Saratoga Picks: Trio of powerful stakes makeup final Saturday on September 3

Saratoga Springs, the town north of New York's capital is immersed in equine-related activity! The celebrated Meet has now passed Travers Day, and that means we have less than a handful of racing before "closing" arrives on Labor Day Monday. Enjoy it while it lasts!

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 !!!

All-Stakes Saturday at The Spa … Races 4, 10, and 11

Race 4: Turf, 1 1/16th, Saranac S. (G3), $200k, 3

Out of these 6 runners in this Grade 3, everyone is going to be looking up on the tote at Todd Pletcher’s Annapolis #3. The colt by War Front is well-bred, and he already has the requisite class to take on this type of company. Bass Racing has a long history of ownership, and they pair up with fellow Texan, HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. If this 3-yr-old competes like he should, then 2/5 on the M/L is warranted. I am going to try and beat these excellent connections. It might seem like folly, but there is purpose when it comes to contrarian thinking, at times. I am a fan of Shug McGaughey’s Celestial City #1 because even though she was 3rd in the Hall of Fame S. (G2), the colt by Uncle Mo has challenged some solid competition. Javier Castellano continues his torrid pace from the saddle, and I like his chances in stakes routes like these. Shug adds the “Blinkers,” and that could assist. One other runner that looks promising is Jonathan Thomas’ Fuerteventura #5. A gelding by Summer Front, he went from Gulfstream Park to Monmouth, and then on to Woodbine to contest the Grade 3 Marine S. That race snapped a 3-race win streak, but it was a big ask to switch to the AW surface and take on stiffer company in Canada. He could be a sleeper pick in this spot, and there is no doubt that Manny Franco is riding well in upstate New York. I am going to use this pair of longer shots on the top of my Exacta ticket, and see if one of them can beat the Pletcher favorite … what a way to start this stakes schedule from The Spa on Saturday.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 1/5 w 3

Race 10: Turf, 1 3/8ths, Flower Bowl S. (G2), F&M 4+

Just as we had in the 1st stakes of the day, another star is coming back to the green at Saratoga. If you follow this female route turf division, then you know that one of the leaders is Bill Mott’s impressive War Like Goddess #4. The mare by English Channel won this race rather easily last year, and she has the gears/fitness to do it again. Joel Rosario took over the duties from Julien Leparoux, and the pair are a perfect match. I am waiting for her to get back to the Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf (G1), and winning this race gives a horse free passage to Keeneland. Can anyone take this one on? Not likely … I do not think I am going to even try. You could make a case for Temple City Terror #6 or Virginia Joy #3 based on the fact that they ran behind Mott’s ace last time out in the Glens Falls (G2), but I doubt seriously that they have the stamina and the speed to flip the script this time. The “Goddess” should rule once again, bewitching this field with her warrior cry … poetic and mythological references, all in one fell swoop!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 4 w 3/6 w 3/6

Race 11: Dirt, 1¼, Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), $1 million, 3+

There are Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) implications on the line, folks ... It is probably a good bet that trainer Todd Pletcher has the winner in this year’s edition of the JC Gold Cup … then again … he does have half of the field. Out of his 4 runners (Untreated #3, Americanrevolution #5, Keepmeinmind #7, and Dynamic One #8), I am most interested in the former Robertino Diodoro colt by Laoban. He is going to be a superb price, and is just rounding into form at the right time. Last year, he made some waves along the Derby Trail, running on the “First Saturday in May,” the Preakness, and the Travers … Pletcher took him on, and I think his level of maturity continues to improve. Javier Castellano takes over the piloting duties, and he is going to face a tough test. Still, I have always liked this colt’s “big kick,” and if he can display that, it could make things interesting late in the race. Of course, including any of the HOF conditioner’s stock, makes a ton of sense. They are going to be facing a pair of tough foes in Bill Mott’s Olympiad #2 and Shug McGaughey’s First Captain #6. The former took a step back last time against Life Is Good in the Whitney H. (G1). That is not surprising considering that level of talent, but it was his shot to assert his G1 ability. I question whether the son of Speightstown is tired at this point, after quite a campaign in ’22. Junior Alvarado knows what this one can do, and he knew something was not right in that last race. As for the McGaughey runner, he has skills, and some celebrity ownership with West Point, Siena, and Bobby Flay behind him. The chef actually bred this 4-yr-old son of Curlin, and probably winced as his investment just missed at the wire in the Suburban H. (G2) against Dynamic One #8. Easily one of the best races on the Saturday slate at The Spa. Let’s take a shot with what will probably be the longest priced odds on the tote. Here we go …

Wagering Recommendation: $25/$50 WP #7

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