Saratoga Stakes Preview: Wednesday Analysis & Selections

Mr. Buff will run at Saratoga in the Evan Shipman Handicap

Following the busy weekend schedule at Saratoga, things slow down a bit for the weekday cards. The highlight of Wednesday will be the return of Mr. Buff.

Saratoga Stakes Preview

This weekend doesn’t offer quite the same fire power as last weekend’s Whitney card, but there is still plenty of stakes action from “The Spa”

Wednesday

  • Evan Shipman Handicap
  • Mahony Stakes

Thursday

  • Saratoga Dew Handicap

Friday

  • Tale of the Cat Stakes

Saturday

  • Fourstardave Handicap (Grade 1-Turf)
  • Saratoga Special (Grade 2)

Sunday

  • Galway Stakes

Saratoga Wednesday Analysis

According to current predictions Saratoga looks like it will have a beautiful weekend of racing. There is a slight chance of rain on Tuesday, but otherwise the 10 day forecast looks dry. This should mean that all races can stay on the turf and the main track should be listed as firm.

The following selections are listed in order of preference. If a scratch occurs the remaining horses can be moved up one spot.

To watch Wednesday’s action from Saratoga tune into NYRA’s Youtube channel for a live streaming of the races.

Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; Purse: 100k Maiden Special Weight, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

#7 ADMIRAL HALSEY enters the race as the favorite and has the best breeding rating in the group. #5 CASTLE LEOCH’s trainer is winning at over 20% and has recorded the best speed figure of 81 at the distance. #1 LABARDE appears to have the best early speed in the group and should have plenty left in the tank late. #4 SNOW CANDY has speed figures among the best in the race and has been keeping good company and should be competitive against this group.

  • Selections: 7-5-1-4

Race 2

Post: 1:41 PM ET; Purse: 32k Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#2 ADDILYN’s jockey is winning at 22% and has recorded the best speed figure of 88 at the distance. She has done little wrong of late and has a real shot here. #1 EXTRA EFFORT enters the race as the favorite and has the best early speed in the group. #5 EFFIEMEISTER’s trainer is winning at 20% and has speed figures among the best in the race. #7 BUSTIN BAY finished in the money 100% at the distance.

  • Selections: 2-1-5-7

Race 3

Post: 2:15 PM ET; Purse: 100k Evan Shipman H., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 5

#2 MR. BUFF enters the race as the favorite and has finished in the money 76% at the distance. He has been keeping good company and should be competitive against this group. #3 SEA FOAM should be forwardly placed today and has the best finishing kick in the race. #1 DANNY CALIFORNIA has speed figures among the best in the race and should have plenty left in the tank against this group. #5 WINSTON'S CHANCE has the top class rating in today's race.

  • Selections: 2-3-1-5

Race 4

Post: 2:49 PM ET; Purse: 105k Allowance Optional Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

#4 GOTTA GO MO is the race as the favorite and is tied for the best speed figure at the distance with a 93. #8 TOO SEXY’s jockey is winning at 22% and has done little wrong of late and has a real shot here. #6 SECURE CONNECTION has also recorded a 93 speed figure at the distance and has the best finishing kick in the race. #1 RICHIES GREAT GIRL’s trainer is winning at a ridiculous 34%. She has been keeping good company and should be competitive against this group.

  • Selections: 4-8-6-1

Race 5

Post: 3:21 PM ET; Purse: 85k Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

#6 LUCKY BRODY has the best breeding rating in the group and has done little wrong of late and has a real shot here. #3 KADEN has speed figures among the best in the race and she has good breeding against today's rivals. #1 TIVOLI TWIRL has the best early speed in the group and should have plenty left in the tank against this group #4 BLITZ TO WIN enters the race as the favorite and should be forwardly placed today.

  • Selections: 6-3-1-4

Race 6

Post: 3:55 PM ET; Purse: 45k Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#3 MS PENELOPEPITSTOP has speed figures among the best in the race with good breeding against today's rivals. #5 BONKERS’ jockey is winning at 22% while the trainer is winning at 28%. #6 MY SUNNY VALENTINE has good breeding against today's rivals. #2 SHINING COLORS has never finished out of the money at the distance and has the best early speed in the group.

  • Selections: 3-5-6-2

Race 7

Post: 4:29 PM ET; Purse: 103k Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/8 Miles on Inner Turf; Entries: 12

#2 MAGISTERIUM has a top jockey and speed figures among the best in the race. She also has the top class rating in today's race. #5 MISTY VEIL enters the race as the favorite and has done little wrong of late. #3 LISHEEN has the best finishing kick in the race. #7 ELLE EST FORTE has recorded the best speed figure of 80 at the distance.

  • Selections: 2-5-3-7 (Best Bet #2)

Race 8

Post: 5:05 PM ET; Purse: 95k Allowance Optional Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

#2 BETSY BLUE enters the race as the favorite and has the best finishing kick in the race. She has done little wrong of late and seems tough to beat. #3 DIVA BANKER has the top class rating in today's race. #5 MY ROXY GIRL has recorded the best speed figure of 101 at the distance. #6 HONEY MONEY has been keeping good company and should be competitive against this group.

  • Selections: 2-3-5-6

Race 9

Post: 5:39 PM ET; Purse: 120k Mahony S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 9

#1 INTO THE SUNRISE should be forwardly placed today and have plenty left in the tank against this group. #4 JAXON TRAVELER is the race favorite and has never been out of the money at the distance. #3 SKY'S NOT FALLING has the top class rating in today's race. #2 FAUCI has speed figures that make him competitive.

  • Selections: 1-4-3-2

Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; Purse: 50k Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Inner Turf; Entries: 12

#4 CLEVER FELLOW enters the race as the favorite and has recorded the best speed figure of 88 at the distance and has the best finishing kick in the race. #5 FLINTSHIRE'S ROCK has the best breeding and class rating in today's race. #10 VIKING ZIM has good breeding against today's rivals and has been keeping good company. He should be competitive against this group. #8 GHOSTMON has never missed the board at the distance.

  • Selections: 4-5-10-8

More From Saratoga

Betting News will continue to cover the Saratoga summer meet. Check back on Friday for a full analysis and free selections for Saturday’s Grade 1 Fourstardave card.

By Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.