(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:
First Race: Post: 12:35 ET
Top Pick: 4-Three Girls (4-1)
She’s from the first crop of Collected and breezed a furlong in :10 flat during the preview session of the OBS June sale while looking very good doing it and then brought $150,000 through the ring, so while her local workouts appear moderate she’s definitely blessed with strong ability, especially for a New York-bred 2-year-old. Her sire, a son of City Zip, almost certainly would have made a high class turf performer if given the chance during his racing days, so we’re expecting this Jeremiah Englehart-trained filly to handle the grass just fine. In a field that appears to lack depth, she’ll offer enticing value at or near her 4-1 morning line. Exacta and rolling exotic players should also tossing in 7-Bode’s Girl and 1-Kara Para somewhere on their ticket. The former has displayed good speed in her local works while the latter is bred for turf and her work tab at Belmont Park indicates she has at least some talent.
Tenth Race – Post: 4:03 PT
Top Pick: 3-Jane Grey (9/2)
Produced by a Bernardini mare, this lightly raced 4-year-old seems very likely to improve in her first time stretching out and if she does the daughter Into Mischief can return to winning form in her third start off a layoff. Solid on speed figures and with an ideal pace-pressing style for this distance, the Bill Mott-trained filly continues to train well, so at 9/2 on the morning line she offers a reasonable gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. The one to fear most is 7-Wicked Hot, the likely pacesetter, and if she can shake loose early without pressure she may be hard to catch. She’s 6-1 on the morning line and at that price she should be included somewhere on your tickets.
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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-6)
1st race: 8-Three Girls; 7-Bode’s Girl; 1-Kara Para
2nd race: 5-Atlanta’s Acuna; 6-Blame It On Daddy; 1-Mr. Marlin
3rd race: 5-City Man; 2-Mouillage
4th race: 3-Crowding Out; 1-Smokin’ Hot Kitty
5th race: 5-Adinike; 6-Backyard Money
6th race:1-Whatloveslookslike; 2-New Ginya; 9-Stellar Mars
(Races 7-12)
7th race: 3-Arctic Arrogance; 8-Sounds Spooky; 1-Leftembehind
8th race: 2-Air Attack; 5-War Stopper; 7-Portos
9th race: 1-Digital Software; 2-Reckless Spirit; 4-Rally Squirrel
10th race: 3-Jane Grey; 7-Wicked Hot
11th race: 5-Mo Strike; 4-Gulfport
12th race: 11-Sue Ellen Mishkin; 1-Cupid’s Heart; 2-Tosconova Beauty
SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Bode’s Girl (August 28, Saratoga, 4f, :49b). Grade: B
Hard held throughout while proving much best inside April First (same time) for D. Donk, final quarter in :24.3, a ton left at the wire. Was a virtual giveaway ($5,000) as a yearling but definitely has some speed and could be dangerous vs. maiden special weight state-bred juvenile fillies. Intriguing.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Leftembehind (August 17, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02.3b). Grade: B
In blinkers, breezed inside Get Respect (5f, 1:03b) and was always going the better of the two and finishing three lengths clear while always in hand (workmate asked), final quarter mile in a moderate :25.4. Has a bit of run and might be worth a look with New York-bred types.
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Arctic Arrogance (August 21, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.4bg). Grade: B-
Not particularly quick leaving the gate but steadily moved up inside Uncle Marty (3f, :36.3bg) and gradually pulled clear while being ridden some late, decent enough for L. Rice. Frosted colt should be fit enough to be competitive with state-bred maiden juveniles first time out.
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Sounds Spooky (August 28, Saratoga, 4f, :48bg). Grade: B-
Inside Candy Strike (same time) in gate work for T. Pletcher, ridden most of the way while perhaps a tad the best at the end, steady splits, okay move, nothing great. Likely will be a fit with moderate New York-bred maiden juvenile fillies.
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TENTH RACE:
JANE GREY (August 28, Saratoga, 4f, :48.4b TT). Grade: B
Went off easily and then finished well when mildly coaxed in the late stages of this solo training track drill for W. Mott, final quarter in :24 flat. Lightly race and has room to improve, extra distance shouldn’t be an issue.
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ELEVENTH RACE:
Mo Strike (August 28, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.1b). Grade: B
In company outside Kinetic Sky (same time) and was always going slightly the better of the two while breezing to the wire and then being niggled out to gallop out well to the clubhouse turn. Undefeated in two stakes with more improvement still to come as the distances increase.
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TWELFTH RACE:
Sue Ellen Mishkin (August 25, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02.3b). Grade: B
Broke off slightly behind Empire Lilly (5f, 1:03b, TT) and finished stride-for-stride with workmate at the wire before galloping out interest, never asked, final quarter in a sharp :24 flat. Got a confidence building win at Finger Lakes last time out and has won over this main track in the past. Looks ready.
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