(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).
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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:
First Race – Post: 1:05 ET
Top Pick: 1-Faithful and True (5/2)
From the first crop of Good Magic, this impressive juvenile colt turned heads with a scintillating 9 4/5 seconds breeze at the OBS March, after which he brought $450,000 through the ring despite being empty in the first two generations of his pedigree (dam was unraced, second dam just a minor winner in Ireland, no stakes performers underneath either mare. It was what he did on the track that attracted the big bucks. A January foal, this colt displayed extreme quickness, athleticism, and a monstrous stride in the preview; today we’ll see if he can take his abilities and reproduce his speed when it really counts, in the afternoon. Hopefully, he’ll leave with his field from the rail, and if he does the Rudolph Brisset-trained chestnut, at 5/2 on the morning line, will do what he’s supposed to do in a field that doesn’t look all that imposing.
Sixth Race: Post: 3:55 ET
Top Pick: Key of Life (2-1)
We strongly suspect that there are two stakes quality fillies in this maiden juvenile sprint affair, and if they both run to expectations they should leave the others behind. Our top pick, from the Brad Cox barn, was very well-meant in her debut at Churchill Downs last month but strolled out of the gate to spot her field at least a half dozen lengths and then did remarkably well to rally up to be a distant second behind the subsequently graded stakes-placed Summer Promise. Since that race, the daughter of Mo Town has continued to impress in the a.m., including a recent breeze (see below) in company with the older top class filly Matareya, in which she pretty much stayed stride-for-stride throughout without really being asked at all. That said, she would be advised to leave with her field today; otherwise the debuting Kaling could prove troublesome. The Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of Practical Joke has done everything right in the a.m. (see below) and should be plenty fit for a top performance first crack out of the box.
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SARATOA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:
(Races 1-5)
1st race: 1-Faithful and True
2nd race: 1-Icon; 2-Ampersand; 4-Once a Giant
3rd race: 4-Doctor Love; 2-Power Agenda
4th race: 6-Phantom Smoke; 1-King Angelo; Battle Station; 5-Call Me Harry
5th race: 3-Malathaat
(Races 6-10)
6th race: 2-Key of Life; 4-Kaling
7th race: 5-Idea Generation; 10-Treasured Gem
8th race: 5-Bold Victory; 7-Swiftsure; 4-Emerald Express
9th race: 1-Osiria; 2-A Little Faith
10th race: 1-Smoke and Heat; 5-Good Medicine; 6-Pivotal Machine; 2-What a Dude
SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
FIRST RACE:
Bat Flip (July 17, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.3b). Grade: B-
Never really asked inside Kaling (same time) but was second best in team drill for T. Pletcher. Hard to gauge but probably has more speed than has been allowed to show. Workmate runs in today’s sixth race.
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THIRD RACE:
Doctor Love (July 18, Saratoga, 4f, :48.2b TT). Grade: B
In blinkers, nice work inside Sequist (same time) for D. Stewart, mostly on his own, final quarter in :25 flat with plenty left (galloped out a few lengths in front). Seems on edge, dangerous with a class drop.
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FIFTH RACE:
Malathaat (July 17, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b). Grade: A-
In blinkers, under a stout hold throughout while even but best with Double Thunder (same time) while appearing sharp and eager, much more so than usual. Change in equipment seems certain to have its desired effect.
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Clairiere (July 17, Saratoga, 5f, :48.4b TT). Grade: B
Pulled very hard and was borderline rank during the opening furlong but then settled and went smoothly while inside and slightly best over Society (same time) while coming the final quarter mile in :24.3. Maintains her form.
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SIXTH RACE:
Key of Life (July 10, Saratoga, 4f, :48.4b TT). Grade: A-
Was stride-for-stride inside high class older filly Matareya (same time) for B. Cox, both under restraint and both looking terrific, final quarter mile in :24.1. Walked out of the gate in her debut and lost all chance; will be hard to beat if she leaves with her field next time vs. maidens. Stakes-quality potential.
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Kaling (July 17, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.3b). Grade: B+
Breezing and clearly best outside Bat Flip (same time) for T. Pletcher, plenty left through the lane and before galloping out strongly past the wire and into the turn. Practical Joke filly seems to be made of the right stuff and seems plenty fit.
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SEVENTH RACE:
Idea Generation (July 17, Saratoga, 4f, :51b TT TC DU). Grade: B+
Inside Startup Mentality (same time) around dogs on turf while always under a hold and looking quite good for C. Brown, a tad keen early but then finishing with a ton left while galloping all the way around to the backside. Decent sort of juvenile filly grass prospect, for sure.
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Treasured Gem (July 15, Saratoga, 4f, :50.3b TT TC DU). Grade: B
Broke off behind Smokie Eyes (4f, :50.4b TT TC DU) before rallying outside workmate entering the lane and finishing head-and-head under a tight hold looking sharp and quite promising for C. Clement. Has been given a solid foundation of drills to have her plenty fit for a major effort first time out.
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