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Saratoga 8th Race – Post: 4:29 ET. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 6-Rocketeer.
Other Contenders: 10-Timeout.
Forecast: With a progressive series of races and speed figures that continue to rise, Rocketeer seems primed for another significant forward move in this first level allowance main track affair over nine furlongs. Runner-up with a career top Beyer figure over this track and distance last month, the son of Curlin is re-equipped with blinkers and projects to inherit a good pace stalking trip in a race that most likely will have soft early fractions. He’s a bit of a grinder (not uncommon with sons of this high class stallion) but has untapped potential with just four races under his belt, and as a 3-year-old still has plenty of time to develop into a stakes quality performer. T. Gaffalione stays aboard and knows him well, so at 9-2 on the morning line this B. Cox-trained colt offers a good gambling opportunity.
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Saratoga 9th race – Post: 5:04 ET. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 6-Les Reyes (Fr.)
Other Contenders: none.
Forecast: Les Reyes (Fr.) arrives fit and ready for new trainer C. Clement following back-to-back all-weather victories in France in what has turned out to be a pair of highly productive races. If she can transfer her synthetic form to grass (this will be her first start on the sod), this late-charging grey filly should have plenty to say about the outcome in this year’s edition of the Lake Placid S.-G2. A versatile type that can lay within range and then storm home, she has put together a brief series of drills since her arrival stateside, and with her most recent victory earned in early June, we doubt she’s lost any of her conditioning. The modestly bred filly clearly has plenty of quality and is a “must play” at anywhere near her generous morning line of 10-1.
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