Hopeful Final Saratoga Stakes: Labor Day Analysis, Selections

The Saratoga meet wraps on Labor Day. The Hopeful will be the final stakes race of the meet. Gulfport returns as the race favorite after running behind Damon’s Mound last out.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 12:35 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #15 SOUFFLE (9-5) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection.
• #14 MOONAGE DAYDREAM (7-2) has a debut that makes her worth a look.
• #13 SHOWEMYOURHEELS (5-2) hit the board in the first start and could improve a bit to be a factor.
• #11 SLOW DOWN SUMMER (6-1) has a race under the belt, but seems a cut below the top of this field. If the outside runners scratch this one could be a major player.

Selections: 15- 14- 13- 11

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:08 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #6 BLAME IT ON DADDY (2-1) was really good first out and should step forward here.
• #1 MR. MARLIN (5-2) is well bred for this spot and makes the 2nd start.
• #3 UNCLE MARTY (6-1) has a debut figure that fits this condition.
• #7 IMPRESSOR (8-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 7

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 1:43 PM ET; $200k Bernard Baruch H. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 6

• #2 MOUILLAGE (2-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 CITY MAN (8-5) has the top overall power rating in the group and comes into the race in really good form.
• #6 EMARAATY (6-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 DYNADRIVE (6-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 6 – 3

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:16 PM ET; $50k Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 15

• #3 CROWDING OUT (1-1) gets the top selection. She has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 SMOKIN' HOT KITTY (6-1) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #2 UNION DOLLY (9-2) goes out for the Handal barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #12 SILKEN DOLLAR (8-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 12

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 2:47 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 BACKYARD MONEY (9-5) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 SHE CAUGHT MY EYE (3-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 AIDANIKE (7-2) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #3 DAILY BRIEFING (8-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 5 – 3

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:20 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 14

• #6 WATERVILLE (9-2) seems to really relish this distance.
• #1 WHATLOVELOOKSLIKE (7-2) makes sense on speed figures.
• #10 RUSSIARUSSIARUSSIA (9-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz.
• #2 NEW GINYA (4-1) has the stamina to get the distance.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 10- 2

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 3:53 PM US/EASTERN; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #4 ULUMALU (15-1) has experience and really solid pedigree. The 15-1 makes this one an overlay.
• #3 ARCTIC ARROGANCE (5-2) debuts here and is clearly a buzz horse based on the morning line.
• #8 SOUNDS SPOOKY (3-1) debuts for Todd Pletcher.
• #10 RADIO RED (5-1) has a pedigree that wouldn’t make this one a total shocker to win at first asking.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 8 – 10

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 4:27 PM ET; $80k Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 BAL HARBOUR (8-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #1 GENTLEMAN JOE (7-2) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 NIGHT OPS (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 AIR ATTACK (4-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 9 – 1 – 3 – 2

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:01 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #1 DIGITAL SOFTWARE (3-1) has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz.
• #2 RECKLESS SPIRIT (4-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 RALLY SQUIRREL (10-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #10 I AM THE LAW (20-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 10

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 5:37 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 10

• #3 JANE GREY (9-2) could get the right setup in this race.
• #5 SHALIMAR GARDENS (3-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 COCKTAIL MOMENTS (5-1) has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 BIG CITY MOMMA (12-1) is a price horse and may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 6

Saratoga- Race 11

Post: 6:11 PM ET; $300k Hopeful S. going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 GULFPORT (9-5) is the top pick. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #5 MO STRIKE (5-2) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 FORTE (3-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #3 BOURBON BASH (6-1) comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 2 – 3

Saratoga- Race 12

Post: 6:45 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #11 SUE ELLEN MISHKIN (6-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #2 TOSCONOVA BEAUTY (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #1 CUPID'S HEART (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. She shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.
• #9 TELLAPERFECTTALE (10-1) is a price horse and has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 11- 2 – 1 – 9

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