Saratoga Selections - Sept 1

RACE 1
WIN – Kick off the closing day card on the turf. BARTLETTS ran entirely too well to lose last out, forcing the issue into a quick pace over boggy going, and after winning that early battle, was just nailed in the last jump. Cuts back a sixteenth.
PLACE – COUNTERSPY found traffic right out of the gate, but did manage to improve his position slightly after that last out. Drops in for a tag for The Chief.
SHOW – ALL THE WAY HOME ran a career best in his only other time on grass, so a big effort is possible at big odds. Duggan has enjoyed a wonderful meet.

RACE 2
WIN – Would use several in multi-race plays, but give top billing to TAXADAME, who debuts for Galluscio. Works are strong, she attracts Prado, and like the fact she was cross-entered in the Lady Fingers Stakes at the Flakes today.
PLACE – GEM FOR HOOK chased the promising Mother Russia throughout (more…)

Saratoga Selections - Aug 31

RACE 1
WIN – Doubtful SHAAMI will ever earn back his $900K yearling tag, but has run much better in his last two. Won an early four-pronged duel two starts back to just get nipped at wire.
PLACE – YA THINK broke his maiden here last summer. Couldn’t keep up with a rapid pace in his latest, but did finish willingly for third.
SHOW – STOLEN GREETING possesses long shot potential having made a big late run to finish second when sprinting back in May. Could be dangerous on cut back here.

RACE 2
WIN – JUST A COINCIDENCE battled early with Hopeful-bound Munnings in his debut (more…)

Saratoga Selections - Aug 30

RACE 1
WIN – Not crazy about being this far outside, but HAWKINSVILLE could improve now first off the Bruce Brown claim after faltering as the even-money choice in the mud last out.
PLACE – TERRIFIC STORM has been facing much better on turf of late for connections that are rolling right along. Only concern was fact he hasn’t hit the board in any of his six races this season.
SHOW – KING MOBAY prevailed in a long drive to win at this level on July 24, but may have been helped by the off track.

RACE 2
WIN – SHARIF AL MEDINA just missed over yielding turf with Espinoza up last out, and now returns from a break for Penna with CVel.
PLACE – STORM HARBOR seems to have improved since Benzel added blinkers (more…)

Saratoga Selections - Aug 28

RACE 1
WIN – CAESAR BEWARE has proven an easy victor when at this level in the past, including his latest outing on July 4. Off since, he was a late scratch on Aug. 4, so proceed with caution.
PLACE – HURRICANE ANNIE rides a two-race win streak in from Suffolk Downs for this. Steps up the class ladder here, but trainer Linda Rice is catching fire of late.
SHOW – ROCKHURST swung wide and managed a third-place showing earlier in the meet. Picks up Albarado today, and with the right trip, has a chance.

RACE 2
WIN – First of four juvenile contests on the card, and although Rick Violette has been quiet at this meet, he has found success with these types over recent years. MONA FROM DELTONA shows a decent tab, and may surprise.
PLACE – BEST FOR LAST dueled for a half-mile before stopping in her debut, but has trained well since (more…)

Saratoga Selections - Aug 27

RACE 1
WIN – SWAGGER STICK rallied sharply up the inside over the final fence to earn the place last out, and now makes his third start at the meet.
PLACE – SERMON OF LOVE finished just behind the top choice here on Aug. 14 at this distance, but made a wide – and perhaps premature – move around the turn before hanging a bit late.
SHOW – SPY IN THE SKY faced much tougher in the Smithwick last out, so this cast should be more to his liking. Has hit the board in half of his six tries over the jumps.

RACE 2
WIN – FROSTY DIAMOND pressed up the inside from his rail post last out, dropped back around the turn, but then jumped back into contention with a huge move off the turn (more…)

Saratoga Selections - Aug 25

RACE 1
WIN – Thought about trying to beat the favorite in here, but DRIVEN BY SUCCESS simply looks best, and even figures to get loose on an uncontested lead. The rest shouldn’t be able to touch him.
PLACE – BAZZOOM rallied for second behind an odds-on favorite last out, and the minor cut back in distance should sharpen his late kick.
SHOW – BORROWING LIMIT exits a race from which second-place finisher Rollers has come back to win. Figures to be closing for a share.

RACE 2
WIN — NOBLE ACTION has trained locally all season in advance of this for Rice. Recent half-mile works have become increasingly quicker.
PLACE – FIVE STAR CHOWDAIR, who was second-best to a good-looking Pletcher firster (more…)

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