Saratoga Returns: Opening Day Analysis, Meet Preview

Saratoga Race Course, known as the "Graveyard of Champions," is set to open its doors for another thrilling season of horse racing. With a rich history spanning over a century, Saratoga is revered as one of the premier racecourses in the United States.

Major Races at Saratoga

Saratoga Race Course boasts an impressive lineup of prestigious races that draw top-quality horses and jockeys from around the country. Here are a few of the notable races to look forward to during the meet:

• Schuylerville Stakes: A $175,000 race for two-year-old fillies, showcasing promising young talent.
• Whitney Stakes: A Grade 1 race for three-year-olds and up, with a purse of $1 million, attracting some of the best older horses in the country.
• Alabama Stakes: A Grade 1 race for three-year-old fillies, offering a purse of $600,000 and often serving as a stepping stone towards the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
• Travers Stakes: Known as the "Mid-Summer Derby," this Grade 1 race for three-year-olds is a highlight of the Saratoga meet. With a rich history and a purse of $1.25 million, it attracts the cream of the crop.

Saratoga Track Bias

Understanding the track bias at Saratoga is crucial for handicappers and racing enthusiasts. Here's an overview of the track bias for the different racing surfaces:

Main Track- Dirt

Saratoga's dirt track is known for favoring horses with early speed. Often, being close to the pace and securing a favorable position on the inside rail can be advantageous. However, track conditions and weather can influence the track bias, so it's essential to stay updated with any changes.

Turf Courses-Inner and Mellon

Saratoga's turf courses tends to be more fair, especially the Mellon or outer turf course, and offers opportunities for closers. Horses with a strong closing kick and the ability to navigate the tight turns often find success on the turf. Monitoring the pace scenario and positioning can be crucial in turf races.

Top Saratoga Jockeys and Trainers

Jockeys

1. Irad Ortiz Jr. has been the leading jockey at Saratoga for the past five years, consistently securing multiple key victories. Some of his notable wins include the Travers Stakes, Alabama Stakes, Whitney Stakes, and Woodward Stakes. Ortiz Jr.'s success can be attributed to his exceptional riding skills, tactical awareness, and ability to make split-second decisions during races. He has a deep understanding of the Saratoga track and consistently positions his mounts for success.
2. Jose Ortiz, the brother of Irad Ortiz Jr., has also had a remarkable performance at Saratoga, securing numerous key victories. His notable wins include the Travers Stakes, Whitney Stakes, Alabama Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup.
   Jose's success can be attributed to his strategic race-riding style, strong connections with trainers, and ability to establish a rapport with his mounts. He can often be dangerous on front running types as he seems to harness speed well.
3. Joel Rosario has consistently performed well at Saratoga, including wins in the Whitney Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Travers Stakes, and Sword Dancer Invitational. Rosario's success can be attributed to his patient riding style, exceptional timing, and ability to make well-calculated moves during races. He excels at saving ground and finding the right moment to unleash his mounts' winning bursts.
4. John Velazquez has been a consistent presence among the top jockeys at Saratoga. The hall of fame rider has won several of the marquee events at the meet including the Travers Stakes, Sword Dancer Invitational, Alabama Stakes, and Hopeful Stakes.
5. Luis Saez has been one of the up and comers in recent years earning wins in the Alabama Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, and Forego Stakes. He is known for his aggressive riding style and his ability to bring out the best in his mounts during crucial moments of a race.

Trainers

1. Chad Brown has been the dominant trainer at Saratoga for the past five years, largely due to his success on the turf. His notable wins include the Travers Stakes, Whitney Stakes, Diana Stakes, and Woodward Stakes. You will frequently see his top runners jockey’s wearing the red and white of Klaravich stables or the two tone green of Peter Brandt.
2. Todd Pletcher has been one of the top trainers at “the spa” in recent years. His notable wins include the Travers Stakes, Alabama Stakes, Woodward Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Pletcher will look to debut his first round of Derby hopefuls at the meet in the deep 2 year old races.
3. Bill Mott has had great success in recent years during the meet capturing victories in the Woodward Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Sword Dancer Invitational, and Travers Stakes. He excels at developing older horses and maintaining their form and fitness throughout the demanding Saratoga meet.
4. Steve Asmussen is the winningest trainer in North America and has captured the Whitney Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Forego Stakes, and Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga in the last half decade.
5. Brad Cox has been the latest super trainer in upstate New York, and across the east coast, for that matter. His recent Saratoga victories include the Whitney Stakes, Alabama Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, and Hopeful Stakes.

Analysis of the Opening Race Card from Saratoga

Let's delve into the analysis of the opening race card, providing insights into the contenders and potential winners.

Full Card Selections

Saratoga Race Course- Race 1

Post: 1:10 PM ET; $149.5k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 BUSTIN BAY (5-2) is the top pick. Trainer Linda Rice and jockey Jose Ortiz are coming off titles from the Belmont Park meet.
• #1 VIRTUAL REALITY (3-1) should improve from her first start and be competitive based on her debut speed figure.
• #2 MIA BEA STAR (10-1) is a price horse who seems to fit well in this race.
• #4 HONEY MONEY (10-1) has been running against some really solid horses in recent tries. With tactical speed, she can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- Race 2

Post: 1:44 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #6 LADY MOSCATO (3-1) is the top selection. She has been solid in recent starts and shouldn't have trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance.
• #4 SOCA (6-1) debuts here and could be a fringe contender. Todd Pletcher is great with these young horses at Saratoga. The morning line isn’t the greatest sign of confidence.
• #9 HONEY DIJON (10-1) is a well-bred price horse who can be considered for underneath positions.
• #1 CLASSY MISCHIEF (20-1) is another longshot with solid breeding for this race.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 9 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- Race 3

Post: 2:20 PM ET; $50k Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #6 SARATOGA GAZE (9-2) gets the checkmark here. She has solid early pace figures in a race that lacks significant front running speed.
• #10 LA AGUILILLA (6-1) is another horse to respect, with Jacobson and Ortiz as her trainer-jockey combination.
• #4 SMOKIN' HOT KITTY (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race based on the company she’s been keeping of late.
• #5 MOSTLY HARMLESS (12-1) is the type of horse that could outrun her odds in this spot.

Selections: 6 – 10 – 4 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- Race 4

Post: 2:52 PM ET; $162.5k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #6 KALIFORNIA QUEEN (4-1) gets the top selection. She might benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 SISTER OTOOLE (6-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #3 POCA MUCHA (8-1) has a good closing kick and has proven her ability to handle these conditions.
• #4 STAR DEVINE (6-1) has been a good bet to hit the board in these turf routes. This race looks wide open and she could definitely be in the mix.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- Race 5

Post: 3:26 PM ET; $52k Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 11

• #4 OLLIEMYBOY (3-1) appears to be a major player with races good enough to beat this group.
• #6 PORTOS (5-2) is trained by Morley and ridden by Ortiz, he shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #9 TWO THIRTY FIVE (8-1) should be competitive based on speed figures and what projects to be a very reasonable pace scenario.
• #1A STYNER (10-1) who has speed figures to suggest he could be competitive in this group.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 9 – 1A

Saratoga Race Course- Race 6

Post: 4:00 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 12

• #2 RUNNINGWSCISSORS (8-5) gets the top pick here. He has races good enough to beat this group and fits well in this race.
• #6 YARROW (4-1) is a fringe contender who can make a late run. He may have to deal with some trouble being in the middle of the gate.
• #7 PHANTOM SMOKE (6-1) is a horse that feels like he has a shot here. Maybe he get the right setup in this spot.
• #10 RADIO RED (2-1) will get the outside draw here which can actually be an advantage in these short races where traffic can get very busy toward the inside rail.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 7 – 10

Saratoga Race Course- Race 7

Post: 4:34 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #1 INTO HAPPINESS (8-1) is the upset pick. She has the highest overall power rating in the group.
• #9 CONDIMENT GIRL (7-2) should be competitive based on speed figures and her role in the early part of the race.
• #5 SA FORADADA (4-1) should be respected with Dutrow and Ortiz as her trainer-jockey combination. She comes into the race in good form.
• #2 CARBON (12-1) has been solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 5 – 2

Saratoga Race Course- Race 8

Post: 5:10 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 14

• #4 MY SEA COTTAGE (7-2) gets the top pick. He should hit the board in this type of race and fits well in this race.
• #2 BORN A GAMBLER (6-1) could have a shot in this race and makes sense based on speed figures.
• #6 UNLEASH THE POWER (4-1) is a fringe contender with tactical speed.
• #5 KINGFISH STEVENS (5-1) looks to be the class of the field. He should make a well-timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 6 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- Race 9

Post: 5:44 PM ET; $175k Schuylerville S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #7 WINE ON TAP (5-2) gets the top pick in the opening day feature from Saratoga. She should improve from her first start and looks best here. She will likely be in the first flight of runners and have a chance to close late.
• #6 CLOSING ACT (10-1) is a price horse who appears to be a major player in this race. She should take a liking to the projected pace of the race.
• #4 STATUS SEEKER (12-1) is a price horse who may get a nice trip in this spot.
• #5 SARATOGA SECRET (4-1) should improve from her first start and be competitive. She was successful on debut and is likely to be better in this spot.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 4 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- Race 10

Post: 6:18 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #16 BERNING HONOR (4-1) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group and might benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 CHARISSE (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race and makes sense based on speed figures.
• #7 ARISAEMA (5-2) looks to be the class of the field and goes out for the Abreu barn with Prat in the irons.
• #11 PIMENOVA (8-1) should be competitive and part of the early pace. She seems to fit well enough in this race.