Saratoga and Del Mar Picks:
It’s another monster day in across the country with Grade 1’s on both coasts. At Saratoga, with Thropedo Anna taking on the boys in the Grade 1 Travers next weekend, the Grade 1 Alabama for three-year-old fillies is wide open. Del Mar’s Grade 1 will also feature the three-year-old fillies, but they will be running over the turf with Iscreamuscream trying to cement herself as one of the best turf fillies in North America. Let’s take a look at today’s Saratoga and Del Mar picks.
Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, Saratoga, Race #10
The hallmark of the summer for the three-year-old fillies is the Alabama. Thorpedo Anna would be a heavy favorite here, but trainer Kenny McPeak opted to take on the boys next weekend and left the Alabama wide open. #7 Candied will be a short-priced favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher after running second in the CCA Oaks to the aforementioned Thorpedo Anna. She is a Grade 1 winner and beat older horses in the Lady’s Secret with a number that towers over the field. All that aside, that race is a standalone number, and it’s a losing proposition to bet short-priced horses off one effort.
With rain in the forecast, speed is likely to play well again on Saturday, and that leads me to #2 Chatalas, who switches back to the Mark Glatt barn for her third try at Grade 1 company. She drew well in the two post and is clear lone speed. She’s bred to love an off track, and it prepped her to run the top race of her career second off the layoff.
#1 Intricate ran third in the CCA Oaks and has been forced to run in paceless races all year. Her natural style is to come from the back of the pack. Unfortunately, she does not have much pace to chase again today. She’s live to run into the exacta or trifecta, but it will be tough for her to win.
#6 Miss Justify is stepping up into graded stakes company for the first time in her career off a nice stakes win here at Saratoga. The fact that Pletcher thinks enough of her to run her against stable mate Candied along makes the case for her to have a shot here. She has tactical speed, so if Prat pushes the gas pedal early and clears all of a sudden, she is a player to win.
Saratoga Picks: 2-7-1-6
Bets: $50 Win #2
Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, Del Mar, Race #8
I’m excited for the return of #1 Iscreamuscream who was highlighted in this column on July 20th when she won the San Clement over this turf course going one mile. That was her first time going two turns and she did not disappoint. She used her early speed to clear the field and never look back. Today, she stretches out from one mile to a mile and an eighth and once again, I have no concern about the distance. Iscreamuscream is bred to handle the added ground, and she should be able to clear from the inside draw. She will be tough again on the front end.
#5 Buchu has a huge class edge on the rest of this field. She’s won multiple graded stakes and is proven at the distance. Her numbers fit, but the style is the big question mark. She loves to gobble up ground late, so the faster they go up front, the better. She reunites with her main rider today, Martin Garcia, and the price is right today at 12-1.
#3 Whiskey Decision ships in from the East Coast to face Graded Stakes company for the first time. She’s got tactical speed. so she should save ground and be forwardly placed. She drew top jock Rispoli as well. She will hit the board, but it is tough to put her on top at 5/2.
#6 Medoro ran a better than it looked third to Iscreamuscream in the San Clement. Her trip started poorly, getting bumped early, and got worse when she was boxed in turning for home. With a clean trip she has a shot to turn the table.
Del Mar Picks: 1-5-3-6
Bets: $50 Exacta 1 with 5
Spot Plays:
Saratoga Race #7 – $50 Win #4
Del Mar Race #10 – $50 Win #5
