Nine 3-year-old fillies go for Grade 1 glory in Test
Both Mia Mischief and Classy Act prefer to run on or just off the pace.
Separationofpowers is the other entrant at 7-2. As a 2-year-old, she acquitted herself well in three straight Grade 1s, winning the Frizette by open lengths and running third in the Spinaway. The Test is the Candy Ride filly’s second start back off an eight-month layoff. In her 2018 debut in the Victory Ride, she finished fourth after swinging wide on the turn. Separationofpowers broke her maiden here by 11 ¾ lengths at first asking.
Louisiana-bred Minit to Stardom (6-1) has raced only three times – but she won all three by a combined 18 ¾ lengths. This is her first try in an open stakes, however, never mind at the Grade 1 level, making the Test a serious jump in class. Minit to Stardom has yet to race beyond six furlongs.
Spectator (8-1) is twice Grade 1-placed, in the Del Mar Debutante as a 2-year-old and in the Santa Anita Oaks this spring. The daughter of Jimmy Creed owns a Grade 2 win a year ago in the Sorrento Stakes.
Alter Moon (4-1), Kelly’s Humor (15-1), Cathedral Reader (20-1) and Norma’s Charm (30-1) complete the field of nine.
When anyone travels to Saratoga Race Course there is always the goal of going home a winner and a new program from NYRA is looking to make someone today a big winner.
Through the NYRA Bets program, Saturday’s Late Pick 5 has a guaranteed single-winner payout of an eye-popping $500,000.
After the re-branding of the former NYRA Rewards program to NYRA Bets and the approval for on-line wagering across the nation, the next step was to come up with something that would be attractive to those exclusive NYRA Bets customers.
“The idea of the Pick 5 came because there was no late Pick 5 at Saratoga,” Tony Allevato, President, NYRA Bets and Executive Producer said. “We thought let’s create this bet, we’ll make it available to all our customers, but let’s not punish people who are coming to the race track.”
The NYRA Bets Late Pick 5 is available to all bettors on track, all on-line bettors Along with Andrew Champagne above, several of our handicappers weighed-in with their thoughts on the late large stake races on Saturday to add some additional value to your betting slips on Whitney Weekend. Race 8 The Longines Test Wise Owl says: Seperationofpowers had a bad stumble in last race (Victory Ride) cost this filly all chances at the top spot. Clean getaway today will allow her to sit a stalking trip behind familiar pacesetters. Wet track should be to her liking. Seperationofpowers, Classy Act and Minit to Stardom. Sam Hollingworth says: Chad Brown is red hot and starts of this big stakes sequence with a nice chunk of the prize, having two of his finishers come in the money. Separationofpowers, Alter Moon, Mia Mischief Race 9 The Whitney Wise Owl says: Trying to find some value and beat the likely post-time favorite, Diversify. Backyard Heaven did indeed run a clunker last out but has proven he can fire fresh off the bench. His daddy won this race in convincing fashion in 2011 and he attracts the meet’s leading rider, trained by the meet’s leading trainer. Backyard Heaven, Mind Your Biscuits, Diversify Sam Holllingsworth says: Diversify is running on all cylinders, but Good Samaritan gives him all he can handle in a battle down to the wire. Chad Brown scores another chuck of a big purse. Diversify, Good Samaritan, Backyard Heaven Race 10 The Fasig-Tipton Waya Wise Owl says: Mom’s On Strike seems to run better the more ground she’s given, should relish the 12 furlongs today. She’s also proven over wet/soft turf so that shouldn’t be a problem if the case today. Goes out for the white hot Joe Sharp barn (4 wins in 9 starts), and the second and third place finishers whom she finished behind in her last race won next out. Big shot today. Mom’s On Strike, Santa Monica, Lottie Sam Hollingsworth says: Brown has another big showing in the third of three graded stakes races on Whitney Day with a big 1-2 punch here. Santa Monica, Homeland Security, Mom’s on Strike