Illman: How I'd play Saratoga on Thursday, Aug. 28

I’m going to concentrate on the baby races this afternoon. For all of the pedigree and trainer information, head on over the my “Spa Babies” report here.

Today’s third race features a pair of Chad Brown-trained New York-breds. Looking at the following Formulator fact, you may want to include both of them in your multiple-race wagers: Trainer is 4 for 10 (40 percent, $4.56 return on investment) over the past five years with 2-year-old debut runners in statebred maiden special-weight turf routes (2 for 6, 33 percent, $4.85 ROI at Saratoga).

I am going to try and beat Brown, however, with #4 FOXHALL DRIVE, a first-time starter trainer by Dominick Schettino. While the barn isn’t known for first-out success going long on the turf (0 for 11 over the past 5 years with 2-year-olds in maiden special weight turf routes, according to Formulator), it appears that Foxhall Drive is training forwardly for his debut.

The invaluable DRF Clocker Report notes the following:

Aug. 9 - Finished a head back of Fade to Black while under slightly more encouragement to the wire going a half-mile in 49.67 on the main track, out in 1:02.85. Rating: B-

Fade to Black, a 3-year-old filly trained by Schettino, returned to finish second in an entry-level optional claimer on grass last week with an 80 Beyer. Foxhall Drive is a half-brother to two good turf horses in Stormy Relations and Relatively Ready. I hope he drifts up from his 7-2 morning line. I’ll play him to win and will use him in exotics with both of Brown's babies and #8 COME AROUND, a firster from the Graham Motion barn.

Race 5

The fifth is the Grade 2 With Anticipation and I’m going to shop around for a price while acknowledging that #6 DESIGNED FOR WAR might be a very promising young horse for Todd Pletcher. A big, good-looking son of War Front, Designed for War was working with the turf mare Lady Aspen prior to his debut, and he didn’t disappoint at short odds in his first start. Still, he was loose on an easy lead that afternoon, and will likely be in chase mode today at a short mutuel.

Other logical contenders include #1 STARTUP NATION, a New York-bred who was aided by a runaway speed horse in his debut; #8 INTERNATIONAL STAR, who received a perfect trip sprinting on the grass at Belmont two starts back; and #9 STRONG COFFEE, who goes out for Graham Motion, who won this race in 2011 with second-time starter State of Play.

My wacky idea is to use #5 NUTTY FUTTY, who is taking a huge step up in class following a good-looking maiden win 12 days ago at Gulfstream. This is a difficult spot, to be sure, but the Johar colt appeared to relish the additional distance and should offer juicy odds. I’ll play him to win at double digits.

Race 7

I’m really hoping to get a good price on #7 AMAZING ANNE in today’s seventh race, the filly division of statebred maiden special weights on the grass. As a full sister to the good turf runners Jung Man Scott and Deciphering Dreams, Amazing Anne is meant for grass. Unfortunately, her debut was rained off the turf and moved to the main track. She wasn’t embarrassed in that race, gained valuable fitness, and should really appreciate stretching out on turf for trainer Tom Morley. She is 8-1 on the morning line and represents excellent value at that price.