Saratoga Thursday: P.G. Johnson Analysis Selections (9/1)

The P.G. Johnson takes top billing on Thursday at Saratoga. The race will be contested at a mile and 1/16th over the New York turf course and goes off as race 10.

Saratoga- Race 1

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

• #3 WHO'S COUNTING (6-1) gets the top selection. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #8 PERFECT TAPATINO (8-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Young and Procter.
• #5 DECISIVE TRIUMPH (5-1) goes out for the Beecher barn and gets Bargary in the irons.
• #2 FREDDY FLINTSHIRE (5-2) has races good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 5 – 2

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $52k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 BRONX BOMBER (2-1) is the top pick. He looks to be the class of the field.
• #1 RAGTIME BLUES (3-1) goes out for the Breen barn and gets Gomez in the irons. Jose Gomez has been overperforming all meet.
• #3 LOST IN ROME (6-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #4 LONG TERM THINKING (12-1) is a price horse and projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 3 – 4

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:13 PM ET; $83k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

• #4 SIRIUS LIGHT (2-1) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #6 INFLUENTIALOUS (5-1) comes into the race in really good form.
• #5 NUMERO SEIS (5-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 RUN FOR COVER (6-1) should improve off the first start and had a productive enough debut.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 5 – 7

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:49 PM ET; $125k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #4 VALUE ENGINEERING (9-5) gets the top selection. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 STREET READY (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #2 FLOP SHOT (4-1) comes into the race in really good form.
• #5 BYE BYE MELVIN (5-2) seems to fit well enough here. This one will likely be involved in the early pace.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 2 – 5

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 W W FITZY (2-1) is the top pick. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #3 SWEET WILLEMINA (4-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 BEES AND HONEY (9-5) relishes this extra distance and should be in with a shot.
• #1 LUCKY PERIDOT (6-1) looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 4 – 1

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 15

• #6 INFLATION NATION (2-1) should improve off the first start and looks best here. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #10 ANTARES (7-2) debuts here for Wesley Ward who calls on Ortiz to ride. That’s a positive signal.
• #1 CLUBHOUSE (10-1) goes out for the Pletcher barn and gets Prat in the irons. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #2 SIPPICAN SHOP (15-1) is a price horse that could outrun the odds in this spot.

Selections: 6 – 10- 1 – 2

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; $55k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #5 MAYBE LATER (6-1) goes out for the Rice barn and gets Lezcano in the irons. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #7 OUR JESSICA (12-1) is a price horse and has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #9 DREAM OF CHANGE (5-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #1A CLASSIC LYNNE (8-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 9 – 1A

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 5:03 PM ET; $64k Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 SHORT SUMMER DRESS (4-5) is the top pick. She seems a standout in this field.
• #2 ROSSA VELOCE (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She comes into the race in really good form.
• #3 INVALUABLE (7-2) should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Diodoro and Ortiz.
• #4 MELTING SNOW (5-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 12

• #2 GUSTIAMO (10-1) is a price horse and runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #11 COWICHAN (3-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Ward and Velazquez. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #3 STARS ON FIRE (5-1) debuts here and gets Jose Gomez in the irons for Wesley War who always has them ready to fire.
• #8 ILLICIT (4-1) should improve off the first start.

Selections: 2 – 11- 3 – 8

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $150k P. G. Johnson S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 9

• #6 BE YOUR BEST (7-5) should improve off the first start and may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #8 RECOGNIZE (8-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #1 LADY JASMINE (6-1) should improve off the first start and will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #3 PACHUCA (8-1) has earned competitive speed figures ahead of this race.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 1 – 3

Saratoga- Race 11

Post: 6:47 PM ET; $35k Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #8 POWER AGENDA (9-2) is the top pick. He has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #3 GOT THE GOLD (4-1) makes sense on speed figures.
• #10 LUCKY BRODY (6-1) isn't without hope. He goes out for the Noda barn and gets Franco in the irons.
• #1 MIDASWELLRUN (4-1)is an interesting prospect to be involved here.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 10- 1

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