Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Fontanafredda gets needed class relief
Saratoga | Race 3 | Post Time 2:25 p.m. (ET)
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The morning-line favorite in this statebred optional claimer is Get the Candy (#7), who is cross-entered in a stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday. If she runs here instead, she’s a horse that I’d be looking to play against. She ran a career-best 104 TimeformUS Speed Figure when she returned to action this spring at Gulfstream, but she has since been unable to make much of an impact against tougher company. I don’t totally trust that Gulfstream form, and her prior races don’t exactly make her a standout in this spot. She’ll be a short price with Irad Ortiz Jr. named to ride, and I believe others will offer better value.
There is supposed to be at least an honest pace in here, with two speeds drawn toward the outside. Like the favorite, Blame It On Mary (#6) also does her best running toward the front end, and even Palace Gossip (#3) usually puts forth her better efforts when she can be involved in the pace. I think that could open things up for a horse to rally from just off the pace.
Howdyoumakeurmoney (#1) won her maiden going this distance at Saratoga as a 2-year-old, but since then she’s primarily competed in longer races. She returned from a layoff going six furlongs in May and couldn’t get involved in a race dominated up front. Then last time she ran better but couldn’t get the seven furlongs. I think we could see a step forward third off the layoff, and the turnback suits her.
My top pick is Fontanafredda (#2). I really think this filly is a 5 1/2-furlong specialist, as she’s run some of her best races going this distance at Saratoga. She was particularly impressive when she overcame a wide trip to win here last July and she later confirmed that form in subsequent starts. She stepped up to open N1X allowance competition late last year, and she’s just found that level a bit too tough. She didn’t run that badly against a much tougher field last time, but wasn’t really in a comfortable spot on the turn and couldn’t get the seven-furlong distance. Now she’s turning back to a shorter trip and picking up Javier Castellano, who piloted her to victory here last year.