Saratoga Picks: Match race theme continues in Shuvee S. on July 24

Saratoga Racecourse nestled in tree-lined New York is poised to finish up its 2nd 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 season!

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 Sunday 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 !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 9: Nota Bene #3, 5/1):

Trainer Ian Wilkes doesn’t come to Saratoga with a large stable, but when he does show you can count on his entries being fit and ready for duty. Here is a filly by Declaration of War that I have followed closely on the KY Circuit over this past year. She has strong bloodlines when it comes to the turf, and the addition of Irad Ortiz makes her a major threat. With a late kick, plus running against tough competition at Keeneland and Churchill, she should be a reasonable price too. The name of the game in turf racing is knowing when to "ask the question," and finding those seams where there aren't any ... Ortiz is one of, if not, the best!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 8: Emerald Express #4, 5/1):

The claims made by Joe Sharp can be quite good, and he picked up this colt by Tapit after he ran nicely to finish 2nd in a Clm50k race at Churchill Downs. The former Mike Maker trainee has consistent form, and now he comes to Saratoga for the 1st time. Getting Tyler Gaffalione to take the controls is a super move, and look for this jockey to get his Spa Meet on track soon. He wins races in batches, and this could be a great score. I like the 5/1 M/L price, and am hoping that this one will hover around that on the tote. One of these days Sharp is going to break through and join the ranks of the “Super Trainers” … mark my words.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 5: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Shuvee S. (G2), $200k, F&M 4+):

In recent memory, no jockey has ever won the Shuvee Stakes for a third time in-a-row. Joel Rosario has a shot to break that tradition … He rode Letruska to victory in 2020, and then Royal Flag all the way to the winner’s circle last year. Coming into this edition we have a marquee match race between Steve Asmussen’s Clairiere #4 and Todd Pletcher’s Malathaat #3. Rosario took over the riding duties of the former in ’22, and his mount has yet to run a poor race. The Stonestreet homebred has faced her rival several times before, but it wasn’t until the Ogden Phipps (G1) on the Belmont Stakes undercard that she actually proved she could best her. Pletcher’s prize KYOaks (G1) winner from ’21 with regular rider Johnny V aboard, just did not have enough to get to the wire. That was a signature win for Asmussen, who has a trophy room full of victories. The HOF-er has never won the Shuvee though, and his entry has a major shot to do so. I don’t think it is going to happen in what amounts to a head-to-head match on Sunday afternoon. Also bred by Stonestreet, the filly by Curlin is just getting her season cranked to perfection. Shadwell’s best runner right now will be looking to get back on track. Losing a head bob is not the end of the world, and the goal of getting back to the BC Distaff (G1) when Keeneland hosts in Novemeber, is within reach. The real question is what will her price be? I would say that accepting anything above 4/5, looks to qualify as an overlay. M/L odds man David Aragona is one of the best in the business, and I think he has this one tabbed properly. Let the dukes commence!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3

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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 !!!