Saratoga selections - day #1 (7/23)

Race #1

Seattle Mission - this lightly raced Barclay Tagg trainee from Sackatoga Stable makes his third start off a layoff and has done no wrong in his three lifetime starts, may be an overwhelming favorite.

Judge Well - made a monster move last time out versus slightly cheaper, gets key jockey switch to Ramon Dominguez today.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Tapitdar - New Pais


Race #2

Home Rule - second best as the chalk downstate last time out, gets one more chance today.

Holy Place - good effort while not bet first time out for Pletcher, different story at the windows today.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Flourish - Mitigate


Race #3

Aspire - ran an even third when he returned to the races over a month ago, faced the best two year olds last summer and broke his maiden here.

Bonavento - led the way weakening first start off layoff last time out, the one to catch!

Exotic & multi-race runners : Bimini - Bank Merger


Race #4

Cozy Lion - takes a major drop turning back from marathon distance on the weeds last time out, class edge versus this group.

Simple Kind of Man - sharp at Louisiana Downs in his last two starts versus cheaper, one of the many new faces we'll see at the Spa this summer.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Dunvegan - Sharif Al Medina


Race #5

Roderick - just missed downstate in turf debut, connections will take ALL the money here!

Second and One - makes turf debut in second start, watch the board.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Beth's Kitten - Good to be Me


Race #6

Unaccountable (HORSE TO BEAT play of the day) - rock solid on the weeds (10 out of 11 in the money) comes off six month layoff & slight class drop, perfect spot versus this group.

King Carter - weakened last time out versus restricted company, broke maiden here two years ago at 12-1.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Danstatic - Eldoktori


Race #7


With the Current - a Pletcher / Scatuorchio firster, sure to get play.

Playing Pirates - second career start for Lukas after eventful debut, shows plenty of bullet workouts in his running lines.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Malibu Cougar - Silvislip


Race #8

Half Metal Jacket - this very consistent sprinter steps back into stakes company and could be overlooked in the betting versus this fantastic group of runners, 13 of 16 in the money the last 2 years.

Vineyard Haven - the definite class of the field, this lightly raced Godolphin runner comes off a Fall layoff in the grade I - Cigar Mile, may need a race at 3-5.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Coal Cool Man - Friesan Fire


Race #9

Stopsendingmaria - ran a "hole in the wind" breaking her maiden last time out as the favorite at Belmont Park, earned a 91 Beyer speed figure in the process.

Let's Get Fiscal - very impressive breaking maiden first time out going five furlongs, freshman sire Bandini is off to a good start.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Final Mesa - Show Me the Bling


Race #10

Insightful - takes needed drop in class after facing some tough cookies (Trapt Shot, D'Funnybone, Discreetly Mine) in his career, nicely spot versus this group.

In Just We Trust - Pletcher drop down turns back to a sprint where he has done his best running, may be closer to the pace today.

Exotic & multi-race : Run to Grand Ave. - El Tune



Hoffy's "Horse to Beat" play of the day : Unaccountable (6th)