SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Cogburn was a rock-solid horse on the dirt, winning three races and earning a Grade 2-placing in the 2022 Chick Lang at Pimlico. But it’s on turf that Cogburn has reached his full potential, winning four of five races, including the Grade 2 Turf Sprint last month at Churchill Downs, and the Grade 3 Troy last summer over a soft Saratoga grass course. Cogburn is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Jaipur Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward at 5 1/2 furlongs on Saratoga’s Mellon Turf Course. The Jaipur offers a Win and You’re In berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. :: DRF Belmont Stakes Packages: Save up to 52% on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more Cogburn earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in Churchill’s Turf Sprint, not bad considering the race was his first in 238 days. “He ran fine on the dirt, but we always thought there was more there,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He always trained like he was more than special. Since he’s moved to the turf, it’s what he was asking for. “I’m unbelievably impressed with all of Cogburn’s turf races and expect a huge effort out of him again on Saturday.” Arzak captured three of his last four starts, with the only blemish coming when sixth after a wide trip in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. He bested three of these when making his 6-year-old debut in Keeneland’s Grade 2 Shakertown over good going on April 6. Arzak also scored in the Grade 2 Woodford there last fall. “We were just hoping to have a good showing,” said trainer Michael Trombetta regarding the Shakertown. “For him to jump up and be able to win that race, he obviously seems to have an affinity for Keeneland.” Trombetta hopes for a stalking trip. “He’s got a good turn of foot. It seems his comfort zone is in the second tier behind the real speed.” Trainer Charlie Appleby’s British fleet will be represented by Star of Mystery and Mischief Magic. Star of Mystery is a 3-year-old filly who ran an excellent second against older males in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup evening. Off slowly, she rallied for second behind Hong Kong’s top turf sprinter, favored California Spangle. Mischief Magic, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner of 2022, was the beaten favorite in both the Shakertown and the Turf Sprint but ran well both times from far off the pace. The 4-year-old gelding doesn’t have much speed and will likely need some racing luck from the back of the pack. Grade 2 winner Big Invasion, beaten a neck when second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint for Christophe Clement, makes his third start of the year after finishing off the board in Gulfstream’s Silks Run as well as the Turf Sprint. He likes Saratoga and usually gives a strong late kick. He might prefer firmer ground at this point in his career. Conversely, Dancing Buck likes to race closer to the pace. Trained by Michelle Nevin, Dancing Buck took advantage when the expected pacesetter Nothing Better dwelt at the start as the favorite in the Elusive Quality on May 4. Thin White Duke, a multiple stakes winner over this course and distance, might have been compromised by the lack of pace in the Elusive Quality, his first start in 2024. “He wants to come from off the pace, he wants to make a move outside, and [the Aqueduct turf] is like a golf course,” said trainer David Donk. “That course is so quick. You need to be speed and tactical. I don’t think it suits him. I think he’s a horse that benefits from a race [off the layoff].” Filo Di Arianna rallied along the inside for second in the Turf Sprint. “Maybe the middle of the track [was] the better place that day, or maybe [Cogburn] is that much better than us,” said trainer Mark Casse, who admits the Jaipur distance might be a bit sharp. “Seven-eighths is his game.” No Nay Mets adds blinkers and could be the controlling speed under Frankie Dettori with Coppola not far behind after the opening quarter-mile. Sosua Summer and Alogon also entered. Grooms All Bizness, Outlaw Kid, American Monarch, and Souper Quest are the also-eligibles. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.