Saratoga Thursday: Don’t Sleep on Derrynane in the Galway

Much of the Thursday card at Saratoga looks very formful. A well timed diversion from the public could be the key to unlocking big scores. The Galway stakes may offer that chance.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 CATCHING CUPID (5-2) gets the top selection and is well bred for this spot. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #4 PATRICK THE GREAT (4-1) seems to fit well enough here.
• #5 SALT CAY (9-5) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #3 SENSIBLECONCLUSION (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot with Castellano in the saddle. He’s been riding in top form.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 5 – 3

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $64k Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

• #3 OLIVE KAT (9-5) is the top pick with solid early pace figures in a race that should be controlled on the front.
• #9 INVALUABLE (8-5) appears to be a major player in this race with the top overall power rating in the group.
• #6 WEEKEND FUN (8-1) will try to get forward but may not have the same kick home as the others.
• #4 VIOLENT POINT (6-1) is well drawn to the middle inside and could work out a decent trip.

Selections: 3 – 9 – 6 – 4

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:15 PM ET; $45k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 DAME CINCO (6-5) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 BELARUS (5-1) could be in with a shot in this race and makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 PREPOSTEROUS (7-2) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 CLARA BELLE (4-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Maker and Ortiz.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 3

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:49 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 11

• #7 STRAW INTO GOLD (3-1) goes out for the combination of Clement and Rosario.
• #2 BARRAGE (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #3 RUSE (3-1) could get the right setup in this race.
• #1 GHOST GIANT (5-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 3 – 1

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #10 MR. CONNECTICUT (8-5) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group and tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #11 URAGANO (4-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #13 LOOKIN GRAND (8-1) is well bred for this spot.
• #3 ADDICTED TO YOU (6-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race

Selections: 10- 11- 13- 3

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #4 CURLY LARRY AND MO (4-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #9 MAMA'S GOLD (6-1) debuts here for Mike Maker and Javier Castellano.
• #6 DONEGAL SURGES (4-1) makes the first start for the Pletcher barn and gets Ortiz in the irons.
• #1 STORM THE EMPIRE (10-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets with Flavien Prat in the irons.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 6 – 1

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; $72k Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #8 WINTER POOL (7-2) gets the top selection and will be rolling late with a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #7 GRUMPS LITTLE TOTS (9-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #4 KERSHAW (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be the class of the field.
• #1 AIR ATTACK (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here and has run races that would win here.

Selections: 8 – 7 – 4 – 1

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 5:05 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 H. T. XENA (9-2) is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 BELLA PRINCIPESSA (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 LEN LO LADY (6-1) makes sense on speed figures.
• #3 BACKYARD MONEY (3-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 4 – 3

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; $150k Galway S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 12

• #10 DERRYNANE (5-1) looks best here. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. Clement and Rosario team up here and all signs point to upset.
• #7 EMPRESS TIGRESS (5-2) comes into the race in good form, but the field is so deep that taking a short price isn’t terribly appealing.
• #1 POPPY FLOWER (5-1) has been keeping good company. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #8 MAKIN MY MOVE (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She makes sense on speed figures and may go off as the best value play in the race.

Selections: 10- 7 – 1 – 8

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 13

• #9 JOCOSITY (4-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. This one goes out for the Mott barn and gets Ortiz in the irons.
• #10 BAVARIAN CREME (8-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #101 ARISAEMA (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She makes sense on speed figures.
• #12 SARATOGA CHROME (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.

Selections: 9 – 10- 10- 12

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