SARATOGA 2023: Sam Hollingsworth’s Friday Selections
1st-$88,000, Maiden Special Weight, 2-Year Old Maidens Foaled in NY, Six Furlongs
#7 MISCHIEF JOKE (2/1): Most experienced of this field, with odds that reflect exactly that. Maker and Jose Ortiz team up for this one’s first long try on the grass. Appears to be a closer so he should like the set up here. #8 SPLIT STRIKE (5/2): Putting up some impressive workouts over the last couple of months but the long distance could prove difficult. This son of Goldencents got swallowed up last time out as he weakened. He will look to stay stronger longer and press the pack with Joel Rosario aboard. #3 BUSTIN AWAY (10/1): Well-bred gelded son of Bustin Stones by Hibiscus has been working swiftly in the morning as of late, albeit at Finger Lakes. Shipping with a purpose.
1 Mithridates, J.A Torres, AMira Chichakly, 114, 50/ 1
2 Eric From Miami, R Santana Jr., Horacio De Paz, 119, 6/ 1
3 Bustin Away, K.J Coa, Anthony Ferraro, 119, 10/ 1
4 Aggelos the Great, M Franco, George Weaver, 119, 7/ 2
5 Jake’s Orchard, S Fret, Stacy Torelli, 119, 15/ 1
6 Ez Roll, J Castellano, Thomas Morley, 119, 12/ 1
7 Mischief Joke, J.L Ortiz, Michael Maker, 119, 2/ 1
8 Split Strike, J Rosario, Christophe Clement, 119, 5/ 2
9 Love That Bird, L.E Perez, Anthony Ferraro, 119, 20/ 1
2nd-$156,000, Allowance Optional Claiming $62,500, 3-Year Olds and Up, Five and One Half Furlongs (Turf)
#5 ARTEMUS CITYLIMITS (9/5): Irad Ortiz gets back aboard this 6-year-old gelded son of Temple City who relishes a firm turf (to be considered if it’s raining today) and has a one over the Saratoga grass already last year. Tough race but should be best here. #1 KING ANGELO (5/2): This 6-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid is back on the turf after six tries on the dirt at the other two Downstate NYRA tracks. He’s been in the money all three times he races at Saratoga and has a couple nice recent works that further supports his case. Distance should serve him well. #3 FLUID SITUATION (10/1): His last time out wasn’t his best, but throw it out and his four performances before that are rock solid, especially among this group. No one knows this turf course like Javier Castellano; I wouldn’t leave off. DIRT: If this one gets washed off, keep a keen eye on GUNTOWN and LOOMS BOLDLY, who are both MTOs.
1 King Angelo, J.L Ortiz, Jorge Abreu, 124, 5/ 2
2 Surprise Boss, T McCarthy, Rafael Romero, 124, 15/ 1
3 Fluid Situation, J Castellano, John Terranova II, 124, 10/ 1
4 Comedy Town, D Davis, Michael Miceli, 122, 10/ 1
5 Artemus Citylimits, I Ortiz Jr., Michael Maker, 122, 9/ 5
6 Souper Success, T Gaffalione, Fernando Abreu, 122, 12/ 1
7 Into the Sunrise, M Franco, Thomas Morley, 124, 8/ 1
8 Fauci, R Santana Jr., Philip Antonacci, 122, 4/ 1
9 My Harbors Dream, I Ortiz Jr., David Jacobson, 124, 6/ 1
10 Looms Boldly, M Franco, Brad Cox, 122, 9/ 2
11 Scocciatore, Rider TBA, Rudy Rodriguez, 122, 4/ 1
12 Guntown, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 124, 2/ 1
3rd-$60,000, Maiden Claiming $75,000, 3-Year Old and Up Maidens, Fillies, and Mares, One Mile (Inner Turf)
#1/1A MICHAEL DUBB ENTRY (2/1): Two formidable contenders compose this coupled entry, including the AE 1A LOOKINFORBARGAINS and ST. BENEDICTS PREP, both for the Chad Brown barn for Dubb. They’ve both taken to the dirt early in their young careers — not the norm for many Brown runners — but both pose a threat on either surface. #8 TROPE (15/1): Graham Motion and Tyler Gaffalione take a second long-distance shot with this daughter of Cairo Prince. She’ll likely appreciate the almost-year-long layoff. Rider change bodes well, too.
#7 WONDER GIRL (8/1): Should (and hopes to) fire out of the gate; whether she can stay strong throughout the duration of the contest is to be seen. Finished 1st last out but was DQ’d. Maybe she does have the stamina.
1 St. Benedicts Prep, M Franco, Chad Brown, 118, 2/ 1
1A Lookinforbargains, J.L Ortiz, Chad Brown, 118, 2/ 1
2 Dream Fly, J Rosario, William Ward, 124, 5/ 1
3 Catskill Humor, F Geroux, Brad Cox, 118, 4/ 1
4 Katie’s Checkride, L Saez, James Bond, 118, 15/ 1
5 Nursekringledances, J.R Leparoux, Ian Wilkes, 118, 12/ 1
6 Volatility, I Ortiz Jr., John Terranova II, 118, 7/ 2
7 Wonder Girl, J.A Torres, Robert Klesaris, 113, 8/ 1
8 Trope, T Gaffalione, Graham Motion, 118, 15/ 1
9 River Tay, K Davis, Bruce Brown, 118, 12/ 1
10 Graceful, D Davis, Mitchell Friedman, 118, 50/ 1
11 Paris Style, J.R Leparoux, Kenneth McPeek, 118, 8/ 1
12 Party At Grants, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 118, 4/ 1
4th-$72,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-Year Old and Up Fillies and Mares, Six and One Half Furlongs
#9 QUICK MUNNY (7/5): Speedy daughter of Munnings owned and trained by Linda Rice gets the outside post on the dirt in her first race running for Rice off the claim. Rice paid $50k for this one and has her back in her for $40k. #7 I’M BUZZY (8/1): This 4-year-old prefers a late-closing running style, which should bode well for the setup of this one. She just may not be able to catch QUICK MUNNY as late as she may make her move. #2 HYDRA (5/1): Returning to the dirt after a 7th-place finish last out last month at Monmouth, this Kantharos mare took several big shots before dropping in here for the claim, including a 3rd-place finish in a Grade 3 at Aqueduct.
1 My Sweet Wife, J Castellano, Chris Englehart, 120, 6/ 1
2 Hydra, L Saez, Rudy Rodriguez, 120, 5/ 1
3 Everyoneloveslinda, J.A Torres, Edward Barker, 115, 10/ 1
4 Awesome Indra, M Franco, Rob Atras, 118, 6/ 1
5 Customerexperience, J Rosario, Charlton Baker, 118, 10/ 1
6 Icy Stare Down, R Santana Jr., James Ferraro, 120, 10/ 1
7 I’m Buzzy, D Davis, Chris Englehart, 120, 8/ 1
8 Triple P, E Greenidge, Eduardo Jones, 111, 50/ 1
9 Quick Munny, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 120, 7/ 5
5th-$95,000, Allowance, 3-Year Olds and Up Foaled in NY, One and One Eighth Miles
#5 BETA (7/2): Finger Lakes shipper trying his luck against a game field; doesn’t mean he can’t get it done. But will have his work cut out for him with COLLOQUY & Co. #7 COLLOQUY (7/5): Has won half of his efforts this year while trying tougher competition along the way. Surely the one to beat here but I’ll take Beta’s chances on the trip in from Western NY. #4 JACKSON HEIGHTS (4/1): Hasn’t had much luck at Saratoga but finished 3rd here last year. Rosario can get him on track, and his recent works — dating back to May — have been strong enough to make a case.
1 Son of an Ex, D Brown, Neville Henry, 125, 8/ 1
2 Kaz Palace, T Conner, Dimitrios Synnefias, 120, 6/ 1
3 Dr. Marbooz, J.A Davis, Robbie Davis, 125, 10/ 1
4 Jackson Heights, J Rosario, Orlando Noda, 118, 4/ 1
5 Beta, L.E Perez, Michael Ferraro, 125, 7/ 2
6 Sounds Spooky, E Greenidge, Eduardo Jones, 111, 50/ 1
7 Colloquy, J.A Torres, Thomas Morley, 120, 7/ 5
8 Ach Du Lieber, O Gomez, Ronald Breed Jr., 125, 15/ 1
6th-$136,500, Maiden Special Weight, 3-Year Old and Up Maidens, One and Three Eighth Miles (Inner Turf)
#3 SACRED RHYME (3/1): Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz team up for Peter Brant with this son of Mendelssohn who went for more than $300k at the Keeneland September Sale in 2021. Rallied in his only race so far under Nik Juarez; jock improvement and we know how much Brown loves the long-distance grass races. #2 SMART UNCLE (7/2): The younger Ortiz teams up with Jonathan Thomas on this lethal contender. Clearly his connections expect big things out of him. This could be the first step for this gelded son of Uncle Mo. #4 ASTHROS (10/1): Franco and Motion like it long and this one has never been out of the money yet in his young career. Definitely include.
1 Swore, T Gaffalione, Graham Motion, 124, 4/ 1
2 Smart Uncle, J.L Ortiz, Jonathan Thomas, 118, 7/ 2
3 Sacred Rhyme, I Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown, 118, 3/ 1
4 Bee Well, T McCarthy, Jack Sisterson, 118, 15/ 1
5 Typhoon Lagoon, D Davis, Mark Casse, 124, 8/ 1
6 Pilkington, J.R Leparoux, Robertino Diodoro, 118, 20/ 1
7 Asthros, M Franco, Graham Motion, 124, 10/ 1
8 Wild Guess, J Alvarado, Lisa Lewis, 118, 30/ 1
9 Faraday, J Castellano, Chad Brown, 118, 12/ 1
10 Toofareastiswest, L Saez, Michael Trombetta, 118, 9/ 2
7th-$95,000, Allowance, 3-Year Olds and Up Foaled in NY, Five and One Half Furlongs (Turf)
#10 FEATHERS ROAD (8/1): Hard to go against Rice at these odds with her regular rider aboard this son of Quality Road. It’s a salty field but she’s been clicking just right and getting a vicious late surge out of many of her horses so far this meet. Dangerous. #7 CITY MISCHIEF (2/1): Likely post-time favorite has shown plenty of potential thus far for the Mark Casse barn; hasn’t run at The Spa yet but can do it at this distance. #6 KREESA (8/1): Value play who is not stranger to this stiff competition and can bring it vs. the best of them. Johnny V. may miss the mount after being shaken up on Wednesday, but you can expect Donk to find a worthy replacement. DIRT: ZEEBAR should stand tough against this field if it gets washed off the grass; Rice has been ready with prepped MTOs on multiple occasions already this meet.
1 Courageoous Oh La, N Alvarado, Linda Dixon, 124, 10/ 1
2 Dr. Settle’s Dream, J Alvarado, William Mott, 120, 15/ 1
3 Brennan’s War, J Castellano, Leah Gyarmati, 122, 20/ 1
4 Little Maddy Brown, J Baez, Stacy Torelli, 124, 30/ 1
5 Disarmed, J Rosario, Rudy Rodriguez, 120, 3/ 1
6 Kreesa, J.R Velazquez, David Donk, 124, 8/ 1
7 City Mischief, I Ortiz Jr., Mark Casse, 124, 2/ 1
8 Honor Among Men, T McCarthy, Chris Englehart, 124, 12/ 1
9 Burn Jakey Burn, L Saez, Bruce Brown, 118, 20/ 1
10 Feathers Road, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 124, 8/ 1
11 Noble Huntsman, D Davis, Mitchell Friedman, 120, 8/ 1
12 Zeebear, J Lezcano, Linda Rice, 122, 2/ 1
13 Camm’ Duke, Rider TBA, James Ryerson, 118, 12/ 1
8th-$80,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-Year Olds, Seven Furlongs
#8 JOKING WAY (7/2): Ortiz and Rice fresh off the claim from Steve Asmussen last month at Ellis Park, it seems the theme of the card is Rice-Ortiz and we can’t look away with this one. #9 PROVE RIGHT (3/1): Serious class drop among others who aren’t quite as close. Could be best here; just be careful tip-toeing around Linda Rice’s brigade. #5 DANGEROUS RIDE (9/2): He’s won at this distance again and should be able to come in the money here again. Only missed the money once at this distance with a win and a 2nd.
1 Devil’s Cay, F Geroux, Michael Miceli, 118, 10/ 1
2 Midnight Trouble, T Gaffalione, Peter Walder, 118, 8/ 1
3 I Run, D Davis, Joe Sharp, 118, 20/ 1
4 Warrior Richard, R Santana Jr., Rob Falcone Jr., 118, 10/ 1
5 Dangerous Ride, J.R Velazuez, Carlos David, 120, 9/ 2
6 Sound Doctrine, J Castellano, Jose Fransisco D’Angelo, 118, 8/ 1
7 Street Swagg, I Ortiz Jr., Michael Maker, 120, 5/ 1
8 Joking Way, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 120, 7/ 2
9 Prove Right, L Saez, James Chapman, 120, 3/ 1
9th-$55,000, Claiming $50,000, 3-Year Olds and Up, One Mile (Inner Turf)
#8 HARRY HOOD (3/1): Solid e Five gelded son of Last Samurai should live up to his potential for Brown with Gaffalione and have a chance to show off his exceptional name. Gets the chance to impress the Saratoga crowd one month before his namesake’s creators take the SPAC stage and surely do the same. HARRY. HARRY. #10 SKI PATROL (5/2): Irad’s aboard this pesky gray son of Pioneerof the Nile. He could be best here and Jonathan Thomas surely thinks he is. Must include. #6 GAMER (4/1): You can’t overlook Brendan Walsh ever, and you definitely can never overlook Luis Saez. I’m including all three and praying this one stays on the grass. DIRT: Two tough MTOs may get in here, both of which could surely run 1-2. The $400k 4-year-old by Practical Joke, MONEY SUPPLY, gets my money.
1 Aruba, J.L Ortiz, Jorge Abreu, 125, 8/ 1
2 Stjames, J Castellano, Leah Gyarmati, 125, 30/ 1
3 Fredo, J Lezcano, Antonio Sano, 125, 8/ 1
4 Mister Abarrio, M Franco, Rob Atras, 118, 10/ 1
5 Tiz a Giant, T McCarthy, Michael Trombetta, 123, 10/ 1
6 Gamer, L Saez, Brendan Walsh, 125, 4/ 1
7 Lucky Lucky Luke, J Rosario, Orlando Noda, 120, 15/ 1
8 Harry Hood, T Gaffalione, Chad Brown, 120, 3/ 1
9 Acamar, D Davis, James Ryerson, 125, 30/ 1
10 Ski Patrol, I Ortiz Jr., Jonathan Thomas, 123, 5/ 2
11 Money Supply, Rider TBA, Chad Brown, 123, 6/ 5
12 Morning Cup, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 123, 5/ 2
13 Modern Midas, Rider TBA, Rudy Rodriguez, 123, 15/ 1
10th-$200,000, Amsterdam Stakes (Grade 2), 3-Year Olds, Six and One Half Furlongs
#1 DREW’S GOLD (9/5): Among the fastest in the race and gets the younger Ortiz aboard. James Chapman trains and owns this one who is coming off a spirited effort in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens. Did it take too much out of him? #4 GILMORE (5/2): Finished just behind DREW’S GOLD last out and could be the best here. Classiest horse in the field and previously trained by Bob Baffert. # 3 DEER DISTRICT (5/1): The cagey Dale Romans brings in his 3-year-old son of Oscar Performance along with Martin Garcia. He was victorious his last time out but this field could be too much. Carries 118 lbs. along with GILMORE; everyone else carries 122+ lbs.
1 Drew’s Gold, J.L Ortiz, James Chapman, 122, 9/ 5
2 Joey Freshwater, J Lezcano, Linda Rice, 124, 15/ 1
3 Deer District, M Garcia, Dale Romans, 118, 15/ 1
4 Gilmore, I Ortiz Jr., Brendan Walsh, 118, 5/ 2
5 Ryvit, R Santana Jr., Steven Asmussen, 124, 3/ 1
6 New York Thunder, T Gaffalione, Jorge Delgado, 122, 6/ 1
11th-$52,000, Maiden Claiming $40,000, 3-Year Old and Up Maidens, One and One Sixteenth Miles (Turf)
#10 VARIABLE COST (9/2): Packed field of maidens dropping in for a tag but hard not to make a case for the former Klaravich-owned and Chad Brown-trained son of Frankel now with the red-hot Linda Rice outfit. Value at these odds and in for same price she got him for in May. #8 LASTLY (15/1): Only one race under this one’s best but trainer and owner Roy Lerman knows where this one belongs. No qualms dropping him in for the tag on only his second try with a strong, formidable jock and some solid works recently. Would be a longshot, but Lerman can get it done. #4 TWIRLING EXPRESS (6/1): Saez and Pletcher team up with this one who tried maiden special weight competition the last three times out. Two of those were on the tapeta; real grass could help this one. DIRT: Brad Cox’s FIGHTING BACK steps into this nice spot that he should appreciate.
1 Timo, M Franco, Jonathan Thomas, 124, 7/ 2
2 Fast Boat to Skye, J. R Velazquez, David Donk, 118, 6/ 1
3 Urgent Fury, J Rosario, John Alexander Ortiz, 118, 10/ 1
4 Bad Larry, J Castellano, Michael Maker, 118, 20/ 1
5 Sixwillberich, J.A Torres, Thomas Morley, 113, 30/ 1
6 Twirling Express, L Saez, Todd Pletcher, 118, 6/ 1
7 Nostalgic One, I Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher, 118, 5/ 1
8 Lastly, F Geroux, Roy Lerman, 124, 15/ 1
9 Mister Moore, T Gaffalione, Michael Maker, 118, 15/ 1
10 Variable Cost, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 118, 9/ 2
11 Highest Rated, J.R Leparoux, Kenneth McPeek, 118, 12/ 1
12 Fire Baron, J Alvarado, Jennifer Paragallo, 118, 20/ 1
13 Vigano, T Gaffalione, Nicholas Zito, 124, 4/ 1
14 Fighting Back, L Saez, Brad Cox, 118, 9/ 5
