Saratoga Picks & Predictions: Travers Stakes, Ballerina, Forego & Lake Placid

Saratoga Race 9 Personal Ensign Stakes Grade 1

2 Fully Subscribed is one of two stand-out horses in this Grade 1.  A winner at this distance a month ago, this Filly stalked a fast pace rallied to defeat the talented Scottish Lassie by a length in the Grade 2 Shuvee. This Chad Brown trainee is primed to get her first Grade 1 victory today. Top Pick

4 Scottish Lassie was defeated by the aforementioned in the Grade 2 Shuvee after giving up A 3-length lead in the stretch. I perfer this daughter of McKinzie at a mile and a sixteenth or less. She’s the only Grade 1 winner in the field and must be respected.  Win Contender 

1 Margie’s Intention might be cut below the top 2 in here but this Filly is a hard trying gal who never runs a bad race, with only 1 off-the-board finish in 11 lifetime starts. Don’t Ignore 

Selections 2-4-1-3

Saratoga Race 10 Lake Placid Stakes Grade 2

5 Naomis is a European invader who brings in a sharp resume from overseas.  Filly  enters  here riding a two race win streak which includes a Group 2 victory at Chantilly. This Flavien Prat/ Chad Brown combo will be tough to beat today. Top Pick

4 Deep Learning makes her second start off the layoff, showing improving turf speed figures in her recent efforts.  Lightly raced with tremendous upside, a slight step forward puts this Filly right in the mix at the wire. Win Contender 

1 Queen of Hawaii was last seen finishing with authority when defeating a softer group of animals over this turf course here at the Spa. Prior to that effort this daughter of Kingman finished 7th  beaten by only just under 5- lengths in the prestigious Breeders Cup Fillies Turf. She sports a nice late turn of foot and will be mowing them down late. Major Player

Selections 5-4-1-9

Saratoga Race 11 Forego Stakes Grade 1

5 Book’em Dano is a 5-time winner in 6 starts here at the Spa, which includes winning this race last year. He makes his third start of the form cycle today. The last  time this Gelding ran off that angle, he won a Grade 2 here with 112 Bris number. I can’t try to beat the worlds best Jersey Bred. Top Pick

1 Tip Top Thomas returned from an extended layoff and ran a strong second versus some salty  runners in a Allowance/Optional 110K affair.  This Todd Pletcher trainee should move forward second off the pine today. Win Contender 

6 Senor Officer is lightly raced, has won three straight and is a perfect 2-2 here at Saratoga. Major Threat

Selections 5-1-6-2

Saratoga Race 12 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1

11 Beauty Reigns is an intriguing Longshot in here. This Filly ran a better than it looked 5th beaten by only 3-lengths in the Grade 2 Chicago two races back despite a tough trip and ride. Filly most recent effort was a win versus softer competition where she ran a career best number. She enters here in fine form

and a 1/72 bullet work. I believe this Filly is sitting on a huge effort and the 15-1 morning line is just too Juicy to pass up. Live Longshot 

7 Ways and Means is the deserving morning line favorite with 5 trips to the winner’s circle in 6 starts over this main track here at the Spa along with the highest dirt speed figures here at Saratoga.  Win Contender 

2 Kilwin is another in here who can make some noise at a price. She’s unbeaten in her last 3 races on the dirt, makes her second start off the layoff and the work tab looks tight. Many forget this Filly won the Grade 1 Test here last year. She came home that day with a 108 late pace fig, a repeat of that effort puts this gal in the mix. Live Longshot 

Selections 11-7-2-10-12

Saratoga Race 13 Travers Stakes Grade 1

9 Golden Tempo is one of a few in here who are proven at this mile and a quarter  distance with 2 back-to-back wins when taking the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. I like how this one trainer doesn’t rush this Colt back after his stellar performances. I’ve dismissed this son of Curlin in his last 2 starts, I won’t make that mistake today. Top Pick

4 The Puma returned from a 4 -month layoff and ran an even 4th in the slop at Monmouth. I’m going to forgive that effort as this Colt never seemed to get a hold of the surface and He was making his first start off the pine. He’ll outrun his 8-1 odds today. Major Player 

7 Sea Strike just ran a 105 Bris speed figure in just his third career start and has been the talk of the backstetch all week. This could be a superstar in the making and I’d be fool to leave him off my tickets. That being said, I still worry about the mile and a quarter, he hasnt faced the likes of these and Flavien Prat has the tendency in these dirt races with an upcoming horse to be too aggressive early, which could be the case today. Maybe they prove me wrong. Use Underneath 

Selections 9-4-7-5-3

Today Plays

Saratoga Race 9

$20 Cold Exacta 2-4

Saratoga Race 11

$30 Win #5 Book’em Dano 

Saratoga Race 12

$10 WPS #11 Beauty Reigns 

.50cent Trifecta Box 2,7,10,11

$1 Exacta Box 2,7,10,11

Saratoga Race 13

$20 WP #9 Golden Tempo

$1 Exacta Box 4,5,7,9

$1 Tri Box 4,5,7,9

Late Pick 5 .50 cent Races 9-13

R9 2,4

R10 1,4,5

R11 2,7,11

R12 1,5

R13 4,5,7,9