As usual, a solid Sunday card at the Spa, highlighted by the Grade II Bernard Baruch for three year olds and upward going 8.5 furlongs on the inner turf. Ten races are carded, lets go quickly to the comments:
1st race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) ‘Mdn 62k Purse $62,000 FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
3-5-6
Advanced Strategy (3) returns from a seven month layoff for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, who hasn’t had a good 2020, but hits at an 18% rate taking horses first time on the grass. He ran good enough on the dirt, so he should feel comfortable making this move. Silver Token (5) returned from an eight month stay on the bench and ran in a way that indicates he should move forward with that race under his belt. Lezcano rides back for trainer Horacio DePaz. More Like It (6) completes the selection, needs some pace to run at, just missed last time out and the winner of that race came back to run second yesterday.
2nd race: 5½ Furlongs. ‘Mdn 62k Purse $62,000 FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
6-2-5
That debut run for Effinity (6) will serve him well here. He showed ample speed and for this one he should be much more fitter. Saez repeats on the saddle. First time starters Judge N Jury (2) and Arrowheart (5) show the best works for the debut runners, in a race in which anything can happen. Recommendation is to hit the All button if you can.
3rd race: 1 1-16 Mile. (Inner Turf) Clm 40000n2L Purse $49,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $8,526 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
6-10-9
Chantry Flats (6) had some trouble in his return race, faling as the favorite. Trainer Michelle Nevin does well 2nd off the layoff and the extra furlong should help him. First time gelding Road to Meath (10) has run against better in his last two tries and now drops into a very suitable spot for him. He will need to overcome a tough draw, but should be right there at the end. Mandate (9) ran against a very impressive winner last time out. He will need a hot pace for his late run to be felt, and there is a chance he will get just that. Jose Ortiz rides.
4th race: 6½ Furlongs. Clm 40000 Purse $62,000 (UP TO $10,788 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
2-6-3
Victory Boulevard (2) ran last time out against Art Collector, who three weeks ago won the Blue Grass. Needless to say that this is a much more comfortable spot, and with a clean break, he is the first one to consider. The Great Dansky (6) draws the outside and will probably look to stalk the early leaders from that advantageous position. Brad Cox hits at a 36% 2nd after the claim. Double Shot (3) returns to the main track after a miserable try in the grass. He is another one that drops from running versus allowance horses, and his dirt form is good enough to have a decent chance in here.
5th race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 72k Purse $72,000 (UP TO $12,528 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD.
2-7-10
Wesley Ward is the master of the grass babies, and here is one that was hammered at 19.3 times the studs fee. Outadore (2) entices Irad Ortiz to ride him and we should see him prominently from the start. Pitaman (7) wanted to race on the grass in his debut, unfortunately the race was taken off and didn’t do much on the mud. The horse was bet at 3-1, so he apparently has some talent and Motion hits at 20% in their 2nd career race. River Tiber (10) was gobbling up the ground in his debut, now gets an additional 100 yards and with some improvement can get the job done.
6th race: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) ™Alw 74000n1x Purse $74,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $12,876 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD
5-1-11
Taranta (5) just missed in his US debut, and in an interesting move, his unknown trainer sends her to Saratoga after debuting in Louisiana Downs. Now gets an additional half a furlong to work with. Jazzique (1) goes into his second after a nine month break, in a race in which she showed she needed the race. Now should much fitter to go. Cost Benefit (11) won her debut like a good thing. Tough post and the fact that the filly she beat, Dovima, was beaten as the heavy chalk last week, makes me fade her a lil.
7th. race: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Alw 74000n1x Purse $74,000 (UP TO $12,876 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
7-8-6
American Mandate (7) was entered in a grass race last time out and was taken off the turf. Now gets his chance at running in the lawn. It is true that he is only 1 for 15, but for the most part he has been running with better horses. I think he is the main speed in here. Fast Getaway (8) will use his beneficial outside post to stalk the early leaders and if there is a hot pace upfront, he will have first turn to draw blood. Morning Breez (6= will be running in his third after a layoff and his running lines compare very favorably with the horses in here.
8th race: 1 1/8 Mile. Alw 74000n1x Purse $74,000 (UP TO $12,876 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
2-6-3
Happy Saver (2) won his debut in a canter. The change from 7 to 9 furlongs is significant, but he won with something in the tank and Pletcher hits at 22% sprint-to-route. Irad returns to his saddle after the impressive first run. High Amplitude (3) and Basquiat (6) form the Chad Brown tandem, the former has shown affinity for the longer trips, so the 9 panels should be right up his alley. Basquiat ran creditably against the likes of Country Grammar and Mystic Guide, both of them participants in the Peter Pan, Country Grammar being the winner. That alone makes him a contender.
9th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) BBaruchH-G2 Bernard Baruch H. Grade II. Purse $150,000 INNER TURF A HANDICAP FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
5-6-2
Olympico (5) is the other Chad Brown in this Grade II. I accept he has been kind of a disappointment, but the fact that he is returning from nine months out in a Grade II makes me think he is ready to score right off the bench. Joel Rosario has the assignment. Halladay (6) will try to utilize his primary weapon, his speed, to try to wire this field. Stakes are much higher now, but he is in the best form of his career. Good Governance (2) is the horse looking to get into the best turf milers picture, certainly there is talent here, but I think he will need to improve a lil to win against these.
10th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) MC 40000 Purse $45,000 (UP TO $7,830 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
9-8-1
Trainer Jonathan Thomas picks up the training of Glynn County (9) and without hesitation, drops him to run for a tag. He has been training at Monmouth, so the fact that he is running here at the Spa is a sign of confidence. Castellano rides. Economic Policy (8) will sport blinkers for the first time and he is also dropping from the allowance ranks. He should be much more involved today and looms a danger. Seize the Day (1) was a Baffert trainee that now is been prepared by Rodolphe Brisset. He gelded him and drops him for a price, and that alone is enough to give him a chance.