Hammersly: Saratoga pick five for Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017

The key to Saturday’s gimmick at Saratoga may be how you feel about the Grade 1 Fourstardave and whether Time Test, a bigshot in Europe before coming to the U.S. this year for trainer Chad Brown, can live up to those press notices after two decent but not overwhelming starts stateside. Firmer turf and Saturday’s shorter trip may mean the answer is ‘yes.’ Of course, there are four other tough heats.

Race 7
Three firsters look ready to come out running. COAL TRUTH (#2) is a $275,000 son of Horse of the Year Mineshaft and has worked nicely for a trainer (Chad Brown) who does well first time out. COLTANDMISSISSIPPI (#9), a $400,000 son of Pioneerof the Nile, acts like a runner as he debuts with strong works for a trainer (Todd Pletcher) well known for having his 2-year-olds cranked and ready first time out. SONG OF THE NILE (#7) is a $575,000 son of Pioneerof the Nile. He debut with strong works for a Hall of Fame trainer (D. Wayne Lukas).

A’s) 2, 9
B’s) 7
C’s) None

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Race 8
OFF LIMITS (#8) comes off a sharp second in a stakes at Belmont on July 1 when beaten by a quality distaffer. That was her second straight strong race after a long layoff. ALL IN FUN (#4) has been facing some of the best turf distaffers around. Today’s drop may be just what the Dr. ordered. ENCHANTERESSE (#3) has been freshened since finishing a sharp second at Delaware on June 14. She’s run well fresh and on this course.

A’s) 8
B’s) 3, 4
C’s) None

Race 9
GIFT BOX (#1) looked like a comer in 2015/2016. He hasn’t run in a while but trainer Brown is superb off the bench and the works say he’s ready. SPARTIATIS (#4) won a Grade 3 at Aqueduct earlier this year so he’s got quality and he drops after facing some of the best sprinters around in his last three starts. STILL KRZ (#8) has been freshened since a solid third in a stakes at Monmouth on June 11, a run that looks even better when you note the two who beat him both came right back to win, including the winner El Deal (who came back to win the Grade 1 Vanderbilt here).

A’s) 1, 4
B’s) 8
C’s) None

Race 10
TIME TEST (#3) came from Europe with a gaudy reputation. He hasn’t quite lived up to it in his first two U.S. starts this year but this may be a better situation. DISCO PARTNER (#6) may be the hottest turf horse in the land. It’s a big step up in class but he may well be up to the task. AMERICAN PATRIOT (#2) was no factor in a brutal Group 1 in England, but is back home. A return to his prior form (won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile) makes him a threat.

A’s) 3
B’s) 2, 6
C’s) None

Race 11
DAB (#8) comes off a strong second for $25,000 on dirt here July 31. He was claimed by Steve Asmussen and returns to turf, a surface he handled well a few months ago. DANNY’S RUSH (#6) was a decent fourth in a straight maiden turf sprint at Belmont on June 8, his first start in seven months. He then routed there July 15 to no avail but returning to a sprint here may be key. MR. CAT (#12) ran well in his first two outings, both turf sprints at this level at Belmont this spring. He’s been freshened and has worked well. THE POOCH (#7) has shown talent playing this game (two seconds) and could bounce back after finishing fifth last time out.

A’s) 6, 8
B’s) 12
C’s) 7