After Sovereignty came from off-the-pace to steal the show and return to the Saratoga winner’s circle after his dominant victory in the Whitney (G1), the racing week concludes in Saratoga Springs with an 11-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM local time. The afternoon is headlined by the Troy (G2) for turf sprinters, as well as a first-level allowance over both surfaces. Here a few horses I am interested in, including my thoughts on the feature.
Race 2:
My first play of the day comes in this MSW for 3YOs+ at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf where I will lean on one of the most experienced runners in this compact group of non-winners hoping to breakthrough for the first time. #2 Feline Curious exits a race where he was beaten by two rivals entered in this spot, but I expect a better run in his second local start. Two-back at Churchill Downs, the son of Kitten’s Joy broke on top before jockey Adam Beschizza was happy to let others go and settle a couple lengths off the pace instead. Johnny V rode this guy in his first start at the Spa last month where they went considerably quicker in the early stages than I expect them to today. He failed to finish with energy, but I expect him to be on the lead or right off the pace today against a field that could be caught in chase mode late. The Kelsey Danner trainee appears in with as a good a shot as anyone in the start of the early Pick 4.
Play: #2 Feline Curious (9-2 ML)
Picks: 2-6-3
Race 8: Troy (G2)
The lone stakes race on the Sunday agenda is this 5.5-furlong dash over the grass where there should be an honest pace given the presence of #1 Dancing Buck, #3 Doncho, #4 Coppola, #5 Waralo, and the probable speed of the speed #8 John the Beer Man. This should bode well for the New York-bred #2 Twenty Six Black. The son of War Dancer took advantage of a big setup and perfect trip last out in the Harvey Pack, but ran two big races prior to that as well. Three-back in the Elusive Quality, the son of War Dancer was likely best, but was unable to get through along the inside until it was too late in his neck defeat to Waralo. His fourth-place finish during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festvial in the Jaipur (G1) was better than looks since it was against the best of the division and included a wide sweeping move into the lane in a race where that was not the favorable trip. Twenty Six Black has shown a true affinity for this turf course, retains hot riding Manny Franco, and makes his second start of the summer meet for the red-hot Horacio De Paz barn. There is lots to like outside of his probable price.
Play: #2 Twenty Six Black (5-2 ML)
Picks: 2-3-8
Race 9:
My final play of the week comes in this state-bred first-level allowance at seven-furlongs over the main track where I will hope #6 Max Money can make it two wins in a row for trainer Mike Maker. The Three Diamonds Farm colt went five starts as a 2YO without a win, but broke his maiden at this same distance on April 18 at Aqueduct before a failed try against stakes foes in the Mike Lee. The son of Maxfield rebounded though by besting allowance foes out of the Wilson chute on July 16 and should get a perfect stalking trip today under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. Hopefully, he can cap off a solid week for yours truly off despite a poor Whitney Day with a victory for the “good guys.”
Play: #6 Max Money (4-1 ML)
Picks: 6-5-4
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