LARRY'S PICKS for Saratoga on Travers Day, August 25th!
Aug 23, 2018 13:58:03 GMT -5
Post by hezethebest on Aug 23, 2018 13:58:03 GMT -5
Welcome to beautiful Saratoga Race Course, the oldest thoroughbred course in the country. Larry LaTour has analyzed the entire card for this 2018 Travers Day hoping to come up with some winning opportunities. Travers Day is always special but at times it has been very profitable as well. Since full card analysis was first produced in 2010, a few IRS scores have been there for the taking including the $1,723.00 trifecta in the 2010 Ballston Spa Stakes and my largest published analysis return of $11,355.00 for a $2.00 superfecta box from the 3rd race on the 2011 Travers undercard. Since I hold myself to high standards of excellence, I recognize that I am only as good as my NEXT winner so let’s get into the 2018 Travers card. Win or lose, I hope everyone has an enjoyable Travers day here at the Spa!
For more than 30 years LARRY’S PICKS has provided Triple Crown, Travers Day, Breeders’ Cup and Saratoga private party group outings analysis as
“A GUIDELINE FOR INTELLIGENT SPECULATION”! Larry was a 4 time finalist in the “WORLD SERIES OF HANDICAPPING” at Penn National in the 90’s as well as being an 11 time qualifier for the “HORSE PLAYER WORLD SERIES”, a Las Vegas event that began in 2005! LARRY’S PICKS highest priced Grade I winning selections over the years include DOMEDRIVER ($54.00 and the “cold” exacta for $142.00 BC Mile) FERDINAND ($37.00 Kentucky Derby) SINGLETARY ($35.00 BC Mile) TEXAS RED ($29.80 BC Juvenile) COLONIAL AFFAIR ($29.00 Belmont Stakes) SEA HERO ($27.00 Kentucky Derby) TOURIST ($26.80 and the “cold” superfecta for $4,448.00 BC Mile) WAVELL AVENUE ($22.00 BC F&M Sprint) TONALIST ($20.40 and the “cold” exacta for $348.00 Belmont Stakes) In addition, numerous IRS level scores have historically occupied the “Selection” page of LARRY’S PICKS, the largest of which was at Saratoga on Travers Day 2011 when the 4 runners from his analysis of the 3rd race combined for an $11,355.00 superfecta box. Most recently in the 2017 Belmont Stakes, LARRY’S PICKS “Selection” page yielded the $4,486.00 superfecta when his top pick TAPWRIT outran the other 3 horses occupying the analytical space.
Larry LaTour
llatour1@twcny.rr.com
1 FIRST RACE
6 Furlongs | Open | 2 Year Olds | MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT | Purse: $85,000
(2) MISCHIEVOUS BIRD displays a series of upbeat works since shipping from Kentucky in mid July. Trainer Norm Casse doesn’t campaign much in New York and the jockey has been ice cold but the 2 year old by INTO MISCHIEF hints at ability and may be precocious, potentially going well at 1st asking. (5) PUTTHEGLASSDOWN closed with authority travelling half a furlong shorter in the debut and Luis Saez sticks here when he had options. Extremely well bred for the distance, he appears strictly the one to beat given the experience edge. (1) GREYES CREEK debuts for Chad Brown and while the 850K son of PIONEEROF THE NILE might need one in order to show his best, these connections should not be overlooked!
2 SECOND RACE
1 1/16 Miles (TURF) | State Bred | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | ALLOWANCE | Purse: $77,000
(4) WAY EARLY is a lightly raced 3 year old by TIZWAY taking on mostly older in this Allowance heat. An improving speed figure pattern is on display and the single race experiment with the hood is over even though the highest speed figure was produced last out. That was likely more a product of continued development than anything else. Manny Franco should be able to invent a good stalking trip and he could be the one to reel in when the serious running begins. (3) BLAME THE THIEF returns from a June break as a new gelding and Dylan Davis takes the call for a trainer who sports decent layoff scenario stats! He has good tracking speed that should have him in touch with the leaders throughout and he could garner a share on his best. (10) APPEALING BRIEFS has run well at this distance and over this course several times sans a visit with the lensman. A closer in a race that could have an honest pace, he may be running best in the late stages. (5) COLLECTIVE EFFORT may show the most early speed and could be dangerous if able to shake loose beneath Irad Ortiz.
3 THIRD RACE
6 1/2 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | ALLOWANCE | Purse: $87,000
(1) TOMMY T was the beaten favorite at this level on July 29th but that race ended a 6 month layoff. Rosario rides back and he should now have a gauge of the talent level with the tightener under his belt. He possesses the tactical speed that should enable him to flee the fence and he should be prominent throughout and make amends. (8) SILVER DUST is a pricy gelding by TAPIT who exits the same heat as my top pick after showing early speed before fading. He is off the rail now and he may go much better from a stalking posture today. (3) HONORABLE TREASURE adds the hood while attracting a Midwest based jockey after disappointing in his last on July 29th. He has worked well since and I suspect he is much better than he just showed. He may rebound in a major way!
4 FOURTH RACE
1 1/16 Miles (INNER TURF) | Open | 2 Year Olds | MAIDEN SP. WT | Purse: $85,000
(3) DIGITAL FOOTPRINT brushed the gate upon leaving from a much wider draw on July 21st yet he closed well for 2nd as the beaten favorite. In a MSW event where most have started at least once, he appears the likeliest to move out of the condition albeit at short odds. (9) MOON COLONY must overcome the wide draw today but the 400K son of UNCLE MO could improve quickly while stretching out from the August 4th dirt sprint. (7) SOCIAL PARANOIA has exhibited good tracking speed in all 3 starts while finishing in the money each time. The connections tried to get the STREET BOSS 2 year old on the grass last out but the race was switched to the main track. He could take all with a good trip! (13) MEDINA RIDGE deserves a look if drawn in from A.E.’s!
5 FIFTH RACE
1 3/16 Miles (TURF) | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING : $62,500 | Purse: $92,000
(7) SCHOLAR ATHLETE stalked a tepid pace going slightly longer on July 30th before weakening in the late stages. Trainer Graham Motion reaches out to Edgar Prado for his 1st Spa riding assignment this year and I suspect Edgar might try to control the pace today. If he can clear to the hedge or at least improve his position into the 1st turn, he may prove to be a handful when the serious running begins! (4) RED KNIGHT hasn’t run a bad race to date and is 2 nostrils away from being a perfect 6 for 6. Well managed to date by potent connections, one might expect another forward move is in the offing. (8) VIGILANTE usually does his best work through the lane and may or may not get the ideal pace setup in here. That said, Trainer Eddie Kenneally ships for the reason and not for the season and the consistent son of TIZNOW usually finds his way into the gimmicks. Look for him late, if at all! (10) MR. MAYBE got going too late over a course with some moisture in it last out and he simply ran out of race track. He is another who will be at the mercy of the pace setup.
6 SIXTH RACE
H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy | 7 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $500,000
(7) STILL HAVING FUN returns from an 11 week break following the Grade II upset of the Woody Stephens at Belmont on the Belmont Stakes undercard. He got the blistering pace necessary to unleash his late kick that day and he may get a similar setup here in this heat. He is worth a long look in all of the slots. (2) TELEKINESIS has kept good company primarily routing when his pedigree is much better suited to a long sprint. He will need to avoid a speed duel to better this rating. (1) PROMISES FULFILLED was extremely impressive in winning the Grade III Amsterdam on July 28th but may be a “bounce” candidate just 4 weeks later. (3) ENGAGE ran 2nd as the beaten favorite in the aforementioned Amsterdam and sports a couple of solid works since. He projects for a “stalk and kick” kind of trip and he could take all!
7 SEVENTH RACE
Personal Ensign Stakes | 1 1/8 Miles | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds & Up
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $700,000
(1) ABEL TASMAN is a multiple Grade I winner who has worked purposefully at her West Coast base preparing for this race. Regular rider Mike smith tags along and she should be prominent throughout from her rail post draw and she should be the one to beat. (6) ELATE has also tasted Grade I success including taking the Alabama Stakes over this track surface last year. She may pose the greatest threat to my top pick. (4) WOW CAT ended her 8 race winning streak when she was a troubled 2nd last out in the Grade III Shuvee on July 29th. That was her 1st race this year and she could go much better with the prep race behind her!
8 EIGHTH RACE
Ketel One Ballerina Stakes | 7 Furlongs | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds & Up
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $500,000
(9) HIGHWAY STAR is a multiple Grade II winner returning from 10 weeks on the shelf with a resume that reflects the ability to run well fresh. A loser by only a head in this Grade I event last year, a blistering A.M. move just 5 days ago signals an eagerness to get back into action. Drawn widest, she should inherit a good stalking trip and she could get the best of this well matched field. (6) LEWIS BAY beat my top pick in the Grade III Bed Of Roses last out while overcoming a troubled start. She is another who runs well fresh and she may be the horse to beat. (5) FINLEY’SLUCKYCHARM ran a career best speed figure in capturing the Grade II Honorable Miss last out on July 25th. If that effort didn’t take too much out of her she could be right there on the wire travelling a furlong further. (7) MARLEY’S FREEDOM ships from the West Coast seeking her 4th straight victory. The Grade II winner will get tested for class here!
9 NINTH RACE
Forego Stakes | 7 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | G1 STAKES | Purse: $600,000
(6) C Z ROCKET has been working long and hard over the Saratoga training track preparing for this Grade I Stake. Campaigned by solid Midwest connections, he gets a 6 pound break from the likely favorite and having broken his Maiden in the debut here last September 1st I would expect him to fire fresh enroute to a possible upset victory. (8) CITY OF LIGHT ships from the West Coast with Del Mar “bullets” in the holster. 7 times in the exacta in 8 lifetime starts, this 4 year old by QUALITY ROAD is strictly the one to beat! (1) LIMOUSINE LIBERAL will need to overcome the tough draw but usually gives a good account of himself. (5) NO DOZING moves up in class after getting the best of high priced claimers last out. He could land a minor share if he doesn’t “bounce” while making only his 2nd start of the year.
10 TENTH RACE
Sword Dancer Stakes | 1 1/2 Miles (INNER TURF) | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $1,000,000
(1) GLORIOUS EMPIRE will likely be the main speed from his hedge draw in a race where most of the field does their best work in the latter stages. A wire to wire deadheat winner in his last, Julien Leparoux will look to ration the speed in hopes of saving something for the stretch run as this 7 year old gelding seeks his 3rd straight victory. It won’t be easy but nothing worthwhile ever is. He has a legitimate shot at a big price! (4) HI HAPPY may not have cared for the soft turf he encountered as the beaten favorite in the Bowling Green last out. He possesses a good tracking gear and will likely be closest to my top pick early on. An improved showing over firm turf is most likely. (6) BIGGER PICTURE was a close up 4th exiting the same race as my top 2 and he has positive course and distance experience on the resume. He could be running on best in the late stages for Ortiz. (3) FUNTASTIC is the other prime speed signed on and if he beats my top pick into the 1st turn he may be the one controlling a moderate pace. He is another with a shot in a wide open affair!
11 ELEVENTH RACE
Runhappy Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets | 1 1/4 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $1,250,000
(3) GRONKOWSKI has worked well since nearly overcoming a slow break in the Belmont as he finished fastest and closest to Triple Crown winner JUSTIFY. As often as trainer Chad Brown faces the cameraman here at the Spa, it has never happened following a Travers victory. In a wide open betting race I’ll trust the significant skills of Joel Rosario to carve out a winning trip aboard the son of LONHRO and give Mr. Brown that long desired “Kodak Moment”! (9) GOOD MAGIC has also worked well suggesting his recent Haskell victory took nothing out of him. He should go well as the likely lukewarm favorite. (11) CATHOLIC BOY won his last at this distance albeit on turf when he captured the Grade I Belmont Derby. Castellano may have to invent a trip from the wide slot but he could gain a major share going “turf to dirt”. (8) MENDELSSOHN has been a major disappointment in his 2 U.S outings as a 3 year old and the $3,000,000.00 SCAT DADDY offspring is out to prove he is better than what he has shown.
12 TWELTH RACE
Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes | 1 1/16 Miles (TURF) | Fillies & Mares | 3 Year Olds & Up | GRADE II STAKES | Purse: $400,000
(6) OFF LIMITS has worked well since the beaten favorite in the Grade I Just A game on the Belmont undercard. The 6 year old mare has run well at this distance and over this course and she may make amends in capping a big day for the connections! (2) INDIAN BLESSING ships from Great Britain where she nearly captured her 2nd consecutive Group III affair last out. She drops 13 pounds from that effort and also adds lasix. The 4 year old grand daughter of ELUSIVE QUALITY could be a surprise package right off the plane. (1) A RAVING BEAUTY figures to go well from her hedge draw after just missing in the Grade I Diana.
13 THIRTEENTH RACE
1 Mile (INNER TURF) | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | MAIDEN CLAIMING : $40,000 | Purse: $45,000
For more than 30 years LARRY’S PICKS has provided Triple Crown, Travers Day, Breeders’ Cup and Saratoga private party group outings analysis as
“A GUIDELINE FOR INTELLIGENT SPECULATION”! Larry was a 4 time finalist in the “WORLD SERIES OF HANDICAPPING” at Penn National in the 90’s as well as being an 11 time qualifier for the “HORSE PLAYER WORLD SERIES”, a Las Vegas event that began in 2005! LARRY’S PICKS highest priced Grade I winning selections over the years include DOMEDRIVER ($54.00 and the “cold” exacta for $142.00 BC Mile) FERDINAND ($37.00 Kentucky Derby) SINGLETARY ($35.00 BC Mile) TEXAS RED ($29.80 BC Juvenile) COLONIAL AFFAIR ($29.00 Belmont Stakes) SEA HERO ($27.00 Kentucky Derby) TOURIST ($26.80 and the “cold” superfecta for $4,448.00 BC Mile) WAVELL AVENUE ($22.00 BC F&M Sprint) TONALIST ($20.40 and the “cold” exacta for $348.00 Belmont Stakes) In addition, numerous IRS level scores have historically occupied the “Selection” page of LARRY’S PICKS, the largest of which was at Saratoga on Travers Day 2011 when the 4 runners from his analysis of the 3rd race combined for an $11,355.00 superfecta box. Most recently in the 2017 Belmont Stakes, LARRY’S PICKS “Selection” page yielded the $4,486.00 superfecta when his top pick TAPWRIT outran the other 3 horses occupying the analytical space.
While the major race days come and go, for year round stimulating conversation on horse racing in general visit the finest horse chat site on the entire worldwide web, www.UpInClass.com Good luck to all and may they all come back safe!
llatour1@twcny.rr.com
1 FIRST RACE
6 Furlongs | Open | 2 Year Olds | MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT | Purse: $85,000
(2) MISCHIEVOUS BIRD displays a series of upbeat works since shipping from Kentucky in mid July. Trainer Norm Casse doesn’t campaign much in New York and the jockey has been ice cold but the 2 year old by INTO MISCHIEF hints at ability and may be precocious, potentially going well at 1st asking. (5) PUTTHEGLASSDOWN closed with authority travelling half a furlong shorter in the debut and Luis Saez sticks here when he had options. Extremely well bred for the distance, he appears strictly the one to beat given the experience edge. (1) GREYES CREEK debuts for Chad Brown and while the 850K son of PIONEEROF THE NILE might need one in order to show his best, these connections should not be overlooked!
2 SECOND RACE
1 1/16 Miles (TURF) | State Bred | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | ALLOWANCE | Purse: $77,000
(4) WAY EARLY is a lightly raced 3 year old by TIZWAY taking on mostly older in this Allowance heat. An improving speed figure pattern is on display and the single race experiment with the hood is over even though the highest speed figure was produced last out. That was likely more a product of continued development than anything else. Manny Franco should be able to invent a good stalking trip and he could be the one to reel in when the serious running begins. (3) BLAME THE THIEF returns from a June break as a new gelding and Dylan Davis takes the call for a trainer who sports decent layoff scenario stats! He has good tracking speed that should have him in touch with the leaders throughout and he could garner a share on his best. (10) APPEALING BRIEFS has run well at this distance and over this course several times sans a visit with the lensman. A closer in a race that could have an honest pace, he may be running best in the late stages. (5) COLLECTIVE EFFORT may show the most early speed and could be dangerous if able to shake loose beneath Irad Ortiz.
3 THIRD RACE
6 1/2 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | ALLOWANCE | Purse: $87,000
(1) TOMMY T was the beaten favorite at this level on July 29th but that race ended a 6 month layoff. Rosario rides back and he should now have a gauge of the talent level with the tightener under his belt. He possesses the tactical speed that should enable him to flee the fence and he should be prominent throughout and make amends. (8) SILVER DUST is a pricy gelding by TAPIT who exits the same heat as my top pick after showing early speed before fading. He is off the rail now and he may go much better from a stalking posture today. (3) HONORABLE TREASURE adds the hood while attracting a Midwest based jockey after disappointing in his last on July 29th. He has worked well since and I suspect he is much better than he just showed. He may rebound in a major way!
4 FOURTH RACE
1 1/16 Miles (INNER TURF) | Open | 2 Year Olds | MAIDEN SP. WT | Purse: $85,000
(3) DIGITAL FOOTPRINT brushed the gate upon leaving from a much wider draw on July 21st yet he closed well for 2nd as the beaten favorite. In a MSW event where most have started at least once, he appears the likeliest to move out of the condition albeit at short odds. (9) MOON COLONY must overcome the wide draw today but the 400K son of UNCLE MO could improve quickly while stretching out from the August 4th dirt sprint. (7) SOCIAL PARANOIA has exhibited good tracking speed in all 3 starts while finishing in the money each time. The connections tried to get the STREET BOSS 2 year old on the grass last out but the race was switched to the main track. He could take all with a good trip! (13) MEDINA RIDGE deserves a look if drawn in from A.E.’s!
5 FIFTH RACE
1 3/16 Miles (TURF) | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING : $62,500 | Purse: $92,000
(7) SCHOLAR ATHLETE stalked a tepid pace going slightly longer on July 30th before weakening in the late stages. Trainer Graham Motion reaches out to Edgar Prado for his 1st Spa riding assignment this year and I suspect Edgar might try to control the pace today. If he can clear to the hedge or at least improve his position into the 1st turn, he may prove to be a handful when the serious running begins! (4) RED KNIGHT hasn’t run a bad race to date and is 2 nostrils away from being a perfect 6 for 6. Well managed to date by potent connections, one might expect another forward move is in the offing. (8) VIGILANTE usually does his best work through the lane and may or may not get the ideal pace setup in here. That said, Trainer Eddie Kenneally ships for the reason and not for the season and the consistent son of TIZNOW usually finds his way into the gimmicks. Look for him late, if at all! (10) MR. MAYBE got going too late over a course with some moisture in it last out and he simply ran out of race track. He is another who will be at the mercy of the pace setup.
6 SIXTH RACE
H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy | 7 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $500,000
(7) STILL HAVING FUN returns from an 11 week break following the Grade II upset of the Woody Stephens at Belmont on the Belmont Stakes undercard. He got the blistering pace necessary to unleash his late kick that day and he may get a similar setup here in this heat. He is worth a long look in all of the slots. (2) TELEKINESIS has kept good company primarily routing when his pedigree is much better suited to a long sprint. He will need to avoid a speed duel to better this rating. (1) PROMISES FULFILLED was extremely impressive in winning the Grade III Amsterdam on July 28th but may be a “bounce” candidate just 4 weeks later. (3) ENGAGE ran 2nd as the beaten favorite in the aforementioned Amsterdam and sports a couple of solid works since. He projects for a “stalk and kick” kind of trip and he could take all!
7 SEVENTH RACE
Personal Ensign Stakes | 1 1/8 Miles | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds & Up
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $700,000
(1) ABEL TASMAN is a multiple Grade I winner who has worked purposefully at her West Coast base preparing for this race. Regular rider Mike smith tags along and she should be prominent throughout from her rail post draw and she should be the one to beat. (6) ELATE has also tasted Grade I success including taking the Alabama Stakes over this track surface last year. She may pose the greatest threat to my top pick. (4) WOW CAT ended her 8 race winning streak when she was a troubled 2nd last out in the Grade III Shuvee on July 29th. That was her 1st race this year and she could go much better with the prep race behind her!
8 EIGHTH RACE
Ketel One Ballerina Stakes | 7 Furlongs | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds & Up
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $500,000
(9) HIGHWAY STAR is a multiple Grade II winner returning from 10 weeks on the shelf with a resume that reflects the ability to run well fresh. A loser by only a head in this Grade I event last year, a blistering A.M. move just 5 days ago signals an eagerness to get back into action. Drawn widest, she should inherit a good stalking trip and she could get the best of this well matched field. (6) LEWIS BAY beat my top pick in the Grade III Bed Of Roses last out while overcoming a troubled start. She is another who runs well fresh and she may be the horse to beat. (5) FINLEY’SLUCKYCHARM ran a career best speed figure in capturing the Grade II Honorable Miss last out on July 25th. If that effort didn’t take too much out of her she could be right there on the wire travelling a furlong further. (7) MARLEY’S FREEDOM ships from the West Coast seeking her 4th straight victory. The Grade II winner will get tested for class here!
9 NINTH RACE
Forego Stakes | 7 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | G1 STAKES | Purse: $600,000
(6) C Z ROCKET has been working long and hard over the Saratoga training track preparing for this Grade I Stake. Campaigned by solid Midwest connections, he gets a 6 pound break from the likely favorite and having broken his Maiden in the debut here last September 1st I would expect him to fire fresh enroute to a possible upset victory. (8) CITY OF LIGHT ships from the West Coast with Del Mar “bullets” in the holster. 7 times in the exacta in 8 lifetime starts, this 4 year old by QUALITY ROAD is strictly the one to beat! (1) LIMOUSINE LIBERAL will need to overcome the tough draw but usually gives a good account of himself. (5) NO DOZING moves up in class after getting the best of high priced claimers last out. He could land a minor share if he doesn’t “bounce” while making only his 2nd start of the year.
10 TENTH RACE
Sword Dancer Stakes | 1 1/2 Miles (INNER TURF) | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up
GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $1,000,000
(1) GLORIOUS EMPIRE will likely be the main speed from his hedge draw in a race where most of the field does their best work in the latter stages. A wire to wire deadheat winner in his last, Julien Leparoux will look to ration the speed in hopes of saving something for the stretch run as this 7 year old gelding seeks his 3rd straight victory. It won’t be easy but nothing worthwhile ever is. He has a legitimate shot at a big price! (4) HI HAPPY may not have cared for the soft turf he encountered as the beaten favorite in the Bowling Green last out. He possesses a good tracking gear and will likely be closest to my top pick early on. An improved showing over firm turf is most likely. (6) BIGGER PICTURE was a close up 4th exiting the same race as my top 2 and he has positive course and distance experience on the resume. He could be running on best in the late stages for Ortiz. (3) FUNTASTIC is the other prime speed signed on and if he beats my top pick into the 1st turn he may be the one controlling a moderate pace. He is another with a shot in a wide open affair!
11 ELEVENTH RACE
Runhappy Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets | 1 1/4 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | GRADE I STAKES | Purse: $1,250,000
(3) GRONKOWSKI has worked well since nearly overcoming a slow break in the Belmont as he finished fastest and closest to Triple Crown winner JUSTIFY. As often as trainer Chad Brown faces the cameraman here at the Spa, it has never happened following a Travers victory. In a wide open betting race I’ll trust the significant skills of Joel Rosario to carve out a winning trip aboard the son of LONHRO and give Mr. Brown that long desired “Kodak Moment”! (9) GOOD MAGIC has also worked well suggesting his recent Haskell victory took nothing out of him. He should go well as the likely lukewarm favorite. (11) CATHOLIC BOY won his last at this distance albeit on turf when he captured the Grade I Belmont Derby. Castellano may have to invent a trip from the wide slot but he could gain a major share going “turf to dirt”. (8) MENDELSSOHN has been a major disappointment in his 2 U.S outings as a 3 year old and the $3,000,000.00 SCAT DADDY offspring is out to prove he is better than what he has shown.
12 TWELTH RACE
Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes | 1 1/16 Miles (TURF) | Fillies & Mares | 3 Year Olds & Up | GRADE II STAKES | Purse: $400,000
(6) OFF LIMITS has worked well since the beaten favorite in the Grade I Just A game on the Belmont undercard. The 6 year old mare has run well at this distance and over this course and she may make amends in capping a big day for the connections! (2) INDIAN BLESSING ships from Great Britain where she nearly captured her 2nd consecutive Group III affair last out. She drops 13 pounds from that effort and also adds lasix. The 4 year old grand daughter of ELUSIVE QUALITY could be a surprise package right off the plane. (1) A RAVING BEAUTY figures to go well from her hedge draw after just missing in the Grade I Diana.
13 THIRTEENTH RACE
1 Mile (INNER TURF) | Open | 3 Year Olds & Up | MAIDEN CLAIMING : $40,000 | Purse: $45,000
(10) UNCLE LARRY had a troubled trip the lone try on grass against better at Gulfstream Park on June 6th. Superbly bred for the conditions, he could surprise for the suddenly redhot Jose Ortiz. (9) VICTORY LOUNGE will take no end of catching if he can clear into the 1st turn. (5) AZZEDINE is a thrice beaten favorite in 5 lifetime starts and it could happen again. (11) SPRING ON CURLIN has had many chances and probably won’t get the pace setup he needs to run these down.
LL
