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

:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Saratoga

BROKER'S REWARD

Trainer: Michael Trombetta

Date: Aug. 24, 9th

Finish: 4th by 5

Beyer: 69

One of the projected speeds in the field failed to break and that changed the complexion of the race, leaving the closers with too much to do to overcome the controlled pace. This runner did well to get 4th with a late run and he stands to improve with a better pace setup.

MIND OUT

Trainer: Simon Callaghan

Last race: Aug. 21, race 3

Finish: 1^st by 3/4

Beyer: 57

A 2-year-old Tapit filly, she was tons best in turf a turf sprint. Broke slowly, trailed, rallied wide, stormed home, up. Excellent debut, better than speed figure indicates.

CANYON CREST

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Last race: Aug. 22, race 5

Finish: 4^th by 1 3/4

If your horse saved ground Saturday on Saratoga’s dirt track all was lost.

“Travesty” probably is too strong a word, but it does rhyme with “Travers Day,” and there’s no doubt the main-track bias at Saratoga shaped results throughout this important card.

Six of the dirt races carded looked a lot alike: Horses inside and placed near the lead began gasping for air at the top of the stretch, while out on the crest of the track a wall of stalkers and deep closers descended.

Aug. 24

Saratoga
Forego (race 5)

Race 2: Tench (#5)

The Pace Projector is predicting that he’s fast enough to make the lead here.

Is bred to handle turf as a half-brother to turf winner Coltrane and other siblings who preferred turf.

Has been working well over the Oklahoma turf course recently.

5-1 on ML

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Race 3: Krewe Chief (#2)

Race 4: Off the Record (#5)
Got a good education in his debut, taking dirt early before coming through along the inside.
The 106 TimeformUS Speed Figure he earned is about as fast as Performer’s best figure, and he’ll be a much shorter price.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Rodolphe Brisset is 8 for 12 (67%, $6.98 ROI) with last-out maiden winners on dirt.
8-1 on ML

There are any number of ways to try to land a pick-4, so here’s one more approach to consider: bookends reaching for a price, with a two-race middle consisting of a lukewarm favorite and a presumed bingo free-space.

The subject races are the final four Saturday at Del Mar, where I’ll go out on something of a limb by singling Cool Bobby in race 8 and chalking out with Catalina Cruiser in race 9, the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien. Here’s the layout:

We are still trying to get past last week’s off-the-wall results wherein our 3-year-old Pick Rapport had no such feelings when it came to racing. Our 2-year-old Pix got forced into supporting a partial BreezeFigs superfecta by a BreezeFigs longshot who simply did not figure other than the fact that right after the race everyone in America said, “D. Wayne Lucas second time starter with Lasix.” Sure.

Race 3: Behind the Couch (#5)

The 99 TimeformUS Speed Figure that she earned last time out makes her a top contender.

Is one of the few horses in this race actually bred to get the distance.

Can sit off what should be an honest pace, with three main speeds in the mix.

5-2 on ML

:: Learn How to Use TimeformUS Speed Figures

Race 6: Rockin Jo (#3)