Illman: How I'd play Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 9

I'm putting most of my eggs in #3 JACK MILTON's basket in today's featured 10th race, the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap at one mile on the inner turf. You can find the video preview of the Fourstardave here.

Jack Milton looked very impressive in winning the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at Belmont on May 26. He bobbled a bit at the start, was outsprinted along the inside, and came with a strong four-wide run to streak by the leaders in the stretch.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Jack Milton was then placed in a very un-Pletcher-like spot most recently. The 4-year-old shipped across the country and wheeled back in just 19 days for the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita. In that spot, he faced a very talented miler in Obviously as well as next-out Grade 1 winner Tom's Tribute. Although Jack Milton didn't threaten for win honors that afternoon, he was hardly disgraced and even received a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his even, fifth-place effort.

Jack Milton was freshened since the Shoemaker Mile and is catching a field today with a good amount of speed. #1 SILVER MAX is the horse to beat as he is a veritable win machine, but he could face some pace pressure from #5 SAYAAD. Strong fractions could set things up nicely for a closer, and Jack Milton fits the bill.

I play on keying Jack Milton in the late pick four.

There are a couple of wide-open maiden races earlier on the card. I'm interested in #3 REQUITE in the fourth race and #7 DESIGNED FOR WAR in the sixth event.

For all of the pedigree and trainer statistics, check out the "Spa Babies" report.

Requite is by a white-hot young stallion, Warrior's Reward. A Grade 1 winner sprinting on dirt, Warrior's Reward has won with six of his first 10 debut performers. Requite's dam placed in five stakes races going short on the main track. Clearly, this pedigree is geared to speed.

Also, Requite has been impressing DRF's esteemed clocker duo of Mike Welsch and Mike Vesce. According to their extremely valuable workout report, Requite's last drill, "Began a length in front of W V Jetsetter, would not let the 2-year-old stakes winner pass while in hand, completing five-eighths in 1:00.15, galloped out well clear in 1:13.88. Rating: A-."

Requite is 8-1 on Eric Donovan's morning line, but I would be willing to take half that price considering his morning prowess.

While Pletcher's numbers with debuting turf routers aren't as strong as his dirt-sprint stats, Designed for War bears watching. He is by the good turf sire War Front, and the dam is a half-sister to a pair of black-type earners on grass overseas.

I'll key Designed for War on top of #6 SUMMER DANCER and #2 TARIFF in exacta plays.