John’s Call Kicks Off Travers Week at Saratoga Race Course

The week of racing at Saratoga is building toward the Travers Stakes on Saturday. The Michael Walsh Novice and the John’s Call will kick off the week’s racing.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $75k Michael G. Walsh Novice S. going about 2 3/8 miles on hurdle; Entries: 7

• #4 PERFECT TAPATINO (6-1) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Young and Procter.
• #3 DECISIVE TRIUMPH (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #1 FREDDY FLINTSHIRE (5-2) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 FAST VISION (8-1) isn't without hope. He should be a part of the early pace scenario here.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 1 – 2

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 GAMBLING GIRL (1-1) is the top pick. She will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #1 SWEET BLUSH (9-2) debuts here and looks like a reasonable prospect. Breaking from the rail on debut is not preferred.
• #5 MADDIE'S GRACE (7-2) should improve off the first start and has hit the board at this distance before.
• #7 AUGUST BLOOM (5-1) debuts here and draws better than the #1. Maybe that is enough to push this one past that runner if you like a fresh face.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 5 – 7

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:13 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #4 BUILT TO LAST (1-1) looks best here. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #12 TOMMY GUN (9-5) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #13 FULL COMPLEMENT (5-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #5 SHARP SENSATION (5-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Kirby and Saez.

Selections: 4 – 12- 13- 5

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:49 PM ET; $64k Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 ZEN MASTER (3-1) gets the top selection and shouldn't have trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance.
• #3 CATHEDRAL BEACH (2-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one goes out for the Barker barn and gets Franco in the irons.
• #6 SILIPO (8-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #1 NEVER EARLY (6-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 6 – 1

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; $57k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 KINETIC SKY (8-5) is the top pick. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Franco.
• #5 RODERICK (9-5) looks to be the class of the field and has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 FORTY TWO ACE (8-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here.
• #3 GOOD CULTURE (5-1) is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 4 – 3

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #5 KING ANGELO (3-1) looks best here. He has the top overall power rating in the group
• #6 THIN WHITE DUKE (7-2) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #8 CALL ME HARRY (10-1) is a price horse and will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #3 UNDER OATH (6-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 8 – 3

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; $60k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• #8 THE PRINCE'S SPUR (8-5) has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Velazquez.
• #5 PROVEN HOPE (5-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He has faced some pretty good foes in the recent efforts.
• #9 DRAKON (6-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #6 GUT FEELING (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 9 – 6

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 5:05 PM ET; $60k Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 BOLDISH (3-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 LASTCHANCEATGLORY (9-5) should be competitive in this spot. He could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #5 LIL COMMISSIONER (4-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 MOUNT TRAVERS (6-1) isn't without hope. He has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 5 – 4

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; $135k John's Call S. going 1 5/8 miles on turf; Entries: 6

• #2 BLUEGRASS PARKWAY (3-1) looks best here. He looks to be the class of the field. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 SA'AD (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Brion and Ortiz.
• #3 TIDE OF THE SEA (2-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #4 OCEANS MAP (5-2) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 5/8 mile distance.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 3 – 4

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 15

• #5 STELLA MARS (5-1) gets the top selection. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #14 MAYBE LATER (5-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #11 DREAMFUL (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. She could get the right setup in this race.
• #3 MISS DELICIOUS (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. She may like the pace scenario ahead of her.

Selections: 5 – 14- 11- 3

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