1 – 6 Furlongs. ™‘Mdn 70k Purse $70,000 FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
3-5-4
The top trio should decide the opener. Snicket should get a very nice trip and Rosario will not be that far away from the early tussle.
2 – 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ‘Mdn 70k Purse $70,000 FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
7-6-9
First time starter Straw into Gold has works that imply he is ready for a prime effort first time out for trainer Christophe Clement. Vodka Lemonade is the speed here, should improve off that debut effort. Watch out for He’s a Lucky Devil, he ran against a very slow pace in his debut.
3 – 6 Furlongs. Clm 10000 Purse $28,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
9-1-2
Finger Lakes shipper Breeze Burner was a no show last week here at the Big A, but wheels back in seven days in a much easier spot. Irad takes the call. Vicar’s Legend just missed in this same group, but he should get a hot pace to run against. Rosario repeats here. Summer Bourbon returns to six panels, which by far is his best trip. Rice hits at 20% route to sprint.
4 – 1 1/8 Mile. (Outer Turf) OC 62500n2x Purse $84,000 OUTER TURF (UP TO $14,616 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
3-7-6
Value Engineering hasn’t been out of the money in seven career starts, and seems like he should get a very cozy trip inside. Mr Alec is somewhat of a stayer dropping in distance. His speed should help him get a nice spot from the start. Hieroglyphics seems to be in his best form and the step up in class is a sign of confidence.
5 – 6 Furlongs. Alw 50000s Purse $55,000 (UP TO $9,570 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
6-7-10
I doubt Unrelenting Force will be at 10-1 when the gates open. He appears to be the main speed here, in a race in which there isn’t a lot of early zip. Money Ride won last time out in a much lower quality group, but he is in tip top shape, in an upswing. Advanced Notice completes the selection. He has burned some money in his last two, but the group is not that much.
6 – 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ™Mdn 80k Purse $80,000 (UP TO $13,920 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD.
8-11-4
Second time out for Freedomofthepress, for Chad and Irad. She needed more pace in her debut, and I don’t see much here either, so Irad will have to be creative here. Dame of Malta is interesting. She wanted to race in the grass and her debut was taken off the turf. Now gets her wish and Rosario prefers her over the top pick. White Frost is the fastest in here, question is if she will like the lawn.
7 – 1 1/16 Mile. (Outer Turf) Clm 30000n2L Purse $38,000 OUTER TURF (UP TO $6,612 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
9-8-2
Traffic Pattern looks to have a definite pace edge here, and in his most recent, he ran against a closing bias. Irad keeps riding. Bee Catcher drops from the allowance ranks, and although the pace scenario doesn’t favor him, he has been running against much better horses. K K Ichikawa gets Rosario and I see some upside in him.
8 – 6 Furlongs. ‘Alw 72000n1x Purse $72,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
8-7-5
The speedy Riken will probably find a drier surface on Saturday, and I expect Cardenas to send him to the lead and see how long he lasts. Saratoga Pal is on an upswing, but keeps stepping up in class, a very good sign. Jemography completes the tri in a race in which we recommend to spread.
9 – 1 3/8 Mile. (Turf) RedSmith-G3 Red Smith S. Grade III. Purse $100,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
3-9-4
Tricky race, with lots of alternatives. I think Postulation will run much better here, with Johnny V. up. I suspect he will be very close, if not in the lead, and he always gives a good account of himself. Aquaphobia didn’t relish Kentucky Downs, but pace wise, he should be close to the lead and Irad takes the call. Sadler’s Joy is the class of this field, and I like that connections bypassed the Breeders Cup. He likes Aqueduct.
10 – 1 1/16 Mile. (Outer Turf) ‘MC 40000 Purse $43,000 OUTER TURF FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
7-8-3
Puzzling race to end the card. Open Lengths have been trying to race in the lawn, and Weaver puts blinkers on him. Looks like a good price to end proceedings. Michael’s Bad Boy has been knocking at the door, and if Irad stays for the finale, is because he thinks he is live. The wise guy horse here is Empire Express, who ran well in the turf more than a year ago and returns to the green stuff for Noda.