Litfin's preview: Speed duel over hurdles looms

SPEED DUEL IN STEEPLECHASE?

Usually, the early tempo of steeplechase races is pretty leisurely, but there could be some fireworks up front in the 12:25 jump-up opener if Lillehammer and Mr. Starr’s Report both have designs on the lead.

The 6-year-old mare Lillehammer was last seen opening up a 15-length lead in the Mrs. Phipps Stakes last year. She was also entered in the Mrs. Phipps to be run Thursday, when she would seemingly have an easier time making the lead.

FEELING LUCKY?

The last time Moonluck ran, he was second at 5-2 in a maiden special weight sprint at Belmont Park last October to Bakken, who ran a close second in the Grade 2 True North two months ago and was the 2-1 morning-line choice when scratched out of last Saturday’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt.

Nearly 10 months later, Moonluck - a 4-year-old colt by Malibu Moon who sold for $225,000 – is in against $20,000 maiden claimers in race 2.

Because the first race is for jumpers, race 2 begins the pick five and the pick four, and many bettors will be singling Moonluck, who is 3-5 on the line. This handicapper won’t be one of them.

A SUBTLE HORSE-FOR-COURSE PLAY

Subtle, a bullet-quick New York-bred mare, takes on open company in an attempt to win her fourth Saratoga turf sprint in race 5, a $62,500 optional claimer with second-level allowance conditions.

She has not been out since a wire-to-wire score at Monmouth Park on June 15, which marked the third time she has won fresh. The first two times were both at the Spa: she was a maiden graduate off a two-month break in 2012, and an allowance winner when returned from a 53-day freshening in 2013.

$36,063 PICK SIX CARRYOVER

Monday’s card concluded with four winners that paid $22.60, $35.60, $16.20 and $12.60, making for a pick six carryover of $36,063.

The pick six begins with race 5, where many budget-minded tickets will single Subtle in the hopes she goes to the front and improves her position.

Race 6 is a 2-year-old maiden sprint for New York-bred fillies, so it will be necessary to look at the double prices on races 5-6 to get a sneak peek if any among the five first-time starters might be live.

This is not to say that tote action has to mean anything. For example, one of the first-time starters, Sweetpollypurebrd, has been readied by Rudy Rodriguez, who sent out the newbie Condo Commando to a runaway win at 12-1 on Sunday.

MICROMANAGE LIKELY OUT OF JOHN’S CALL

Micromanage is entered in the featured John’s Call Stakes at 1 5/8 miles on grass, but the Todd Pletcher-trained colt will likely scratch and await Thursday’s Birdstone Stakes at 1 3/4 miles.

Pletcher still has the one to beat in Winning Cause, who drops from three in-the-money finishes in graded stakes to a marathon restricted to non-winners of a graded stake this year.

Horvat Clan and Manchurian High, who were both running in $20,000 claiming races last year, drop from the Grade 1 United Nations and Grade 2 Bowling Green, respectively.

Holiday Star looms a threat after a late-rallying third in the Cape Henlopen for Graham Motion, who has had a terrific meet with seven victories.

HORSES TO WATCH

BEAMER
Trainer: Paul Fout
Last race: Aug. 3, 6th
Finish: 5th by 4 1/4
Beyer: 75

Returned for his first start since two steeplechase races last year, this gelding was steadied and shuffled back a bit on the turn, and rallied mildly through the lane in a useful conditioning effort.