Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Saratoga Secret can step forward in Schuylerville

Saratoga | Race 9 | Post Time 5:44 p.m. (ET) TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs

The traditional opening-day feature, the Grade 3 Schuylerville, drew a wide-open field of 11 fillies, most of which are light on experience. The expected favorite is Belmont debut winner Wine On Tap (#7), who goes out for Todd Pletcher. She earned a 93 TimeformUS Speed Figure for her debut, which is the highest number in this field. However, it’s concerning that the only horse to run back out of that race, third-place finisher Devil At Midnight, regressed by 28 speed figure points in her next start. I just have some concerns about the quality of that race, and she figures to take plenty of money.

I actually think the horse to beat is the morning-line second choice Saratoga Secret (#5), who I’m happy to scratch into as my top pick with Status Seeker coming out. This well-bred daughter of Arrogate is bred to go much longer than this, so it was encouraging to see her win that debut sprinting at Ellis. She was hard-ridden by Luis Saez throughout, but responded well to win going away. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas once dominated this race and did send out last year’s Schuylerville runner-up Summer Promise, who also was wheeling back on relatively short rest.

The scratch of some speed from this race should aid Carmelina (#1), who was so impressive winning her maiden at Parx Racing on debut. She’s definitely one to upgrade after scratches. Sugar Treat (#11) could sit a good trip from midpack, and she’s no longer drawn as wide with four horses to her inside coming out of this race. She overcame adversity to win her debut on synthetic, but must prove she can handle the transition to dirt.