King: Coltandmississippi offers lots to like in Sapling

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There are richer, more prestigious stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday than the $75,000 Sapling at Monmouth Park. But being a baby race around two turns on dirt, it is intriguing in that we get an early gauge on some youngsters who may prove capable routers.

Contested at a mile, the Sapling drew a field of 10, with the likely favorite being Kowboy Karma, a colt that has rolled to two blowout victories at Delaware Park, including last out in a $50,000 stakes. But I’m more encouraged about backing Coltandmississippi, the third choice at 9-2 on the morning line.

Although Coltandmississippi is seemingly not among Todd Pletcher’s best 2-year-olds – hence his presence at Monmouth and not at Saratoga – a second-stringer for Pletcher is often better than a first-stringer for another trainer.

A $400,000 purchase by Pioneerof the Nile, he overcame a somewhat slow break in winning his debut, proving best in a dogfight. He earned a mere 60 Beyer Speed Figure, but looks like he has the potential to develop into a stakes winner.

He also comes off a solid maintenance work Aug. 26 in which he went a half in 50 seconds. That work came two weeks after his debut – an indication he bounced out of his unveiling in good condition.

Adding to his appeal is the fact he drew post 2, a beneficial starting position with a short run to the first turn. He also has hot-riding Nick Juarez in the saddle.

As for Kowboy Karma, he gives every indication of being a quality young horse, but I simply don’t see the value in backing him. His 2-for-2 record will catch the eyes of bettors, and he likely will dip below his 5-2 morning line.

This expected mutuel support should create fair odds on many of the other top prospects, including Coltandmississippi.

Glens Falls wide open

Contention doesn’t appear to run too deep in the first three stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, with the Saranac, Spinaway, and Woodward having a scant list of win threats. But the final stakes on the card, the Glens Falls, appears wide open, and should provide attractive odds on many runners.

My choice in the Glens Falls is the much-improved Lottie, a 6-1 shot on the morning line who has gone from an unsuccessful first-level allowance horse to a graded-placed runner since being stretched out to turf marathons. Her metamorphosis began three starts ago on June 2, when she raced 1 3/8 miles in an allowance at Belmont, a race she won over fellow Glens Falls starter Grateful.

Then she proceeded to get better. She finished third in the 1 1/2-mile River Memories at Belmont on July 9, then second in the Grade 3 Waya at Saratoga on Aug. 5. She lost each by only a half-length.

Favorably drawn in post 2, she should be able to save ground early, at least for a turn or two in the 1 3/8-mile race, and then have a chance to outkick her rivals down the stretch. And because her form was so ordinary prior to being given the chance to run in marathons, my hope is that the public will continue to underrate her chances.

Soutache intriguing in Affirmed

Also of interest Saturday is the male division of the Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-olds, the Affirmed at Gulfstream. There I am intrigued by Soutache, who is a candidate to improve in his third start after a third-place finish in the Dr. Fager Stakes, which followed a first-out maiden victory.

He caught my eye in breaking his maiden over a bright group of young horses, though he did so while racing on the lead, a huge advantage in a race for inexperienced 2-year-olds. So, when he returned and was outsprinted early in the Dr. Fager, he was facing much more challenging circumstances, and against a better field. For him to keep fighting and manage a third leaves me encouraged.

He drilled a bullet Aug. 23 leading into this race. He has drawn toward the outside and should be able to avoid a speed duel that could materialize among the inside-drawn runners, whose jockeys have little choice but to send their mounts.

Look for him to drift up from the 3-1 odds he was last time and start at an overlaid price.