Saratoga Picks: 2024 Union Avenue Handicap

The racing action from Saratoga Race Course on Friday features the Union Avenue Handicap. @HandicappingT3 has all the Saratoga Race Course picks for the entire card!

Full Card Analysis

Bet all of today’s selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:10 PM ET; Claiming $60k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #7 PRETTI XTREME (2-1): Best bet of the card. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Bet today’s best bet with industry leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #6 TRADE SECRET (6-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #3 OBRIGADA (5-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Has experience at this level.
• #2 APRIL ANTICS (10-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Jockey is having a great meet.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 3 – 2

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:41 PM ET; Skidmore Stakes $150k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.

• #3 GOVERNOR SAM (7-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #2 OUT ON BAIL (6-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #1 JET SWEEP JOE (5-1): Contender. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 CLASSIC TIME (12-1): Underneath. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 4

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:13 PM ET; Allowance $95k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 TOSCANO (3-1): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #2 FAST BUCK FREDDY (4-1): Contender. Rider is in the upper tier of the colony. Seems to be up against the right competition.
• #6 BOSS TWEED (6-1): Contender. Has experience at this level.
• #5 BROWN EYED CAT (4-1): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 6 – 5

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:45 PM ET; Claiming $45k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #5 WHISKEY N SODA (2-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 85 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Favorable class relief in this spot.
• #3 ANDY CANT (5-1): Contender. Likely to get forward position. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #2 REFUAH (6-1): Worth a look. Has been running well enough recently. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 FRIZZANTE (9-2): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 2 – 6

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:17 PM ET; Claiming $60k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #4 SIZZLE (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today’s live longshot on BetOnline.
• #7 FROM HELLO (8-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #10 SACRED IMAGE (5-2): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Having this jockey up can only help the chances.
• #6 EVIE DOES IT (8-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 10 – 6

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:49 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $45k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #6 BRACA (4-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
• #3 DUNEDIN CAUSEWAY (8-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Good race flow for this runner.
• #1 MAMA’S MIDDIE (9-5): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #8 DISCO DANCER (8-1): Contender. Gets one of the best jockeys at the meet with Gaffalione. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 1 – 8

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:23 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $90k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #7 PAY THE JUICE (9-5): Top pick. Should improve off the debut. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #3 ARMY PROUD (5-1): Major Player. Gets a top-notch pilot in Gaffalione. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #1A CALVIN’S RIDE (6-1): Underneath. Having this jockey up can only help the chances. Previous success in similar race types.
• #11 BOLD FORTUNE (3-1): Underneath. Jockey is having a great meet. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 1A – 11

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:59 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $115k; 1 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #2 BREATH AWAY (9-2): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #3 ALLAMERICANBEAUTY (15-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner.
• #1 TAX IMPLICATIONS (6-5): Major Player. Having this jockey up can only help the chances. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 SWOOP TO FINISH (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 4

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:35 PM ET; Union Avenue Handicap $125k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #7 LEELOO (6-5): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Looks good based on the 90 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #4 TRICKY TEMPER (4-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #2 SECURITY CODE (8-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. May be able to find the right setup.
• #1 CARA’S TIME (7-2): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 2 – 1

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 6:09 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $110k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #9 VINO ROUGE (9-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 88 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #1 DANCING DEAN (4-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #2 GOA (7-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #10 MIXOLOGIST (5-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 9 – 1 – 2 – 10

Saratoga Race Course Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 6:42 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $55k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

• #10 OUR FINEST HOUR (4-1): Top pick. Solid closing kick. Barn has been solid.
• #1 PHILLY’S FINEST (5-2): Contender. Gets a top-notch pilot in Gaffalione.
• #7 BOBBY JEAN (20-1): Contender. Has experience at this level.
• #9 SHAKREVENGE (6-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Jockey is having a great meet.

Selections: 10 – 1 – 7 – 9

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don’t miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week’s biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week’s upcoming big races:

Friday

• Saratoga Race Course picks featuring the Skidmore and the Union Avenue Handicap

Saturday

• Del Mar picks featuring the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks
• Monmouth Park picks featuring the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes
• Saratoga Race Course picks featuring the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes
• Woodbine picks featuring the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes