SARATOGA 2023: Sam Hollingsworth’s picks for Saturday, July 22
1st-$136,500, Maiden Special Weight, 2-Year Old Maidens, One and One Sixteenth Miles (Turf)
#7 NOTED (2/1): Irad and Pletcher team up for Repole with this 2-year-old son of Cairo Prince who was begging for more distance last time out before falling short by a length and a half. He’s the one to beat here and should get it done. #3 FORTUNE SELLER (3/1): Kevin Rice and Jose Ortiz team up for Rice’s second runner of The Spa meet. He’s been working out on synthetic, which should bode well for the grass. Sire yields 13% winners with 2-year-old first-timers. #1 ASK ISAAC (4/1): Mott and regular rider Junior Alvarado are set to debut this Uncle Mo baby who sold for $400k in July 2022. It’s a tough, capable field of promising young horses but they’re all shooting for NOTED. Include ASK ISAAC whenever possible.
1 Ask Isaac, J Alvarado, William Mott, 119, 4/ 1
2 Spirit Prince, M Franco, Christophe Clement, 119, 6/ 1
3 Fortune Seller, J.L Ortiz, Kevin Rice, 119, 3/ 1
4 Noble Wave, J Lezcano, George Weaver, 119, 5/ 1
5 Uncle Bo, D Davis, Danny Gargan, 119, 8/ 1
6 Back Bayou, T McCarthy, Rudy Rodriguez, 119, 15/ 1
7 Noted, I Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher, 119, 2/ 1
8 Dornoch, I Ortiz Jr., Danny Gargan, 119, 7/ 5
9 Deterministic, F Prat, Christophe Clement, 119, 5/ 2
2nd-$70,000, Starter Allowance $50,000, 3-Year Olds and Up, One and One Eighth Miles
#4 PADDINGTON (9/5): Bred and previously owned by WinStar until Linda Rice claimed him last time out, this 3-year-old son of Curlin should take well to the long distance on the deep Saratoga dirt. He’s got a couple nice works, including one over the slop earlier this week, so even a wet, off track won’t slow this one down. #2 DEPUTY CONNECT (3/1): Cox switches away from jockey Ricardo Santana and opts for the steady-and-patient Flavien Prat. He hasn’t finished worse than 2nd in all of his starts this year; Cox threatens the likely winner down to the wire. #5 ICE ROAD (4/1): Jose D’Angelo and Irad Ortiz hook up trying to get this 4-year-old son of Keen Ice his second career victory after being a bridesmaid the last two times out. The trainer-jockey duo won 12 together over the last year; this could be another with the right trip.
1 Hang Tight, R Santana Jr., Jesus Romero, 125, 20/ 1
2 Deputy Connect, F Prat, Brad Cox, 125, 3/ 1
3 Inspeightoftrainer, J Lezcano, Linda Rice, 120, 12/ 1
4 Paddington, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 120, 9/ 5
5 Ice Road, I Ortiz Jr., Jose Francisco D’Angelo, 123, 4/ 1
6 Centavo, D Davis, Naipaul Chatterpaul, 125, 8/ 1
7 What’s Up Doc, J.A Torres, Norman Cash, 120, 7/ 2
3rd -$88,000, Maiden Special Weight, 3-Year Old Maidens, Fillies, and Mares, Five and One Half Furlongs (Turf)
#1/1A BOND RACING ENTRY (3/1): Two seemingly capable maidens — one with 10 futile starts under her belt while the other hits the Mellon Turf for the first time — both of which could pop for this win. Torres and the younger Ortiz brother should get the most out of their respective mounts. Ortiz’s was $365k at the OBS Sale in April 2021. #5 HEALDSBURG (3/1): Chad Brown sends out this 4-year-old daughter of Candy Ride with Prat aboard looking to shoot out of the gate and wire the field, a running style most Brown runners don’t often use. #4 VOLEUSE (4/1): Clement switches it up to Irad trying to break through on this Runhappy filly’s eighth try. It’s not out of reach. To be considered.
1 Bussia, J.L Ortiz, James Bond, 119, 7/ 2
1A Cerretta, J.A Torres, James Bond, 119, 7/ 2
2 Spooky Lady, K Carmouche, Rudy Rodriguez, 124, 4/ 1
3 Lady Fortuna, E Cancel, Lyah Gyarmati, 119, 15/ 1
4 Voleuse, I Ortiz Jr., Christophe Clement, 124, 4/ 1
5 Healdsburg, F Prat, Chad Brown, 124, 3/ 1
6 Admire My Crown, K Davis, Raymond Handal, 124, 15/ 1
7 Strictly Taboo, D Davis, Christophe Clement, 119, 9/ 2
8 Shaman Princess, M Franco, Rudy Rodriguez, 119, 10/ 1
9 Be Best, Rider TBA, John Terranova II, 119, 7/ 2
4th-$45,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-Year Olds and Up, One Mile
#1 CHILENO (2/1): Linda Rice and Ortiz team up yet again, and this one should be another tough one for foes in this spot. Only the second attempt off the claim for Rice — and the second with Jose aboard — and this tandem could keep their insane clip going; have won 8 together as of late. More on the way. #6 INSPECTOR (4/1): Still searching for that first true win, this gelding broke his maiden by DQ with Jose Ortiz in the reins. Jose Lezcano hasn’t been able to do much; connections made the switch to Carmouche. A mile from the shoot could serve him well. #3 HUSBAND MATERIAL (9/2): Toner sends out Irad Ortiz aboard a journeyman son of American Pharoah. Has some nice works and could be ready for a breakout vs. a game field. Dirt isn’t always Toner’s strong suit, but this one is asking for it. Thankfully JT knows his horses.
1 Chileno, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 123, 2/ 1
2 Yono, R Santana Jr., Jeff Hiles, 123, 10/ 1
3 Husband Material, I Ortiz Jr., James Toner, 123, 9/ 2
4 Break the Ice, D Davis, Mark Hennig, 120, 15/ 1
5 Boys Code, J.A Davis, Linda Dixon, 120, 20/ 1
6 Inspector, K Carmouche, Steven Asmussen, 120, 4/ 1
7 Achilles Heel, M Franco, Rudy Rodriguez, 123, 6/ 1
8 Winning Connection, T McCarthy, Patrick Reynolds, 120, 5/ 1
9 Strong Light, E Cancel, William Younghands, 123, 20/ 1
5th-$149,500, 3-Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares, Seven Furlongs
#1 UNDERVALUED ASSET (2/1): 3-year-old daughter of Speightstown already has graded-stakes experience, and a second-place finish in a Grade 3 earlier this year at Gulfstream. Her last time out was among the highest lifetime Beyers in this race; recency of that race supports this one for Klaravich and Brown. #8 ZEITLOS (5/1): Stonestreet-bred and owned baby of Curlin goes out for Asmussen after a strong maiden-break by more than three lengths. Geroux is an excellent addition in this spot with this team. Must use. #6 HUNTRESS FOR HIRE (3/1): If Jose Ortiz gets a race like her first or third (last time out) race out of this one, she will certainly be tough to beat. She may prefer an inside post but there’s plenty of time to make a move and finish right where she wants. Looking for second-straight. Can surely succeed.
1 Undervalued Asset, I Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown, 120, 2/ 1
2 Cupid’s Heart, F Prat, Bruce Levine, 124, 4/ 1
3 Dear Lady, J.R Leparoux, Kenneth McPeek 120, 5/ 1
4 Vienna Code, E Cancel, Andrew Williams, 124, 30/ 1
5 To a T, M Franco, Orlando Noda, 124, 12/ 1
6 Huntress for Hire, J.L Ortiz, Albert Stall Jr., 120, 3/ 1
7 Mia Bea Star, J.A Torres, Randi Persaud, 119, 20/ 1
8 Zeitlos, F Geroux, Steven Asmussen, 120, 5/ 1
6th-$200,000, Caress Stakes (Grade 3), 4-Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares, Five and One Half Furlongs (Turf)
#2 BUBBLE ROCK (2/1): Cox replaces Rosario, who was nosed last time out in a Grade 3 at Belmont, for Prat. She’s won, then placed, then won, then placed; so, the pattern is in the right place. Hard to argue the switch, too, regardless of what prompted it. Game on. #3 ROSES FOR DEBRA (9/5): One of the strongest from the Clement turf sprinters and adds Irad Ortiz in place of Rosario. Another smart pilot switch; could easily best the field with the right trip. #4 POPPY FLOWER (3/1): Most recently beat top pick BUBBLE ROCK by a nose in Grade 3 at BEL, this filly has plenty more to show, too. She gets Jose Ortiz back — he’s familiar — and this horse has as good of a chance as any in here.
1 Our Flash Drive, D Davis, Mark Casse, 124, 7/ 2
2 Bubble Rock, F Prat, Brad Cox, 124, 2/ 1
3 Roses for Debra, I Ortiz Jr., Christophe Clement, 120, 9/ 5
4 Poppy Flower, J.L Ortiz, William Mott, 124, 3/ 1
5 Wakanaka, J Alvarado, William Mott, 124, 8/ 1
6 Bank On Anna, J. Lezcano, Phillip Serpe, 118, 4/ 1
7th-$136,500, Maiden Special Weight, 2-Year Old Maidens, Six Furlongs
#9 PROTECTIVE (8/1): Juicy odds for a Repole-Pletcher-Ortiz team that have gotten the job done with far less. Quarter-million-dollar purchase with modest workouts has been getting acclimated with the Saratoga surface over the last few months. Sire had plenty of success in breeding shed and his juvenile offspring win at a 12% rate. His dam, Grace Hall, also won a Grade 1 at Saratoga in addition to other route dirt races. Could be nice value at post time. #7 DIVE BOMBER (5/1): Cox and Geroux team up on this $400k 2-year-old by Omaha Beach, a sire who is 4-for-9 with first-time starters. His dam was successful early in her career, too; she won her first two starts, one of which was a Grade 3. Cox is 3-for-18 with 2-year-olds making their debut at Saratoga (17% with $2.46 ROI). #1 DAILY GRIND (15/1): Yet to hit the race track but, with the $1.35 million price tag, debuting at these odds was probably not expected. Nonetheless, this Medaglia d’Oro baby has some nice works over the Churchill dirt before he headed up to The Spa earlier this month. Big value if comes out on top.
1 Society Man, M Franco, Danny Gargan, 119, 15/ 1
1A Hamilton’s Way, D Davis, Raymond Handal, 119, 15/ 1
2 Daily Grind, K Carmouche, Wayne Lukas, 119, 15/ 1
3 General Partner, F Prat, Chad Brown, 119, 9/ 2
4 Dancing Groom, E Cancel, Antonio Sano, 119, 30/ 1
5 Valentine Candy, R Santana Jr., Steven Asmussen, 119, 3/ 1
6 Annointed, J.L Ortiz, Todd Pletcher, 119, 4/ 1
7 Dive Bomber, F Geroux, Brad Cox, 119, 5/ 1
8 World Fair, J.R Leparoux, Ron Moquett, 119, 6/ 1
9 Protective, I Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher, 119, 8/ 1
10 Trucker, J Alvarado, William Mott, 119, 15/ 1
11 Ascendance, M Franco, Brendan Russell, 119, 20/ 1
8th-$149,500, Allowance Optional Claiming, $62,500, 3-Year Olds, One and One Sixteenth Miles (Turf)
#1/1A CHAD BROWN ENTRY (6/5): One half of the entry has graded stakes experience, the other has two nice victories overseas before being gelded and sent to America. He’ll be getting Lasix for the first since since that surgery, both which should help him keep his eyes on the prize. #8 MERCANTE (10-1): Mott and Alvarado team up yet again after a series of game efforts by two different but capable jockeys aboard this son of Gun Runner. This could be his best performance yet. Supreme value. #2 ANTARES (6/1): Dylan Davis will guide this one home for William Morey in the son of American Pharoah’s first race since leaving the Wesley Ward barn. Morey found a great spot for the horse who very well may stay around 6-1 come post time. More value.
1 I’m Very Busy, F Prat, Chad Brown, 122, 6/ 5
1A Grand Giomar Step, I Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown, 122, 6/ 5
2 Antares, D Davis, William Morey, 120, 6/ 1
3 Taking Candy, J Lezcano, Cherie DeVaux, 122, 8/ 1
4 Scramble, J.R Leparoux, Barclay Tagg, 122, 8/ 1
5 Fearless Soldier, R Santana Jr., Todd Pletcher, 120, 6/ 1
6 Heathguard, F Geroux, Roy Lerman, 122, 15/ 1
7 Wico, J.L Ortiz, William Ward, 122, 10/ 1
8 Mercante, J Alvarado, William Mott, 122, 10/ 1
9 Harrington, K Carmouche, Nader Moubarak, 122, 15/ 1
10 Winters Lion, Rider TBA, Joe Sharp, 122, 2/ 1
11 Notah, Rider TBA, John Terranova II, 120, 8/ 1
12 Midnight Trouble, T McCarthy, Peter Walder, 122, 6/ 1
9th-$500,000, Coaching Club American Oaks Stakes (Grade 1), 3-Year Old Fillies, One and One Eighth Miles
#4 GAMBLING GIRL (5/2): She’s been on the cusp for every one of her races this year — and even some from last year — and Pletcher and Repole are hoping this is the blacktype win she’s been looking for. Tough, salty field; she’ll rise to the occasion. #2 WET PAINT (2/1): Godolphin’s 3-year-old daughter of Blame has already won a couple of Grade 3s, and this is the logical next step. Could easily finish ahead of the rest; Cox and Prat take no prisoners. #3 SACRED WISH (10/1): Manny Franco replaces the veteran Johnny V on this one, and the change could work out for George Weaver’s bright-futured filly. Rain won’t bother her and hopefully she takes to the distance on her second attempt.
1 Southlawn, F Geroux, Norm Casse, 121, 9/ 2
2 Wet Paint, F Prat, Brad Cox, 121, 2/ 1
3 Sacred Wish, M Franco, George Weaver, 121, 10/ 1
4 Gambling Girl, I Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher, 121, 5/ 2
5 Hossier Philly, E Morales, Thomas Amoss, 121, 5/ 2
6 She’s Lookin Lucky, K Carmouche, Matt Shirer, 121, 10/ 1
10th-$149,500, Allowance, 3-Year Olds and Up, Six Furlongs
#2 TALKIN PHAROAH (10/1): Rice and Ortiz link up again with a classy son of American Pharoah looking for his third in a row. Rice seems to have what it takes to get this one comfortable; she hasn’t lost with him since taking over. #8 ACCRETIVE (8/5): He’s loaded with class, arguably the best jockey at the meet, and he’s got a decent bloodline. Oh, yeah; his trainer is decent too. The works show us more about this one who has already has shown a lot of promise. #9A LA CARTE (8/1): Toss out his last grass race and there’s not much to dislike. He was on his way up the ranks before Mott switched him up for some reason. Still, that barn and that championship sire should never be ignored completely. I like the above two as winners, though.
1 Bourbon Bash, K Carmouche, Wayne Lukas, 120, 15/ 1
2 Talkin Pharoah, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 118, 10/ 1
3 What’s Up Bro, J Lezcano, Robert Klesaris, 120, 20/ 1
4 Victorious Wave, M Franco, Chris Englehart, 124, 15/ 1
5 Bezos, E Cancel, Chandradhat, Goberdhan, 124, 50/ 1
6 Daufuskie Island, T McCarthy, Rudy Rodriguez, 124, 2/ 1
7 Who Hoo Thats Me, D Davis, Jorge Abreu, 124, 5/ 1
8 Accretive, I Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown, 124, 8/ 5
9 A La Carte, J Alvarado, William Mott, 124, 8/ 1
11th-$60,000, Claiming $25,000, 4-Year Olds and Up, Six Furlongs
#1/1A RICE ENTRY (7/2): A familiar name in the program in a common place to see her horses: This Robert Bruno-owned tandem brings it from all angles, including at least one standout jockey. Jose Ortiz is named on both of them; one will likely scratch before post time. Both dangerous. #4 JUST CALL RAY (8/1): Santana replaces Corey Lanerie in the reins as this 4-year-old gray takes on a new track and distance. He’s won more races this year than any other time in his life. May be clicking at perfect time. #10 STEINBECK (15/1): Norman Cash sends this $650k Frosted gelding in to SAR after stopping at what seems like every race track on the Eastern Seaboard since last year. He’s 0-for-2 at The Spa so far, but surely is fond of the distance. Include at price. He “don’t have to be perfect, (but he) can be good.”
1 Catchyasoon, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 120, 7/ 2
1A Flint Ridge, J.L Ortiz, Linda Rice, 123, 7/ 2
2 Bronx Bomber, E Cancel, Mertkan Kantarmci, 118, 30/ 1
3 Where Paradise Lay, T McCarthy, William Downing, 118, 10/ 1
4 Just Call Ray, R Santana Jr., Jeff Hiles, 120, 8/ 1
5 Air Show, J Alvarado, Rudy Rodriguez, 120, 15/ 1
6 Seven Nation Army, I Ortiz Jr., Robertino Diodoro, 118, 4/ 1
7 Senor Jobim, M Franco, David Jacobson, 118, 8/ 1
8 Digital Future, D Davis, Raymond Handal, 120, 8/ 1
9 Prince James, J Lezcano, Gustavo Rodriguez, 118, 15/ 1
10 Steinbeck, J.A Torres, Norman Cash, 115, 15/ 1
11 Saint Selby, K Carmouche, Rob Atras, 118, 15/ 1
12 Scilly Cay, F Prat, Patrick Reynolds, 118, 6/ 1
