Saratoga 6th Race – Post: 3:20 ET. Degree of confidence: B+
Top Selection: 3-Take Me to Church (Ire).
Other Contenders: 5-The Big Torpedo.

Forecast: Take Me to Church (Ire) makes his U.S. debut in this year’s edition of the Saranac S.-G3 and based on his European form should be a strong fit at this level on this circuit. Now in the B. Cox barn, the son of Churchill set the pace and remained a factor until the final furlong before weakening to wind up fifth in the Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh in his most recent start in late May. He has trained quite well since arriving at Saratoga to indicate he’s fit and ready to reproduce his best Irish form and if allowed to be the controlling speed he could take this field a very long way. Blinkers go on for the first time, so we suspect his typical front running tactics will be utilized. At 7/2 on the morning line, we’ll play him in the win pool and in the various exotics.


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Saratoga 12th race – Post: 6:50 ET. Degree of confidence: B
Top Selection: 2-New York Scrappy.
Other Contenders: none.

Forecast: New York Scrappy returns to grass for the first time since his debut and we suspect he’ll be happy to make the switch. The son of Solomini closed with interest to be third after a slow start in his first career outing at the Big A in June, but after a dirt track effort followed by an off-the-turfer in the slop, the M. Casse-trained gelding should show his best stuff with the return to the sod in his first try around turns and his first under top rider I. Ortiz, Jr. Ideally drawn in the two hole in this inner course affair, he’ll have every chance to secure a favorable inside, pace pressing position. In a weak field comprised of New York bred older horses, he’ll offer value at 5/2 on the morning line if you can get it.


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