All Star Stakes Analysis For Saratoga, August 10

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FOURSTARDAVE HANDICAP analysis by Dave Litfin
Wise Dan
Za Approval
Lea

WISE DAN (#1, 3-5) has no qualms about running on yielding turf or being in tight quarters inside, as shown by a hedge-brushing triumph in a rain-soaked Firecracker under similar impost, and in the Fourstardave last year. The only knock on the reigning Horse of the Year, if there is one, is that his figures as a 6-year-old are several lengths below those of last year. It may not matter, as he is not meeting particularly fast or formidable rivals.

The late-blooming ZA APPROVAL (#3, 8-1) beat probable pacesetter King Kreesa for his first Grade 3 score, backed it up winning the Red Bank right after that, and exits solid finish in the Shoemaker behind 3-10 shot Obviously, the nation's second-ranking turf miler; needs firm ground for best chance.

LEA (#7, 5-1) comes off paired 97s to start his 4-year-old season - figures that are slightly above last year's top, and which may foreshadow an impending forward move.

Wise Dan is an obvious “A” for multi-race exotic purposes. Za Approval, Lea and King Kreesa are accorded significantly lesser chances as “C” types.

FOURSTARDAVE HANDICAP analysis by Mike Welsch

1. Wise Dan
2. King Kreesa
3. Za Approval
4. Lea

Hard to look past defending champ WISE DAN (#1, 3-5) despite the impost. Turned in sensation work for this over Oklahoma turf. KING KREESA (#6, 6-1) also looked very sharp working over the Oklahoma turf and has proven his ability to handle less than firm turf. ZA APPROVAL (#3, 8-1) rarely runs a poor one but did finish far back when catching yielding course last fall at Belmont. LEA (#7, 5-1) has finished worse than third but once in seven tries, that coming on soft ground last fall in Chicago. Continues to improve, condition of course could be key to his chances