July 13

Saratoga
Sanford (race 3)

Race 1: Miss Marissa (#7)
Took money in her debut and ran to the support in a solid second-place finish.
Should improve with turf and added distance since she hails from a stamina-oriented grass family.
Will go off at a bigger price than she really should due to the low-profile trainer.
4-1 on ML

BEST BET: Zip the Monkey (6th race)

First Race
1. A Royal Ace 2. Sharp Turn 3. Coil and Strike

With the Grade 3 Sanford positioned as the third race Saturday at Saratoga, here is a look at the early pick five and a proposed ticket.

Race 5: Paper Clip (#2)
The 110 TimeformUS Speed Figure that she earned in her last start is the highest in the field.
Has the speed to get out in front early in a race that does not feature an abundance of front-runners.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Wesley Ward is 11 for 33 (33 percent, $2.18 ROI) with 3-year-old and older last-out maiden winners in turf sprints.
3-1 on ML

No column last week because we were examining the new yearlings at the Fasig-Tipton sale in Lexington, many of which will show up on next year’s BreezeFigs cards. Interesting crowd. As for our Pix two weeks ago, our 2-year-old “key,” Powerfulattraction was up in time to pay a generous $8.40 to kick off BreezeFigs exacta.

A blossoming 3-year-old is a potential linchpin in Saturday’s pick four at Indiana Grand (races 6-9), and a couple other legs with big fields provide chances for a price.

Race 6

Race 3: Conquest Hardcandy (#6)
Had a valid excuse last time when getting into an early duel with heavy favorite Valedictorian.
Is receiving significant class relief as she drops out of graded stakes company.
Those recent TimeformUS Speed Figures of 112 and 111 are higher numbers than favorite Complicit has ever earned.
4-1 on ML

Saturday’s stakes schedule is loaded. The Grade 1, $500,000 Diana is the feature of the first Saturday of the Saratoga meet, supported by the Grade 3, $150,000 Sanford. The Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap is the richest race of the day and tops a Delaware Park card that includes four other stakes.

PUDDING
Trainer: William Sienkewicz
Last race: July 4, 5th
Finish: 5th by 8
Beyer: 76
Overmatched in this Rumson Stakes, but he wasn't badly beaten, and he came into this race in very good form; no reason to think he won't rebound next time with a class drop.