Thoroughbred Sunday: RT picks three races at Saratoga
Saratoga Sunday
Race 2
$12.5K Claimers 3yo+, 6.5f on dirt
#2 Data Driven (8/5) claimed 4 times in the past year, this recent Danny Gargan claimee has the overall speed numbers and best last to win this going away. Danny Gargan/Manny Franco tandem clipping at an eye-popping 47% wins with 19.
#6 Curious Cal (6/1) counting trainer Jorge Navarro out in a race is a fool's move, so I’ll include him here with this Smart Strike gelding. This guy will set the pace and we’ll see if he can be caught. Navarro 35% winners this meet.
#8 A Different Style (4/1) taking a big class drop and smokin’ a workout recently, this 4yo colt has been at Parx the last 4 and runs better away from that course. Trainer Amoss 39% with horses coming off a 1-2 month layoff.
The Bets
#2 - $50/w $100/p
$5 Exacta Box 2-6-8
Race 3
The $100K John Morrissey Stakes
New York bred 3yo+ going 6.5f
#6 – Gold For The King (2/1) in the past year, Gold has chased Catalina Cruiser, Recruiting Ready, Honor Up, Syndegaard and was a beaten favorite to Solid Wager. He will find the going easier here and he loves Saratoga going 3:1-0-1. 22 times out with 7 wins and 9 more itm finishes for $710K….yes, class and speed. Add in two bullet works his last and he’ll get this job done today.
The bets
6 - $100/w $250p
Race 6
NY Bred Claimers - $25K
6 panels on dirt
#2 – The Caretaker (7/2) second time out for a tag, the last being a $40K Aoc where he was left unprotected. Also, his second time racing state breds, whereas the others have solely been racing against Nyer’s, so this gives this Speightstown horse a triple drop. Kiaran McLaughlin and Luis Saez have teamed up for 47 wins at a 24% clip.
6 – Candid Desire (5/1) another Jorge Navarro entry and a return back to the same level where he was the beaten favorite last out. Has had a freshening recently and will stalk the pace set by #4 – Blue Belt.
The Bets:
#2 - $50/w $100/p
$25 exacta box 2-6
Happy Hunting and I’ll see you there on Travers weekend…yes 😊