SARATOGA SATURDAY
The Travers, with its 14-horse field that includes two classic winners, is the focal point of tonight’s card at Saratoga. There is a terrific undercard in support, featuring top horses such as Flintshire, Lady Eli, and a sensational four in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign.
7:23 Personal Ensign Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Dirt) 1m1f
Star-studded field for Personal Ensign with four Grade 1 winners in I’m A Chatterbox, Curalina, Forever Unbridled and Cavorting. Larry Jones filly might prove the strongest in a fantastic opening to the Grade 1 action.
Selection: I’m A Chatterbox
Next best: Curlina
7:59 Ballerina Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Dirt) 7f
Reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue headlines a field of 10 as she looks for her second straight graded stakes victory at Saratoga.
In a race that appears to have plenty of pace, her late kick should work to her advantage. Michelle Nevin is has two representitives: By the Moon and Paulassilverlining - with the latter the more fancied.
Selection: Wavell Avenuee
Next best: Carina Mia
8:35 Ketel One King´s Bishop Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo) (Dirt) 7f
Godolphin’s Mohaymen drops back to sprint distances and looks sure to make a bold bid despite a disappointing run last time. Bob Baffert’s Drefong is the likely favourite after two wins. Economic Model is also a contender.
Selection: Mohaymen
Next best: Economic Model
9:12 Priority One Jets Forego Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Dirt) 7f
A. P. Indian goes in search of his fourth win in a row and can repeat his win here last month in the Alfred Vanderbilt.
Selection: A.P. Indian
Next best: Chief Lion
9:49 Longines Sword Dancer Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m4f
This looks like win number three of the season for Flintshire. Even a very slow pace could not defeat him last time in the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap, where he produced a sizzling final furlong to win, easing up, with Grand Tito and Twilight Eclipse behind. He should have no trouble in repeating last year’s success.
Selection: Flintshire
Next best: Twilight Eclipse
10:44 Travers Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo) (Dirt) 1m2f
Preakness and Haskell winner Exaggerator tops a facinating Travers field. Both his big wins have come on a sloppy surface and last time out he beat American Freedom (Bob Baffert) in impressive fashion in the Haskell.
Creator beat Destin in the Belmont but was last of six to Laoban, who made all in the Jim Dandy last time. That run was too bad to be true and he looks value in this. Steve Asmussen also runs Gun Runner. Chad Brown’s Connect is the new entry into the three-year-old scene and is unbeaten this season in his three runs.
Selection: Exaggerator
Next best: Creator
11:20 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes (Grade 2) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) 1m110y
The best story on the card is the return of Lady Eli, the unbeaten filly who overcame a serious bout of laminitis to make it back to the races. The 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner has been absent since she won the Belmont Oaks last July. Miss Temple City has already beaten the males in the Makers Mark Mile and maybe too strong this time.
Selection: Miss Temple City
Next best: Lady Eli
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DEL MAR
Pat O’Brien Stakes (Grade 2) $200,000; 3yo+ 7 Furlongs
This is the feature at Del Mar and multiple graded race winner Masochistic will take all the beating. He won the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita last year and returned with an allowance race win at Santa Anita last time. He should be able to hold Vyjack.
Selection: Masochistic
Next best: Vyjack