Welcome to Stabile’s Saratoga Special. Throughout the 36 day meet at America’s most revered racetrack, VegasInsider.com writer and handicapper Anthony Stabile, dubbed “King of the Spa” after his record setting ROI for a public handicapper at the 1999 Saratoga meet, will take a look at the stakes action for the day as well as give you a free play in one of the stakes that day. For all of Stabile’s daily Saratoga selections and plays, CLICK HERE!!!
Saratoga kicks off its six week meet with the $100,000 G3 Schuylerville for two year old fillies going six furlongs on the main track. This years renewal is one of the most competitive I can remember as a bakers’ dozen young ladies are scheduled to battle it out in the perennial opening day feature at the old Spa.
D. Wayne Lukas, rumored to be loaded for bear this season, sends out the undefeated Decelerator with Julien Leparoux in the saddle from Post 5. After winning her debut over a sloppy Churchill Downs strip in mid May, Decelerator battled gamely through the lane to hold on in the G3 Debutante a little over a month ago and should benefit from the probable fast pace in here.
Beautician has been highly touted ever since her powerful maiden win at Churchill for trainer Ken McPeek earlier this month. Beautician tracked the early pace and grabbed the lead while racing four wide before widening her lead to two lengths on the line. Beautician will add Lasix for this and gets the services of Kent Desormeaux, who replaces Albarado in the saddle. They’ll break from Post 10. McPeek will also saddle Vivid Colors, a first out, gate-to-wire maiden winner in the slop at Churchill, in the Schuylerville. Calvin Borel rides from Post 7.
Hot Dixie Chick figures to be a major player as far as the pace is concerned and is no stranger to Decelerator, having finished second to her in her debut. Hot Dixie Chick came back to earn a gaudy 100 Beyer Speed Figure in her subsequent maiden win over a fast track, stopping the clock in :56 2/5 for the five furlongs. Robby Albarado rides from the rail for trainer Steve Asmussen, who’ll also be sending out synthetic track maiden winner Kinsolving from Post 2 under Edgar Prado.
Cowgirl Mally closed nicely through the lane to win her debut on July 4 at Churchill for trainer Eddie Kenneally. Ramon Dominguez rides from Post 3. Sassy Image also broke her maiden at Churchill, winning her second start after finishing third to Beautician in her debut. Spa newcomer Miguel Mena rides for Dale Romans from Post 8.
In just three starts, Aegean has seen more than some horses will see in a lifetime. She broke her maiden over the Polytrack at Keeneland, won the G3 Kentucky Juvenile against the boys at Churchill during Derby week then shipped over to run at the world famous Royal Ascot meeting in England as part of trainer Wesley Ward’s small contingent. Jesus Castanon rides from Post 4.
Another who’s already had success against the boys is Franny Freud. Though it was just a four horse field, and one of the others was a filly, she did defeat a couple of colts in her debut before finishing second in a minor stakes over the synthetic strip at Woodbine last out. Rajiv Maragh rides from Post 9 for trainer John Terranova.
That’s How I Roll was the other filly in Franny Freud’s maiden win and followed up a third place finish that day with a win against fillies in her next start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Jose Lezcano has the mount and will break from Post 11.
So N So set fast early fractions en route to a debut maiden score against New York-breds for trainer Tom Bush down at Belmont. Alan Garcia returns and will have to navigate the ultra-tough Post 13. Wild Without Wine won in her second start for trainer Dale Capuano at Delaware last out. Rosie Napravnik rides from Post 6. Trainer Jimmy Toner sends out the maiden Stormandaprayer with Javier Castellano aboard from Post 12.
THE PLAY
Lukas has had enormous success in the past with juveniles up at Saratoga and I think he’s ready to start this meet off with a bang. Play $30 to win on Decelerator and make a $1 trifecta key using Decelerator over Hot Dixie Chick, Cowgirl Mally, Sassy Image and Beautician. That costs $12, with total plays costing $42. Good luck!!!
