of the exacta in five career starts; #4 TEAM WIN: Won an off-the-turf event earlier in the meet and may be figuring things out. That was her second win in a row, and Todd Pletcher’s as good as anyone at keeping horses on the right track.

R3

Rejected Again
Shackleford’s Joy
Bychance

#4 REJECTED AGAIN: Was a close-up second in his debut, which came against similar-level company. Irad Ortiz hops aboard, and a repeat of his last-out effort would make him tough; #7 SHACKLEFORD’S JOY: Didn’t do much running in his debut, but adds Lasix and drops in class. This Hall of Fame barn popped at a price with a second-time starter last week; #6 BYCHANCE: Hails from a low-percentage outfit but comes in off of two straight bullet workouts. He’s bred to be a runner and could grab a piece of it at a price.

R4

Pillar Mountain
Red Knight
Nakamura

#4 PILLAR MOUNTAIN: Has won two in a row and prevailed here last month in impressive fashion. He’s shown a bit of tactical speed in the past, and he may need it given the lack of early zip elsewhere in the field; #5 RED KNIGHT: Was very wide in the Grade 2 Bowling Green last time out and drops in class a bit for this event. He’s won going very long before, and he owns a win over this turf course, too; #6 NAKAMURA: Has won three in a row and gets wheeled back on short rest for a barn that doesn’t often do that. He runs like he’ll enjoy this marathon journey, and this outfit has heated up of late.

R5

Jewel of Arabia
Sophie Rules
Be Magic

#7 JEWEL OF ARABIA: Got some black type when third in a stakes race in her debut. She’s the only runner in the body of the field with any experience, and she figures to be a very, very short price; #2 SOPHIE RULES: Debuts for a solid first-out barn and comes in off of a bullet work downstate. Her pedigree isn’t anything to write home about, but she may be precocious; #6 BE MAGIC: Has some solid drills at Belmont ahead of a debut for a barn that has won with similar debuting runners in previous Spa seasons. Junior Alvarado gets the mount, and trainer/jockey numbers are very strong.

R6

Flute Maker
Smite
Legend of Bam

#7 FLUTE MAKER: Makes his second start for a barn whose horses often need a race to get going. He’s bred to love this distance (his second dam is multiple Grade 1 winner Flute), and his 304 turf Tomlinson number implies he’ll like the lawn; #1 SMITE: Ran pretty well when fourth in his debut going shorter earlier this summer. He stretches out to two turns and makes sense, but this hits me as a bit longer than he may want to go; #4 LEGEND OF BAM: Is bred to want distance and could be a factor. There are some solid drills in his work tab, and the presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr., inspires some confidence.

R7

Air on Fire
Keeping the Peace
Autostrade

#4 AIR ON FIRE: Was second to a well-meant runner earlier this meet. He was claimed by Linda Rice that day, and he could sit a perfect stalking trip in this spot; #6 KEEPING THE PEACE: Has won twice already this meet and gets wheeled back quickly for aggressive connections. If he goes here, he’ll be dangerous and could easily win his fourth race in a row; #2 AUTOSTRADE: Has run well at this distance in the past and comes back to his preferred surface after two failed outings on turf. He should be running well late and would benefit from a fast early pace.

R8

Morissette
Golconda
Merlins Muse

#8 MORISSETTE: Was fairly close to a swift early pace against better horses earlier in the meet. Joel Rosario hops aboard, and you oughta know that she prevailed against similar-level opposition two back at Monmouth; #5 GOLCONDA: Drops in class after running third at Monmouth in her first start for Jason Servis. Her prior connections thought enough of her to run her in tough spots, and if she realizes that potential, she’ll be tough; #12 MERLINS MUSE: Will have to work out a trip from a dreadful post, but drops in class a bit and has back form. She’s won at this route before and gets the services of Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez.

R9

Six Percent
Our Last Buck
Leaky Cup

#8 SIX PERCENT: Comes back to dirt after a failed turf experiment against stakes foes. His win two back was quite good, and the recent bullet work implies that he’s in good form ahead of a very tough race to handicap; #3 OUR LAST BUCK: Had a rough trip in a turf sprint earlier this meet, which doubled as his first start since February. He should improve second off the bench for a barn that’s due to turn second and third-place finishes into wins; #6 LEAKY CUP: Ships up from Florida and tries state-bred competition for the first time. He’s shown a lot of early speed in several tries down there, and he could dictate terms early on at a price.

R10

Saloon Girl (MTO)
Matzo Bella
Avocado Toast

#8 MATZO BELLA: Comes back to turf and looks like a strong favorite in the Wednesday finale. She just missed against allowance foes two back at Belmont, and she ran well at this route when third in her debut a season ago; #4 AVOCADO TOAST: Was a sharp second against similar earlier this meet and makes her first start for a new barn. Luis Saez sees fit to ride, and she could improve given a much-improved post position here; #12 SOMETHING JOYFUL: Drops in for a tag for the first time and could appreciate the class relief, despite the far-outside draw. Her best race would give her a shot, although the post is definitely a red flag.

BANKROLL

By the time you read this, The WAVE, a conference my full-time employer puts on, will have ended. As those of you with event experience can attest, putting on a multiple-day conference is no easy feat. In fact, rather than sending stuff a day in advance, I’ve been so wiped that I’ve had to send picks, analysis, and bankroll plays a morning late.

As I sort of said on Twitter, when my time is done, the phrase, “he wrote 1,500 words about Saratoga, went 6-for-10, worked 16 hours at a conference, and danced horribly at a party in front of hundreds of people,” almost certainly won’t make the first few paragraphs of the obituary. However, I feel as though it should be in there somewhere.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I’ll have action right away. #1 BLESSED HALO won’t be a big price in the opener, but I’ll look to extract some value by playing him in $5 exactas above and below longshots #2 FULLY LOADED and #7 BETTOR BANK ON IT. Additionally, I’ll play $5 doubles that single Blessed Halo and use #3 IVY’S COLLEGE FUND and #6 CLAIRVOYANT LADY in the second.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30

– – – – –

BEST BET: Blue Prize, Race 9
LONGSHOT: Bettor Bank On It, Race 1

R1

Blessed Halo
Bettor Bank On It
Fully Loaded

#1 BLESSED HALO: Hasn’t won in a while, but comes back to turf in his first start for new trainer Brad Cox, who does very well with new acquisitions. He’s run fairly well against better company in turf sprints; #7 BETTOR BANK ON IT: Gets some class relief after back-to-back starts in stakes company. The cutback in distance should help him, and a repeat of his three-back win at Belmont may be enough to get him a big piece of this; #2 FULLY LOADED: Showed some zip in a pair of stakes races earlier in the meet and takes a big drop in class. He hasn’t won in a while, but the shallower waters could wake him up.

R2

Ivy’s College Fund
Clairvoyant Lady
Riot Worthy

#3 IVY’S COLLEGE FUND: Goes out in search of her fourth consecutive win in her first start off the claim for Robertino Diodoro. She’s a flexible runner with tactical speed, and she’ll likely be favored; #6 CLAIRVOYANT LADY: Drops back into the claiming ranks after a failed experiment against starter allowance foes earlier in the meet. She’s run well at similar levels in the past; #7 RIOT WORTHY: May be rounding back into form. Her second-place finish earlier in the meet was fine, and this will be her third start off of a long layoff.

R3

Sharing
Americano Girl
In Good Spirits

#7 SHARING: Rallied to be beaten just a neck earlier in the meet and stretches out in distance for a barn whose horses improve with experience. Her pedigree says she’ll love this trip; #1 AMERICANO GIRL: Debuts for Chad brown and has every right to be a runner. She hammered for $700,000 last September at Keeneland and has a steady work tab; #4 IN GOOD SPIRITS: Fetched $200,000 at auction last summer and has a strong turf pedigree. This barn can win with first-time starters, and she may be a square price.

R4

Coffee Crush
Madita
East View

#6 COFFEE CRUSH: Comes back to turf after trying stakes foes on dirt. She hasn’t won in a while, but she’s shown speed against far better horses and could appreciate the class relief; #4 MADITA: Makes her American debut after a solid stint in Europe. She placed in three German stakes earlier this year and gets Lasix for the first time; #8 EAST MOON: Was a solid second against similar foes at Churchill last time out. This barn has been firing on all cylinders this meet, and her flexibility and tactical speed should ensure a good trip.

R5

Chaysenbryn
Shadilee
Wedontbelieveher

#8 CHAYSENBRYN: Debuts for a barn that can win with firsters at this level and has worked fairly well. She draws a cushy outside post and attracts Jose Ortiz for her unveiling; #5 SHADILEE: Is bred to be a runner and debuts for Todd Pletcher. However, her pedigree says she wants turf, so this hits me as a possible attempt at a dump; #2 WEDONTBELIEVEHER: Was a close-up second in her debut earlier this meet and was claimed out of that race by an aggressive outfit. This spot appears tougher, but her experience edge over most of these could make her a factor.

R6

Finite
Mrs. Danvers
Abilene Trail

#4 FINITE: Edged her primary rival in her debut earlier this meet and has every right to improve at second asking. She showed some early speed that day and shouldn’t be bothered by the added sixteenth; #6 MRS. DANVERS: Didn’t have a bad debut, and her trainer is one whose horses tend to need a little time. If there’s hesitation here, it’s because her pedigree says she wants to go even longer; #7 ABILENE TRAIL: Debuts a year after selling for $400,000 and boasts a very solid local work tab. Like my second selection, though, she may want to go even longer given her breeding.

R7

Still Krz (MTO)
New York’s Finest
Mission Command

#4 NEW YORK’S FINEST: Gets one more shot after misfiring earlier this meet. He’s run very well at this route in the past, and this is the weakest group he’s seen in quite some time; #1 MISSION COMMAND: Was left with too much to do late last time out, but still rallied for fourth. His win two back at this level was good, and he should be going the right direction when the real running starts; #5 FEAR: May not have liked the yielding turf last time out, and that was his first race off a brief freshening. He could certainly improve with drier conditions and the class relief he’ll get in this spot.

R8

Righteous Ruby (MTO)
Connectivity
Hit a Provisional

#1 CONNECTIVITY: Romped when dropped in for a tag last time out and makes her first start for Linda Rice, whose track record with new acquisitions is unimpeachable. Her prior connections ran her in a pair of stakes races, so she may still have untapped potential; #10 HIT A PROVISIONAL: Was a tough-luck second in her first start off the bench earlier this meet. She’ll need to work out a trip from a tough post, but further improvement would make her a major player; #3 KEOTA: Comes back to the turf after struggling in a race rained off the grass. She may, however, be best around one turn, as her two-turn efforts look a bit weaker than her races downstate.

R9

Blue Prize
Pacific Wind
Tweeting

#7 BLUE PRIZE: Has been a familiar face in some very strong races in her division and gets significant class relief. She’s picked up checks in all three of her races this year, which were won by top-class distaffers Elate and She’s a Julie; #1 PACIFIC WIND: Hasn’t won in more than a year, but is another that could find the winner’s circle given the drop out of graded stakes competition. She’s a Grade 2 winner that could sit an ideal stalking trip; #3 TWEETING: Ships up from Monmouth Park for a barn that must be respected. She could sit just off a solid pace and get first run going around the far turn.

R10

Take Charge Tina
Moyne Spun
O’Malley

#5 TAKE CHARGE TINA: Is one of many in here that hasn’t won in a while, but her two races for this barn against similar competition have been improved efforts. She led late last time out in her turf debut in what seemed like a strong race for the level; #9 MOYNE SPUN: Had an eventful journey last time out against allowance foes, and it’s telling that Luis Saez opts to ride back. A repeat of her two-back win at Belmont would make her a factor; #11 O’MALLEY: Must find a way to negotiate a trip, but this barn can win with new acquisitions and she was fourth in a stakes race at this route last summer.

BANKROLL

Earlier this week, news broke that multiple Grade 1 winner Maximum Security would not ship to Saratoga for next weekend’s Travers Stakes. It’s the latest blow to a race that was already lacking in star power. In addition to the lack of Maximum Security (arguably the best 3-year-old male in training right now), it will not have a single winner of a Triple Crown race in the field, which will now more closely resemble that of a Grade 2 than a Grade 1.

I have a vote for the Eclipse Awards, and those who follow me know I am not afraid to abstain from a category if I feel no horse in a division deserves a championship. We’ve got several months left until I cast my ballot, but this division (which never gave off great vibes to begin with) continues to trend further down with each passing month.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the early Pick Four, which kicks off in the second race and features both nice field sizes and very few heavy favorites. My 50-cent ticket looks like this: ALL with 5,7,10 with 1,4 with 2,7.

TOTAL WAGERED: $36

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BEST BET: Sayyaaf, Race 6
LONGSHOT: Blue Gem, Race 4

R1

Brown entry
Anaconda
King’s Honor

#1 DIGITAL SOFTWARE: Debuts for Chad Brown and has some solid works in her tab. She fetched $80,000 at auction and is bred to love turf, as her 351 turf Tomlinson shows; #3 ANACONDA: Completes a strong 1-2 punch for Brown and is bred to love this two-turn route of ground. It’s tough to debut at this distance, but she may be good enough to overcome it; #6 KING’S HONOR: Has a strong European pedigree and attracts Javier Castellano for his unveiling. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because this barn’s horses sometimes need a race to get going.

R2

Miss Imperial
Carrizo
Slimey

#1 MISS IMPERIAL: Drops out of four straight stakes races, all of which she picked up checks in, and figures to show speed from the rail. Based on her back class, she certainly looks like the one to beat; #6 CARRIZO: Was claimed after romping against weaker foes and goes out for triple the tag here. The outside draw helps, and Carmouche rides back for the new barn; #2 SLIMEY: Makes her fourth start of the meet and has run well in her three prior events here. There’s plenty of speed signed on, and she should be rolling late.

R3

All About It
Embellisher
Hurricane Hill

#7 ALL ABOUT IT: Makes his first start since October, and it’s a bit jarring to see him in for a tag. He was fourth in a stakes race at Keeneland, and anything close to his 2-year-old form would likely thump these; #5 EMBELLISHER: Drops down in class after fading going a mile earlier in the meet. This barn has a strong record with similar droppers, and he may like the shorter distance; #10 HURRICANE HILL: Showed late interest when third at 37-1 in his unveiling. The post is awful, but he may have gotten a lot out of his debut.

R4

Blue Gem
Giant Boo Boo
Desert Lights

#1 BLUE GEM: Took a big step forward first off the claim, when he cruised home going seven furlongs earlier in the meet. This is a tougher group, but he could be trending upward at a bit of a price; #4 GIANT BOO BOO: Has shown speed against better and takes a big drop for a strong barn. He romped here last summer and should be on or near the lead early on; #3 DESERT LIGHTS: Runs pretty much the same race every time out. He was third against similar earlier in the meet and should be running well late.

R5

Devamani
Bird’s Eye View
Cape Angel

#2 DEVAMANI: Was second behind a Grade 1 winner earlier this meet and catches a weaker field in this spot. He hasn’t run a bad one yet this season, and this distance shouldn’t be a problem; #7 BIRD’S EYE VIEW: Hasn’t won in a while, but was third in the Grade 3 Oceanport at Monmouth last month. He’s flexible and can run well from pretty much anywhere in the pack; #3 CAPE ANGEL: Was third at this route against similar-level foes earlier in the meet. He’s won twice in three starts over this turf course and gets Luis Saez.

R6

Sayyaaf
Lonhtwist
I Can Do Anything

#8 SAYYAAF: Looked very good breaking his maiden earlier in the meet and tries winners for the first time. The full field may ensure a bettable price on a runner that hits me as strictly the one to beat; #1 LONHTWIST: Went too long last time out, so I have no problem drawing a line through that race. Before that, he ran well in a pair of turf sprints at Belmont, so he can’t be ignored; #5 I CAN DO ANYTHING: Cuts back in distance after hanging a bit when third going a mile at Churchill. His turf sprint effort two back was a winning one, and that day’s pilot is aboard here.

R7

Irish Mias
Candy Tycoon
Eagles Palace

#6 IRISH MIAS: Didn’t break well in his debut, but rallied to be second behind a good-looking winner. This barn’s horses often improve with experience, and blinkers coming on means he should be more engaged early; #4 CANDY TYCOON: Fetched $170,000 at auction and is bred to be a runner. His last two works have been excellent, and he debuts for a sharp trainer of first-time starters; #2 EAGLES PALACE: Looks best of the rest. He showed some late interest in his debut and has a pedigree that says he’ll move forward as he gets older.

R8

Morticia
Fire Key
Oleksandra

#3 MORTICIA: Was in tight most of the stretch run last time out and gets a new rider in this event. She’s as consistent as they come, and her usual race would make her a major player; #1 FIRE KEY: Seems to be in good form and likes this turf course. She was second last time out despite a bit of a wide trip, and she draws more favorably here; #5 OLEKSANDRA: Most recently ran third in a Grade 2 at Woodbine and should be running well late. She won two and three back at Belmont beneath Joel Rosario, who rides her once again here.

R9

Regal Glory
Blowout
Amandrea

#5 REGAL GLORY: Has four wins and two seconds in six career starts and seems like the one to beat. She overcame a slow pace in the three-horse Lake George to win, and she should get a better setup here; #4 BLOWOUT: Is Brown’s other major player here and seems like the likely pace-setter. Like her stablemate, she’s never finished outside the top two; #2 AMANDREA: Ships up from Ellis Park and will get a class test, but she ran well two and three back and represents capable connections. She could get a nice stalking trip and grab a piece of it at a big price.

R10

Point of Honor
Ulele
Dunbar Road

#7 POINT OF HONOR: Was just a length behind divisional leader Guarana in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and is bred up and down for the Alabama’s 10-furlong distance. With no Guarana in sight, she hits me as the most logical winner; #6 ULELE: Has tactical speed and could get a perfect trip on or near a reasonable pace. Sire Candy Ride won going a mile and a quarter, and she’ll likely be a juicy price; #1 DUNBAR ROAD: May go favored, but I have my doubts. She beat nothing in a weak renewal of the Grade 2 Mother Goose, and her lone defeat came in her only start to date going two turns. At her likely price, I’ll happily try to beat her.

R11

More Mischief
Sweet Meadow Mist
Moon Heist

#5 MORE MISCHIEF: Hasn’t run a bad race over a fast main track and makes her second start off a brief freshening. Her third-place finish at this level earlier in the meet was fine, and she may be the one they have to hold off late; #2 SWEET MEADOW MIST: Came flying late when fourth despite a wide journey in the same race my top pick exits. The faster they go early, the better this one’s chances figure to be; #7 MOON HEIST: Held on to graduate at second asking and has since been transferred to a new barn. Jose Lezcano sees fit to ride, and further improvement at third asking isn’t out of the question.