by Jeff Siegel
August 24, 2024
Saratoga 7th Race – Post: 2:37 ET. Degree of confidence: A-
Top Selection: 2-Rookie Card.
Other Contenders: none.
Forecast: Rookie Card has trained like a smoker for his racing debut, looking very much like a first out winner in this maiden six furlong dirt sprint for juveniles. After breezing a quarter mile in a sizzling :21 flat at the OBS June Sale and then bringing $165,000 through the ring, the son of Adios Charlie was considered so talented by his connections that he has been used as a work mate (and was able to stay even) with Travers Stakes favorite Dornoch earlier this month, and most recently was much the best in a team drill without being asked in a smart :47 flat bullet drill from the gate. A high quality athlete with quick, efficient action, this Florida-bred juvenile can leave this field behind with a clean break, and at 9/2 on the morning line offers an excellent gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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Saratoga 8th race – Post: 3:09 ET. Degree of confidence: A
Top Selection: 5-Rhetorical.
Other Contenders: none.
Forecast: Rhetorical won like a future stakes star in his debut here last month and returns on four weeks rest with a series of breezing drills in the interim to tick him over. This jump to the first level allowance ranks will be tougher, but the manner in which he graduated despite a poor start and a wide trip throughout suggests this raise in class should be well within his scope. The 3-year-old son of Not This Time will add Lasix today while retaining I. Ortiz, Jr., and at 2-1 on the morning line (if you can get it) should be used with confidence as a win play and rolling exotic single.
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