By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
Get ready, racing fans! Half a dozen classified bets are scheduled to take place Saturday in Saratoga, including a 1st place pool led by the prestigious Travers S. (G1) worth $1.25 million.
Rather than settle for just one of these star-studded events, let’s take a quick look at all six:
lap 4: Ballston Spa S. (G2)
Top grass coach Chad Brown conditions three of five fillings and mares in this 1/16-mile grass event, with #5 Technical analysis (1-1) looming like runners to beat. Winning at Lake George S. (G3) and Lake Placid S. (G2) in Saratoga last summer, Technical Analysis recently returned to Spa with a runner-up attempt in the Diana S. (G1) game. .
In Diana, Technical Analysis finished ahead of New York’s Bleecker Street winner S. (G1) and followed by Beverly DS (G1) heroine Dalika, so it’s safe to say she ran a run Race vigorously against tough opponents. Tactically speeded technical analysis to find a perfect ride in a barely paced field on Saturday and looks poised to beat a steady opponent #2 Lemista (3-1) to the finish line.
Race 5: Forego S. (G1)
I really can’t go against the defending men’s sprint champion #3 Jackie’s Warrior (1-2), who dominated Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) in Saratoga with complete ease last month. Jackie’s Warrior this year is 4v4 and 5v5 in Saratoga, so the speedy four-year-old will have to run under form to lose Forego, and I have no reason to believe he will.
Second place, I’m a fan of the hot #5 Cody’s Wish (7-2), who is far from being able to bring home a six-game winning streak in Forego. His best efforts have come to a one-mile race, including a five-track lap in Westchester S. (G3) at Belmont Park, but cutting down to seven furs isn’t a big deal. problem. An early pace could even sharpen Cody’s Wish’s host kick.
Race 8: H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1)
#6 Jack Christopher (6-5) has done little wrong since dominating his Saratoga debut to 8 3/4 length last summer. He consecutively overcame Champagne S. (G1), Pat Day Mile (G2) and Woody Stephens S. (G1) before finishing third in race 1 1/8 Haskell S. (G1), being beaten only two leg while the winner broke the track record.
Haskell marks Jack Christopher’s first start in about two turns, so his weakness on the last turn isn’t too surprising. He bred top-to-bottom to thrive as a sprinter/miler and should have enjoyed cutting down to seven feathers for H. Allen Jerkens, setting the stage for a convincing victory. a while ago a two-time winner ranked Saratoga. # 8 Gunite (6-1). The latter runner won the Hopeful S. (G1) on this track last summer 5 3/4 length.
Race 9: Personal Ensign S. (G1)
There are many ways to pass this 1/8 mile deep test for fillings and mares. Many bettors will support #3 Claim (6-5), winners Ogden Phipps S. (G1) and Shuvee S. (G2) in her last two starts. But three times won Grade 1 # 5 Malathaat (5-2) was the runner-up in both of those races, and #1 Letruska (3-1) leads all the way to defeating Clairiere in Apple Blossom H. (G1) in Spring.
Finally, I’ll give a thin side to #2 Search Results (7-2), last year’s Acorn S. (G1) winner. In Ogden Phipps, the Search Result forced Letruska through a blistering pace and took a clear lead to the privates before waning late in the game to finish third behind Clairiere and Malathaat, only beaten by 2 1/4 length. She came back to win Molly Pitcher S. (G3) by three times over the next winner, Leader of the Band, with a more relaxed ride being key to her win. that.
The search results weren’t the most complete of the Personal Ensign participants, but she entered in pretty good shape and I can imagine a scenario in which she follows Letruska through. modest fractions before surpassing Clairiere and Malathaat in prison.
Race 10: Sword Dancer S. (G1)
#9 Channel Builder (8-1) won this race two years ago and is still in strong form, despite being only 8 years old. He’s won 2 to 3 this season, scoring the pace-setting goal in a 1 1/2 mile Elkhorn S. (G2) match and a direct point within the 1 1/2 mile Grand Couturier S. finish. in tough 9th place in 1/4 mile Manhattan S. (G1).
Sword Dancer is controversial for Channel Maker’s favorite 1/2 mile ride, and drawing an outside post would allow Channel Maker to create a comfortable ride when pressed or stalked # 7 Tribhuvan (5-1) through the head go. I’m optimistic Channel Producers can turn back the clock and claim another 1st place win, with a runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in 2021 #3 Broome (3-1) completed correctly.
lap 11: Travers S. (G1)
A strong field has assembled for the 1/4-mile “Summer Yacht Race,” with four Tier 1 winners and several classic winners among the entries. But my top pick is not one of the established top tier winners; instead, it’s morning favorites #6 The epicenter (7-5).
Epicenter was a bit unlucky to have yet to win at the 1st grade level. He was said to have moved too early at a hot pace when he was beaten less than a long way in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and the delivery breakdown Early release affected his chances of rallying to finish second at Preakness S. (G1).
But Epicenter was back to his best in the Jim Dandy S. (G2) 1/8 mile in Saratoga last month, going home via slow track to beat the 1 1/2 mile deep court in time. quick time of 1: 48.99. On average, Epicenter could be the best three-year-old in coaching this year, and he could prove it if he gets a clean ride in the Travers.
#8 Zandon(5-1), third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Jim Dandy, could play against winner Curlin S. # 5 Artorius (9-2) to correctly round Travers.
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in Saratoga’s Saturday stakes?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, amputee, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers the Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
