(For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing).

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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Sixth Race – Post: 3:44 ET
Top Pick: 1-Marvelous Maude (5/2)

This developing New York-bred filly moves into open company after winning a state-bred first-level allowance affair at Belmont Park last month while earning a career-top speed figure. She has trained quite well since, so we’re expecting another forward move from this Chad Brown-trained four-year-old. She projects to enjoy an ideal ground-saving trip from her good rail post, retains regular pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr., and should be quite capable of justifying her 5/2 morning line listing in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. Among those worth including on your ticket are 6-Wicked Groove, a genuine and consistent filly now in the Rob Atras barn with speed figures that fit well at this level, and 3-Finest Work, slower on numbers than our top pick and probably more comfortable around one turn but unbeaten in two starts since joining the Georg Weaver barn.

Tenth Race: Post: 6:13 ET
Top Pick: 12-Capensis (2-1)

Couldn’t have been more impressive than he was winning his debut earlier this month with a scintillating late kick that stamped him as a possible future star, and we expect the $2 million yearling purchase to successfully handle this raise in class to the first-level allowance ranks. The extreme outside draw does him no favors, but the son of Tapit should be able to drop over, get some cover, and then produce a winning late kick, just as he did first time out. A sharp recent turf breeze in company with Annapolis (see below) should have him on edge for trainer Todd Pletcher, so at 2-1 on the morning line he’s a logical play in the win pool and as a single in the various rolling exotics

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SARATOA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-5)
1st race: 6-Bourbon Resolve; 3-Tatum
2nd race: 7-Montepulciano; 6-C’Est Magnifique
3rd race: 8-Endowed; 9-Wolfe County; 1-Kissalot
4th race: 8-Devilly; 2-Lady Firefoot
5th race: 4-Admundson; 1-Bank on Shea; 2-Flying Emperor; 10-Lady’s Golden Guy

(Races 6-11)
6th race: Marvelous Maude; 6-Wicked Groove; 3-Finest Work
7th race: 5-Mister Chairman; 1-Built to Last; 2-Heymackit’sjack
8th race: 4-Jackie’s Warrior
9th race: 2-Epicenter; 5-Zandon
10th race: 12-Capensis
11th race: 3-Big Agenda; 9-Healing; 7-Jack the Cat


SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

First Race:

Space (July 22, Sar, 4f, :51b, TT TC DU). Grade: C
Broke off a couple of lengths behind Lady Bee (4f, :50.3b TT TC DU), engaged that one outside entering the lane but lost his punch and steadily fell back to finish behind by about three. Not really what we were looking for. Probably needs experience.
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Swiss Guard (July 18, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3bg). Grade: C+
Worked from gate inside Echo Again (5f, 1:00hg) and displayed a bit of early speed before gradually falling back, several lengths behind when eased up after five furlongs. Not a win-early type according to this move.
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Bourbon Resolve (July 17, Saratoga, 5f, :59.3bg). Grade: B
Tons best over Our Dream Rye’d (5f, 1:00hg), head-and-head with workmate to the turn and then accelerated to be several lengths in front when eased up after five furlongs, strong work for I. Wilkes. Only concern is that he failed to change leads when entering the stretch. Certainly appears to have enough ability to be live at first asking if no world beaters show up.
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SECOND RACE:

America’s Guest (July 7, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b TT). Grade: B-
Heads up but second best inside Dakota Gold (same time) for D. Gargan) while being hustled early and then under very light coaxing late, final quarter mile in :24.4. Probably not a sprint type but cost a ton ($385,000) as a yearling and has some run.
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American Hustle (July 22, Saratoga, 4f, :49.4b TT TC DU). Grade: C+
A couple of lengths behind Smoke Eyes (4f, :50.1h TT TC DU) to the head of the lane, then was ridden in the final furlong to finish-head-and-head at the wire, fair-to-moderate under the circumstance. Probably should see one first.
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Our Dream Rye’d (July 17, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00bg). Grade: C
Trounced by Bourbon Resolve (5f, :59.3hg) in gate work for I. Wilkes, head-and-head with workmate to the turn but then left for dead and falling back by several lengths before being eased up after five furlongs. Down the road type.
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C’Est Magnifique (July 17, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b TT TC DU). Grade: B
On turf around dogs, broke off a couple of lengths in front of Activist Investing (same time) and was under light coaxing only through the lane to finish head-and-heat the wire, solid work for C. Brown while breezing nicely inside of workmate. Kitten’s Joy colt moves well and seems fit enough for a good effort first time out.
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Montepulciano (July 17, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b TT TC DU). Grade: B
Breezed inside unnamed (Joint Return, worked under dam’s name, same time) and though a bit green on the turn held sway to prove best at the wire while under mild coaxing only, then galloped out strongly around the turn and into the backstretch. Son of Not This Time should be fit enough to run well over a distance of ground on grass in his debut for T. Pletcher. Useful sort.
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THIRD RACE:

Kissalot (July 10, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00b). Grade: B+
Solo five furlong main track breeze, never asked while going off quickly (:23.1) and finishing on his own courage. S. Joseph, Jr.-trained gelding appears to have improved for new barn since being claimed for $30,000 in Kentucky in early June. Should fire a big shot fresh.
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Wolfe County (July 23, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b TT). Grade: B+
Breezed on training track listed as good stride-for-stride and perhaps a tad the best inside Creative Minister (same time) for K. McPeek, steady splits, never asked, sharp throughout. Finally broke his maiden in eighth career start over a distance of ground in Kentucky and appears to have further improvement in him.
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FOURTH RACE:

Trevise (July 23, Saratoga, 4f, :48b TT). Grade: B
Ridden a bit through the lane to be even but slightly second best inside Ministerial (same time), final quarter mile in a solid :24.1. Never has been too generous under pressure but may get brave with a drop into the maiden claiming ranks.
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SIXTH RACE:

Marvelous Maude (July 22, Santa Anita, 4f, :48b TT). Grade: B+
Under a nice hold while even inside Kinchen (same time), perhaps going a tad the easier of the two while finishing with plenty left for C. Brown. Genuine, consistent, and has rising speed figures, has first level (open) allowance turf course and should be set for another strong effort.
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EIGHTH RACE:

Jackie’s Warrior (July 24, Saratoga, 4f, :48.2b TT). Grade: A
Easy early, powerful through the lane, never asked, sharp as a tack, final quarter mile in :22.4. Maintains his brilliant form and should be set for another major effort.
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NINTH RACE:

Epicenter (July 18, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01b TT). Grade: A-
Stalked Flute Master (5f, 1:03h TT) to the head of the lane while just galloping along, then was asked to quicken and roared on by with ease and power, final quarter mile in :23.3, full of run while lengthening out impressively. Coming up to the Jim Dandy Stakes in top form after being freshened since the Kentucky Derby.
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Early Voting (July 23, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01b). Grade: B+
Breezing outside Accretive (same time) for C. Brown and finished stride-for-stride, neither one asked a drop at any stage, final quarter in :25 flat. Looks fine but hard to say how cranked up he for his first start since winning the Preakness.
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Zandon (July 23, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.4b). Grade: A-
Hard held from start to finish while looking sharp as can be, final quarter mile in :24.3 for C. Brown in solo main track drill. Ready for a huge effort in the Jim Dandy.
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TENTH RACE:

Capensis (July 22, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01b TT). Grade: B+
Head-and-head throughout inside Annapolis (same time) on turf (no dogs), both going very well under light coaxing only, final quarter mile in a smart :23.4. Graduated at first asking like a future star and should be a short price to win right back on the one-level raise.
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ELEVENTH RACE:

Big Agenda (July 22, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1b TT). Grade: B+
Under a stout hold throughout while breezing outside U Guys Are No Fun (same time), final quarter mile in :24.2. Razor sharp and ready for a big try.
View Workout Video


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