Saratoga is in the rearview mirror for 2024, but there’s a big rush to enter as New York racing action returns to Belmont At The Big A this Friday, Sept. 13. The featured $150,000 Winter Memories Stakes drew 10 sophomore fillies and it’s sandwiched between two more full fields that make up the $1 Late Pick 3. Here’s a closer look:
BAQ 8th race (4:42 p.m. EST) -- Nine of the 10 entrants in this New York-bred allowance have earned more than $100,000 on the turf with a combined 73/18-8-17 record. Trainer Christophe Clement has a formidable 1-2 punch uncoupled in the wagering. MARCO T is ultra-consistent and rallied to win on firm and soft footing at 6F in his two non-stakes tries at this track’s Spring Meet. STRICTLY TABOO began her 4-year-old season at Saratoga after eighth months away and took command in the final sixteenth of back-to-back wins. IM JUST KIDDIN shortens up from a pair of grass routes with two strong 6F turf sprints to summon as a 3-year-old last year. She rallied from last to get beat a length as the favorite, then ‘dug in’ to get beat in a blanket finish under today’s conditions. SPOOKY LADY stalked a fleet-footed pace setter the last time she sprinted and remained prominent until the deep closers passed by in the final sixteenth.
BAQ 9th race (5:13 p.m. EST) -- Trainer Chad Brown seeks his fourth win since 2017 in the Winter Memories Stakes and he stands a good chance with late-running DYNAMIC PRICING, who has a Grade 2 win and a pair of graded stakes-placed showings in a well-traveled 3-year-old campaign. WHISKEY DECISION returns from a cross-country trip to the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks and looks to get back on the winning track that featured three consecutive wins by a combined 14 lengths, capped by the $150,000 Christiana Stakes at Delaware Park at 1-1/8 miles on the lawn. LES REYS makes her U.S. debut in peak form. She rallied from last at the top of the stretch and surged clear late while 6-wide to impress in a one-mile stakes in France when last seen three months ago.
BAQ 10th race (5:44 p.m. EST) -- PRACTICALLY SUMMER and BUBBE DEAREST finished 2 lengths apart in MSW company August 8 at 6-1/2F and appear best of those that have run. BUBBE DEAREST led at every call until the stretch, but PRACTICALLY SUMMER lost her footing at the start, rushed up to contend and can turn the tables today. FIFI LA FUME stepped it up a notch in a recent :48-1/5 gate work but has the outside post to contend with. T D MAGEE trainer Bruce Levine is 6-for-18 with debut maiden claimers the last three years with an average win mutuel of $13.20. TOWER TWENTY TWO ships in from Parx for trainer John Servis, who is 15/5-3-1 since August 22 with maiden claimers, spanning several tracks.
Suggested $1 Ticket
BAQ 8th Race: 2, 4, 6, 7
BAQ 9th Race: 3, 5, 8
BAQ 10th Race: 7, 9, 10, 11
Cost: $48
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