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Thursday’s Race Recap from Saratoga:
(All odds US)
Saratoga:
Race 1: 8th@ 14.90/1
Race 5: SCRATCH
Race 6: 3rd@ 44.50/1
Race 9: 6th@ 5.30/1
In Race 1 Dark Princess broke well which was a nice improvement from her last start but she beat a steady retreat despite the strong break and finished last. After a scratch in Race 5 we had Parade Ring give us a thrill at 44/1. He had dead-aim on the leaders in mid-stretch and finished third – just missing second place. In Race 9, Ari Gold was beaten to the front but sat the pocketed trip behind the speed. He was one of six battling for the lead until mid-stretch when he put the cue in the rack and faded to sixth.
After kicking some butt the first week we’re still searching for our first winner for week 2. We were less than a length from a 44/1 upset today but it wasn’t meant to be.
Let’s roll into a Friday at Saratoga. I’m handicapping for rainy, sloppy and off the turf. Let’s get to it.
Saratoga:
Race 8: Curbstone - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 6/1)
Allowance/optional claimers race a mile and an eighth and we’ve got a few in here dropping from stakes company who will take money but I want Curbstone here. At this distance the inside posts have an advantage when a runner has early speed because the turn comes up fast. With three wins at today’s mile and an eighth distance, Curbstone is tied with The Reds for the most in the field. Last time out he dueled through punishing fractions and battled on gamely for second behind a repeat winner in Tonal Impact. He’s likely to get a little overlooked here because of his lower profile connections but owns the early speed to get in the game from the start and is one of only two in here with a win over an off track.
Best of luck to all our members playing Friday’s races from Saratoga!