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

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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Sixth Race – Post: 3:52 ET
Top Pick: 7-Spelterini (7/2)

There have been a number of tough and competitive juvenile maiden races this meeting (as always) and this one certainly falls into that category. As is our want, we’ll prefer a filly with a prior race over the track when making this daughter of Bernardini our top selection in a race that requires a spread in rolling exotic play. An excellent runner-up from off the pace in her debut last month, she gets an extra furlong to work with today, and an impressive recent breeze since that outing tells us she’s ready to step forward in a big way. Worth noting is that the filly who finished just behind her in that race, Chocolate Gelato, came back to win her next race by a pole. Rarify also has a strong debut race underneath her, a runner-up effort behind the highly regarded Kaling in a hot race last month. The Wesley Ward barn has strong stats with second time starters (22%) and this daughter of Justify gives every indication that she’ll improve a bunch with distance and maturity. Among the newcomers, Rosie’s Alibi might be the most dangerous. She’s done everything asked of her in the morning for Todd Pletcher and is another highly regarded filly by Justify who could easily be this good.

Ninth Race: Post: 5:35 ET
Top Pick: 2-Love Reigns (2-1)

On pure form, this Wesley Ward-trained filly looks like a standout in this year’s renewal of the Bolton Landing Stakes. After breaking her maiden by almost 10 lengths in her debut at Keeneland, she ventured across the pond to finish a highly respectable fourth of 21 in the Queen Mary S.-G2 at Royal Ascot, a performance that if repeated today would bury this group. Freshened since mid-June and training like she’s fit and ready (see below), the Irish-bred daughter of U S Navy Flag is listed at 2-1 on the morning line, and we’d love to get it in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-5)
1st race: 3-Hay Stack; 4-Pleasant Passage
2nd race: 7-Phantom Smoke; 6-Yarrow; 4-Lady’s Golden Guy
3rd race: 3-Forty Smooth 2-Viradia; 2-My Girl Lexi
4th race: 7-Icon; 3-El Segundo
5th race: 10-Monarch’s Glen; 6-Grand Journey; 3-Devamani; 2-Attentive

(Races 6-10)
6th race: 7-Spelterini 8-Rosie’s Alibi; 5-Rarify; 2-Grand Love
7th race: 1-Mud Pie; 2-Founder; 7-Reigning Spirit
8th race: 8-Baba; 2-Repealing
9th race: 2-Love Reigns
10th race: 8-Vagaries; 9-Candlestick Maker; 6-Miscreant

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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

FIRST RACE:

Pleasant Passage (August 14, Saratoga, 4f, :48.2bg). Grade: B-
More Than Ready filly wasn’t ever really asked while inside and slightly second best with Spinzar (same time) and Self Confident (same time, last of the trio), steady splits, fair to moderate under the circumstances (didn’t change leads galloping out into the stretch). Hard to gauge but is bred to run long on the lawn and probably will show her best under those conditions.
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Cookie Crumbs (August 14, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Okay move inside Sister Maha (same time) for T. Pletcher, urged a bit through the lane to stay even to the wire before proving slightly best on the gallop out around dogs on turf. Has bit of ability but we’d prefer to see one first.
View Workout Video


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SIXTH RACE:

Good Sam (August 13, Saratoga, 4f, :50.1bg). Grade: B-
Under wraps throughout while even outside Occult (same time) for C. Brown, nice and relaxed throughout while able to go considerably quicker if turned loose. Has ability, has an athletic stride, and could be competitive vs. maidens sprinting or routing based on how she’s being trained.
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Grand Love (August 8, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.4b TT). Grade: B-
Good-sized daughter of Gun Runner was merely galloping outside Powerful (same time) for S. Asmussen, always in hand in good work before galloping out with energy. Suspect she’ll be best suited over a distance of ground.
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Rarify (August 7, Saratoga, 5f, :59.2b TT). Grade: B+
In blinkers, broke off several lengths behind Margaret Burbidge (5f, 1:01.1b TT) and inhaled that one through the lane under mild urging to draw far clear in the final stages, final quarter in :24.3 for Justify filly trained by W. Ward. Was beaten by a good filly when favored in debut but should step forward off that race and be dangerous vs. maidens next time out.
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Spelterini (August 12, Saratoga, 4f, :50b). Grade: B+
Under a nice hold throughout inside Milieu (same time) for W. Mott, quite eager and sharp while coming home in :25 flat very easily to prove clearly best. Daughter of Bernardini ran well when second in her debut in a hot race and clearly has come on since that outing. Nice prospect.
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Rosie’s Alibi (August 14, Saratoga, 4f, :48bg). Grade: B+
Even but best inside Alpha Bella (same time) in gate drill for T. Pletcher, displaying good gate speed while traveling well every step of the way, very nice for juvenile daughter of Justify. Plenty of potential and appears fit and ready.
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Peak Popularity (August 14, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.2b). Grade: B-
Even but second best inside Expected Value (same time) for C. Brown, niggled at late and weakening approaching the wire to breezing workmate, final quarter in :25.1. Probably should watch one first.
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NINTH RACE:

Love Reigns (August 12, Saratoga, 4f, :48.3b TT TC). Grade: B+
Breezing through the lane in solo training track turf drill for W. Ward looking fine while gearing up for first start since finishing a respectable fourth of 21 at Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary S.-G2. Certainly will be the one to beat in the Bolton Landing S.
View Workout Video


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