Litfin's preview: Few strong favorites Thursday

Thursday, June 26, preview

$29,114 PICK SIX CARRYOVER

Despite Winnitude ($52.50) being the only entrant with two 50-plus turf Beyer Speed Figures and his dropping from maiden special weights to a $40,000 claimer in Wednesday’s last race, the Gary Sciacca-trained colt somehow eluded John Q. Public and sparked a pick six carryover of $29,114.

SINGLES IN SHORT SUPPLY

Multirace exotic bettors of any persuasion will have a tough time finding free bingo squares on Thursday’s card. The four shortest-priced favorites on the morning line – Silver Morgan (1st), Dragonberry (2nd), Son of a General (3rd) and B Shanny (5th) – are all listed at 2-1 and are all in the pick five.

Standalone types became scarcer still in the late pick four, where it’s not even clear exactly who will wind up favored in any leg. In race 6, Bold Forest, who has run once since last July, is a tepid 3-1 choice over Arch Avenger (7-2) and Frogman Mel (4-1).

In race 7, Flirtatious Spring, a 6-year-old mare who has never won on dirt, is a lukewarm 5-2 pick over Resolute Babe (7-2) and Echlauth (4-1). Five of the nine entrants in this $16,000 claimer are dropping from New York-bred allowance races.

In race 8, Knockher Off (7-2) makes his first start in almost seven months and has been accorded a slim edge over Bug Juice (4-1) and Sandy’z Slew (9-2).

Those trying to cash out in the finale likely will gravitate to Bi Light of Day (3-1), Make Your Point (7-2), and Race and Shine (4-1).

Anyone who does will deserve it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TODD PLETCHER!

Todd Pletcher turns 47 Thursday, but although the six-time Eclipse Award winner tops all trainers with 98 starters at the meet, he has only first-time starter Dragonberry (2nd) and main-track-only Againsome (6th) on the program.

The tote board likely will tell the tale with Dragonberry, a 3-year-old filly by Unbridled’s Song whose work tab at Saratoga includes two bullet five-furlong moves in early June. She is out of Piazza Grande, a half-sister to Paynter whose three prior runners are a collective 2 for 18.

On Wednesday, Pletcher expanded his meet lead to 24-19 over Chad Brown when Protonico ($6.50) won a first-level allowance the first time out since running sixth in the Nashua Stakes last fall.

HORSE TO WATCH

WILD SKYE
Trainer: Gary Sciacca
Last race: June 25, 1st
Finish: 4th by 2 3/4
Beyer: 59
Second-time starter showed improvement despite reluctance to go through inside horses along the rail on the turn and through the stretch; galloped out well once taken outside.