Saratoga: Dave Litfin's Analysis July 21, 2013
Due in large part to the heat, business for Friday’s opening-day card at Saratoga was down from 2012.
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Reaching for the wire in the steamy Saratoga stretch of Friday’s Grade 3 Schuylerville, the large Brazen Persuasion and the diminutive Bahnah were definitely tiring but giving everything they had left to give. When they hit the wire with their heads bobbing up and down, Brazen Persuasion and Bahnah dead-heated for win in the $150,000 Schuylerville on a hot opening day of the Saratoga meet.
Benefiting from a perfectly judged ride by Cornelio Velasquez and a torrid pace that ultimately took its toll on 9-5 favorite Souper Speedy, Sage Valley rallied to a one-length decision over Laurie’s Rocket in the Grade 3, $100,000 James Marvin Stakes on Friday at Saratoga.
Take Charge Indy could make his next start in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup on the July 28 Haskell undercard after having his second breeze at Churchill following a 20-length defeat in the June 15 Stephen Foster.
Mike Lauer enjoyed two of the best hours of his life Wednesday night, when his horses accounted for three restricted stakes wins at Indiana Downs in suburban Indianapolis.
Groupie Doll continued her march toward a return to action when breezing five furlongs Friday at Churchill in 1:00.60 under Calvin Borel.
With a combined record of 9 victories in 10 starts, the field for Sunday's $200,000 Sanford Stakes here is not only a precocious one, it also is indisputable evidence of why it is so difficult to win a graded stakes for 2-year-olds during the Saratoga meeting.
Stakes Analysis for Saturday, July 20, at Saratoga from Daily Racing Form handicappers Dave Litfin, Mike Watchmaker, and Mike Welsch.
