Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Mackillop turns back for new barn
Saratoga | Race 10 | Post Time 6:18 p.m. (ET) TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs
I think there are some vulnerable short prices in this allowance finale. Awesome Native (#3) figures to go favored, despite making his turf debut. This son of Practical Joke has never started on turf, though he was entered for this surface last time in a race that was rained off the grass. The connections have obviously had some intention to get him on grass, and his pedigree suggests he should handle the surface. However, he’s going to take money off his superior dirt speed figures, and there’s never a guarantee that horses like this will transfer their form. I’m inclined to try and beat him at a short price.
Souper Quest (#7) also figures to take money as he returns from a layoff. He was visually impressive in his lone start sprinting on turf at Gulfstream, drawing off to win that race by five lengths. However, he won’t be much of a price with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, and he has other speed to deal with this time as he steps up in class. Among the pacesetters, Charging (#9) seems more dangerous. He was a dominant maiden winner going this distance at Keeneland two back, and last time he just didn’t seem to handle that yielding course at Belmont after contesting a very fast opening quarter. He’s drawn well outside as he looks to rebound.
I do think this race could open up to some late-runners. Famous Gent (#8) had to be used from the gate last time to attend a moderate pace going seven furlongs, and he stayed on well for third even though that isn’t his preferred running style. He was previously effective going shorter distances at Gulfstream, and I like this turnback for him at what should be a generous price.
My top pick is Mackillop (#5). This former Chad Brown trainee makes his first start since a trainer switch to Ian Wilkes, who has done well with prices at this meet over the years. This son of Into Mischief seems like a good candidate for turf sprinting. He just lacked some finish in his route races last year, often after traveling too keenly in the early portions of his races. He actually ran deceptively well chasing outside on Aug. 17 over a surface that was biased toward the rail. He gets the LP flag on the Pace Projector, indicating that he has the highest Late Pace Rating in the field. I think he could get the right setup at a fair price.