FIFTH RACE

MIRACLE NICKY looked like a 2yo in need of a race when breaking slowly and then never getting into a comfortable position when sprinting on dirt in his debut upstate; thought he looked good breezing 10.2 before going for $110k back in March and he might have much more early speed than he managed to show last time; has some turf pedigree. MASETA failed to hold his good early position after getting away with the leaders in his debut last month, and he wound up making a game, wide run to the stretch before settling for third; likely to do better making his second start for this trainer. EXCURSIONNISTE got too far back in the early stages of his turf debut last time, then rallied strongly to gain ground to the end and pass MASETA for 2nd; might be the horse to beat but his lack of speed is a drawback and he draws outside again.

SIXTH RACE

MONTATHAM posted his lone win so far going longer but I actually think he might be better sprinting; returned from an extended layoff back in April to run very well while rallying for 4th into a pace that was holding together, and he once again finished well last time to no avail; likely to be price once again and he might have some pace in front of him here. KING JAMES dropped in class last time while getting a bit more ground to work with, and he used every yard of the distance to get there at the end with a determined finish; looks like a nice fit here and his tactical speed gives Ortiz options. RING OF FIRE switched to turf once arriving in the Atras barn and he has upped his game significantly to break his maiden narrowly in a bit of an upset at Saratoga, before coming right back to finish a good 2nd at this level while an even bigger price; contender right back, but he’s not going to be a big price this time.

SEVENTH RACE

SUMMER SNOW caught a wet track for her first start at Saratoga and fueled the pace from between horses before proving to be no match for a sharp winner in the stretch; well-bred filly can do better with that race behind her for Hennig, who is 6 for his last 19 (32%) with 2yo maidens making a second career start on dirt ($3.90 ROI). SWEET LIES breezed two furlongs in 21-flat before going for $125k in April; dam has dropped a few runners already and Motion is more than capable of having a firster ready. CUPID’S HEART is by a new sire in Cupid, who has four debut winners from his first crop, and this filly is from a solid female family that includes stakes winners Skyway and Ava K.; breezed a bullet five furlongs last week for Levine, who had a debut winner here last week.

EIGHTH RACE

HIGH OPINION did not stretch out effectively over the summer, but she got right back to her best form when cut back to this distance at Saratoga, and then backed that effort up strongly when just missing in the Ballston Spa last time; going good now for a trainer who continues to have a strong year, especially with his turf runners. FLOWER POINT has mostly kept to sprinting throughout her career, but her two wins since arriving in NY have come going seven on this Widener course, and she showed much improved tactical speed in that last one to keep the pace within range; needs to improve again. TAMAHERE has to be used to make the lead in the Ballston Spa two back, before eventually backing that pace down and staying gamely in the stretch; got control over yielding turf vs. weaker last time and dominated with a big 105 Beyer; threat right back if she can make the top from her outside draw.

NINTH RACE

FOUNDER was no match for a couple of these same rivals in the Saranac last time, though he never had a real chance there while trying to close from last into a rated pace; has much to prove as a turf horse but think he’s better than he looks on this surface and the added distance should not hinder his chances - assuming he can work out a fair trip. SOLDIER RISING has been in the exacta in all six starts to date, including his two stateside starts, which both came going longer vs. better horses; did get a nice trip and ride two back, but he showed more tactical speed last time and is not facing a rival of the quality of Yibir in this spot. PUBLIC SECTOR keeps getting good trips and doing what is needed with them, and is now one unlucky trip and a short head away from having four in a row on the way into this, including a pair of graded stakes; tactical colt has to stretch out but likely has another good trip coming.

TENTH RACE

LAOCHI ran very well first time out when rushing up to content the pace and lasting for 2nd behind an impressive winner; blew the start last time and wound up running much better than it looks after rushing up again in that spot; has to get out of the gate this time. KANT HURRY LOVE rallied from far back to finish a gaining 3rd on debut, then showed improved early speed and failed to improve all that much in his second start; turf to dirt for top connections here looking to take a step forward. SUNSET LOUISE has some dam-side pedigree behind her as she debuts for an underrated first-out trainer - dam herself earned several 90+ Beyers while winning three times sprinting and winding up Grade 2 placed, and she has dropped three multiple winners so far, including the stakeswinning dirt router The Reds, who is a full-brother to this filly.