Saratoga Vulnerable Favorites, Live Longshots, and Spot Plays: July 24
This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.
SPOT PLAYS AND LIVE LONGSHOTS
LEILANI'S TICKET (#7, 4-1) showed speed and faded in his first start for his current connections, a rare poor effort from this normally honest runner that should boost his price. Expect him to return to form, as he looks poised to get a favorable stalking trip behind the speed. - Byron King
PLEASANT CAT (#4, 12-1) career best was on this course and distance last year in debut; solid barn showing signs of life after dreadful first half of the year with a couple of layoff wins toward end of Belmont meet. - Chuck Kuehhas
Saratoga Race 4, (2:36 ET) - LIVE LONGSHOT
GO BABY GO GO (#1, 12-1) This 3-year-old filly has been away since her first and only turf route at Ellis Park last summer, when she was far back through slow early fractions and flew home for third, running the final quarter-mile in under 23 seconds. Notably, finishing behind her in fourth that day was Pure Fun, who would go on to win the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet. - Dave Litfin
Saratoga Race 6, (3:41 ET) - LIVE LONGSHOT
ABILIO (#8, 15-1) could have a pace edge in this deep optional claimer; most of his rivals will be looking to come from off the pace, and he may be able to shake loose and back down the early fractions. - Kenny Peck
GIRL CODE (#4, 4-1) Lone 3yo in the field should be able to revert to off-the-pace tactics after in-for-tag Natalie Victoria goes sailing away from the outer, and that strategy worked nicely 2-back in Philly for this gal. Barn had a tough-luck Bel meet but is looking to turn it around with the move to the Spa. Looking for a crafty effort from Lezcano, and at a square price at that. –Marty McGee
CLARINDA (#3, 5-1) won back-to-back around one-turn in Florida before running into pair of Pletcher graded stakes repeaters, now drops out of stakes try while turning back to better distance. - Mike Beer
VULNERABLE FAVORITES
Although coming off two consecutive victories - efforts that give him a significant recent Beyer Speed Figure advantage - DIGHTON (#2, 5-2) is a bet-against in the win pool in the opener. His wins came on wet tracks at Belmont in which he may have simply liked the off tracks better than others. He also is short on early speed. - Byron King
LASSO (#7 3-1) This gelding will take money one again despite losses at short price in each of his last four; throw in the fact that he probably wants more ground than the 5 1/2 furlongs he gets here and the 0-for-9 overall record and he becomes one to try to beat, at least on the win end. –Kenny Peck
