Saratoga crests Saturday when it hosts seven of the nine North American graded stakes on the day, with the Runhappy Travers taking a starring role. The stakes come consecutively, races 5 through 11, six of them Grade 1’s, and are loaded with stars.

Mitole seeks a rebound from his first 2019 loss when he meets Promises Fulfilled in the Grade 1 Forego. I’m not enthralled with either at their respective price.

Shancelot drew the rail as the 1-2 favorite in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens and the proper response to that is – a shrug. This could be the fastest horse on the continent.

Race 4: Grit and Glory (#5)
Has a right to improve off a two-month break after racing three times in quick succession at the Churchill Downs meet.
Appears to be training forwardly for this Saratoga start.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past 5 years, Stanley Hough is 8 for 24 (33%, $3.54 ROI) in dirt routes.
7-2 on ML

:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Saratoga

Race 2: Smooth With a Kick (#5)
Handled this course and distance very well in her maiden win last time, earning a strong 104 TimeformUS Speed Figure.
Has the tactical speed to make the lead in a race that features a no-speed situation.
Worked with Dunbar Road in her final drill for this race and held her own against that superior rival.
7-5 on ML

Aug. 17

Saratoga
Lake Placid (race 9)

Race 1: Somekindofmagician (#6)

Should appreciate the turnback in distance given that he was very effective sprinting earlier in his career.

Figures to receive some pace to close into with multiple speeds signed on.

Has steadily been rounding back into form for Mike Trombetta, who sends live runners to Saratoga.

9-2 on ML

:: Get TimeformUS PPs for these races at Saratoga

After some overnight rain, it's a gray day at Saratoga. Don't be surprised if the main track has absorbed some moisture, and the first and third races have been taken off the turf. Here are some horses to consider on the Alabama day card:

Race 1: Yankee Empire (#7)
Had significant trouble in his debut when steadied repeatedly after breaking slowly.
Has the pedigree to handle turf as a son of turf influence Cairo Prince out of a dam who is a half-sister to a turf stakes winner.
May play out as the controlling speed here in a race primarily filled with less experienced runners.
7-2 on ML

The New York Racing Association introduced the new Empire 6 wager at Saratoga on Aug. 7. The new jackpot-style multi-race wager is due for its first mandatory payout Sunday.

The wager requires a bettor to select the winners of the final six races on the card and begins with Sunday’s fifth race.

Del Mar Pick four, races 8-11

Saturday evenings are made that much more enjoyable with first-class horse racing to bet on – and what better way to spend this particular Saturday than by diving into a pick four with the $1 million Pacific Classic as a focal point.

We managed to salvage last week’s 2-year-old Pick when key-horse Gozilla romped and paid $3.20, but our first-time gimmick selections in that race just didn’t run. In the 3-year-old Pick our choice basically walked out of the gate and went nowhere from there. Otherwise it was a heck of a week for 2-year-old BreezeFigs maidens—20 others won besides Gozilla and there were BreezeFigs gimmicks galore.