Saratoga Thursday: Alydar Stakes Analysis, Art Collector Returns

Art Collector, once on the Kentucky Derby trail, returns to the races Thursday. He was installed as the morning line favorite in the Alydar Stakes from Saratoga.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $55k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 GIRL AFRAID (5-2) gets the top selection. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 ACQUA BELLA (2-1) debuts here and appears to be a major player in this race going out for Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #1 LADY QUINN (4-1) debuts here and should be competitive in this spot. She is well bred for this spot.
• #5 SICILIAN GRANDMA (5-1) should improve off the first start and has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 5

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:39 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #5 COWICHAN (7-2) is the top pick. She has the pedigree to be a major player here.
• #7 ISABEL ALEXANDRA (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. She has a start to her name which should provide foundation.
• #10 PERSONAL PURSUIT (6-1) should improve off the first start and makes sense on speed figures.
• #13 MARIA FROM MIAMI (7-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 10- 13

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:15 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 BOSTON POST ROAD (9-5) looks best here. It is Brown and Prat bet against at your peril.
• #4 MILLEFEUILLE (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She looks to be the class of the field.
• #3 PLAYED HARD (2-1) should be competitive in this spot. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #2 W W FITZY (5-2) makes sense and may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 3 – 2

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:49 PM ET; $46k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 8

• #3 VALLARAND (7-2) gets the top selection. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #7 RAFFINITY (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #1 VOICE OF SPRING (5-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She seems to fit well enough here on class ratings.
• #6 ALPINE QUEEN (5-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot and figures to be forward.

Selections: 3 – 7 – 1 – 6

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; $40k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 MISTICAL CURLIN (5-2) is the top pick. He goes out for Kenny Mcpeek with Julien Leparoux.
• #8 ONE MORE BABY (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #6 NORDIC LIGHT (4-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #7 RIVER OF NO RETURN (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets but is good at the distance.

Selections: 2 – 8 – 6 – 7

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 12

• #8 NEW YORK PANTHER (5-2) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #12 CAPTAIN PARTY (5-1) should improve off the first start and appears to be a major player in this race. He will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #1 WHO ME (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He is really good form of late.
• #9 TWIRLING CHARLIE (12-1) makes sense on speed figures and should be set to run a big one.

Selections: 8 – 12- 1 – 9

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 11

• #1 BYE BYE (3-1) gets the top selection. She is very good at these turf sprints.
• #6 MAIL ORDER (7-2) looks competitive in this spot and draws very well.
• #10 BETSY BLUE (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #7 ALWAYZ LATE (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 10- 7

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 5:05 PM ET; $135k Alydar S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 ART COLLECTOR (7-5) is the top pick. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 MYSTIC NIGHT (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz.
• #6 MASQUEPARADE (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He’s run well at 9 furlongs before.
• #2 BAL HARBOUR (8-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 6 – 2

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; $125k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 12

• #2 ATONE (5-2) looks best here. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2B MAXWELL ESQUIRE (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race and may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #1 EMARAATY (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He goes out for the Brown barn and gets Prat in the irons.
• #4 BYE BYE MELVIN (15-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 2 – 2B- 1 – 4

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 11

• #1 STUCK ON KITTEN (3-1) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #6 O'GOTTEN GIRL (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #7 MISS DOMINA (5-2) shouldn’t have any trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance.
• #4 FREEDOMOFTHEPRESS (9-2) isn't without hope. She seems to fit well enough here. This one could get the right setup in this race.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 7 – 4

Daily Coverage

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