Race 3: My Sacred Place (#4)
Jason Servis gets an excellent 99 TimeformUS Trainer Rating with horses trying turf for the first time.
Was striding out in his first couple of starts like a horse who wants more ground and grass.
Should handle the surface as a son of good turf influence Temple City.
6-1 on ML

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Sorry ‘bout that—we skipped last week’s column having become tied up viewing the yearlings on display at the Saratoga Select sale, some of which are likely to come back in the tonier BreezeFigs sales next year. Meanwhile, 40 BreezeFigs maidens won over the past two weeks—17 three-year-olds and 23 two-year-olds, some at tracks you may not be playing but should.

Race 5: Spinoff (#2)
The Pace Projector is predicting a situation favoring horses on or near the lead, and he has tactical speed.
Was wide against a rail bias when only losing the Belmont Stakes by three lengths.
Worked very well in blinkers last week, so he may be ready for a step forward.
2-1 on ML

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The Arlington Million isn’t what it once was, in great part because a million dollars doesn’t mean what it once did, but Arlington nevertheless occupies the center of the North American racing world Saturday. Bricks and Mortar is a formidable favorite in the main event and is likely to give Chad Brown his third Million win in a row, and barring bad luck, it’s difficult to see him losing. It’s Brown versus Aidan O’Brien in all three Grade 1 stakes, and I favor the O’Brien-trained Never No More in the Secretariat, cut back to one mile this year.

AFFLUENTIAL

Trainer: Pat McBurney

Date: Aug. 3rd, 6th

Finish: 3rd by 2

Beyer: 68

Rallied well for the show here behind a two-speed exacta, comprising the two favorites in the race who controlled the tempo from the start; prior start was also solid, when 2nd, just in front of subsequent next-out winner Pollock.

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Trainer: Brian Koriner

Last race: July 31, race 3

Finish: Second by neck

Beyer: 87

Recently claimed for $50K from maiden win, improving colt ran super in highly rated starter allowance. Dueled inside, fought back, should be tough next time same level.

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Race 3: Bad Boy (#3)
Did well to win decisively last time after racing three wide around both turns.
Was keeping strong company against maiden special weight runners before dropping in class last time.
Possesses the tactical speed to sit relatively close to what should be a slow pace.
5-2 on ML

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Beginning with the Friday, Aug. 9, edition of Daily Racing Form, the layoff line in past performances will reflect an absence from the races of 60 days or more, rather than the previous 45 days.

Race 3: Beach Front (#2)

Ran well over this course and distance last summer.

Was badly compromised by an outside trip over a rail-biased course in his only other turf start.

DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past 5 years, Jeremiah Englehart is 7 for 26 (27%, $2.91 ROI) off layoffs of 180 days or more in turf sprints from 5 to 7 furlongs.

8-1 on ML

CALL YOU TOMORROW
Trainer: Brian Koriner
Last race: July 31, race 3
Finish: Second by a neck
Beyer: 87
Recently claimed for $50k from maiden win, improving colt ran super in highly rated starter allowance. Dueled inside, fought back, should be tough next time same level.