2017 Schuylerville winner Dream It Is
Well racing fans, it's that Saratoga time of year. Get ready for a fantastic racing meet with large fields, competitive racing, and lots of tote board surprises. This is one of the premiere meets of the year and if you haven't been to the Spa you should definitely remedy that ASAP. Let's start off handicapping the Schuylerville, a Grade 3 Stakes for two year old fillies.
1. Catherinethegreat
Two fast maiden races in the Gulfstream mud (a 2nd and a 1st) and now she stretches to six furlongs against a bunch of similarly inexperienced runners. She draws the rail which has been ok in years past at the Spa. She figures to get the rail stalking trip in here, but I'm a little skeptical about her chances. She may get a small piece, but I'm going to pass.
2. Nonna Madeline
The maiden breaker at Monmouth was a tour de force and I think she will only get better. She has the right connections and she's nicely placed on the inside. She has every right to be a killer! I give her a big chance in here.
3. Congrats Gal
Her maiden breaker at Laurel was superb and she will be out there winging from the gun. Will take them as far as she can. If the price is right, and I think it will be, she is a must use as the main inside speed.
4. Fightress
Nice win in the Churchill mud in a race that came home on the slow side. She stretches from 5 1/2 to 6 in here and I can't see it. Will have to avoid going wide into the turn. I'm going to pass.
5. Lonely Road
She improved quite a bit in her second start blowout, but these are much better fillies. I think her future may be on the grass. I'm going to pass.
6. Tapping Pearl
She was on cruise control in her maiden win at Churchill. She has a great 4 furlong workout for this and figures to be plenty tough. She has to be used in all your bets.
7. Serengeti Empress
She broke her maiden in Indiana at one to five (I guess the word got out?) and now gets the acid test. If she was drawn inside I might give her a chance, but her chances of clearing all the inside speed in her are bleak. No thanks.
8. Eyeinthesky
She will probably be picking them up late, but that's not a style that works too often at Saratoga. The tight turns make life difficult for closers. She may turn out to be ok, but I'm going to pass here.
9. Lady Apple
I'm not opposed to betting maidens who have shown ability in races like these, but the outside draw really hurts. I love her jockey and he may be able to get her over to the rail, but this is a tough spot. I'll pass.
10. Blame the Frog
The most experienced filly in the bunch gets an awful draw on the extreme outside, but I keep coming back to her. She has the look of a good one and if Saez can avoid the outside pitfalls, I like her chances. I think she can get a piece of this.
All in all an exciting challenge for this group of young fillies. I'm going to box 2-3-6-10 and make win bets on 3 and 10.
Good luck to everyone who is playing
I'll sit back and enjoy this one. I never bet on the girls. Nice write-up!
I will be going out to Saratoga in a couple of weeks unless of course it rains :)