Hammersly: Saratoga pick five for Saturday, Aug. 19

A few classy runners in the opening legs of Saturday’s pick five at Saratoga give you the chance to find a linchpin or two there, allowing you to spread in the seemingly more contentious later legs.

Race 6

CAVIAR CZAR (#2) showed ample promise this spring and summer. He’s been freshened since finishing a game second at this level at Belmont on July 4. He won his lone prior try at this 1 1/8-mile trip. MEANTIME (#8) found the Grade 1 waters too deep both in terms of class and distance, but he’s been freshened, drops, and returns to a trip at which he’s done well. BATTLE MIDWAY (#4) comes off a solid second in a race just like this here July 26, a run that looks even better when you note that the horse he chased, Fayez, is a kin to Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and is slated to go in next week’s Grade 1 Travers.

A’s) 2, 8
B’s) 4
C’s) None

Race 7

ELLERY LANE (#6) makes her first start in the U.S. and first start in almost 14 months. But it comes for hot trainer Chad Brown, and when last seen in Ireland, she was a good fourth to multiple Group 1 winner Roly Poly. MOM’S ON STRIKE (#4) showed talent last fall when second in the Pebbles. She wasn’t seen again for nine months but came back with a nice second here July 29 and may be set for her best. CHASTISE (#5) hasn’t run in almost 10 months, but she showed talent last year, and trainer Todd Pletcher is strong off a long layoff such as this. GREAT IMPORT (#3) impressed in winning her debut at Belmont in June 2016. She hasn’t been seen since but has worked well, and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin can fire off a long layoff like this.

A’s) 6
B’s) 4, 5
C’s) 3

Race 8

LA CORONEL (#3) has shown top-class ability and wasn’t disgraced against some of the top fillies in England. She’s back home, and with some of the best 3-year-old turf fillies going elsewhere, she looks ready to get back on track. UNI (#6) came from Europe and made a smart first impression, rallying well for third for hot new trainer Chad Brown. With that outing under her belt, she might be even tougher this time around. PROCTOR’S LEDGE (#4) comes off a very nice win and may be this good.

A’s) 3, 6
B’s) 4
C’s) None

Race 9

SALTY (#6) couldn’t handle the top 3-year-old dirt distance filly in the lane (Abel Tasman) in her last few, but she’s still shown ample quality and doesn’t have to deal with that rival this time. NEW MONEY HONEY (#1) has made her name on turf, but she’s bred for dirt and hails from a hot barn. She’s also won at this 10-furlong trip (though that was on turf). ELATE (#7) is headed in the right way and appears ready to deliver on the promise she showed earlier in her career.

A’s) 1, 6
B’s) 7
C’s) None

Race 10

ASSERTIVE (#1) and WAKE ISLAND (#1A) form a potent entry, with the latter being on the also-eligible list. ASSERTIVE has been knocking on the door, and her first turf try at Belmont last month was solid. WAKE ISLAND comes off three straight seconds, two on turf, the last one coming here July 29 in her first start in eight months, so she figures to be fitter and tougher. TIME TO FLIRT (#5) just missed in her last two, finishing second, beaten a nose, and second, beaten a head, at Belmont. She’s been freshened and has worked strongly. NO CATS ALLOWED (#8) rallied gamely to be a sharp second on turf at Tampa Bay Downs when last seen in March. Trainer Tom Proctor does well off the bench. SPEIGHGAL (#4) has upset potential as she’s eligible to improve off her debut outing.

A’s) 1, 5
B’s) 8
C’s) 4