Saratoga, Race 1 – Friday, July 19, 2024
By The 2YO EdgeMan
SAR1:071924 – 5 1/2f on the Turf. Nine are entered, six colts and three geldings. The number of FTSers = 6, those with one start = 2, and one dude has started twice.
#1 – Governor Sam (8/5) – George Weaver (M = 12.8%) sends out this colt for his second start and he’s sired by the late First-Crop stallion – Improbable. Into Mischief is his broodmare sire and his dam was a good race mare going 5/19 with $353K in purse money won, including a win in a stakes race on the grass where she fashioned a 113 Equibase Speed Figure. Additionally, she’s thrown two other foals of racing age and her 3YO filly has won twice from ten starts, already banking $349K. Initially, this guy sold modestly when he brought $50,000 as a yearling, but his wise pinhookers then sold him this past April down in Ocala as a 2YO for $275K. In his debut performance back in May at GP on the grass, he challenged for the lead before weakening down the lane in that 5f event. He’s worked six times since his race, all here at SAR, with his last drill on the turf training oval in company with a 4YO that has won north of $100K. Additionally, he went 5/8th of a mile on 6/28/24; before that, on 6/20/24 he fired a bullet – 4f in 48.49 (1/15). Irad will ride him for the first time.
#4 – After Taxes (4/1) – Is an Irish-bred FTS son of Kodiac (ALL = 8/34, 23.5%; Turf = 8/33, 24.2%) trained by Wes Ward (M = 10.7%; FTS = 12.0%). He comes from an Irish-bred dam by Sea The Stars and this is her first foal. In the auction ring, this guy sold for $98,724 as a weanling (6/38) and then last year he hammered for $169,155 as a yearling (15/130). He’s worked six time (23 furlongs), with four of them being on the turf training track at SAR. In his first-ever drill, back in mid-May, he went three panels in 34.6 from the gate to earn a solid bullet (1/53). Tyler gets the mount.
#8 – No Evidence (5/2) – Another firster, this colt is from Spendthrift Farm’s fantastic First-Crop sire – Vekoma (11 winners from 20 starters). His mama, by The Factor, was 3/17 and won $200K on the track and this is her first foal. This dude knows his way around the sales ring having sold for $100K as a weanling (10/27), then last year for $225K as a yearling (12/114), and finally back in April at Ocala for $325K as a 2YO (8/57). Conditioner Christophe Clement (M = 23.7%, ROI = $2.32; FTS = 23.4%, ROI = $2.67) has pumped six works into him, including his last on on the Oklahoma turf oval and a 5/8th mile move in late June. Joel Rosario will get the leg up.
#9 – Be Real (6/5 ML fav) – Repole Stable bought this colt for $300K at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling sale (26/39). He is produced on a Curlin (ALL = 13.6%; FTS = 12.9%; Turf = 8.0%) / Speightstown cross. Mom had a short race career, but she won twice from five tries and $133K in prize money. Additionally, she won first out as a two-year-old here at SAR (85 EBSF). In the breeding shed, she’s thrown three other foals of racing age, one scored six times in 18 outings bringing home $330K in winnings and he also won at first asking in August of his 2YO year at FG in November when he flashed a 99 EBSF. Todd Pletcher (M = 19.6%; FTS = 17.0%) has sent him out for five morning drills, all here at The Spa. Prat will be his pilot.
Final Analysis – #9 is also entered on Saturday’s card, so Pletcher may elect to run him in that spot. Either way, my pick is #1 Governor Sam. His last work in company with the 4YO was visually very impressive as he started three or so lengths behind his workmate and then moved very well, ultimately galloping out very strong. The fact that Irad has chosen this mount is notable and Weaver knows how to get babies to the Winner’s Circle. He may go off a low odds, but I like this dude.
Saratoga has two of ‘our races’ carded – R1 and R7 – you know we’ll be all over both of them here on www.PastTheWire.com. Have a wonderful day and be good to one another, my Edgie Partners.
