Saratoga Picks: G2 Jim Dandy anchor LP4 on July 30

Saratoga ... known the world over as "The Spa" ... is situated in beautiful Upstate New York. The celebrated track is poised to enter its 3rd weekend of racing. The town north of Albany is bustling with activity and has what many consider the best competition of the entire year.

NYRA will continue to put forward another major stakes schedule, and with full fields, it should be another exciting go! Today, we have on tap both the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Handicap, and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy. The latter has the potential to be one of the very best of all-time!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Late Pick 4 … Races 8-11

Race 8: Dirt, 6F, Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1), $350k, 3+

As we roll into this Saratoga Saturday, we find ourselves faced with a major dilemma … or is it? Everyone knows that Steve Asmussen's star sprinter, Jackie’s Warrior #4 should manhandle this field in the Vandy. The Robison’s colt by Maclean’s Music started his ’22 march to the Breeders’ Cup at Oaklawn, and since then, he has rolled in every way possible. Regular rider Joel Rosario knows his tendencies, and we should all agree that he is going to be aboard the shortest price of the day. I am going to take a stand against this team, and hope that the field will catch him out … off his game. You might think that it is throwing away money, but the rewards will be sweet. You never know in horse racing how it is all going to shake out. This isn’t a large field, so going with 5 selections will not break the bank. When it comes to a top pick, I am pretty interested to see how the former Mike Maker runner, Kneedeepinsnow #1, takes to the track at The Spa … he will be a massive price for trainer Matt Shirer and jockey Ricardo Santana. Saratoga isn’t called the “Graveyard of Champions” for nothing …

Leg 1: 1/2/3/5/6 (5-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Box, 1/2/3/5/6

Race 9: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Jim Dandy S. (G2), $600k, 3

Moving to the “highlight” on this card, we have possibly one of the best “Dandys” in recent memory. This is a well-matched group of 4, now that Western River #1 is a scratch (he ran in the Curlin S. on Friday). I am pretty convinced that Steve Asmussen’s Epicenter #2 and Chad Brown’s Early Voting #4 will be 1-2 on the tote when this G2 goes off, and in that order by the 1st call. The latter was able to notch the victory in the Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico in mid-May by waiting for the right moment. Jose Ortiz sprung the trap, and Joel Rosario had to watch as Klaravich’s “KS” declared victory. After Winchell’s own was bested by a long shot in KYD148, it was a bitter pill to swallow for the HOF conditioner. I personally think that the son of Not This Time is running low on fuel (like the now-deceased Midnight Bourbon did last year), and mark my words, it will show at Saratoga. That makes me think that Brown could go 1-2 in the “Dandy,” but I am convinced that Jeff Drown’s son of Upstart will be the victor. Zandon #5 is equal to Mo Donegal when it comes to talent, and his late kick is just absolutely devastating. He gets the famed Flavien Prat back aboard, and I keep watching that powerful late middle move that he used in the Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland. If that fired up runner comes to play, then it is going to be a sight to behold down the lane. Prat just needs to find a spot just off-the-lead, and that should suit. What a prep this is going to be for August’s Grade 1 Travers Stakes (G1). Get ready … and yes, it is a “Single,” as Zandon #5 wins!

Leg 2: 5 (Single)

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #5

Race 10: Turf, 1 1/16th, ALLW115kn1x, 3+

As is an oft-told story at Saratoga, it appears the Ortiz Brothers are aboard the top 2 Thoroughbreds in this route taking place on the Mellon Turf. Chad Brown’s Orchestration #3 is a Klaravich-owned colt by Flatter that was not cheap at the Keeneland September Sale in 2019—to the tune of $260k. In 3 career races, he has won once … breaking his maiden at The Spa last August. Irad rode him then, and knowing Brown, he will have this one ready to fire off-the-bench. You simply cannot count out these connections because they win at such a high rate. As for Jose’s colt, Capensis #12 is a son of Tapit that is just getting his career in gear. He broke his maiden on debut earlier this month at Belmont on the grass, and it was an impressive score considering his odds were 5/1. Winning by 5-lengths is not an easy chore at a NYRA course, no matter what the condition … Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Todd Pletcher have already proven to be impressive investors when it comes to talent. Using both of these entries makes sense (nod to Brown’s entry), and should allow us to move right along to the finale. Ortiz v. Ortiz again …

Wagering Recommendation: $25/$50, WP #3

Leg 3: 3/12 (2-Deep)

Race 11: Turf, 1 Mile, Clm25k, 3+

It is time to finish-up this sequence on the Inner Turf, and there is nothing easy about this “claiming game” affair going a mile. With little recent history at this level, there are not many trends to lean on. Tried and true methods remain though, and the good news is that I have saved a few spots on my ticket by being judicious over the past 2 races. When it comes to a top selection, I am intrigued by Jose Camejo’s Barleewon #5. If you follow NYRA, then you have watched this venerable runner over the years. He already has 29 starts under his saddle, and came to his new barn in early May. Even though he gets dealt around the Racing Office a bit, I still think he has value, and a good bit of class to his credit. Last out, he won a distance turf race against state breds. It was only by a whisker, but a win is a win. Javier Castellano, who is riding like his own self, takes over the piloting duties. Camejo has already made some noise during the 1st few weeks of the Meet, and should continue to do so. Let’s use this gelding by Animal Kingdom, but also have some insurance with a few others. Big Agenda #3 for Jeremiah Englehart … Mo Ready #4 for Rudy Rodriguez … the Falcone Barn’s Jack the Cat #7 … and finally, Mike Maker’s Healing #9 … all look like they could be legitimate contenders for the last prize of the afternoon. Going with this 5 should gives us a chance to cash a nice ticket. This will not be an easy set from the beginning, but that's horseplaying for you!

Leg 4: 3/4/5/7/9 (5-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 3/4/5/7/9

----------------------------------------------

Ticket: 1-2-3-5-6 / 5 / 3-12 / 3-4-5-7-9

.50 Cost LP4: $25.00

Enjoy some action from the SPA! The tradition at Saratoga Race Course marches on … Be sure to follow us on Twitter … @Horseracing_USA !!!