Saratoga Honors Legend Fourstardave: Saturday Picks

Saturday’s Saratoga card features a grade 1 tribute to a legend. The Fourstardave is a Grade 1 event and will earn the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup.

The Fourstardave

Fourstardave, a legendary Thoroughbred, etched his name in Saratoga’s racing history with a remarkable career spanning from 1987 to 1994. Fondly known as the “Sultan of Saratoga,” he achieved the extraordinary feat of winning a race at the Saratoga Race Course for eight consecutive years.

Fan Favorite

His unmatched consistency and versatility made him a fan favorite, triumphing in sprints, miles, and turf races. He elevated himself to cult status after an impressive run in the Saratoga Special, a Grade 2 stakes race, elevated him to cult status.

Earning the label “Horse for Course”, his undeniable love for the Saratoga track earned him an enduring place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts and remains an iconic symbol of the Saratoga meet.

Hoping for Brighter Days

NYRA will be hoping for brighter days this weekend in many ways. First and foremost the track will hope that the rain continues to hold off as it has throughout much of the racing week.

The course has taken heavy bouts of rain throughout the season which has left the course very soft. A prolonged period of blue skies should allow the track to dry out and make for more consistent footing for the horses running.

Dark Weekend

The horse racing world will also be hoping to see more metaphorical brighter days. Last week’s racing was marred by a pair of turf fatalities. Maple Leaf Mel was strides from a grade 1 victory when she took a bad step and suffered a catastrophic injury.

Just a day later Ever Summer also went down and had to be euthanized following a turf spill. The deaths of the horses left a sinking feeling in the hearts of racing fans. NYRA has been investigating the surface and has vowed to return to the grass only when the surfaces are safe for the equine athletes.

Full Card Analysis

Saratoga Race Course- 1

Post: 1:10 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 TALL PAUL (8-5) is expected to improve from the first start and gets the top selection. Anticipate him to be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has demonstrated an ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 APOLLO CODE (4-1) should also improve off the first start and is probably best to place underneath on most tickets. He has races good enough to challenge this group. Watch out for this one as a dangerous threat, possibly getting loose on the front end.
• #8 QUIET WISDOM (4-1) debuts here and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He is under the guidance of the Pletcher barn and will have Saez in the irons.
• #6 MAMA’S MIDDIE (7-2) should improve off the first start and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He shouldn’t encounter trouble with the distance. This one has displayed remarkable consistency in recent starts and appears ready to deliver a strong performance.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 8 – 6

Saratoga Race Course- 2

Post: 1:42 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 13

• #7 OCEAN MERMAID (8-5) should improve off the first start and claims the top pick. She should handle the distance well. This one could emerge as a dangerous threat, potentially getting loose on the front end.
• #8 GLACIAL POWER (10-1) is a price horse and seems destined for the minor placings in this contest.
• #2 REVELATORY (9-2) debuts here and appears to be running for the minor placings in this contest. Respected, as he’s under the guidance of the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #12 WORLD FAIR (8-1) should improve off the first start and seems destined for the minor placings in this contest. Watch out, as this one could pose a dangerous threat, potentially getting loose on the front end.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 2 – 12

Saratoga Race Course- 3

Post: 2:17 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 SA FORADADA (3-1) looks strongest here. She appears to fit well enough in this field. This one boasts the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 APRIL ANTICS (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has shown remarkable consistency in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance.
• #3 FREUDIAN (5-2) should also be competitive in this spot. She makes sense based on speed figures. This one has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #4 ICY REPLY (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She makes sense based on speed figures, and the distance shouldn’t trouble her.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 3 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- 4

Post: 2:48 PM ET; $64k Claiming going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 ONE GIANT LEAP (2-1) secures the top selection. He’s expected to sit in the second tier of runners, looking to time one well-timed run at the leaders. This one boasts the top overall power rating in the group.
• #2 THUNDERIAN (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has races good enough to challenge this group.
• #3 COMMERCE COMET (3-1) should also be competitive in this spot. He has shown races good enough to challenge this group. This one maintains consistently strong pace figures, which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #1 DANGEROUS RIDE (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. He seems to fit well enough in this field. This one runs evenly and looks to get a fair pace scenario.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- 5

Post: 3:20 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 RIDGEWOOD RUNNER (6-1) is expected to improve off the first start and claims the top pick. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one has displayed remarkable consistency in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance.
• #1 ELIMINATE (9-5) debuts here and could be a contender in this race. He has to be respected, going out with the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #5 DETERMINISTIC (5-1) debuts here and is probably best to place underneath on most tickets.
• #2 CHAPERONE (8-1) debuts here and is probably best to place underneath on most tickets.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 5 – 2

Saratoga Race Course- 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #9 MIM (8-1) appears strongest here. She makes sense based on speed figures. This one runs evenly and looks to get a fair pace scenario.
• #1A FOXY CARA (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could secure the victory here. This one seems to be the class of the field.
• #2 NOLITA (5-1) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. She will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could secure the victory here. This one makes sense based on speed figures.
• #10 SOUFFLE (8-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She is well bred for this race.

Selections: 9 – 1A – 2 – 10

Saratoga Race Course- 7

Post: 4:30 PM ET; $150k Galway S. going 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 15

• #8 LOVE REIGNS (5-2) secures the top selection. She shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #4 LOVE APPEALS (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She’s projected to sit mid-pack and make a strong late move. This one appears to fit well enough in this field.
• #11 REFLEXIVITY (15-1) is a price horse and isn’t without hope. She shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one enters the race in really good form.
• #10 MY SWEET AFFAIR (6-1) isn’t without hope. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has displayed remarkable consistency in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 11 – 10

Saratoga Race Course- 8

Post: 5:06 PM ET; $200k Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special S. going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 HAUL (3-1) is expected to improve from the first start and claims the top pick. He has races good enough to challenge this group. This one boasts the top overall power rating in the group.
• #6 RHYME SCHEMES (4-5) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense based on speed figures. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #5 EDIFIED (7-2) should improve from the first start and is probably best to place underneath on most tickets. He makes sense based on speed figures. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance.
• #1 LASSO (15-1) is a price horse and is probably best to place underneath on most tickets. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 5 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- 9

Post: 5:44 PM ET; $500k Fourstardave H. going 1 m on turf; Entries: 7

• #4 ANNAPOLIS (8-5) appears strongest here. He has to be respected, going out with the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #6 CASA CREED (7-5) appears to be a major player in this race. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance. This one has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 EMMANUEL (3-1) could be a contender in this race. He makes sense based on speed figures. This one runs evenly and looks to get a fair pace scenario.
• #7 ICE CHOCOLAT (8-1) is probably best to place underneath on most tickets. He seems to fit well enough in this field. This one has consistently strong pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 1 – 7

Saratoga Race Course- 10

Post: 6:17 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 10

• #6 CICCIOBELLO (9-2) claims the top selection. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance.
• #2 FORREST CITY (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. He should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #4 WHAT’S UP DOC (8-1) should also be competitive in this spot. He may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #7 CHILENO (12-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He looks to be the class of the field. This one projects to sit mid-pack and make a strong late move.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 4 – 7

Saratoga Race Course- 11

Post: 6:50 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 12

• #10 RHEAUME (6-1) is the top pick. She has races good enough to challenge this group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 WATERVILLE (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to deliver a strong performance.
• #6 SOLIB (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. She seems to fit well enough here. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #9 PHOTON (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 10- 2 – 6 – 9

More Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News has your weekend covered with full analysis off all the big races on Saturday. Check out our coverage of the Minnesota Oaks and Derby (Canterbury Park), the Grade 1 Beverly D and Arlington Million (Colonial Downs), and the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (Del Mar).