Saratoga, Race 1 – Thursday, July 15, 2023
By 2YO EdgeMan
SAR1:071523 – 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt. Only six colts have been dropped into the entry box for this one, but what’s lacking in quantity is made up for in quality. Only one dude has ever raced before and that guy has only been out once. Check out this list of trainers – Pletcher, Lukas, Bill Mott, Weaver and Maker. And certainly not to be outdone, the roster of sires is fabulous, too – Justify, Arrogate, Take Charge Indy (WinStar Farm) and Curlin, along with First-Crop Sires – Copper Bullet and the wonderful Omaha Beach from Spendthrift Farms. I wish the field was a bit more full, but I sure ain’t complaining, so – here we go…
#1 – Pirate (4/5) – Todd Pletcher sends out this morning line odds-on favorite, First-Time Starter who is sired by Omaha Beach and was purchased for $350K as a yearling last September at Keeneland (12/87). He was thrown by a mare that never visited the winner’s circle; however she has produced some tremendous runners. First, her three-year-old is the champ of this spring’s Preakness Stakes – National Treasure. He’s already grabbed $1.365 million in purse money with two wins in seven starts, his other win came at first asking out at DMR in September of last year when he posted a 92 Equibase Speed Fig. She’s also responsible for a second out MSW winner at CD in November of his juvenile year, along with a total of $362K in prize money and a record of 8 for 29 (his top EBSF = 107). Last, she had a gelding who won $209K on track by going 4 of 26 and clocked a lifetime best E-Speed Fig of 108. Todd has guided Pirate out for seven works over the Oklahoma Training Track, the first two were at three panels and the last five have been a half mile. His fastest move was two back on 6/29/23 when he went from the gate in 48.51 seconds (1/25). The reins will be competently handled by Irad.
#2 – Just Steel (8/1) – Justify is pops to this colt and his dam was an excellent runner on the grass over in Australia who earned $436K by winning three of her 14 tries, including a G1 and a G3. BC Stables opened their wallets for this guy – $500K at the KEE Sept Yearling sale last fall (11/78). He’s got a half-sister that was also a fine runner in Australia, earning $365K of her own by capturing 2 of 12 – (one victory came as a 2YO and one was a Grade 2 score) and then was sold as a broodmare prospect for a cool $1.28 million. Today’s runner is the ‘seasoned veteran’ in this field, having raced one time prior down at Ellis Park in mid-June when he finished fifth, beaten by 16+ lengths. After his race, The Coach sent him to Churchill for two 4f moves (neither very brisk) and then shipped him up to Saratoga for one more, this time covering five furlongs (1:02.95 – 2/3). Joel Rosario has been lined up to ride.
Just Steel’s first outing at Ellis Park June 17 where he finished fifth. (forward to 4:29 on video for Race 4)
#4 – Special Element (7/2) – Trainer Bill Mott looks to make it two for two in unrestricted, SAR 2YO MSW events this meet, as he sends out this FTS colt by the 1CS – Copper Bullet. He sold for a hefty $260K as a juvenile in the OBS Spring 2YO sale (2/11) after zipping off a flat 10 second furlong in his under-tack dash. Mom won in May of her 2YO campaign down at Gulfstream Park while hanging an excellent EBSF of 88. She went on to win once more (in 15 additional outings) and her total bankroll ended at nearly $1/4 million. Today’s performer has six published works, half at 3f and half at 4f – all at Saratoga’s Training oval – and in typical Mott fashion, none have been fast. Jose Lezcano will be her pilot.
#5 – Arteta (4/1) – This colt, by Take Charge Indy, was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-year-olds in training sale earlier this year – he went for $170K (3/20). He is the first foal from his Street Sense dam who only raced one time and it was not a winning effort. Conditioner George Weaver just started his official works on 6/16/23 and has only sent him out for a total of four morning moves – all at Oklahoma. He showed some promise during his second work back on 6/23/23 when he sped four panels in 48.49 seconds (2/37). Geo taps Johnny V to ride.
#6 – Sheriff Joe (8/1) – Mike Maker will saddle this Curlin colt who will be making his first attempt at racing. Mom was not successful on the track having gone winless in three tries. This is her first foal to race and he’s never been through a public sales ring. Seven works – all completed in Lexington at Keeneland – with the first two at 3f, the second two at a ½ mile and his last three done over five panels. Similar to the horse above, his most impressive work was his second ever, when on 5/28/23 he rifled off a bullet of 36.4 seconds for the 3f (1/36). Manny Franco will climb aboard.
Pick – #6 Sheriff Joe – Clearly Pletcher’s colt looks like he’s loaded for bear, but I ain’t going with him at 4/5 on the morning line. Maker’s numbers aren’t huge at Saratoga with the babies (11 for 75, $14.7% over the past five years), but he clearly knows his way to the Winner’s Circle and enough said with this guy’s sire – Curlin. His one bullet move signals potential. This dude is listed in the Game of Silks Auction House, so jump on in.
Saratoga has a 2YO MSW, restricted NY-bred race scheduled for Sunday, which, as you know, isn’t our favorite, but we’ll take a look at it and go from there. Best of luck in this one and have a terrific weekend, all you crazy Edgies.
Saratoga Saturday 2023, episode 1, 1st Saturday at The Spa:
