Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Enchanting Kitten gets some needed class relief

Saratoga | Race 7 | Post Time 4:24 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs

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The Chad Brown runner likely to attract the most play is Kahrumana (#1), who exits a maiden win over stablemate Durable Goods, who returned to impressively win here last week. While Durable Goods is probably destined for stakes races, I'm yet to be convinced that Kahrumana is quite that talented. She got a very favorable setup last time, setting a moderate pace along the inside before darting away late. She's drawn well again, but this is a tougher assignment.

I actually prefer Chad's other runner, ENCHANTING KITTEN (#8).

After winning her first start over a decent field at Gulfstream, Enchanting Kitten then finished a fast-closing second behind stakes winner Victory to Victory at Keeneland. She was then immediately thrown into the Wonder Again at Belmont, where she proved no match for subsequent Belmont Oaks winner New Money Honey. She was well beaten that day, but her performance was not as bad as it seems, considering that she was rank early, steadied when making a run around the far turn, and basically eased late. This time she figures to get an honest pace to close into and I think she still has upside.

I’ll use her with Danceland (#11), who finished just behind her at Keeneland two back; Tamit (#12), who may have been hindered by a wide trip last time at Belmont and should be fitter in her second start back from the layoff, and recent maiden winner Defrock (#2), since Bill Mott has strong numbers with this move.

THE PLAY

Win: 8
Exacta Key Box: 8 with 1,2,11,12