Saratoga Vulnerable Favorites, Live Longshots, and Spot Plays: August 7
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SPOT PLAYS AND LIVE LONGSHOTS
PAN DULCE (#8, 5-1) ran a solid race for 2nd in her lone turf sprint try to date, and she should again get a favorable trip here; first start off the claim for a barn with solid stats with such runners. - Kenny Peck
Saratoga Race 4, (2:36 ET) - LIVE LONGSHOT
UPWARD (#2, 12-1) faces a couple of dangerous-looking dropdowns in this spot, but he improved off the claim by top connections despite landing in a race where the pace held together, and he'll be a price. - Mike Beer
OLD PAL OF MINE (#1, 7-2) is a rare Louisiana-bred in a race for horses by New York-based sires, and will likely be underrated by the public for that reason; he's a proven turf specialist and his numbers stack up well against these. – Byron King
MY COUSIN ZINNY (#7, 12-1) Three different trainers have tried to get him on the lawn recently – they were rained off the last first four times but perhaps they have better luck today; half-brother to a couple of turf winners lures Lezcano for trainer who's much better off the claim than his numbers would indicate. - Chuck Kuehhas
DOWNTOWN HOTTIE (#8, 6-1) It was only a matter of time that Serpe began heating up at the Spa, and this gal could add to the win total with an effort similar to her Bel meet-ender, when she was a close-up third versus similar types. Trades in for Johnny V., no bad deal, and should be able to secure a nice stalking spot before moving along at a decent number. – Marty McGee
CARIBEAN BEAT (#2, 12-1) Returned from a layoff of nearly seven months June 29, she rallied from next-to-last for a 14-1 upset over first-level allowance routers on Belmont's Widener turf. The stretch-running filly steps to the next condition with several speed types to set the table, so she may come rolling late, along with logical favorite Temper in Command. - Dave Litfin
VULNERABLE FAVORITES
MONONOKE (#1, 5-2) She's at her best when she's on the lead but she has a couple of things working against her in that regard: She drew the rail, and there's at least one other pure speed in the field in the form of Light Weight; she could have a tough time winning the duel and also winning the race. - Kenny Peck
WEST HILLS GIANT (#2, 7-5) overcame a poor start to win on the grass two starts ago, and also broke his maiden on this course last year; but he's laid an egg in a few of his starts and is more experienced on dirt than on turf; too chalky if he sticks to his morning line. - Byron King
