Graded Stakes Preview / BetPTC.com / Ed Meyer
Saratoga
Race #4 – G2 Adirondack Stakes – 6 1/2 f – 2:44 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #1 – Pure Silver / #2 -Stainless / #3 – Sly Roxy
#1 – Pure Silver = John Velasquez aboard for Todd Pletcher and they are winning (30%) the past two months. 2-yr-old filly by Mission Impazible and she is a perfect 2/2. Her last effort at Belmont in the Lynbrook Stakes was ultra-impressive. The rider/trainer are 13/16 the last two weeks, and Pletcher wins (27%) with his babies. #2 – Stainless = Manny Franco for Todd Pletcher and they are rolling at a (38%) clip the last 60 days as a team. This daughter of Flatter was coming late in the G3 Schuylerville was very wide at the top of the lane. Pletcher wins (25%) with his sprinters and (45%) ITM with graded stakes. #3 – Sly Roxy = Javier Castellano for Mark Casse and she was impressive in her maiden debut at Saratoga. She was the odds-on favorite and exited off a blistering work prior to her coming out party.
Race #10 – G1 Fourstardave – 1 mile on the turf – 6:28 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #3 – Time Test / #5 – Sassy Little Lila / #6 – Disco Partner
#3 – Time Test = Son of Dubawi for the Chad Brown barn, and has been away from the races for two months. This is his 3rd start of the year, and he was a beaten favorite last out settling for 2nd money. He cuts back in distance and has some nice works over the course. His pattern points to a prime effort. #5 – Sassy Little Lila = Speedy filly by Artie Schiller. Luis Saez has the call for Brad Cox and comes off a loss in the G1 Just A Game. She is 2/2 at the Spa ITM and should be showing the way from the start. #6 – Disco Partner = Tyler Gafflione for Christophe Clement. This son of Disco Rico is 2/2 ITM over the course and is shooting for 4-in-a-row moving up the class ladder.
Arlington
Race #7 – G1 Secretariat – 1 1/4 on turf – 4:50 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #3 – Permian / #4 – Oscar Performance / #6 – Taj Mahal
#3 – Permian = William Buick for Mark Johnston as they bring a 3-yr-old son of Teofilo to post. He cuts back from 1 1/2 at Saint Cloud and is 2/2 ITM going this distance. He owns two impressive efforts going 1 1/4 at Newmarket and Epsom earlier this year. Buick fits the colt like a glove and I’m looking for a stalking effort right off the speed of “Oscar” and “Sonic.” #4 – Oscar Performance = Jose Ortiz aboard for Brian Lynch and this son of Kitten’s Joy was super in the G1 Belmont Derby. Plenty of early foot and has the services of one of the best speed riders in the country. He won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Juvenile last year and has the credentials to not look back with a (20%) winning turf rider in the driver’s seat. #6 – Taj Mahal = Ryan Moore for Aiden O’Brien and gets first-time Lasix (12%), and locked horns with some Euro tough guys. He should be up close, and with the addition of medication this son of Galileo could get the money.
Race #10 – G1 Beverly D – 1 3/16 on the turf – 6:35 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #5 – Grand Jete / #1 -Dacita / #4 – Dona Bruja
#5 – Grand Jete = 3/3 since shipping over from France for the Chad Brown barn. She looks to be getting better with every race, and her late punch can get the job done. Joel Rosario in the saddle and he is looking for his 3rd win in 4 starts. Brown comes loaded this day and her dam Modern Look has 3 starters; 3 winners, and 3 turf winners to her credit. #1 – Dacita = Irad Ortiz aboard for Chad Brown and they are winning (18%) the past two months. Brown wins (27%) with rested runners and she has been away for 60 days. She loves to fire fresh off the rest. #4 – Dona Bruja = Declan Cannon for Ignacio Correas (29%) and she is a perfect 2/2 over the AP turf. This is a very good test as she is stepping up in class today.
Race #11 – G1 Arlington Million – 1 1/4 on the turf – 7:19 pm ET
BetPTC.com Selections – #13 – Mekhtaal / #5 – Deauville / #9 – Scottish
#13 – Mekhtaal = Frankie Dettori in the saddle and exits the Gr.1 Prince of Wales at Ascot. This has been a key race sending out 2 from 6 runners to come right back and score. His dam Aiglonne has 9 starters; 9 turf winners, and 3 stakes winners. He’s been off for 52 days and runs well off a race break. This son of Sea of Stars rates a big chance and the connections like his chances. #5 – Deauville = Ryan Moore for Aidan O’Brien. They have a son of Galileo going to the gate who has solid tactical speed. 3/3 ITM at the distance, and was outkicked down the lane in last year’s edition of the Million. He gets Lasix and should get a perfect trip under Ryan Moore. Been training well and faced some classy runners in Europe. #9 – Scottish = William Buick for Charles Applebee bringing a son of Teofilo to post. Exits the Gr.1 Prince of Wales and is 4/5 ITM going this distance. O’Brien targets US races and this gelding is making his 2nd start of the year with a 52-day rest in between efforts for Team Godolphin.