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A snail’s pace in Saturday’s Grade I Sword Dancer Invitational seems almost certain, as only two horses appear to have even a modicum of early speed. The fastest of the slow lot appears to be Presious Passion, a gelding that has already posted two double-digit upsets by assuming control in paceless affairs. Presious Passion paid $42.60 when he won the Pan American Handicap on April 5 and $29.60 when he triumphed in the United Nations Handicap six weeks ago. 

Trying to run down the Mary Hartmann-trained charge are Equitable, who finished a close third to Presious Passion in the U.N.; Red Rocks, Curlin’s conqueror in the Man o’ War; Dancing Forever, a winner of two straight graded events; and Grand Couturier, last year’s Sword Dancer champ.

Saturday’s Free Picks

All selections (unless otherwise noted) are made in light of the conditions existing at the time of entry. Races taken off the turf, or modified in any way, should be passed.                                                                                                  

SARATOGA * Race 8 (47%) * $500,000 Purse * 12.0 Furlongs * Turf

1-Equitable (10/1)                                                                    

Fair Odds: 6-1                                                              

5-Presious Passion (15/1)                                                                    

Fair Odds: 8-1                                                              

3-Red Rocks (9/5)                                                                    

Fair Odds: 5-2                                                              

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COMMENTS: Saratoga has not been kind to trainer Bill Mott thus far, but EQUITABLE could help change that. A young, improving colt, Equitable draws the rail in a race with virtually no front speed. And, if jockey Kent Desormeaux learned anything from Big Brown’s Belmont debacle, the son of A.P. Indy will be sent early to engage Presious Passion (the gelding that beat Equitable in the United Nations Handicap on July 5). PRESIOUS PASSION is certainly no stranger to upset wins, having captured the W.L. McKnight Handicap at 67-1, the Pan American Handicap at 20-1 and the United Nations Handicap at nearly 14-1. Today, the five-year-old gelding is in yet another paceless affair and should be able to grab an easy early lead (barring an unforeseen change of tactics by one of his rivals). RED ROCKS has earned 78 percent of his $2.8 million in career earnings racing at this distance.

BET(S): DUTCH WIN on 1 (at odds of 6-1 or greater) & 5 (at odds of 8-1 or greater). EXACTA BOX 1-5.

SARATOGA * Race 9 (62%) * $600,000 Purse * 10.0 Furlongs * Dirt                                                                  

1-Music Note (1/1)                                                                    

Fair Odds: 4-5                                                              

2-Proud Spell (6/5)                                                                  

Fair Odds: 7-5                                                              

1A-Little Belle (1/1)

Fair Odds: 4-5                                                              

COMMENTS: A new sophomore queen has been crowned and it’s MUSIC NOTE. Improving in every start, the Godolphin filly simply looks too good for these. PROUD SPELL ran hard in the Delaware Oaks and would certainly be no surprise. LITTLE BELLE usually runs well.                                                                       

BET(S): PLACE on 1/1A (at odds of 4-5 or greater).                     

BAY MEADOWS FAIR * RACE 10 (100%) * $11,000 Purse * 8.5 Furlongs * Turf                                                              

9-Alottadar (9/5)                                                                      

Fair Odds: 6-5                                                              

13-Imitation (3/1)                                                                     

Fair Odds: 8-1                                                              

8-River Rebel (8/1)                                                                  

Fair Odds: 10-1                                                             

BET(S): WIN on 9 (at odds of 6-5 or greater).

PENN NATIONAL * RACE 9 (100%) * $11,000 Purse * 5.5 Furlongs * Dirt                                                                       

10-David's Flame (6/1)                                                             

Fair Odds: @7-5                                                                       

4-Rocketome (3/1)                                                                   

Fair Odds: 11-1U                                                                      

3-Blairstown (6/1)                                                                    

Fair Odds: 11-1                                                             

BET(S): WIN on 10 (at odds of 7-5 or greater).