Saratoga Builds to Travers with Massive Multi-Stakes Friday Card

The biggest weekend at Saratoga is upon us. The Travers Stakes takes place on Saturday, but Friday provides a heck of a lead in card.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $200k Seeking the Ante S. going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 5

• #3 MAPLE LEAF MEL (4-5) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. The morning line backs up the confidence.
• #5 MIRACLE (2-1) should be better 2nd out and had a really productive debut. This one is the logical second choice.
• #1 SONG PARODY (7-2) put up a decent speed figure on debut. This one should be in the mix with any improvement at all.
• #2 LES BON TEMPS (8-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 2

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #3 PHOTON (2-1) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #1A VOLEUSE (9-5) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #1 KANT HURRY LOVE (9-5) goes out for the Clement barn and gets Franco in the irons. She is one of two for Christophe Clement but seems to have gotten the 2nd call jockey.
• #4 FUNNY HOW (3-1) should improve off the first start and has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 3 – 1A- 1 – 4

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:15 PM ET; $250k Albany S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 5

• #4 BARESE (8-5) looks best here. He may get the absolute dream setup in front of him.
• #1 PRICE DISCIPLINE (7-5) has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Prat.
• #3 MONTEBELLO (5-2) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #5 BOSSMAKINBOSSMOVES (8-1) may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 3 – 5

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:47 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #4 CHULLIGAN (8-5) debuts here and gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Clement and Rosario.
• #1 SHORTSINTHEWINTER (20-1) is a price horse and could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #10 WITH KNOW NAME (10-1) is in solid form and goes out for Maker who seems to be heating up a bit.
• #3 BOSS JIM (5-1) should improve off the first start and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. The debut speed number was solid.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 10- 3

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; $200k Fleet Indian S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 5

• #2 FINGAL'S CAVE (4-5) is the top pick. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 VENTI VALENTINE (9-5) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #1 LET HER INSPIRE U (4-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #4 GALAXINA (8-1) seems to fit well enough here at a fair price.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 1 – 4

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #9 TIS A PITY (9-2) looks best here. She looks to be the class of the field.
• #10 U SHOULD B DANCING (4-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #13 SINFULLY SWEET (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #7 LISA'S VISION (7-2) goes out for the Abreu barn and gets Ortiz in the irons.

Selections: 9 – 10- 13- 7

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; $200k Funny Cide S. Presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 ANDIAMO A FIRENZE (4-5) gets the top selection. He comes into the race in really good form.
• #1 ACOUSTIC AVE (5-2) should improve off the first start and could be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #4 DONEGAL SURGES (4-1) will likely step forward 2nd time out which could put him in the mix.
• #2 I'M WIDE AWAKE (8-1) is an interesting fringe contender for value purposes.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 4 – 2

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 5:03 PM ET; $200k Yaddo H. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 12

• #7 MARVELOUS MAUDE (3-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz.
• #10 CLASSIC LADY (5-1) makes sense on speed figures at a decent price.
• #5 RUNAWAY RUMOUR (5-1) will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #11 FINEST WORK (8-1) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run. This one makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 7 – 10- 5 – 11

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #3 KEY POINT (2-1) looks best here. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 PERFECT MUNNINGS (12-1) runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #6 BIG BOBBY (12-1) is a price horse and projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #2 LISTENTOYOURHEART (10-1) seems to fit well enough here at a very fair tote number.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 6 – 2

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $200k West Point S. Presented by Trustco Bank going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #3 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN (7-2) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one needs to get back to his early running style.
• #1 THERAPIST (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #7 CROSS BORDER (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 CITY MAN (8-5) has kept really good company and draws well enough to be a player here.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 7 – 5

Saratoga- Race 11

Post: 6:47 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 11

• #9 YOUR MISSION (5-2) is the top pick. He has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #3 DRESSEDFORTHEFIFTH (5-1) should improve off the first start and has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #11 ADDICTED TO YOU (9-2) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #2 ON PALM SUNDAY (4-1) runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 11- 2

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