Nest, Secret Oath Renew Rivialry at Saratoga in the Alabama

Saratoga always has quality racing. However, Saturday’s Alabama will see the rematch of two superstars. Secret Oath and Nest have split their grade 1 matches this year.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 12:30 PM ET; $52k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 7

• #6 STREET VENDOR (5-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #2 SEBARAY (7-2) could get the right setup in this race.
• #4 FLOKI'S FLIGHT (2-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 FAZARO (12-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 4 – 1

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:04 PM ET; $35k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 HOLIDAY JAZZ (5-2) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 SPOOKY ROAD (3-1) goes out for the combination of Maker and Saez.
• #5 STARSHIP PRECIOUS (5-1) looks like a fringe win contender here.
• #6 U CANT HANDLE THIS (3-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 5 – 6

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 FAVORITE OUTLAW (7-5) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #2 RYAN'S CAT (6-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #3 PEACEFUL WATERS (9-5) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #1 RISK PROFILE (6-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:11 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 8

• #1 ROAD TO REMEMBER (5-1) comes into the race in really good form.
• #6 ARD MACHA (9-2) makes sense on speed figures.
• #3 MY CARA MIA MINE (3-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #5 SHINFULL (7-2) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 3 – 5

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 2:45 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #1 COACH PETRO (3-1) should improve off the first start and could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #6 ACTIVIST INVESTING (5-2) should improve 2nd time out and goes out for Brown and Ortiz.
• #5 RARIFIED FLAIR (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. This one is experienced which helps.
• #8 J'ADORO (12-1) is a price horse. After the top 3 choices it is a bit of a dart board race. The value in this one seems right.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 5 – 8

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:18 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 9

• #1A BEST IDEA (1-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #6 DANGEROUS EDGE (9-2) may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #5 DR. BLUTE (8-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 WIN FOR GOLD (1-1) is the less fancied part of the entry, but worth a look as bettors get 2 horses for the price of 1.

Selections: 1A- 6 – 5 – 1

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 3:52 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #3 SUMMONYOURCOURAGE (9-2) goes out for the Pletcher barn and gets Saez in the irons.
• #5 ECHO AGAIN (9-5) debuts here for the Asmussen barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #4 BAT FLIP (6-1) should improve off the first start for Todd Pletcher.
• #8 CLASSIC LEGACY (10-1) is a price horse that is a little interesting to hit the board. This one doesn’t feel like a win candidate.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 8

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 4:26 PM ET; $200k Lake Placid S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #1 WITH THE MOONLIGHT (9-5) is the top pick. She has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 CONSUMER SPENDING (7-2) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 HAUGHTY (9-2) comes into the race in solid form.
• #5 DOLCE ZEL (6-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 6 – 5

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:02 PM ET; $150k Smart N Fancy S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #5 TOO SEXY (5-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #6 MISS J MCKAY (4-1) makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 ILLEGAL SMILE (8-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #9 CARAVEL (4-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 7 – 9

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 5:35 PM ET; $600k Alabama S. going 1 1/4 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 NEST (1-2) comes off an impressive victory in the CCA Oaks. She was also ultra impressive in the Belmont Stakes against boys before that. It is hers to lose. A win here likely cinches the Eclipse Award.
• #3 GERRYMANDER (7-2) has beaten Nest, but you have to go back a ways. She does seem to be getting better at the right time.
• #7 SECRET OATH (4-1) won the Kentucky Oaks, but hasn’t been quite the same since taking on the boys in the Preakness. She’s a cool horse, but it feels like she peaked in the Oaks and others are catching up now.
• #5 NOSTALGIC (12-1) is one of my favorite kinds of horses. She’s super talented and is only 12-1 because of the quality at the top of this race. Bill Mott admitted they’re running to hit the board here, but that can make this one dangerous if one of the top 3 goes for the throat and fails.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 7 – 5

Saratoga- Race 11

Post: 6:07 PM ET; $50k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #12 BOX N SCORE (5-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #7 AVIANO (3-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #4 WICKED FAST (7-2) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #6 SARATOGA FLASH (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 12- 7 – 4 – 6

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