$150,000 Sanford – Saratoga

Race 9 (Saturday, July 21, 2018: 5:40 p.m./ET; 2:40 p.m./PT)

Six furlongs on the main track (two-year-olds)

Hall of Fame conditioners Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen and Mark Casse each have a duo of entrants slated to run while trainers Ben Colebrook and Horacio DePaz will try to take down the Hall of Fame conditioners’ top juvenile talent signed on. Let’s try to pick the winner:

#1 SOMBYAY broke his maiden at first asking in a four-and-a-half furlong sprint at Gulfstream Park and came back to run second in the Tremont last month. This $230,000 sale purchase has a five-furlong bullet drill heading into this for trainer Todd Pletcher, who wins at a 28% clip with two-year-olds.

#2 LEXITONIAN rounds out the duo of Pletcher entrants. Son of SPEIGHTSTOWN comes off a length victory in his first start, a maiden special weight at Belmont. John Velazquez teams up with Pletcher and they win at a strong 30% when working together. Obviously one to consider.

#3 KNICKS GO is out of a dam that earned almost $300K and was a multiple stakes winner. He made his career debut a winning one, picking up a three-and-a-half length score at Ellis Park on July 4. He wheels back in just 17 days for his first start against winners (and stakes debut). Ben Colebrook conditions.

#4 WHISKEY ECHO broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion at Belmont Park on June 10 and will run on Lasix for the first time in this spot. Eclipse Award winning rider Jose Ortiz hops aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen, who purchased this colt for $225,000. Contender.

#5 DREAM MAKER is another first-out maiden breaker, having just won his career debut by three lengths at Churchill Downs after sitting well off the pace early on. The son of TAPIT went off at even money in that start and is one of two runners for trainer Mark Casse and owner John Oxley. Main contender.

#6 CHASE GREATNESS finished off the board over a fast track in his first career race and came back to win his second start over a sloppy surface while adding blinkers. Playing against unless the main track on Saturday is wet.

#7 BANO SOLO is the second Steve Asmussen entrant in the race. The $400,000 sale purchase by GOLDENCENTS broke his maiden in fine style at Churchill Downs, setting the pace before drawing off to win by three lengths as the favorite. Worth a second look.

#8 STRIKE SILVER is the second half of the Mark Casse/John Oxley contingent. A $275,000 sale purchase, this colt by VIOLENCE won his first career race by a neck, slipping away from his competition at the eighth pole before holding off a late challenge from second place finisher NITROUS. He earned a field high 76 Beyer Speed Figure and is another one to consider in what appears to be a very competitive race.

SELECTIONS

1. #5 DREAM MAKER – Won like a seasoned horse first time out
2. #4 WHISKEY ECHO – First time Lasix for a top barn.
3. #8 STRIKE SILVER – Speed figures indicate he is good enough.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY-#7 BANO SOLO – The ‘other’ Asmussen.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll make a straight win bet on my top choice. 

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$50 Win: #5 DREAM MAKER

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