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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:
Seventh Race – Post: 3:22 ET
Top Pick: 9-Meraas (6-1)
This Group-3 stakes winner from Dubai makes his first U.S. start and will bring his regular rider with him in this second level allowance main track sprint for older horses. The Chad Summer-trained gelding has looked terrific in the morning while getting geared up for his first outing since February, and from his cozy outside draw the English-bred five-year-old should have every chance to secure a comfortable stalking early position and seal the deal when called upon. His overseas form is powerful – his Timeform ratings make him simply better and faster than this group – so at 6-1 on the morning line he offers excellent wagering value as a win play and rolling exotic single.
Eighth Race: Post: 3:58 ET
Top Pick: 9-Fantasist (8-1)
First time starter by Aways Dreaming brought $550,000 at the Timonium 2-year-old in training sale last spring after breezing in :21 2/5 around that bullring’s tight turns, doing so in very impressive fashion like a stone runner. He hasn’t been asked to display that kind of speed while preparing for this outing – there’s no need for it – but we’re expecting the Todd Pletcher-trained colt to turn on the jets in this seven furlong event and show his best stuff. He's listed at 8-1 on the morning line and we suspect he’s much better than that. We’ll use him in the various exotics and in the straight pool as well.
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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-6)
1st race: 3-Ari Gold; 8-General Jim
2nd race: 7-Powerful; 8-Upgrade
3rd race: 6-Up to the Mark; 8-No Burn; 4-Tiwanaku
4th race: 3-Annapolis
5th race: 11-Mr. Chairman; 4-Blinding Light; 7-Custom Bobby’s; 5-King Moonraces
6th race: 9-Champions Dream; 1-Heart N Soul; 2-Mindtap
(Races 7-13)
7th race: 9-Meraas
8th race: 9-Fantasist; 10-Crupi
9th race: 2-Analyze It; 4-Sanctuary City; 9-Ocean Atlantique; 10-Eyes On Target
10th race: 4-War Goddess
11th race: 5-Americanrevolution; 8-Dynamic One; 7-Keepmeinmind
12th race: 10-Midnight Worker; 8-One More Baby
13th race> 11-Quick Power Nap; 9-Eli Dancer; 8-Izeamalibumoon
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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Ari Gold (August 20, Saratoga, 5f, :59.3h). Grade: B+
Under restraint early while inside Kaling (same time), then had to be asked a tad to stay even through the lane and was noticeably second best (still a solid work) to gifted workmate (easy debut winner), final quarter mile in :24.2. Son of Medaglia d’Oro is a good prospect in his own right; interesting that he was considered a viable work mate with Kaling by T. Pletcher.
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SECOND RACE:
Fightertown (August 21, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00bg). Grade: B-
Good-sized son of Into Mischief was stride-for-stride outside Game Warden (same time) in gate work for W. Mott, steady splits while being ridden in the closing stages to stay even. Has some run but doesn’t act like a quick type, may eventually be best suited over a distance of ground.
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Parkway (August 21, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00bg). Grade: B-
Ridden hard from the gate (broke well but not quick) and eventually drew clear from workmate Prairie Dunes (5f, 1:00.4bg) in steady, grinding drill for W. Mott. Has some ability but probably wants to route and may be a down the road type, workmate, entered in today’s sixth race doesn’t look like much.
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Powerful (August 22, Saratoga, 5f, 1:03b). Grade: B+
Slow and easy inside Banterra (same time) for S. Asmussen, neither one asked, both finishing with plenty left looking good. Beaten a head in debut and seems certain to move forward with that race under his belt. Strong, powerful colt by Nyquist has a chance to develop into a nice sort.
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THIRD RACE:
Tiwanaku (August 19, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b). Grade: B
Drew off with complete authority in a sharp display of late speed while much over Camp Akeela (5f, 1:01.2b) for T. Amoss, final quarter in :24.3 under mild coaxing only. Found nine furlongs a bit too far last time out, should bounce back when shortened in trip.
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Up to the Mark (August 19, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.4b). Grade: B+
Stride for stride outside Dynamic One (same time) for T. Pletcher, mild coaxing only while galloping out well and with plenty left, solid drill by debut maiden winner with plenty of upside. Won over a sloppy track but handled the fast strip just fine here. Should be quite competitive on the raise and seems certain to improve as the distances increase.
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SIXTH RACE:
Heart N Soul (August 1, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b). Grade: B+
Even but best breezing outside (same time) for G. Weaver, never asked for speed at any stage and finishing with plenty left. Looks like a decent sort of 2-year-old and is bred for speed (Goldencents). Getting cranked up.
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Mindtap (August 26, Saratoga, 4f, :48bg). Grade: B
Quicker than stable mate Ari Gold (same time) leaving the gate but was joined by that one midway and wound up slightly second best, though not really asked much, while preparing for his debut. Tapit colt definitely has some talent, workmate goes in today’s opener so you can use his performance as a reference.
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Kaon (August 20, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1bg). Grade: B
Under a nice hold in team gate drill with Standard of Proof (same time) for C. Brown, never really asked while stride-for-stride throughout. Looks solid, definitely can run some and should be more than fit enough by now.
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Cagliostro (August 21, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00b). Grade: B-
Asked through the lane but was second best inside Vahva (same time) for C. De Vaux, final quarter in a moderate :25.3. Has a series of good workout times but didn’t look all that hot here and probably needs some experience. Let’s see one first.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Meraas (August 25, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.4b). Grade: A-
Hard held leaving the pole and remained under wraps through the lane, striding out strongly with a final quarter in :23.4 while finishing with plenty left. Won his last pair in Dubai in the winter with powerful Timeform ratings (including a Group-3 on dirt) and acts like he’s more than fit for his U.S. debut. Extremely intriguing, for sure.
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EIGHTH RACE:
Juan Valdez (August 26, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.1bg). Grade: B+
Breezing throughout in gate drill with Signator (same time), able to leave that one if permitted while was always under wraps for Shug. Not the prettiest of movers but definitely has talent. Hard to say how cranked up he is after coming up from Fair Hill but is worth a look vs. maidens.
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Fantasist (August 21, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01b). Grade: B
Never asked while clearly best outside Grand Entrance (same time) for T. Pletcher, final quarter in :25 flat. Brought $550,000 at Timonium (smoked a quarter mile in :21 2/5 in the preview) so you know he’s got plenty of gas (and no need to show it here). Looks fit and should be dangerous right off the bat.
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ELEVENTH RACE:
Keepmeinmind (August 28, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b). Grade: B+
Never asked a drop in solo main track breeze for T. Pletcher, sharp as a tack, final quarter mile in :25.1. Gets tested for class in the Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 and has a legitimate long shot look.
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