Crist: Fourstardave Analysis
DRF Plus stakes analysis by Steve Crist for the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.
Steven CristAug 09, 2014
DRF Plus stakes analysis by Steve Crist for the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.
I'm putting most of my eggs in #3 JACK MILTON's basket in today's featured 10th race, the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap at one mile on the inner turf. You can find the video preview of the Fourstardave here.
An interesting card is offered Saturday at Del Mar, despite questions about footing. Polytrack always is a mystery. It changes day to day, often race to race. A bias early on the card does not automatically continue to the end of the card. One never knows.
The Grade 2 La Jolla Stakes, race 5, will not be the most closely scrutinized turf race Saturday at Del Mar. Instead, that dubious honor is race 2, a one-mile maiden race that will be the first grass race at Del Mar since July 31.
The play hinges on two horses I like in the sequence, ORIENT HARBOR (#6) in race 9 and SEEK AGAIN (#2) in race 10. That Orient Harbor is 8-1 on the morning line makes her an especially appealing lone A play. The play assumes a fast track and turf races staying on; should conditions deviate, so will the opinions that shaped the bet.
DRF handicapper Matt Bernier looks at Del Mar's races for juveniles.
The Fourstardave, formerly the Daryl’s Joy, was run at 1 1/16 miles until shortened to a mile in 2012, when Wise Dan won by five lengths on yielding turf.
The seventh race concludes the early pick four and kicks off the late one. The turf should be firm, and lane 3 will be used for the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for $40,000 claimers.
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