This is a very nice card that NYRA has put up to end this week, the first one at historic Saratoga. The Grade II Lake Placid is the feature, let’s go quickly to the analysis.
1st race: 5 1⁄2 Furlongs. (Turf) ‘OC 40000n2x Purse $67,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS ANDUPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
1-3-8 –
The entry complements itself very nicely, with New York’s Finest (1A) dictating terms up front and Dowse’s Beach (1) attacking from mid pack. The latter should be much fitter second time out from the layoff. Dr. Shane (3) takes a considerable drop in class, maybe the 5.5 furlongs are too short for him, but his class maybe will be enough to overcome that obstacle. Bustin Shout (8) can be the longshot jn here, that first experience over the grass was very creditable and now gets the services of red hot Jose Ortiz.
2nd race: 6 1⁄2 Furlongs. Clm 12500 Purse $32,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
4-2-5
Vineyard Sound (4) has a clear speed advantage and combined with the drop in class makes him the first one to consider. Lazarus Project (2) should be close to that early leader and if he falters, he should draw first blood on him. Deep Sea (5) completes the selection, consistently in the Top 3 but hasn’t won since December of 2018.
3rd race: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) TMMdn 72k Purse $72,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $12,528 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
1-4-3
Dovima (1) and In Front look to be in control of this race. I prefer the Chad Brown trainee, who just missed in her debut and looks to be much better suited with that race under her belt. In Front (4) will be part of that early flight and takes a nice cutback in distance. Halo City’s (3) first time over the grass was a very nice race after having some problems at the start. Further improvement and she can be a good longshot.
4th race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 50000n3L Purse $54,000 (UP TO $9,396 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
3-5-6 –
Candy Cornell (3) has been running against much better horses and by far is the fastest horse in here. He should be able to dictate the terms in which this race will be run. Releasethethunder (5) ships from Delaware and now is in his second race off an eight month stay in the shelf, and we can expect a better performance out of him. Twelfth Labor (6) got claimed by Robertino Diodoro, who hits at a 31% rate first off the claim. Has been very competitive in both Churchill and Oaklawn, but maybe the distance is a lil bit short for him.
5th race: 5 1⁄2 Furlongs. (Turf) ‘Mdn 62k Purse $62,000 FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
2-3-4 –
Fascinating babies race, in which the ones that have run already haven’t shown much at all, so I will go with two first time starts as my top picks. Martinez (2) hails from the Shug Mc.Gaughey barn, and his works indicate he is fast out of the apparatus, and with Jose Ortiz in his saddle, he ill be on the engine from the start. Wicked Easy (3) is another one whose work tab tells us he is ready to score first time out. Rosario and Clement form a potent combo and he can make his presence felt late. This White Duke (4) has the experience factor in his side, with two races already in his resume, if he can take to the grass can be dangerous.
6th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) Clm 50000 Purse $67,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $11,658 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
9-7-1 –
Kroy (9) ran in a stakes race at Gulfstream last time out, and before that lost by three lengths to the very talented Halladay. He should be at or near the lead in this group and will be tough to handle here. Sentry (7) comes back from a nine month layoff at a level similar to the one he was running, which is always a very positive sign. He needs some pace for his late run to be effective, and there is good speed signed in. The wild card horse in this event is Space Mountain (1), who drops for a claiming tag for the first time in more than a year, and has been extremely competitive against quality horses. Jose Ortiz takes the call.
7th race: 51⁄2 Furlongs. TMMdn 72k Purse $72,000 (UP TO $12,528 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD.
5-9-4 –
Two year old fillies take the stage in this race. Like what I see in the work tab for Capstone Girl (5), who is the least favored of the Jeremiah Englehart trainees and Johnny V., having Todd Pletcher a horse in here, takes the call. Lucifer’s Lair (9) comes from the Pletcher barn. Several years ago, this meant an almost sure win, now times have changed. But he is working great and Irad gets the nod in the saddle. Caldee (4) is another one that should be ready to fire in her debut for trainer Brad Cox, whose trying to establish himself as an important presence in the East circuit.
8th race: 51⁄2 Furlongs. (Turf) TM‘Alw 64000n1x Purse $64,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
5-2-8 –
Light in The Sky (5) came from well off the pace and very wide to just miss last time out. Now Jose Ortiz knows her better and doesn’t have to negotiate all the traffic she had to endure. Saratoga Love (2) looked very nice in breaking her maiden, now the stakes are much higher, but she ran hard from the gitgo and cant be surprised if she continues improving. Officer Hutchy (8) can be the one that pulls the big upset in here, first time on the lawn for Linda Rice and the fillies she has been running against will take some money in here. Watch out!!
9th race: 1„ Mile. (Inner Turf) TMLakePlcd-G2 Lake Placid S. Grade II. Purse $150,000 INNER TURF FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
8-6-2 –
Cat’s Pajamas (8) seems to be the controlling speed in this Grade II, and although she is stepping up in class, the way she has performed tells me there is more in the tank, and if Johnny V. is able to let her dictate the pace without exerting much energy, she is the one to catch. Stunning Sky (6) is maybe the most seasoned filly in this race. She is a late closer, so she needs pace in front of her, and I am not that sure she will get it. Irad can have his hands full in here. Blame Debbie (2) lost close to the wire to Civil Union, which then won a stakes in closing day at Belmont. With some further improvement, she can be the one that puts numbers on the board.
10th race:1 1/8 MILE. CLAIM $16,000. FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
2-5-9 –
Don’t know why Rudy Rodriguez put Control Group (2) in a turf race, maybe just to complete his preparation for this race. He is a distance specialist, with five wins at 9 panels and 2 for 4 at the Spa. Irad takes the reins in the finale and will be prominent from the start. Shadow Rider (5) can give Rudy a nice exacta in here. Manny Franco is the last jockey to obtain a win with him is another one who benefits from the longer trip. Street Trust (9) can be the sleeper here, with Joel Rosario on the irons and 1 for 1 at the Spa, and a win at the distance