RACE 1
WIN – Here is the steeplechase race that was postponed from last Wednesday, and it gets redrawn with one less entrant. SEER was going to be the choice last week, so we’ll keep him on top as Xavier Aizpuru won half of the jump races here last summer.
PLACE – DYNASKI won last out in his second try over hurdles, and logged an easy breeze on July 26 given the extra week to prepare.
SHOW – The other Voss runner SLIP AWAY will be close to the pace early, but loses Aizpuru to the top choice. Dangerous if able to gallop along at will for too long.

RACE 2
WIN – Trainer Michael Trombetta won with a pair of impressive firsters last summer in Cave’s Valley and Now A Victor, and debuts GLORY GOLD here with a solid worktab out of town. Main man Dominguez had a rough first week.
PLACE – HELEN’S LADY runs second out for Ramon Hernandez, who won with second-time starter Looking at Her last Wednesday. Third-place finisher in the debut has since returned to win here (Stunning Electra).
SHOW – AKILINA was never a threat but manage to earn the place in her debut. Gets Lasix today, but believe you’ll see her on turf in this condition before too long.

RACE 3
WIN – QUEENOFALLDIAMONDS ran an improved race when shortened up most recently, although her breeding suggests that she should handle this distance. Love the morning works since her last.
PLACE – VENETIAN CAUSEWAY has been beaten by a few of these in her last two tries, but McGaughey runners will continue to show more each time out, and it’s encouraging that Garcia stays.
SHOW – KAPANGA encountered brief traffic in her last, although not convinced that really cost her anything. Certainly a player on current form. If run on Main Track: 1. Venetian Causeway; 2. Queenofalldiamonds; 3. Kulka.

RACE 4
WIN – Zero confidence in this race, and despite the short price, STORM BOOT GOLD just looks extremely logical. His one-turn races have been respectable against much better than he will tackle today. Not sure what to think of all the recent turf works, but he has run well fresh before.
PLACE – HAILEY’S HERO ships in from Finger Lakes, where he has trained swiftly since his last race. Hasn’t found all that much success, although he has managed to finish closer than his odds would have suggested on several occasions.
SHOW – BROOKER D has checked in second in this last two trips to the post, and victor in his last (R Fast Favorite) returned to finish second here last week.

RACE 5
WIN – Linda Rice has benefited from keeping horses in Saratoga during the off-season, and ZIPTRONIC has been stabled locally all summer in preparation for his debut. Recent works show promise.
PLACE – DOUGIE makes his first career start for Anthony Dutrow from the rail. Zayat paid $250K for this Elusive Quality offspring, and the recent work on turf – despite not being very quick – is a good sign.
SHOW – DOUBLE DOMINO hasn’t shown much zip in the mornings, but was with Pletcher’s “A” string at Palm Beach Downs this winter before heading directly to the Spa. If run on Main Track: 1. Dougie; 2. Ziptronic; 3. Mr. Petersson.

RACE 6
WIN – BOROBUDUR has been a frustrating disappointment, a beaten favorite five times since coming over from France. Odds will be much more enticing today, and he has improved with the addition of blinkers in his last three.
PLACE – Biggest threat is GIANT STORM, who finished just behind the top choice in his last. Gives every impression that the added furlong will be to his liking.
SHOW – SUMMER PATRIOT made a big late move in his last considering the slow early pace and rapid final quarter-mile. Sheds four pounds and shows five works since for Tagg. If run on Main Track: 1. Discreet Treasure; 2. Building New Era; 3. Summer Patriot.

RACE 7
WIN – CHOBE must receive a trip from Garcia given the outside post. Ran down favored Exchanging Kisses in his last, and now gets back to a route for very capable connections.
PLACE – VERITABLE has been right there in each of his last two starts, winning a photo most recently to face winners for the first time today. Cozy inside post can only help.
SHOW – INTO THE WIND just missed here last summer versus identical, one of his 8 runner-up finishes from 13 tries. Sound like a trend? If run on Main Track: 1. All in No Outs; 2. Great Emperor; 3. Giron.

RACE 8
WIN – CARRIAGE TRAIL was outfinished in her last, but the race was one of those short field, wacky pace races. Distance is right up her alley, and believe she may prefer firmer turf.
PLACE – STORMY WEST finished between Rutherienne and Lady of Venice back in April, and after taking the ungraded Caress last out, find it strange that she returns in a similar spot rather than stepping up.
SHOW – JADE QUEEN came within a half-length of a Grade 1 win two years ago, but hasn’t been given many opportunities in such spots since. Still a threat, but she may have lost a step. If run on Main Track: 1. Carriage Trail; 2. Solarana; 3. Stormy West.

RACE 9
WIN – Flip a coin here as the major contenders break inside and outside. Side with ICE COOL KITTY as she figures to control things on the engine from the fence. Needs to rebound from an ambitious seasonal return.
PLACE – TALKING TREASURE will have her sights on the top choice throughout, and figures to keep her on a short leash. Won a minor stake going this distance with Velazquez aboard last summer.
SHOW – MORNING GALLOP will attempt to rally late, and needs the top pair to battle themselves into defeat to give her a chance. Cutting back from nine furlongs should have her plenty fit.

RACE 10
WIN – SAPPHIRE EYES returns to dirt second off the Bruce Brown claim. The cut back to six panels will be to his liking, and the shades go on. Edge in wide-open nightcap.
PLACE – VALIANT HUMOR was favored versus $50K claimers last out, and checked in third. Vied for the lead along the inside in that race, but draws better outside today, and on the drop in class at a better price, looks well spotted.
SHOW – MESSA NERA has been training brilliantly at Churchill for this, and finished second versus similar in his debut. Logical for a share. UP TO THE LIMIT could complete the super.

BEST BET
Ice Cool Kitty (Race 9)