Saratoga Friday: Handicap Stakes Trio Featured in New York

Saratoga features a trio of handicap stakes races on Friday. The Morrissey, the Union Avenue, and the Evan Shipman will all require horses to carry more or less weight depending on their accomplishments.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 11

• #1 IM JUST KIDDIN (7-5) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection as a threat to get loose on the front end.
• #6 KINGSLEY CREEK (8-1) should improve off the first start and could outrun the odds here.
• #2 IRISH EMPRESS (6-1) has solid early pace figures which should put her in the mix..
• #8 FRANKIE C (30-1) is a massive price who wouldn’t be a surprise to outrun the odds.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 2 – 8

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $60k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 RUN UP THE SCORE (9-5) is the top pick and has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #1 AWESOME ALLY VEE (6-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #5 DOLCE SERA (5-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #3 POUT (8-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 3

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:15 PM ET; $125k John Morrissey H. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 NY TRAFFIC (6-5) looks best here. He comes back on short rest, but has the back class to beat this group.
• #2 WUDDA U THINK NOW (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. This one has kept decent company in previous starts.
• #4 MY BOY TATE (3-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #1 SAINT SELBY (4-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 4 – 1

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:49 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 12

• #6 QUEEN OF LIES (7-2) should be part of the early pace in this spot and has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #4 LOLLYGAG (12-1) is a price horse and comes into the race in really good form.
• #2 CUPERE (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 LATEST EDITION (6-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 2 – 1

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; $52k Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 KHAFRE (5-2) is the top pick. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #8 ZUZUDINI (10-1) is a price horse and appears to be a major player in this race. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #7 SOUTHERN PASSAGE (4-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #1 ELOQUIST (8-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 4 – 8 – 7 – 1

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $125k Union Avenue H. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 SECRET LOVE (5-2) looks best here. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #1 SNICKET (9-2) comes into the race in really good form.
• #3 MASHNEE GIRL (3-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #4 BANK ON ANNA (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. This one makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 4

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; $115k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 11

• #10 SPICER (5-1) gets the top selection. She has figures that fit and appears to be in good form.
• #3 GAL IN A RUSH (4-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 AL QAHIRA (7-2) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 BRAVO KITTEN (10-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one could get the right setup in this race.

Selections: 10- 3 – 5 – 1

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 5:05 PM ET; $125k Evan Shipman H. going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 TIERGAN (5-2) is the top pick. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Morey and Ortiz. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #1 BANKIT (9-5) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #7 SEA FOAM (7-2) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 MARKET ALERT (8-1) isn't without hope. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 7 – 6

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 15

• #15 ROAD TO REMEMBER (4-1) looks best here. She goes out for the Lynch barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #1 SMOKIN' HOT KITTY (9-2) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #14 GRACEFULLY WILD (7-2) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #6 SARAH'S SPLENDOR (8-1) isn't without hope. She shouldn't have trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 15- 1 – 14- 6

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 16

• #11 SHE'S A MIA (5-2) gets the top selection. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #8 WHATLOVELOOKSLIKE (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #9 DUFRESNE (12-1) is a price horse and could be in with a shot in this race. This one goes out for the Trombetta barn and gets Velazquez in the irons.
• #6 CLASSIC LYNNE (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She could get the right setup in this race. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 11- 8 – 9 – 6

Daily Coverage

Betting News will continue bringing full card analysis from each and every race day at Saratoga as well as stakes action from around North America.