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Saratoga 3rd race – Post: 2:13 ET. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 5-Java Buzz.
Other Contenders: none.

Forecast: Java Buzz makes his first start since March of 2023 for the Linda Rice barn (superior stats with layoff runners) and shows up in a $40,000 seller, a logical spot sprinting on grass. He shows a series of workouts that should have him cranked up and ready and he’s run very well off a layoff in the past. At this level, the son of Mshawish should simply be too fast for this group, assuming he returns as well as he left. Winless in three starts over the Saratoga turf course but in the frame in all three, he is reunited with “win rider” Flavian Prat and projects to be on or near the lead throughout. He’ll offer excellent wagering value at or near his morning line of 9/2.


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Saratoga 7th Race – Post: 4:26 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 2-Virgin Colada.
Other Contenders: none.

Forecast: In a wide open grass grab bag for juvenile fillies over a middle distance,
the first timer Virgin Colada seems like a live item. Certainly bred for grass (More Than Ready), she has been given a solid series of drills to have her fit and ready for a barn that has good stats with the first time starter angle, and she certainly looked the part in a team gate drill last week (:48.2bg, 26 of 147 for the distance) while under a stout hold throughout. We suspect she has plenty of early speed, so from her good rail post it would not be surprising that, assuming if she breaks cleanly, jockey F. Prat might try to put her on the lead. At 9/2 on the morning line, the C. Brown trained 2-year-old can be used in both the straight pool and in the various rolling exotics.


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