Sat, 09/03/2022 - 15:55

TimeformUS Saratoga Horses in Focus for Monday, September 5, 2022

By David Aragona

RACE 6: WATERVILLE (#6)

Fri, 09/02/2022 - 15:32

TimeformUS horses in focus for Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022

By David Aragona

RACE 6: TAKE CHARGE BRIANA (#2) 

Thu, 09/01/2022 - 14:10

Weekend GamePlan for Sept. 3, 2022: Picks for Jockey Club Gold Cup, Del Mar Mile, Mint Million

By Marcus Hersh
Barbara Livingston
The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be First Captain's third consecutive route race wearing blinkers. He should be able to stalk the pace or come with a late run.

Well, this is it. We get to see “the greatest horse to ever look through a bridle” step up to the classic distance, 1 1/4 miles. That’s the phrase trainer Bud Delp applied to Spectacular Bid, in the conversation for the distinction.

Racing pundits and tastemakers are far out over their skis with Flightline; he seems to already have entered the same conversation. The horse’s brilliance shines bright. He breezes like a monster. He won the Met Mile, shipping for the first time and overcoming trouble (though beating a main rival who had already gone over the top).

Wed, 08/31/2022 - 15:20

TimeformUS horses in focus for Friday, Sept. 2, 2022

By David Aragona

RACE 3: GOOD MEDICINE (#1) 

Wed, 08/31/2022 - 14:26

Breakout Beyers: Verifying checks the boxes

By Marcus Hersh
Jim Sewastynowicz
Verifying, a half-brother to Midnight Bisou, earned a solid 85 Beyer Figure in this sparkling debut Aug. 27 at Saratoga.

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Verifying

Wed, 08/31/2022 - 13:47

Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Aug. 29, 2022

By Brad Free

RIDIN’THESTORMOUT

Trainer: John Sadler

Last race: Aug. 25, race 2

Finish: 3rd by 1/2

Beyer: 57

Debut 2-year-old filly with abbreviated work pattern sped to lead in turf sprint, set pace, worn down. Encouraging debut. Candy Ride filly also has route potential on dam’s side.

 

STOTLAND

Trainer: Bob Hess, Jr.

Last race: Aug. 25, race 6

Wed, 08/31/2022 - 13:00

Free: Flightline a sure thing. Maybe.

By Brad Free
Benoit Photo
Laurel River wins the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien at Del Mar. He’ll stretch out next time in the 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again.

The penultimate weekend of the Del Mar racing season includes an odds-on favorite in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Saturday, and Saratoga ends with the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds on Monday. Plenty to cover; time to dive in.

Even the best lose sometime

Wed, 08/31/2022 - 11:44

Wednesday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Baby Blythe capable if able to work out better trip

By David Aragona

Saratoga | Race 4 | Post Time 2:49 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

Chad Brown holds a strong hand in this race, sending out two of the likely favorites. Zainalarab (#3) comes in with some of the best turf speed figures, but I didn’t like the way she finished going a mile last time. She had a clear chance to seize control of the race in upper stretch and just seemed to hang.  

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