Quality Road returned to the winners circle on Saturday at Saratoga, taking the $750,000 Woodward (G1) by 4 ¾ lengths, returning $2.60 for the win.

The Todd Pletcher trainee won for the fourth time in five starts this year, the lone loss a tough head loss last out to Blame in the Whitney Handicap (G1).

The bridge jumpers were paid off, with $687,144 of the $779,191 in the show pool wagered on Quality Road.

There really was not any anxious moments, as the colt tracked the early pacesetter, took command with three furlongs to go and held off Mythical Power, with jockey John Velazquez just using the whip a couple of times.

Velazquez had a good day, picking up four wins, giving him a 55-52 edge over Javier Castellano in the jockey standings.

It looks like Ramon Dominguez's streak of nine straight riding titles at New York tracks will end on Monday.

Dominguez picked up one win on Saturday's card and has 43 winners for third place in the standings.

We have a good card on tap for Sunday with a pair of graded stakes.

The $100,000 Saranac (G3) drew a field of six three-year-olds who will go 1 3/8 miles on the turf.

It is a short field, but it is tough to separate the top three contenders. Fantastico Roberto is the 5/2 morning line favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher, who will be wrapping up the trainers' title on Monday.

Pletcher will send out four fillies in the $250,000 Spinaway (G1) in the following race.

His best shot may be with a newcomer to his barn. Team Valor purchased Valiant Passion after her upset maiden score in her debut at 30/1.

The four Pletcher runners likely will have to catch the Bob Baffert trained Alienation, who is coming off a runner up finish in the Adirondack (G2) in her last outing.

Monday is closing day at the Spa, with racing shifting to Belmont Park next Saturday.

To purchase my full card report for Saratoga that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.

Here is the opening race from Saratoga to get our day off to a good start:

SAR Race 1 OClm $50,000N2X (1:00 ET)
#1 Big Polka Dot 12/1
#3 Karakorum Legend 4/1
#2 Writingonthewall 5/1
#6 Summer Patriot 7/2

Analysis: #1 Big Polka Dot is making his first start since March where the colt faded to finish tenth in the New Orleans 'Cap (G2). The colt showed plenty of promise early this year with an Alw-1 win in his third career start. The colt is by Tapit (11% first turf) out of an unraced Dehere mare, so the pedigree is not screaming turf. He does sport a couple of quick works over the turf in the morning and the price should be right. Several of the top contenders in here have suspect form and I'll take a stab this guy returns off the bench and runs well on the new surface. The barn has a couple of wins at the meeting and is 25% winners (with a +ROI) with horses trying the turf for the first time.

#3 Karakorum Legend set the early fractions and weakened to finish fourth last out in his first try at today's condition. The NY bred beat open Alw-1 foes two back in a sharp effort, his second win over the Spa turf in his career. Ramon departs to ride the Tagg runner that has not won since winning the John's Call here in '08.

Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 6/1 or better.
EX: 1,3 / 1,2,3,6
TRI: 1,3 / 1,2,3,6 / 1,2,3,4,6,9

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 10 The Spinaway G1 (5:56 ET)
#3 Alienation 4/1
#4 Valiant Passion 3/1
#7 R Heat Lightning 4/1
#1 Stopsopendingmaria / #1a Sky Hosoya 7/2

Analysis: #3 Alienation pressed the early pace from the outside, took command and was no match for the winner late in a runner up finish in the Adirondack (G2) in her stakes debut. She caught a main track that day that was playing to outside stalkers and closers. She looks quick enough she may be able to shake loose from this group here. She is by Hard Rock Ten out of the stakes winner Alienated ($87K).

#4 Valiant Passion got the job done in her debut at 30/1 and we were aboard that day as she was our top pick. Despite getting steadied from the 3/8's to the 5/16's she made a strong move in the stretch while still acting a bit green and pulled away to win by 9 1/4 lengths. She was purchased after the race by Team Valor and now she lands with Pletcher. She should move forward off that effort and among the four in here Pletcher sends out may still have the most upside.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 1,3,4,7
TRI: 3,4 / 1,3,4,7 / 1,2,3,4,7

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Saratoga
R1: #1 Big Polka Dot 12/1
R3: #5 Saratoga Tiger 12/1
R4: #6 Syzygy 10/1
R4: #9 Rappapport 12/1
R6: #2 Lone Tigress / #2b Deannaallen'skitten 10/1
R7: #6 Dattt Echo 20/1
R8: #5 Cougar Cruise 8/1
R11: #6 Disarming 12/1

Good luck today!