I will do a condensed analysis of today’s card at the Spa, highlighted by the Summer Colony Stales for fillies and mares on the main track. With the deluge that fell late Saturday in Saratoga, we need to be prepared for an off the turf scenario today, so I will bring picks if the turf races are taken off the grass.
1st race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 35000n3L Purse $50,000 (UP TO $8,700 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
Shiraz (5), Blessed Halo (1), Corot (8)
This race looks on paper like Shiraz will have pace to close on the stretch, we prefer him over Blessed Halo, who should be gunning for the lead from the rail with Rosario. Corot has the outside post and the last time he ran in a claiming race, he just missed against the improved Pagliacci.
Off the Turf: Siena Magic (4), Blessed Halo (1), Keeping the Peace (3)
2nd race: 7 Furlongs. ™Clm 16000 Purse $38,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Ivy’s College Fund (3), Clairvoyant Lady (6), Riot Worthy (7)
This race should be decided by my first two picks, and I prefer Ivy’s College Fund for her better initial zip. She was claimed by master claimer trainer Diodoro, who hits at 32% after claiming. Riot Worthy has too many seconds to my liking, but she has run well at the Spa and loves the wet track. Watch out!
3rd race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ™Mdn 90k Purse $90,000 (UP TO $15,660 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD.
Americano Girl (1), Good Shabbos (5), Sharing (7)
Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz have been almost automatic with two year olds on the grass, and this is another filly that looks primed for a big effort right off the back. Good Shabbos has run well in her two starts and should go fine to the grass. Sharing will try to take them wire to wire, Franco is getting hotter by the day.
Off the Turf: Same
4th race: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™Alw 92000n1x Purse $92,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $16,008 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
Madita (4), Coffee Crush (6), Pugilist (3)
Madita has been running against much, much better fillies than these she is facing today. If she shipped well, the rest will be running for place money. Coffee Crush and Pugilist are the best from the rest of the bunch, but both of them have similar racing styles, playing into the hands of the favorite.
Off the Turf: Love My Honey (7), Hollywood Glory (1a), Tapping Pearl (5)
5th race: 5½ Furlongs. ™MC 75000 Purse $60,000 (UP TO $10,660 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD.
Wedontbelieveher (2), Palace Avenger (3), Quantum Computing (4)
We expected a better race debuting of my top pick, however she had some problems (drop rein). Anyway she ran on nicely and she was claimed by 50,000 and her new connections wheel her back for a higher price. Good sign. Palace Avenger ran against a good filly like Lotta Ott last week, just by repeating she can score. Quantum Computing debuts for Chad, but he has not been that effective when debuting for a tag.
6th race: 6½ Furlongs. ™Mdn 90k Purse $90,000 (UP TO $15,660 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD. Weight, 119 lbs. (Non-Starters For A Claiming Price Of $40,000 Or Less In The Last
Mrs. Danvers (6), Finite (4), Striking Beauty (1)
My favorite didn’t have the best of starts in her debut and was gobbling up ground late. The six and a half panels should help her get the job done over Finite, who will look to do a wire job with Santana on the reins. Striking Beauty is Curlin daughter that debuts for Jerkens, whose two year olds have been doing good so far.
7th race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 25000 Purse $52,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
New York’s Finest (4), Fear (5), Maniacal (10)
Top pick is a Spa specialist, with four wins in six lifetime tries at the track, and should have won her last race in a much tougher group. Fear has the speed and Ortiz at her side, a potent combo. She is also dropping in class. Maniacal returns to the claiming ranks, in which she won two races ago. Castellano stays on, a positive sign.
Off the Turf: Still Krz (3), Macho Blue (9), A Different Style (2)
8th race: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™Alw 50000s Purse $60,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $10,440 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
Connectivity (1), Elle’s Town (11), Joy of Treasure (6)
Connectivity should be close to the pace from the start and Irad rides the rail on the grass like no one. I don’t see much speed in here, so Saez will be sending Elle’s Town to our near the lead. Now under the training of Mike Maker, expect an improvement. Joy of Treasure needs pace for her late run to be effective, not sure if she will get it.
Off the Turf: Righteous Baby (13), Pecan Pattie (12), Carlisle Belle (9)
9th race: 1 1/8 Mile. ™SmmerClnyL100K Summer Colony S. Purse $100,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
Blue Prize (7), Vexatious (4), Pacific Wind (1)
Blue Prize towers in class over this field and seems like this is a prep for major races later. She hasn’t faced such a light bunch in a long time. Vexatious has been running on the grass, but its interesting that, having good turf races in which she can go, they elect this one. Working lights out. Pacific Wind will be picking up the pieces late.
10th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™Clm 30000n2L Purse $48,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $8,352 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
Moyne Spun (9), O Malley (11), Take Charge Tina (5)
Top pick ran two weeks ago and had her share of problems, Saez looks for her to rebound second race after being claimed by Brad Cox. O Malley has the best running lines and blinkers go on. Tough spot, but good jockey. Take Charge Tina is the speed of the speed, if no lone goes after her she can wire the field.
Off the Turf: Take Charge Tina (5), Sooner Schooner (2), Incredible Miss (3)