July 24, 2024

Jeff Siegel’s What You Need to Know
Saratoga

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Saratoga 5th Race – Post: 3:26 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 5-Bramito.
Other Contenders: 8-Sanderson; 6-Scat Tu Top.

Forecast: Let’s go with a price in this $50,000 inner turf course claimer for older horses. Bramito shows up in a seller for the first time in his first outing since joining the N. Casse barn and in a wide open affair there may be some good wagering value to be found at or near his morning line of 8-1. The lightly raced four year old (just four starts) has plenty of room to improve, and in a race that projects to have soft early splits the son of Gun Runner seems likely to settle into a comfortable second flight, stalking position and have every chance from the quarter pole home. The speed figure earned two races back is much better than par for this level, and this first-time gelding has every right to fire a big shot in his first try on the sod. A steady, healthy series of recent drills should have him right on edge.


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Saratoga 7th race – Post: 4:34 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 6-Spirit Wind.
Other Contenders: 8-Munnys Gold; 1-Accede.

Forecast: Fresh from a sharp stakes win at Lone Star Park when outclassing her rivals in a six furlong main track sprint, Spirit Wind tries stronger foes today in this year’s renewal of the Honorable Miss Handicap-G2. On pure numbers, the daughter of Bohamian Squall seems capable of taking the class hike in stride. A winner of six races from 11 career starts, she is most effective on the lead but can press and pounce if need be. Due to the presence of the ultra-quick Munnys Gold, she seems likely to settle into a comfortable stalking spot. Listed at 3-1 on the morning line, the S. Joseph, Jr. trained mare always has been thoroughly genuine and consistent when not pitched too high, and this is a field that is within her capabilities.


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Saratoga 8th Race – Post 5:10 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 4-Street Ready.
Other Contenders: 2-Bourbon Day.

Forecast: Here’s another middle priced runner worth playing in the win pool and in the various exotics. Street Ready offers good value at or near his morning line of 8-1 in this inner turf affair for $40,000 claimers. Overmatched and far back in the marathon Pan American S.-G2 at Gulfstream Park in late March, the veteran gelding returns after a nearly fourth month vacation and should fire a big shot fresh. The son of More Than Ready shortens to a much more suitable distance, takes a realistic class drop, and shows a smart series of drills over the all weather Turfway Park surface to have him primed and ready for a hot barn. Most effective when on or near the lead, the M. Maker-trainee catches a field with very little speed in it and projects to be close up throughout without having to be used. In an open fray, he’s as good any and better than most.