Saratoga Saturday: Whitney, Test Highlight Loaded Card

The Saratoga Race Course in New York has played host to some of the most prestigious horse racing events in history. Among them, the Saratoga Derby, The Test, and The Whitney will be run on Saturday.

Saratoga Derby

The Saratoga Derby, first held in 2019, has swiftly become a marquee event in American horse racing. This turf race, contested over a distance of 1 3/16 miles, attracts top three-year-olds vying for fame and a substantial purse. With its rich history and rapidly growing stature, the Saratoga Derby promises an exhilarating spectacle each year, highlighting the rising stars of the equine world.

The Test

Since its inception in 1922, The Test has been a celebrated sprint race for fillies and mares at Saratoga. Covering a six-furlong distance, this Grade 1 event has witnessed the blazing speed and tenacity of exceptional female racehorses. Known for its thrilling finishes, The Test continues to be a fan-favorite at the summer meet.

The Whitney

Established in 1928, The Whitney has earned its place as one of the most prestigious horse racing events globally, attracting elite thoroughbreds from across the nation. As a 1 1/8-mile dirt race, this historic Grade 1 event has seen the rise of legendary champions, solidifying its significance in racing lore.

Saturday Full Card Analysis

Saratoga Race Course- 1

Post: 12:35 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 9

• The top selection goes to #8 FALFURRIAS (4-1), who is expected to improve off the first start. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance and boasts a pedigree that suggests he can be a major player in this spot.
• #3 INNATE (2-1) is another contender who should improve off the first start. He has shown the ability to handle similar conditions in previous races, making him a viable shot in this race. This one is well bred for this spot.
• In the mix, we have #5 ALLIED ATTACK (5-1) making his debut. While he’s best to put underneath on most tickets, he does possess strong breeding for this spot.
• The long shot in the race is #4 AGATE ROAD (12-1). Like Allied Attack, he is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. However, he does have a promising pedigree for this race.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 5 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- 2

Post: 1:07 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 11

• The top pick in this race is #11 JUST STEEL (4-1), who makes sense based on speed figures and his potential pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #1 BE YOU (2-1) is making his debut and should be competitive, especially with the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz handling him. This one is well bred for this spot.
• Another debutant, #4 LOCKED (8-1), seems like a fringe contender. With the Pletcher barn and Ortiz in the irons, he could surprise and become a major player in this race.
• #5 DOMESTIC PRODUCT (3-1) is another debutant and has the potential to be a fringe contender. With the Brown barn and Prat in the irons, he is well bred for this spot.

Selections: 11- 1 – 4 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- 3

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $52k Claiming going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #8 VICTORIOUS WAVE (2-1) looks best here. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip, coming into the race in good form.
• #4 IN SKY WE TRUST (10-1) is a price horse and appears to be a major player in this race. With tactical speed, he can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. He has races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 RAGTIME BLUES (8-1) also seems to be a major player in this race, making sense on speed figures. He could pose a dangerous threat if he gets loose on the front end.
• With solid early pace figures and a lack of front running speed in the race, #3 BEACHWALKER (6-1) seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 1 – 3

Saratoga Race Course- 4

Post: 2:11 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 1 m on turf; Entries: 11

• For this race, the top selection is #9 ORTUS (5-2), who has proven ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #11 ZEEBEAR (8-5) appears to be the class of the field and a major player in this race. He boasts really consistent pace figures, which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #2 SONIC SPEED (5-1) should be competitive in this spot, especially with the combination of Morley and Ortiz supporting him.
• A long shot to consider is #4 SELL SOMETHING (15-1), who could be in with a shot. He has proven ability to handle similar conditions in previous starts and also looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 9 – 11- 2 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- 5

Post: 2:44 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• #2 ASYMMETRIC (7-2) is the top pick and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. He has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #3 TWO FOR CHARGING (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 BE THE BOSS (8-1) also seems 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, having proven to handle similar conditions in previous starts.
• #4 GOLDEN ARM (6-1) should be competitive in this spot, with races good enough to beat this group. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance either.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 7 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- 6

Post: 3:17 PM ET; $300k Troy S. going 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 8

• Leading the field is the ultra talented #4 CARAVEL (3-5). She is the champ until someone proves otherwise.
• #7 NOBALS (7-2) should be competitive in this spot, as he has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big race. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #3 COGBURN (8-1) could be considered a horse to put underneath on most tickets, given his ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• A long shot to consider is #1 THIN WHITE DUKE (20-1), who is also best to put underneath on most tickets. He has really consistent pace figures, which should work well in a moderately paced race, and makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 3 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- 7

Post: 3:51 PM ET; $135k Fasig-Tipton Lure S. going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 9

• #5 SPEAKING SCOUT (9-2) looks like a player to pull off the minor upset here. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here. He has really consistent pace figures, which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #3 DAKOTA GOLD (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race, having been really solid in recent starts and looking ready to run a big one here.
• #9 MID DAY IMAGE (15-1) is a price horse and also appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be the class of the field and makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 SMOKIN’ T (7-2) could be in with a shot in this race, having been really solid in recent starts and looking ready to run a big one here. He makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 9 – 2

Saratoga Race Course- 8

Post: 4:26 PM ET; $500k Test S. going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 MUNNYS GOLD (7-2) gets top billing here. He shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #8 MAPLE LEAF MEL (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race, with the top overall power rating in the group. She has proven to be able to handle similar conditions in previous starts. Parcells sent a winner out earlier this week at Saratoga.
• #4 JERSEY PEARL (15-1) should be competitive in this spot, possessing tactical speed and the ability to sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS (9-5) should also be competitive in this spot, boasting the top overall power rating in the group. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here. She would be tough to beat in the Eclipse voting if she can get the job done here.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 4 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- 9

Post: 5:01 PM ET; $600k Saratoga Derby Invitational S. going 1 3/16 m on turf; Entries: 9

• #5 FAR BRIDGE (2-1), looks best here and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #6 WEBSLINGER (4-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #1 MONDEGO (5-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot and makes sense on speed figures. He could be a dangerous threat if he gets loose on the front end.
• #9 TRULY QUALITY (12-1) is a price horse and shouldn’t be overlooked. He has to be respected with the combination of Thomas and Ortiz supporting him.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 1 – 9

Saratoga Race Course- 10

Post: 5:42 PM ET; $1000k Whitney S. going 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• The top selection goes to #6 CODY’S WISH (1-2), who comes into the race as arguably the best horse in training in North America. He is also a fan favorite for good reason based on the boy who earned him his name.

• #1 ZANDON (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race, boasting really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #3 GIANT GAME (20-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here, having been really solid in recent starts and looking ready to run a big one.
• #2 CHARGE IT (5-1) should also be competitive in this spot, having been really solid in recent starts and looking ready to run a big one. This one shouldn’t have trouble with the distance either.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 2

Saratoga Race Course- 11

Post: 6:16 PM ET; $149.5k Allowance going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• The top pick in this race is #7 EVERSO MISCHIEVOUS (2-1), who shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #3 BREW PUB (8-1) could be in with a shot in this race, sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders.
• #10 CARAMEL CHIP (7-2) shouldn’t be underestimated, with the combination of D’Angelo and Ortiz supporting him. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders.
• A long shot to consider is #6 TWELTH MAN (30-1), who isn’t without hope. He will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could be competitive. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 10- 6

Saratoga Race Course- 12

Post: 6:48 PM ET; $149.5k Allowance going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 16

• #12 BEUYS (7-2) looks best here and makes sense on speed figures. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #10 AL’S ROCKET (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He will have a lot of work to do late, but should get enough pace to run at.
• #4 MY SEA COTTAGE (8-1) should be competitive in this spot and makes sense on speed figures. He should be part of the early pace in this race.
• #14 WHITTINGTON PARK (9-5) feels like a fringe contender in this spot, with races good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 12- 10- 4 – 14