Aug. 31

Saratoga

Prioress (race 3)

Race 4: Ekhtibaar (#4)

Is clearly best on dirt, yet his solid recent dirt form is obscured by a number of poor turf efforts.

Ran one of his best races over this course and distance last year.

Trainer Ray Handal get a 98 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with horses going from turf to dirt.

5-2 on ML

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Race 1: More Thunder (#5)

Goldencents wins with 18 percent of his turf progeny, according to DRF Sire Stats.

His dam wasn’t a great turf horse, but she was arguably best on this surface.

DRF Formulator Fact: Steve Klesaris is 7 for 27 (26 percent, $3.39 ROI) with second-time starting maidens over five years.

9-2 on ML

Race 4: I’llhandalthecash (#8)

Ran well when using stalking tactics two back, beating the same horse that My Galina defeated in her debut.

Both pick fours at Del Mar are tough sequences, with highly competitive races throughout. I am going to focus on the early one. Outlaw (8) should win Race 4, so I will build a ticket around him.

Four stand-alone plays on the final Saturday card at Saratoga and a swing at the late pick five.

Race 4

Race 4: Fully Vested (#1)
Ran better than it appears in his turf debut two back, as he was wide and out of position for much of the race.
The winner from his last race returned to win with a 119 TimeformUS Speed Figure.
The Pace Projector is predicting that he will be on the lead in a No Speed situation.
3-1 on ML

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We didn’t fancy him but BreezeFigs first-timer As Seen on Tv did scamper home last week in our Pix at what we thought was a rather short $13.

Race 1: Financialstability (#7)
Was somewhat green in his debut, losing some momentum while bumping horses approaching the quarter pole.
Should have more speed with that debut experience under his belt.
This 4-year-old gelding is a big son of Midnight Lute, who might need to race into fitness.
2-1 on ML

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It’s a two-Grade 1 Saturday in North American racing with the Del Mar Debutante in California and the Woodward at Saratoga.

Colonial Downs hosts its first Virginia Derby in six years, which unfortunately comes the same day as the Saranac in the same 3-year-old turf division at Saratoga and eight days before the rich Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs.

Race 2: Minsky Moment (#1)
Got way too far behind a moderate pace going a mile last time.
Should appreciate this slight stretch-out to 1 1/8 miles.
Has arguably run his best races on turf despite not winning on this surface.
3-1 on ML

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