Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Lullaby Land dangerous if able to work out a better trip
Saratoga | Race 8 | Post Time 5:10 p.m. (ET)
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This race seems pretty intriguing if it stays on the turf. I was somewhat against the coupled entry already, and the stronger half Avenue Niel (#1) is now scratched. Olkovskha (#1A) didn’t run that well in her U.S. debut and may still be among the short prices by default.
Many horses are exiting that July 26 affair, and I did believe runner-up Anatolian (#4) ran the best race of all that day. She was legitimately three wide around each turn and still produced a nice finish. She has obviously improved over marathon trips, as so many Mike Maker runners do, and she’s finally drawn in a better post position. She's also a horse who would be highly interesting if this race came off the turf, since she was glued to a dead rail in her prior dirt race on April 21 at Aqueduct.
Modern Love (#7) interests me a bit getting on turf for the first time. Curlin is a mildly positive turf influence, and there is plenty of grass on the dam’s side, with this filly being a half-sister to Grade 1 turf winner Competitionofideas. The decision to try turf going this marathon distance is interesting, but at least she should be a price.
My top pick is Lullaby Land (#8). This mare needs to work out a trip, since she doesn’t possess any early speed. Yet I think she’s run deceptively well in a few of her recent starts. She made a crazy mid-race move to break open that June 1 race going this distance at Belmont and did well to still hang around at the finish. She then got a curious ride from Jose Ortiz on July 4 when reserved at the back of the pack behind a glacial pace, leaving her with far too much to do. Her last race at Monmouth came against weaker company, but she was so much the best in that spot. She was again taken to the back, but got pushed wide to maintain a clear path on the turn, and then got forced out into the six or seven path by the quarter pole before launching a furious rally. This mare has a strong kick and can be effective here if Ortiz finally times it right.