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

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SARATOGA SPOTLIGHT RACES:

Second Race – Post: 1:39 ET
Top Pick: 3-Laughter (3-1)

Improving daughter of Lookin At Lucky finished an excellent second over this track and distance in her first outing on dirt earlier this month after beginning her career with three grass races, and a similar effort today in this maiden $40,000 extended sprint for state-bred fillies and mares should be good enough to earn her a diploma. She pressed the pace throughout, proved hard to down, wound up more than eight lengths clear of the rest, and since has returned to record two easy breezes to tick her over nicely. With the switch to Luis Saez, the Roy Lerman-trained sophomore projects to be on or near the lead in a field without much speed, so at 3-1 on the morning line she offers a reasonable gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics. As a saver, the first timer 6-I’m Nervous Now probably is worth some consideration. The daughter of Animal Kingdom has worked okay – nothing great – for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., but a little will go a long way in this modest affair and since she hasn’t yet been exposed we’ll toss in her on a ticket or two.

Ninth Race: Post: 5:39 ET
Top Pick: 1-Battle of Normandy (3-1)
Always highly regarded (he was a $500,000 yearling purchase), this talented juvenile launched his career the right way with an authoritative debut maiden win over this course and distance earlier this month, doing so from a good second flight position before producing a strong late kick for a barn whose first timers aren’t usually cranked up. Since that score, the Shug McGaughey-trained colt has done some good work in the morning, and from his ideal rail post there’s every expectation that the son of City of Light will enjoy a ground-saving trip and will give him every chance to win on the raise. Worth using in the exotics is 2-Andthewinneris, a son of the promising freshman stallion Oscar Performance who caught the eye when breaking his maiden sprinting on grass at Keeneland in the spring and is reunited with “win rider” Flavian Prat. A bullet half mile breeze over the Saratoga turf training track (:47 flat) two weeks ago was the fastest of 74 for the distance on that day.

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SARATOGA RECOMMENDED ROLLING EXOTIC STRATEGIES:

(Races 1-5)
1st race: Pass/No Play
2nd race: 3-Laughter; 6-I’m Nervous Now
3rd race: 5-Rock Chalk; 4-Own the Field
4th race: 5-Scotish Star; 4-Nevisian Sunrise
5th race: 4-Will E Sutton6-Road to Success

(Races 6-10)
6th race: 5-Sals Dream Girl; 4-Eau Claire
7th race: 4-Xy Speed; 7-Not Phar Nos
8th race: 2-Banyan Breeze6-Double Shot
9th race: Battle of Normandy; 2-Andthewinneris
10th race: 3-Devil Boy; 5-Sinful Dancer

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SARATOGA WORKOUT ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:

SECOND RACE:

I’m Nervous Now (August 21, Saratoga, 4f, :48bg). Grade: C+
Grey filly by Animal Kingdom Ridden most of the way in gate drill outside G Munning (same time, under a hold, much best) with steady splits for S. Joseph, Jr., not particularly impressive. Not the worst, but is maiden claiming material, it would appear, workmate is a useful New York-bred allowance sprinter.
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THIRD RACE:

Own the Field (August 26, Saratoga, 5f, 1:01.1b). Grade: B-
Several lengths best over Bread Winner (same time, should have been given a full second slower), easy to the top before drawing clear without really being asked much, final quarter mile in :25.2. No world beater but seems fairly for T. Amoss, whose first timers often run a bit better than they work. Worth a look in a soft restricted maiden juvenile sprint. Workmate isn’t much.
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FOURTH RACE:

Scotish Star (August 14, Saratoga, 4f, :51.2b TT TC DU). Grade: B-
Okay turf breeze outside Under Oath (same time) for T. Pletcher, a bit green through the lane while being ridden some to be slightly second best, slow early but finishing with some energy. Been away for almost a year, was a Group-1 winner in Argentina in the fall of 2020, should have no trouble handling two turns based on this drill. Faced top class sprinters in California and ran decently enough.
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NINTH RACE:

Battle of Normandy (August 26, Saratoga, 4f, :50.4b TT TC). Grade: B
Just galloping outside Celestial City (same time) while staying on edge after smart debut win earlier this month, final quarter in :25.4, neither one permitted to show any speed at any stage. Looks fine and should be competitive right back in the With Anticipation Stakes.
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Our Dream Rye’d (August 25, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b). Grade: B-
Solo main track breeze, never really asked much, final quarter mile in :24.4, nothing special. Much better mover on turf, was fairly impressive in debut win for I. Wilkes.
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