Wednesday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Waflr capable of better on the stretch-out
Saratoga | Race 10 | Post Time 6:18 p.m. (ET) TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs
Three horses in the main body of the field figure to take money in this statebred maiden claimer that closes the day. I consider Vince the Prince (#3) to be the horse to beat as he drops in for a tag for the first time. He faced a much better maiden field on June 1, when he contested the pace before fading, and then last time he was badly overmatched when his connections took a shot against stakes company. This is just an appropriate dropdown, and he drew a great post position.
I’m a little less inclined to take Conquist (#8) or Your Mission (#11) at similar prices. Conquist has had plenty of chances and seems like the type that needs the lead to have his best chance. Your Mission is difficult to ride, making good jockeys look bad in each of his last two starts. He has a tendency to get rank and launch premature moves after breaking slowly.
I think there are some bigger prices to consider. A few lightly raced options exit the 11th race on June 11. The runner who interests me most out of that spot is Sharp Play Boy (#10), who got away slowly that day before running on mildly late and galloping out well. He has to improve, but he switches into the barn of Ray Handal and gets a rider upgrade to Dylan Davis. I could upgrade him at a generous price.
My top pick is Waflr (#12). This horse has run better than it looks in both starts of his career. In his debut going this distance, he was reserved in midpack early and began to advance on the far turn. However, just as he was being asked to run, a tiring horse backed up in front of him, forcing Joel Rosario to steady him out of the race. David Donk cut him back to a sprint for his second start, and he put in a better effort. However, he found himself in a race that lacked a strong pace and got rolling too late over a distance that was too short for him. He was moving well across the line and galloped out very strongly after the wire. I think this horse is figuring it out with each start, and I expect a better effort as he stretches back out in distance. Trevor McCarthy has to work out a trip from the outside post, but at least he'll be a square price.