Hammersly: Saratoga pick five for Saturday, Sept. 2

It’s tough to go too nuts over Saturday’s late pick five at Saratoga since a few of the legs figure to be dominated by heavy favorites, namely Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Woodward. Still, a couple legs offer some opportunity to make the wager pay.

Race 8

CREATE A DREAM (#4) flashed considerable potential last fall when she came from England and won a stakes at Belmont. She hasn’t been seen since, but trainer Chad Brown is superb off the bench. BROWSE (#5) has been knocking on the door at this level and may be ready to break through. THAIS (#6) gives Brown two big looks at this. She showed ability in France, placing in two Group 3 races.

A’s) 4, 5
B’s) 6
C’s) None

Race 9

BRICKS AND MORTAR (#4) has done nothing wrong for trainer Chad Brown, winning all four starts, including taking the Grade 2 Hall of Fame here last month. He has ample tactical speed and versatility and may be Brown’s next Beach Patrol. YOSHIDA (#2) may have found the 10 furlongs of the Grade 1 Belmont Derby a bit too much, at least at this stage of the game, but he shortened up for the Hall of Fame, stalked the pace and stayed on well to be a sharp second to Bricks and Mortar. VOODOO SONG (#3) has been super on turf, winning all four starts, the last three all coming here (though those were on the inner course). He has ample speed, and while it’s a big step up in class, he may be this good. MR HAVERCAMP (#1) was dazzling in two starts at Woodbine this summer, including a romping 8 1/2-length win on turf last month. He leaves his home base and steps well up in class, but there’s obviously lots of talent here.

A’s) 2, 4
B’s) 3
C’s) 1

Race 10

SEPARATIONOFPOWERS (#1) could put the cap on a big day for trainer Chad Brown. The daughter of Candy Ride won her debut here in monstrous fashion by 11 3/4 lengths. There’s no telling how good she might be. PURE SILVER (#4) is the proven commodity, having won all three starts, including romping by more than 9 lengths in the Grade 2 Adirondack here Aug. 12. She’s yet to be behind a horse at any of the margin calls in her three starts. LADY IVANKA (#3) was smashing in her debut here Aug. 9 as, like the rail filly, she romped (by eight lengths). A bullet work here Monday says she’s doing well.

A’s) 1, 4
B’s) 3
C’s) None

Race 11

GUN RUNNER (#2) towers over his rivals and looks like an obvious free square. He won the Grade 1 Whitney at this same trip over this track last month despite having a shoe lost by another runner stuck in his tail. This distance (1 1/8 miles) also appears to be his best trip.

A’s) 2
B’s) None
C’s) None

Race 12

HARMONIZE (#8) has been facing some of the best of late, coming off a string of Grade 1 and Grade 2 races. Today’s drop may get her back on track. SARANDIA (#7) did big work in Germany and was far from disgraced when sixth in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington last month, just a couple lengths behind some of the game’s best. ENTRECHADA (#6) fared well out West, but she shipped here for the Grade 3 Waya on this course and seemed to relish her new surroundings as she rallied to win. WAR FLAG (#4) fired nothing but bullets in France and has kept that going in two starts in the U.S., including a game second in the Grade 3 Matchmaker at Monmouth on July 30, finishing just behind a top Brown mare in Wekeela while beating multiple Grade 1 winner Miss Temple City back into third.

A’s) 7, 8
B’s) 4, 6
C’s) None