RACE 1

WIN — First of seven steeplechase races to be run this meet. DIVINE FORTUNE is the stronger part of the Sheppard entry as the 4-year-old seems to have improved this season and enters this on a two-race win streak. Prepped with a come-from-behind win over the flats at Colonial Downs.

PLACE — Tom Voss won just two races here last summer from 14 starters, but must always be respected over the jumps. GRYFFINDOR has hit the board in three of four career tries over the hurdles, and clearly likes racing at the Spa having finished in the money in both starts here last summer on the turf. Mate JAZZITUPGEORGE has a class edge, but has been away since the fall of 2005.

SHOW — RIVER BED has finished in the exacta in 12 of 20 career tries over the jumps, making this 10-year-old an immediate factor. Has won four of five starts this year for Katherine McKenna, who failed to have a runner hit the board here last year from four starters.

RACE 2

WIN — TWISTED TALE was a clear second in her career debut on June 23 at Churchill Downs to her stablemate — Subtle Aly — who established a new track record in the process and returned to win Wednesday’s Schuylerville. Figures to improve with that effort under her belt, and could prove quickest early and not look back.

PLACE — ELLIE’S BUDDHA sports three consecutive gate works at Keeneland in preparation of this for Biancone, who will give a leg up to Leparoux. Worktab is long and steady, and would not be surprised to see her run well at first asking. Biancone has won with 6 of the last 27 he has debuted at Saratoga.

SHOW — Morning-line choice is COZY MESA, who ran well for the place in her only prior start. Owned by Marylou Whitney Stable, she loses Leparoux to the second-choice, but does attract Gomez. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won at less than nine percent over the past five years at the Spa.

RACE 3

WIN — LOVELY DREAM makes just the twelfth start of her career today for Ward, but has trained well locally of late. Bejarano has won with 8 of the past 20 mounts he has taken for this outfit, and will need to avoid getting struck in a pace battle in between horses with Gold Like U to his left and Hoosick Falls to the right.

PLACE — STOLEN STAR may appreciate the cut back from one mile, and should be on her toes following a rapid breeze in early July at Belmont. Has finished second in half of her six starts this season, and will need to fire her best to break that trend today.

SHOW — Contessa sends out a pair. GOLD LIKE U may have her hand forced early on breaking from the rail as she runs first off the claim from Dutrow, while WAYTOTHELEFT could have the race scenario suit her late running style. Dominguez was aboard for her two most recent victories at Aqueduct this spring.

RACE 4

WIN — MADEMOISELLEWHAKI worked in company with her graded stakes winning stablemate Good Mood on July 23, a work not listed in DRF. Leparoux rides.

PLACE — Bill Mott really struggles with debut runners, so it is encouraging that STAGE DREAM ran as well as she did in her lone career start, finishing second to Prom Party. Four works since should have this daughter of Theatrical primed for a big effort as Desormeaux stays. Mate Who Fu is entered as MTO.

SHOW — QUEENS FULL took the lead in midstretch before yielding late in her debut. Clement runners score at 21 percent in their second career try, and any improvement would certainly put her in a good spot here.

If run on Main Track: 1. Mott entry; 2. Star Dixie; 3. Indian Love Call.

RACE 5

WIN — OPTIMISTIC STEVE may be aided by racing two turns, and will certainly have plenty of speed to close into. Will save all of the ground through the run into the clubhouse turn, and although Luzzi and Zito have yet to form a dangerous pair, lands in an ideal spot here in a wide-open race.

PLACE — BERRY BOUND has improved by leaps and bounds of late, but was clearly staggering through the lane at Finger Lakes in his latest when attempting a route of ground for the first time. Will likely face pace pressure from the outside as My Apology will need to be gunned from post 11. Should My Apology scratch, move Berry Bound to the top slot.

SHOW — DOCTOR FREUD has won both career starts around two turns, but does draw a difficult outside post and may be hung wide given his stalking style. Certainly interesting that Dominguez rides for Pletcher while Velazquez sits in the jocks room.

RACE 6

WIN — Maiden claimer on the turf seems a good place to take a shot, so WESTERN BLUFF (10-1 morning line) gets the top choice. Was favored at this level two back at Monmouth, and put in a decent rally once switched out turning for home. First three finishers that race all came back to win their subsequent start.

PLACE — COPY THAT sold for $550K in the fall of 2005, and after earning back $3,470 from his first two career starts, can now be yours for $45K. Pletcher very dangerous on the drop from MSW to maiden claiming ranks (29 percent).

SHOW — STAR STUDDED has been in contention in each of his last three versus similiar, and would not be out of the question given an ideal trip. Trainer Alexander was just 1-for-25 here last summer.

If run on Main Track: 1. Copy That; 2. Forza Bruta; 3. Star Studded.

RACE 7

WIN — LEMON DROP GAL seems to have needed her seasonal debut on May 25 as she returned one month later with a rousing score in the Evil Bear at Belmont. Won over this course last summer, and simply looks best on paper.

PLACE — MOHEGAN SKY ran into repeater Iron Goddess most recently and must be respected for Linda Rice, who has enjoyed great success since turf sprints were introduced at the Spa a few years back.

SHOW — SWAP FLIPAROO holds a serious class edge on her rivals, yet has raced just once on turf prior to this. Distance may prove a shade too short, but she will certainly be closing late.

If run on Main Track: 1. Swap Fliparoo; 2. Pennyrile; 3. Lemon Drop Gal.

RACE 8

WIN — READY’S IMAGE looked incredibly professional in his latest with blinkers added, and won’t stand in the gate long breaking from the outside stall. Seems to have the ability to relax early and settle as Velazquez desires.

PLACE — Pletcher won this race last year with Scat Daddy, and would be little surprise to saddle the exacta this year. THE ROUNDHOUSE was very impressive in winning his debut at Monmouth from well off the pace. Following this inital outing, worked a fast four furlongs two weeks later, a signal he is ready to take a major leap forward. Just worry that Ready’s Image, with an experience edge, is just a little more advanced at this stage of the season.

SHOW — TALE OF EKATI stood in the gate for quite some time in his debut from the rail, yet still broke alertly and won off nicely by over eight lengths. That maturity will serve him well as he once agains draws the rail.

RACE 9

WIN — Not fond of the outside post, but STORM DIXIE has the length of the stretch to establish position by the first turn, and like the fact that her return most recently matched her best figures from last year.

PLACE — TISHMEISTER may prove the pacesetter in this finale, and if left alone for long enough, may forget to stop. Has finished second in 4 of 13 career tries versus just a single win, so she is easy to use in the mix, but tough to extend the top call.

SHOW — GLAMOUR STAR has improved with each race for trainer Michael Matz, who went 0-for-11 here in 2006. FLYING SAPPHO will be a bomb to complete the super.

If run on Main Track: 1. Storm Dixie; 2. Glamour Star; 3. Them There Eyes.