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!!!
The $150,000 G2 Hall of Fame for three year olds going 1 1/8 miles on the grass highlights today’s card at the Old Spa. It also honors this years Hall of Fame inductees which includes the likes of jockey Eddie Maple and three time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert. Fittingly, a fellow Hall of Famer will saddle a pair of runners including the probably post time favorite.
Back in 1997, Bill Mott became the youngest trainer to enter the Hall of Fame, an honor that previously belonged to one of the all-time greats of the turf, Allen Jerkens. This year, Mott will send out Courageous Cat who’s looking for his third straight victory.
After breaking his maiden two starts back over a yielding course, Courageous Cat stole away to an easy lead in the A Gift at Belmont last out before sprinting home and holding on for a game ¾ length score over Al Khali. Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has the mount from post 8. Speaking of Al Khali, he’s back for more in here and will be making his first start for Mott having been previously trained by Todd Pletcher. Norberto Arroyo, Jr. rides from post 5.
Straight Story won his first two tries on turf against New York breds before just missing by a head in the G2 Colonial Turf Cup and G2 Virginia Derby in his last pair at Colonial Downs for trainer Alan Goldberg. John Velazquez rides from post 1.
No Inflation has hit the board in all six of his turf tries but sports just one win on the lawn. In his last three starts, a third in the G2 Jefferson Cup at Churchill is sandwiched between a pair of second place finishes in the Arlington Classic and G2 American Derby at Arlington Park. Robby Albarado rides for trainer. Tom Proctor from post 2.
After finishing third in Colonial Turf Cup and fourth in the Virginia Derby, Lime Rickey will be reunited with the jockey that was aboard for his two career victories in Javier Castellano. He’ll break from post 3 for trainer Frank Alexander.
Out at Night ships in from Delaware for trainer Randy Martin sporting three consecutive wins on the lawn against far lesser competition. He’s won four of five turf starts in all and will get the riding services of Jose Lezcano from post 4.
Conservative will be returning to the turf having tried his hand in a couple of synthetic track stakes and the off-the-turf Hill Prince two back at Belmont. Conservative finished second in his turf debut before breaking his maiden for Shug McGaughey, the other Hall of Fame conditioner with a horse in here. Alan Garcia rides from post 6.
Trianer Roger Attfield will use this spot as the grass debut for his charge, Midnight Mischief. Midnight Mischief won his last two starts over the Woodbine Polytrack surface around two turns. Hall of Famer Edgar Prado rides from post 7.
Ramon Dominguez will ride Sal the Barber from post 9 for trainer Christophe Clement. Third in the Lamplighter two back at Monmouth, Sal the Barber went gate-to-wire in an overnight stakes at Belmont last out in preparation for this.
Finally, El Crespo hasn’t won since winning the G3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream back in mid-March for trainer Rusty Arnold. Julien Leparoux rides from post 10.
THE PLAY Look for a repeat of the A Gift exacta. Bet $30 to win on Courageous Cat and make a $10 exacta box using Courageous Cat and Al Khali. Total wagers cost $50. Good luck!!!!!
BANKROLL: minus $112
