Aug. 3

Saratoga
Troy (race 5)

Race 3: Gold for the King (#6)
Always runs his best races second off a layoff, so is likely to step forward here.
Possesses the tactical speed to sit a good trip just off  likely pacesetter Eye Luv Lulu.
His best races are superior to those of his main rivals, if he can get back to them.
2-1 on ML

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Del Mar plans for the day rather fell apart when Toinette was scratched from the Yellow Ribbon (race 8), but I’ll try to beat Vasilika in that race anyway and land the late pick four with a modest $24 ticket, narrow on the front end, big spread to finish. Quick peek at the races.

We're fast and firm on Whitney Saturday at Saratoga. There are five stakes races on tap along with some intriguing undercard races. Here are a few horses to consider on this afternoon's card.

You can find stakes previews for the Troy, Lure, Test, Whitney and De La Rose, as well as a pedigree analysis of the 2-year-olds in the third race at video.drf.com.

Saratoga Sunday Pick 4, races 8-11
The chips are all-in on Frank’s Rockette in the Adirondack following her sensational maiden victory late in the Churchill Downs spring meet. I’ve worked up a late pick four singling her. Here’s the breakdown:

Race 2: Uncle Sigh (#7)
Was competitive at this level when in Chris Englehart’s barn last year.
Encountered trouble on the far turn last time as he was steadied when making a winning move.
Is apparently training well for this race, hence the confidence displayed by his connections.
6-1 on ML

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Race 4: Macagone (#1)
The Pace Projector is predicting that he will be on the lead in a situation favoring the front-runner.
Ran better than it appears in a few recent starts when encountering unfavorable rides and pace scenarios.
One mile around two turns is his best distance.
5-2 on ML

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It’s Whitney Day at Saratoga, where the Grade 1 Test for 3-year-old fillies supports an excellent card, easily the best in North American racing this weekend. I’m really interested in watching the Whitney, but with three obvious players – McKinzie, Thunder Snow, and Preservationist – and not a lot around the margins, squeezing out a couple drops of value feels like extracting blood from a stone. I prefer Preservationist, but not by a lot, and not with confidence, and will leave the Whitney alone, personally.

Race 7: Blue Atlas (#5)
Has improved since the trainer switch to Horacio De Paz, who can win at Saratoga.
Was facing a deceptively strong field at Delaware last time and is competitive off that effort.
Is versatile enough to be up close or rally from off the pace.
6-1 on ML

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Annals of Time

Trainer:  Chad Brown

Last race:  July 24, 4th

Finish:  1st by 4 1/2

Beyer:  98

Lightly raced 6-year-old is already a Grade 1 winner and he may be heading back into top competition after this crushing win over allowance rivals in his second start following a long layoff.