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

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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Second Race – Post: 1:39 ET
Top Pick: 5-Cowchican (7/2)

Though she may be a hard one trust after failing at 2/5 recently in a similar maiden turf sprint, this Irish-bred filly offers much better value today (she’s 7/2 on the morning line) and catches a field comprised mostly of first time starters who haven’t shown all that much in the morning. The daughter of Kodiac looked quite sharp breezing over the local training track grass course last week, drawing away from her workmates with ease and power, so with Joel Rosario riding her back combined with the always-popular blinkers off angle, this Wesley Ward-trained 2-year-old should be set to step forward significantly. We’ll use her in the win pool and as a single in the various rolling exotics.

Sixth Race: Post: 3:55 ET
Top Pick: 7-Lachaise (7/2)

First time starter by the promising freshman grass stallion Oscar Performance has done some good work in the a.m., and in a field that looks to be below standard for the level, the Jorge Abreu-trained colt may be capable of winning first crack out of the box. A recent turf breeze (see below) caught the eye, and with Flavian Prat taking the call this long-winded juvenile is enticing at or near his morning line of 7/2. We’ll give him the main punch on the tote and in the various exotics while also including on our ticket 8-New York Panther, sporting the classic two-sprints-and-a-stretch-out angle and a likely late threat after finding five furlongs too sharp when second last month at Belmont Park.
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SARATOA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-5)
1st race: 2-Girl Afraid; 1-Lady Quinn; 3-Acqua Belle
2nd race: 5-Cowichan
3rd race: Boston Post Road; 2-W W Fitzy; 4-Millefeuille
4th race: 5-My Sweet Wife; 1-Voice of Spring
5th race: 2-Mistical Curlin; 3-Sensible Jim

(Races 6-10)
6th race: 7-Lachaise; 8-New York Painter
7th race: 6-Mail Order; 1-Bye Bye; 2-Secret Time
8th race: 5-Art Collector; 2-Bal Harbour; 1-Mystic Night
9th race: 7-Good Governance; 9-Big Everette; 1-Emaraaty
10th race: 1-Stuck on Kitten; 7-Miss Domina; 4-Freedomofthepress

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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

SECOND RACE:

Pallotta Sisters (July 31, Saratoga 4f, :50b TT TC DU). Grade: B
Best outside Strut (same time) for G. Motion, mostly in hand throughout and finishing a head in front at the wire in promising drills around dogs on training turf course. Recent arrival from Fair Hill may fit with maiden juvenile fillies on the lawn. Workmate is an okay type, nothing more.
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Private Credit (July 29, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Ridden a bit entering and through the lane to be head-and-head outside Santa Giulia (same time) for C. Brown but lost a bit of ground on the gallop out to the clubhouse turn. Prefer to see one first.
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Gustiamo (July 27, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2bg). Grade: B-
Wound up slightly second best in gate drill with Boss Jim (same time) and Marpin (4f, :49.4bg) for D. Donk, leading early by a couple of lengths but then getting caught late while under mild coaxing. Okay work, has bit of speed, Blame filly probably no world beater at this stage.
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Alluring Angel (July 28, Saratoga, 4f, :50bg, TT). Grade: B-
Second best inside Lachaise (same time) in training track gate drill for J. Abreu, appearing to lean out much of the way while stride-for-stride with moderate fractions (was headed galloping out. Bred on both sides for turf so may show her best on the lawn but doesn’t appear to be anything special at this stage of her development.
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Cowichan (July 30, Saratoga, 4f, :48.1b TT). Grade: B+
No blinkers, quick-actioned, sprinter-type filly was much best in training track team drill with Doozy Batz (4f, :48.2b TT) and Olcyzk (4f, :49.1b TT), going stride-for-stride with ‘Batz outside to the head of the lane under a hold and then drawing away with authority while mostly on her own in the final furlong, quite nice. Beaten at 2/5 in her most recent outing (she’s already had two starts) but continue to train like a decent sort for W. Ward and probably deserves at least one more chance.
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Strut (July 31, Sar, 4f, :50b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
See Pallotta Sisters (above)
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THIRD RACE:

Millefeuille (July 31, Sar, 3f, :36.1b TT). Grade: B-
Easy blowout for W. Mott, strictly on her own, final quarter in :23.4, nice move. Better than her last race shows, should fire a good shot next time.
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Boston Post Road (July 28, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b). Grade: B
Slow early under restraint inside Mystic Night (same time), remained under a tight hold through the lane and finished a short head in front, final quarter mile in :25 flat. Be curious to see how she’ll preform on a fast track (won debut on dry dirt but caught wet surfaces in her next three outings). Moves well, looks fit, have to think she has room to improve. Workmate was never asked either, did fine.
View Workout Video


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SIXTH RACE:

Fire King (July 8, 4f, :48.4b TT TC DU). Grade: C+
Broke off a couple of lengths in front of Thutmose (4f, :48.3b TT TC DU) and finished head-and-head at the wire while being ridden much of the way (workmate not really asked) to be clearly second best for C. Clement, fair to moderate under the circumstances. Probably a down the road type.
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Lachaise (July 28, Saratoga, 4f, :50bg TT). Grade: B
Even but slightly best outside Alluring Angel (same time) for J. Abreu, always in hand through soft early splits before edging clear late while mostly on his own, solid drill. Not a speed type but has a good way of moving and definitely acts like he’ll enjoy a distance of ground (certainly bred for it). May be an okay type.
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Uncle Marty (July 24, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02.4). Grade: C
Second best with Collaboration (same time), staying with that one outside until mid-stretch before losing ground and fading, winding up several lengths behind at the end of the work. Not a win-early type, it would seem.
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SEVENTH RACE:

Secret Time (July 15, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2b TT TC DU). Grade: B
Head-and-head inside Oglethorpe (same time) for D. Gargan, under a hold most of the way in steady drill while staying on edge. Was sharp beating a first-level allowance field in early June at Belmont Park and has ticked over nicely. Wants to be held up and allowed to produce one late kick.
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EIGHTH RACE:

Mystic Night (July 28, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b). Grade: B
Breezed outside Boston Post Road (same time) with a final quarter mile in :25 flat for C. Brown, nice and relaxed and finishing with plenty left (workmate also under a stout hold, may have been a tad the best). Freshened since April and should return as well as he left.
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Bal Harbour (July 21, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b). Grade: B+
Under stout restraint throughout while even with Fearless (same time, also breezing) in sharp-looking spin for T. Pletcher, slow early and smooth through the lane. Been away since December but looks eager and fit for return.
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King Fury (July 29, Saratoga, 5f, 1:02b TT). Grade: B
Maybe a tad best outside Mistical Curlin (same time), breaking off a length behind and finishing a head-and-head at the wire, final quarter mile in :24 flat under some coaxing in the closing stages. One-paced son of Curlin has been away since April, has had some big wins in his career but isn’t necessarily one to count on.
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Video

Art Collector (July 23, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.3b TT). Grade: B-
Solo training track drill, ridden through the lane, okay finish, nothing flashy. Hard to gauge in his first start since returning from Saudi Arabia but is always tough when he can establish the pace without pressure.
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Masqueparade (July 28, Saratoga, 4f, :49.2b). Grade: B-
Not really asked and may have been second best outside Mo Saturdays (same time, hard held) for A. Stall, Jr., final quarter mile in :25 flat. Just okay, though both of his starts this year in Kentucky were quite good. Maybe the type that is not very enthusiastic in the morning.
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TENTH RACE:

Miss Domina (July 10, Saratoga, 4f, :49b TT). Grade: B-
Seemed fairly eager in solo half mile training track breeze for G. Weaver, final quarter mile in :25.1, light coaxing only. Looks okay, prefers turf, needs a class drop.
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