Summer unofficially ends today. Any kids who haven’t gone back to school yet will be going back this week. Also, today is closing day at Saratoga, and the featured race is the Grade 1 Hopeful for two-year-olds going seven furlongs on the main track.
Saratoga Race 10 – Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1)
Favored in this field of nine two-year-olds is the 2 Ferocious (8/5 ML). He won his debut in the mud at Saratoga drawing off to win by almost eight lengths. He sat there along the rail behind the leaders and took over in the stretch.
The 7 Mentee (5/1 ML) won his debut race in June at Aqueduct and returns to the races here at Saratoga today. He had a huge lead in the stretch and held on to win by a nose. The program says he was confidently ridden, but I question whether or not the horse was tiring in the final 110 yards of the race or he was overconfidently ridden.
I’m trying to make heads or tails to what happened at the start of the debut race of today’s 8-horse Chancer McPatrick (5/2 ML). It looked like he had traffic issues down the backstretch but closed well to win his debut at Saratoga at the end of July. I am expecting him not as far back today, but he showed he has a great closing kick.
The 6 Studlydoright (12/1 ML) closed to finish second in the Sanford at Saratoga in July and could be a horse to look at if the price is right. He finished second to Mo Plex who won the Funny Cide last week at Saratoga.
I am expecting Chancer McPatrick to be closer to the pace today and will take over in the stretch to win this race holding off Ferocious and Studlydoright in the Hopefull. I’ll call this 8-2-6-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. Best of luck everyone and get your kids to school tomorrow!
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