Saratoga opening day review + day 2 preview
Showers and storms lead to a sloppy, sealed main track and no turf on opening day at the Spa. Early/pressing types off the rail fared well, with a trio of wire jobs on the day. Alan Garcia and Cornelio Velasquez both booted home a pair, and kudos to Steve Asmussen saddling a trio of winners. Two wins for Richard Dutrow on the card…
Race 9: Overbet fav (Asmussen) Ocean Colors (Winning Colors) flashed speed on the slower inside but spit the bit (last). She had a muscle spasm as a legit excuse for her poor performance. My top choice Collegiate made a winning inside move but weakened to 4th in a respectable effort. Mr. Asmussen might have lost the battle but he won the war with his other entrant Jardin ($26.40), who was stalking in the proper outer path.
July 24th (day 2) Saratoga preview
Off the turf again on Thursday, and the steeplechase opener has been rescheduled. Expect early/pressing types to be strong again unless evidence tells another story.
Race 5: Good looking 2yo filly sprint, and Todd Pletcher has the favored entry. Market At Midday was decent 3rd of 5 in Belmont bow, and place finisher returned to score. The winner (Collegiate) from her bow was 4th in yesterday’s Schuylerville (G3). Other half of entry is a Smarty Jones firster (Smarty Marty). Note that Johnny V jumps off the Pletcher 2nd timer in favor of Phipps/McGaughey FTS Siren Serenade, and same owner/trainer finished 3rd with a 13-1 firster on opening day (Gone Astray). As usual, the Shug entrant is bred to be any kind with Versailles Treaty her mother.
Race 9: The expected fav (Notonthesamepage) for the Grade 2 Sanford has been declared due to a temperature, so all of the money will likely show up on Desert Party. The $2.1 million son of Street Cry was an easy debut winner at a too sharp 4.5f in his Polytrack (Arlington) bow. Darley/Eoin Harty runner should get better with distance and experience, and he probably would not mind a wet track. Vineyard Haven was a sharp debut winner at Calder, and the place finisher returned to score. Robert Frankel has him now, and the high fig horse might offer a hint of value.
Tags: Desert Party, Jardin, opening day, Sandford, Saratoga, Schuylerville, Steve AsmussenRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Breeding, Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Trainers
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