BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $436.20

Saturday’s card has been drawn, and there’s a lot to take in. First, the good stuff: The Travers has every top-tier 3-year-old not named Justify (except for Hofburg). The Sword Dancer drew a 10-horse field with cases to be made for most of the runners, and multiple Grade 1 winner City of Light will ship east from California for the Forego. On the whole, it’s an excellent card, one that NYRA should be proud of.

There’s one disappointing race, though, and that’s the Grade 1 Personal Ensign. Yes, it has Abel Tasman and Elate. However, they’ll face just four challengers in a race that reflects the staggering lack of depth at the top of the older mare division. With how much Grade 1-placed mares are worth at auction, it’s a bummer that the Personal Ensign (which was shortened to a mile and an eighth just a few years ago to make it more attractive to runners not bred to go a mile and a quarter) couldn’t attract a bigger group.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Cause I’m Alex got the trip I wanted and ran okay at a bit of a price, but had to settle for third. That foiled $20 worth of win-place tickets.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: Assuming races carded for the turf stay there, I really like the late Pick Four sequence. The last two races seem wide-open, which could lead to a nice score. My 50-cent ticket starts in the seventh and is as follows: 1,6 with 4,8 with 4,5,6,9 with 2,4,5,7,8.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Our Honor, Race 6
Longshot: Early Retirement, Race 5

R1

Iranistan
Clarcam
Show Court

#3 IRANISTAN: Ran a winning race in defeat last time out when second in the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick. The winner had the benefit of a perfect trip, while this one didn’t make the lead for the first time in his steeplechase career. It shouldn’t take much to turn the tables; #9 CLARCAM: Exits a romping win in a rich stakes race overseas just a few weeks ago. It’s a quick turnaround, but he’s shown an ability to handle it in the past, and the addition of Lasix could move him up; #4 SHOW COURT: Pulled off a 14-1 upset in the Smithwick, but got the benefit of a hole opening for him turning for home while my top pick raced three-wide. He could be in career-best form, but his past races at this distance aren’t anything to write home about.

R2

Miss Mimosa
Tigalalu
War Value

#1 MISS MIMOSA: Stretches back out in distance after pressing a fast pace going shorter. Her race two back was quite sharp, and this trip should be much more to her liking (especially given the short field); #2 TIGALALU: May have bounced last time out when third in the slop last month. Her debut win at Belmont was sharp, and a return to that form could make her a major player; #3 WAR VALUE: Won for fun in her first dirt start, but sat a dream trip on a speed-favoring surface that day. There’s plenty of zip to her inside, so the likelihood of her sitting a similar trip here is low.

R3

Cadillac Frankie
The Sicarii
Not That Brady

#3 CADILLAC FRANKIE: Debuts for Rudy Rodriguez following a steady diet of local workouts. Some of those drills were quick, which is notable given the barn’s tendency to work horses slowly; #2 THE SICARII: Adds blinkers after having trouble at the gate in each of his first two outings. His debut effort was fine, and a clean start could result in a career-best race; #6 NOT THAT BRADY: Debuts for George Weaver and may get some play due to the backstory of his dam, Lisa’s Booby Trap (look it up, it’s a good one). The dirt workouts are solid, but the barn’s been in a bit of a rut lately and we’re not likely to get much of a price.

R4

Salty Smile (MTO)
Rosebud’s Hope
Sheputaspellonme

#2 ROSEBUD’S HOPE: Has yet to run a bad race on turf and exits a win at Monmouth Park. This is a jump up in class, but it sure seems like a weak race for the level; #1 SHEPUTASPELLONME: Responded to the stretchout last time out with a third-place finish against similar-level opposition. Manuel Franco rides back, and she could show some speed from the rail; #3 THEODOSIA: Drops back to the appropriate level following a trip against optional claimers last month. A repeat of the race two back makes her a contender, but she hasn’t won in more than 10 months and won’t be any sort of a price. DIRT SELECTIONS: SALTY SMILE, OVERBOOK, SOLITARY GEM.

R5

Woodbury (MTO)
Graded On a Curve
Early Retirement

#1 GRADED ON A CURVE: Is bred up and down for turf and shouldn’t have much of a problem with two turns in his debut. His dam is a half to multiple graded stakes winner J’Ray, who did her best running at this sort of route; #9 EARLY RETIREMENT: Showed speed going longer in a race run at the wrong distance earlier in the meet and could improve on the cutback. Shenanigans aside, he may have gotten a lot out of that race, and Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride; #8 SCOTTY BROWN: Has a pedigree that looks modest on paper but gets better if you do some digging. He and his dam are both kin to five winners, and John Terranova can pop at a price with first-time starters. DIRT SELECTIONS: WOODBURY, PIPES, SCOTTY BROWN.

R6

Our Honor
Won’t Burn
Expert

#8 OUR HONOR: Drops in for a tag for the first time after a near-miss at Parx and looms large for powerhouse connections. It’s not ideal to see a $435,000 purchase run for $30,000, but anything close to her two prior efforts would make him tough; #6 WON’T BURN: Came off the bench running last time out at Finger Lakes when beaten just a half-length. Finger Lakes shippers can win here, and this barn has enjoyed its share of success this summer; #5 EXPERT: Tries dirt first off the claim by Patrick Reynolds and has worked well enough over it to suggest he’ll be a factor.

R7

Maho Bay (MTO)
Dubb entry
Dream Passage

DUBB ENTRY: #1A HOPONTHEBUSGUS can win, but I prefer #1 SAMARA, who was claimed last time out by Jason Servis and comes back to the grass. Her efforts three and four back are probably the best races run by any entrant in this field; #6 DREAM PASSAGE: Was third in an off-the-turf race last week and is wheeled back quickly by Brad Cox. Her win two back over maiden claimers was good, and she should be moving the right direction late; #7 AWESOME QUICK: Was headed at the wire last time out at Belmont and has a habit of settling for minor awards but ran reasonably well at this route last summer. Carmouche rides back, and she should show speed once again. DIRT SELECTIONS: MAHO BAY, LEAH’S DREAM, DUBB ENTRY.

R8

Bronze Age
Shanghai Schwartz
Go Big Or Go Home

#4 BRONZE AGE: Was disqualified out of a win last time out and runs here for a barn that’s gotten hot of late. His versatility is a plus, and he’s reunited with the pilot from a sharp three-back effort; #8 SHANGHAI SCHWARTZ: Graduated in a photo finish last time out and makes his first start against winners. Castellano rides back for Brown, and he should show speed from his outside post; #6 GO BIG OR GO HOME: Was second to a runaway winner last time out at this level and route. He dueled between horses that day, which isn’t easy to do, and he’ll likely be prominent out of the gate once again.

R9

Cash Out (MTO)
Goodthingstaketime
Tapit Today

#9 GOODTHINGSTAKETIME: Has spent most of this year running against graded stakes-caliber foes and could appreciate the slight class drop. She was third in the Grade 3 Lake George last time out, and trainer Jorge Abreu has done well this summer; #4 TAPIT TODAY: Has won two in a row at Monmouth and gets a class test here. This is certainly a step up, but this barn must be respected and there’s a chance she simply took two starts to figure things out; #6 FERDINANDA: Will likely drop back and make one big late run, which means she’s the likely beneficiary of a speed duel going into the first turn. Luis Saez rides back off a second-place finish last month. DIRT SELECTIONS: CASH OUT, GOING OUT, TAPIT TODAY.

R10

Siena Magic
Identity Politics
Measure Twice

#7 SIENA MAGIC: Gets a tepid nod in a contentious finale. He’s by all-world sire Candy Ride, out of a mare that doubles as a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Boston Harbor, and has a work tab that suggests he could be a real runner; #5 IDENTITY POLITICS: Was second in his debut downstate, where he pressed a slow pace and hung late. He could relish the cutback in distance, and improvement is always likely at second asking; #4 MEASURE TWICE: Debuts for first-out maestro Wesley Ward and sports several flashy drills, including an August 16th bullet. He fetched $525,000 at auction two years ago and is bred to be any sort of turf horse.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $456.20

I was all set to write this week’s edition of “The Dark Day Files” on Justify, Accelerate, and the race for Horse of the Year honors. Unfortunately, something much more important came up when I saw what aspiring journalists at Liberty University are faced with thanks to administrators that are, shall we say, not receptive to the idea of a free press.

As I’ve said in this space in the past, above everything else I’m fortunate enough to do in my professional career, I’m a journalist, and this shook me to my core. If you want to read my thoughts on the matter, head to AndrewChampagne.com, and if you know of a way I can help these young men and women, please let me know.

MONDAY’S RESULTS: Perhaps those young men and women can help me with money management. Lady Love did not fire in the sixth race, and we dropped $32.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: This looks like a great card…if the rain stays away. My action focuses on the fifth race, where I’m taking a stand against the likely favorites. Instead, I’ll put $10 to win and place on the entry of #1 BROADWAY BAY and #1A CAUSE I’M ALEX in hopes that we get the 6-1 morning line price.

TOTAL WAGERED: $20

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Makin’ Out, Race 7
Longshot: Englehart entry, Race 5

R1

Mutasaawy
Surprising Soul
Boss Man

#3 MUTASAAWY: Was a good second against similar company earlier in the meet and won over this course last summer. The distance is a question mark, but he boasts the meet’s top steeplechase rider, who had options here; #1 SURPRISING SOUL: Romped in a Grade 3 when last seen, and it’s clear that this distance should not be a problem. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because of his two clunkers here last year; #6 BOSS MAN: Has plenty of early speed and stretches out for a sharp barn that’s had plenty of success this meet. Mitchell takes off, but this one is a threat to potentially lead from start to finish.

R2

Promises Broken
Special Risk
Caoimhe

#5 PROMISES BROKEN: Seems best in what appears to be a two-horse race. She didn’t break well last time out, but stayed on well for second and has ample speed in a field that seems light on that quality; #6 SPECIAL RISK: Was claimed out of her last start by Robertino Diodoro, who can move horses up right away. She’s got the talent to win this, but if it rains, note the 0 for 5 mark on wet tracks; #4 CAOIMHE: Merits a look on the bottom of exotics tickets at a price. She comes back to dirt and does her best running over off going.

R3

Achilles Warrior (MTO)
Halladay
Egoli

#5 HALLADAY: Showed plenty of speed in his debut, which was rained off the turf. His pedigree says he’ll take to the grass, and it’s good that he came back with a big work August 10th; #7 EGOLI: Has one of the best dam-side pedigrees you’ll see from a 2-year-old turf horse. Her dam was Group 3-placed as a 2-year-old, her second dam was a Grade 2 winner at that age, and this one has a series of strong works for Wesley Ward; #10 STROLL DADDY: Broke slowly in his debut, but rallied soon after the start and was beaten less than three lengths. This is another with a pedigree that screams turf. DIRT SELECTIONS: ACHILLES WARRIOR, HALLADAY, TAPIZARS SECRET.

R4

Hit a Provisional
Danielle’s Pride
I Like Your Style

#5 HIT A PROVISIONAL: Came flying late and was beaten just a neck in her debut. This distance is an obstacle to overcome, but it certainly seems like she’s caught a fairly weak field for the level; #7 DANIELLE’S PRIDE: Drops in for a tag after showing flashes of talent against straight maidens. She has every right to wake up on the class drop, and Franco staying aboard is a plus; #6 I LIKE YOUR STYLE: Was up a bit closer last time out in her first try going long, but hung on for third and implied that she’ll like two turns. She gets such a route here, and her tactical speed is a plus.

R5

Englehart entry
Mr. Buff
Testosterstone

ENGLEHART ENTRY: While #1 BROADWAY BAY is certainly a contender, I prefer #1A CAUSE I’M ALEX. He came flying late earlier this month at this route, and while this is a class jump, there seems to be plenty of speed signed on to set up for his late kick; #4 MR. BUFF: Has had plenty of chances, but is winless in his last nine outings. He’s shown he can go long, and a repeat of his May 12th effort likely puts him right there, but I’m hesitant to endorse him at his likely short price; #3 TESTOSTERSTONE: Takes a drop in class after chasing significantly better horses for most of the past year. He’s another that will likely benefit from a fast pace, and he moves up on a wet track.

R6

Trustworthy (MTO)
Business Expense
Keep Quiet

#2 BUSINESS EXPENSE: Generally runs the same race every time out, and that was good enough for a win last time out at Monmouth. The waters are a bit deeper here, but when Chad Brown gets horses on the right track, they tend to stay there; #4 KEEP QUIET: Has lots of back class, but hasn’t won in four starts since returning earlier this year. He’s run up against fast horses, but the barn is ice cold this meet, and that’s a red flag; #8 ZORZOR: Drops in class after misfiring against better horses last time out at Churchill. He won two starts back and could sit a similar trip beneath Florent Geroux. DIRT SELECTIONS: TRUSTWORTHY, ADMIRAL BLUE, SUPER DUDE.

R7

Makin’ Out
Parlapiano
Mrs. Orb

#8 MAKIN’ OUT: Didn’t break well in her debut, but still managed an OK third that day. What I’m most intrigued by are the recent workouts since coming to Saratoga, which are stellar and imply that she’ll take a big step forward; #7 PARLAPIANO: Came back running off a long layoff when third here earlier this month. Franco rides back for Donk, and another solid effort at a bit of a price wouldn’t be a shock; #1 MRS. ORB: Will likely be favored cutting back off a solid effort downstate. However, she hasn’t really shown sprinter-type speed in the afternoons, and that could be an issue given the rail draw.

R8

Vortex Road
Broken Border
Bareeqa

#5 VORTEX ROAD: Hasn’t run a bad race since last September and returns to her preferred surface here. She’s shown an ability to rate, which could benefit her given the abundance of early speed in this field; #1 BROKEN BORDER: Comes back to the state-bred ranks for Jason Servis, who has enjoyed a stellar Saratoga meet. She’s talented enough to win, but it sure seems like she prefers Belmont’s one-turn configuration; #7 BAREEQA: Is 3 for 4 over this turf course and should be running well late second off the layoff for Steve Asmussen. She’d benefit from a fast pace, and that may materialize.

R9

You’re to Blame (MTO)
Call Provision
Harlan Strong

#10 CALL PROVISION: Exits a win going long on turf, and his usual race would make him tough to beat. He showed a bit more tactical speed last time out, and he could sit a similar trip here; #6 HARLAN STRONG: Probably went too fast early on in the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes, but ran very well two back in the Grade 3 Louisville when pressing a slow early pace. That sort of trip may materialize here, and he could get brave at a price if that happens; #4 FOCUS GROUP: Is undefeated going 11 furlongs or longer in his career and was sharp in victory last month. This is a class test, but the barn must be respected, as does the recent form. DIRT SELECTIONS: YOU’RE TO BLAME, SECURITIZ, EXULTING.

R10

Change of Control
No Limit Babe
The Leeman Dinner

#10 CHANGE OF CONTROL: Has worked well ahead of her debut and draws a cushy outside post for a solid first-out barn. The spotting is aggressive, but not outrageously, and if she runs to her drills, I think she’ll be tough; #2 NO LIMIT BABE: Has shown speed and returns to the dirt, which may be her preferred surface. The class drop into the maiden claiming ranks could also wake her up; #5 THE LEEMAN DINNER: Debuts for Rudy Rodriguez, and offspring of Cairo Prince have done well to this point in the season. This barn doesn’t work horses quickly, so the bullet drill on July 11th jumps off the page.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $488.20

All meet long, I’ve been waiting for the type of performance from a 2-year-old that leaves my jaw on the floor. Those are the races Saratoga tends to produce, and on Saturday, we saw one when Newspaperofrecord pulled her way towards the front early and had plenty in reserve late. She was geared down in winning by a city block, all while going two turns at first asking (which is never easy to do).

We’ve already seen a handful of incredibly impressive 2-year-olds on the west coast (Instagrand and Roadster, to name two), and I’d been hoping for a similar type of performance at some point from a Saratoga 2-year-old. With all due respect to the ones that won earlier in the meet, I think there’s a big chance Newspaperofrecord may be the best juvenile horse on the grounds.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Mo Wheels Up was delayed leaving the gate and never really got into the race. We dropped $30.

MONDAY’S PLAY: My action comes in the sixth, which I think is the best betting race of the day (assuming, of course, that it stays on the turf). My top pick is #9 LADY LOVE, and she’ll be the focus of my action. I’ll put $10 on her to win and place, and I’ll key her in $2 exactas above and below #4 REGAL DAME, #6 LITTLE CODE, and #11 ARCH OF TROY.

TOTAL WAGERED: $32

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Diodoro entry, Race 1
Longshot: Last Chant, Race 9

R1

Diodoro entry
Belgian
The Queens Jules

DIODORO ENTRY: I prefer #1A MOHICAN, who won two back and drops back in for a claiming tag after a run against starter allowance foes. That said, #1 BENEFACTOR isn’t without a chance, as he’ll likely be prominent early; #7 BELGIAN: Has notched three straight seconds coming into this event, but the most recent one came on a sloppy dirt track. This is more his speed, and he could sit a perfect stalking trip; #5 THE QUEENS JULES: Won two back and has shown enough early zip to be a contender going short. Wesley Ward and John Velazquez team up with this one, and that combination always merits respect.

R2

Stay Good
Puffin Patty
Wappinger

#10 STAY GOOD: Has worked well ahead of her debut and doesn’t seem to have drawn a stellar field in her unveiling. These are aggressive connections, so debuting her for a tag isn’t too much of a red flag: #9 PUFFIN PATTY: Has shown early speed, and in a field with many horses that haven’t shown an ability to pass others, that could be key. Kendrick Carmouche sees fit to ride, and he’ll likely send this filly out of the gate; #11 WAPPINGER: Was third against similar competition earlier in the meet. This is her second start off a brief freshening, so a step forward isn’t out of the question.

R3

Point to Remember
Big Muddy
Domain

#5 POINT TO REMEMBER: Loved the added distance last time out, and even though he didn’t win that day, he ran very well. A similar effort will make him the one to beat (likely at a short price); #2 BIG MUDDY: Broke terrible in his debut but somehow managed to rally to finish in a photo for third. He likely got a lot out of that race, and he’s bred to go long; #6 DOMAIN: Was third in the race my top pick exits. He’ll race with blinkers for the first time, and that could get him more involved early (which is good since he must reverse a five-length margin on my top pick from the last-out effort).

R4

Ward entry
Introduced
Miss Hanna Jo

WARD ENTRY: #1 TIMELY fetched $575,000 at auction and has worked well of late for top first-out trainer Wesley Ward. Her 311 turf Tomlinson figure hints that she’ll love the grass, and it helps that Velazquez has signed on to ride; #6 INTRODUCED: Hammered for $310,000 at auction earlier this year despite a very modest pedigree. She must have worked well at the sale, and the drills since then are certainly consistent; #10 MISS HANNA JO: Has every right to be a strong turf horse. She’s by top turf sire More Than Ready and is conditioned by Chad Brown, but she must negotiate a trip from the outside post (which is never an easy thing to do).

R5

Missle Bomb
Forest Blue
King Kranz

#6 MISSLE BOMB: Has won four in a row and seems to be in career form. He can sit just off the pace, which is very helpful, and he actually drops down in class a bit off of his most recent victory; #4 FOREST BLUE: Tired to run fourth last time out, but cuts back in distance slightly and has back races that fit with this group. He was claimed by Chris Englehart last time out, and he could sit a perfect stalking trip just off the speed; #7 KING KRANZ: Was claimed last time out following an effort that was too bad to be true. He won two in a row at Aqueduct earlier this year, and he’s a contender if he can find that form.

R6

Hexameter (MTO)
Lady Love
Little Code

#9 LADY LOVE: Benefits from a race with lots of early speed signed on. She’ll likely sit back and make one big late run beneath Joel Rosario, and the faster they go early, the more this one figures to like it; #6 LITTLE CODE: Was an impressive winner in an allowance race at Monmouth last time out. Like my top pick, she figures to do her best running late, and the presence of Javier Castellano certainly doesn’t hurt; #4 REGAL DAME: Was claimed last time out after running second against a similar bunch downstate. She’s got plenty of speed, and she could be the quickest of the quick going into the first turn. DIRT SELECTIONS: HEXAMETER, REGAL DAME, AIKENETTA.

R7

Picture Day (MTO)
Fairyland
Rumble Doll

#8 FAIRYLAND: Faded quickly last time out against stakes foes and has been rested since that effort. The recent workouts look sharp, and she may be the one they have to run down turning for home; #1 RUMBLE DOLL: May be past her peak, but she loves this route and should be running well late. She likely needed her race last time out, and I’m expecting a step forward; #4 BLACK CANARY: Did everything but win last time out in an off-the-turf race, where she was a game second. This barn is due to get rolling, and if you toss last year’s Natalma, she hasn’t run a truly bad race. DIRT SELECTIONS: PICTURE DAY, BLACK CANARY, PLAY UNIFIED.

R8

Twisted Tom
Control Group
Pat On the Back

#3 TWISTED TOM: Likely needed his 2018 debut, which came off a layoff of nearly nine months. He’s done his best running around two turns, and his perfect record at this distance certainly doesn’t hurt; #1 CONTROL GROUP: Is 2 for 2 at Saratoga and has won a pair of races in a row ahead of this one. He’ll likely show his speed from the rail, and he could dictate terms early on; #7 PAT ON THE BACK: Prevailed in a fast renewal of the Saginaw Stakes at Belmont and stretches out to a two-turn route. I’m a bit skeptical and think he prefers a one-turn trip, but a repeat of the most recent effort puts this one right there in a solid renewal of the Evan Shipman.

R9

Lemon Blitz
Last Chant
Edition Farm entry

#10 LEMON BLITZ: Was second two back against similar company, and such an effort could be good enough in a very confusing finale. That day’s winner came back to win again, and he should relish a return to the turf; #8 LAST CHANT: Has certainly had his chances, but he’s shown early speed, which much of this field does not have. He was second at big odds earlier in the meet, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he goes early and leads the field a long way; EDISON FARM ENTRY: #1 RIENDO drops in for a tag for the first time and is bred to love this distance, while #1A LOCAL EDITION likely needed his debut race and has a right to improve if he draws in off the AE list.