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Saratoga First Race – Post: 1:10 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 4-Silver Circle (6-1).
Other Contenders: 8-La Cara; 1-Kimchi Cat.

Forecast: Low percentage connections notwithstanding, the second time starter Silver Circle might be worth a small gamble in the Sunday lid-lifter for maiden juvenile fillies. A reasonable runner-up last month at the Big A in her debut behind the talented Complexion (subsequently unplaced in the Schuylerville Stakes after throwing a fit in the gate), the daughter of Munnings was beaten more than six lengths but was nearly six lengths clear of the others while earning a solid figure. She has every right to improve with that bit of experience behind her and is probably better than her morning line of 6-1 gives her credit for. Kimchi Cat and La Cara are quicker but if they hook up early the race could set up for a closer or a stalker and that’s where we anticipate Silver Circle will find herself in the early going.


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Saratoga Third Race – Post: 2:18 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 6-Twisted Filigree (9/2).
Other Contenders: 7-Final Denile.

Forecast: We haven’t seen Twisted Filigree on video in the morning, but the work tab looks sharp and should have him fit and ready in his first start in more than a year and just his third overall. The New York-bred son of Distorted Humor was an excellent runner-up in his debut last summer and then graduated at a short price before being stopped on, so if he returns as well as he left in his first start since being gelded he certainly should fit quite well in this first-level allowance abbreviated turf affair. The G. Weaver barn has superior stats with the layoff angle and the jockey knows him well. We’ll also toss in Final Denile, second at this level at the Big A last month while showing rising numbers in each of his three starts. The C. Clement-trained gelding lacks tactical speed but can turn it on late, and with some help up front should be heard from close home.


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Saratoga Fifth Race – Post 3:27 ET. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 3-Itza Mirrakle.
Other Contenders: 1-Military Road.

Forecast: Normally we’d much prefer the two-sprints-and-a-stretch-out angle rather that backing a runner with just one short on his resume, but Itza Mirrakle is being sent long after a strong runner-up debut try over seven furlongs to a next out winner and may be able to get away with it. In that race, he was out-footed early but commenced his rally wide on the turn and stayed on gamely through the lane while grinding away before running out of room in race that earned a strong speed figure. The son of Arrogate has the pedigree to improve a bunch at this mile and one-eighth trip in a race that projects to have enough pace to compliment his late running style. Additionally, the stable has good stats with second time starters, so it all adds up to a play at or near his morning line of 4-1,


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