Thursday's Saratoga card picks up stakes steam toward the huge Travers weekend. New York-breds clash at 1-1/8 miles on the main track in Race 3, the $200,000 Fleet Indian for 3-year-old fillies. The same task awaits 3-year-old colts in Race 9, the $200,000 Albany.
Saratoga | Race 5 | 3:27 pm ET
#3 Fonzi Angel (10-1 morning line odds) deserves a longshot chance moving from an even-running dirt sprint to a turf route. Those kind often like 2-turn racing and the grass is not a concern here as the dam (mother) is half-sister to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote. Veteran trainer Jim Ryerson hasn't had a great Saratoga meet, so the class drop here might be out of necessity more so than the horse's talent. Useful play on either surface if weather is an issue. Win-place bet #3.
Saratoga | Race 8 | 5:10 pm ET
#3 Lemon Muffin (4-1 morning line odds) earned her recent, 2-month break after 3 starts in 40 days, the last of which the jockey moved too soon before she ran out of starch. Reappears with top-class Flavien Prat now taking the call and runs first time for new trainer Rudy Brisset after the passing of D. Wayne Lukas. Fresh and ready. Win bet #3. Exacta boxes 3-2 and 3-5.
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