It’s the summer place to be at The Spaaaaaa. The thoroughbred’s have returned to Saratoga Springs, along with fans. Saratoga Race Track will be full capacity this summer, which is a welcome change after last year. If you’re looking to head to the track for opening day, all fans who show proof of a vaccination via the New York State Excelsior Pass, will receive free Grandstand General admission.
The summer meet for the New York Racing Association (NYRA) starts on Thursday, July 15th and will run until Monday, September 6th. Saratoga will have at least one stakes race everyday which includes 43 graded stakes races. The Grade I Runhappy Travelers Stakes will headline these graded stakes races and takes place on August 28th. In terms of betting changes, Saratoga now has a new $1 minimum Pick 6.
Opening Day at Saratoga will covered by America’s Day at the Races and broadcast on Fox Sports 2 from 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
Quick Call Stakes
The Quick Call Stakes was inaugurated in 2008 took place in September. However, since then, it has taken place in either July or August. The race was named after Quick Call, the multiple graded stakes winner who won more than half of his sixteen career victories at Saratoga Race Track. The Quick Call Stakes was upgraded to a Grade III Stakes Race in 2019.
Race Information:
- Track: Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs, New York)
- Event Grade: III
- Race: 8
- Post Time: 5:05 PM ET
- Length: 5 1/2 Furlongs
- Purse: $120,000
- Division: Open| 3 Year Olds
- Surface: Turf
Field:
- Kentucky Pharoah (Tyler Gaffalione), 10-1
- Second of July (Dylan Davis), 15-1
- Golden Pal (Irad Ortiz Jr.), 1-2
- Omaha City (Manuel Franco), 20-1
- Fire Sword (John R. Velazquez), 2-1 (MTO)
- Fauci (Nik Juarez), 10-1
- Mr Sippi (TBA), 6-1 (MTO)
- Rebel Posse (Reylu Gutierrez), 12-1
- Jaxon Traveler (Jose Ortiz), 3-1
Preview:
GOLDEN PAL is the morning line favorite at 1-2 and rightfully so. He has some pedigree being the son of UNCLE MO and, has been in the money in every race of his career (2-2-0). His latest race was back on November 6th where he captured the Grade 2 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. This horse is coming off a slight delay but, his workouts have been encouraging. JAXON TRAVELER, who is making his turf debut, has also been in money in everyone of his seven career starts (4-3-0). In his last two races (Woodstock Stakes & Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes) he’s failed to find the winner circle, finishing second in both. FAUCI has a quick turn around with his last race coming on July 11 where he finished seventh in the My Frenchman Stakes. The notes for that race included he looked tired, which isn’t very encouraging at all. However, in the race before, he won an Allowance sprint race at Monmouth back in June. KENTUCKY PHAROAH also did not have a great race in his last start, losing his rider out of the gate. He’s an offspring of Triple Crown winning American Pharoah but has yet to live up to his pedigree. Gaffalione will get the ride in the Quick Call Stakes as they try to switch things up. In the race prior he finished fifth in the Grade 3 Kitten’s Joy Stakes.
Picks:
WIN : (3) GOLDEN PAL
This is the best horse in the race and I don’t really trust Jaxon Traveler who is making his turf debut. Fauci is coming off a quick turn around and will most likely be lacking some closing speed. If you’re looking to single a horse in a multi race exotic wager, this is the race to do it.
Schuylerville Stakes
The Schuylerville Stakes is a race for 2 year old fillies who could potentially run in the 2022 Kentucky Oaks. This race was named in honor of the near by town Schuylerville, New York. In 2006, the The Schuylerville Stakes was downgraded from a Grade II Stakes to a Grade III Stakes. The Schuylerville Stakes opens the Saratoga meet every year.
Race Information:
- Track: Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs, New York)
- Event Grade: III
- Race: 9
- Post Time: 5:39 PM ET
- Length: 6 Furlongs
- Purse: $150,000
- Division: Fillies | 2 Year Olds
- Surface: Dirt
Field:
- Pretty Birdie (Luis Saez), 7-2
- Mainstay (Frankie Pennington), 7-2
- Pipeline Girl (Jose Ortiz), 8-1
- Velvet Sister (Joel Rosario), 8-1
- Saucy Lady T (Manuel Franco), 30-1
- Queen Camila (Junior Alvarado), 30-1
- Happy Soul (John Velazquez), 8-5
- Eagle Express (Ricardo Santana Jr.), 10-1
- Cartel Queen (Irad Ortiz Jr.), 12-1
Preview:
HAPPY SOUL sired by RUNHAPPY, headlines this race and will go off as the odds on favorite. This filly has run three times in her career and has an impressive record of 2-1-0. She’s coming off back to back wins at Belmont Park, both of which were blowouts. In her last race, she won the Astoria Stakes running a 92 Equibase Speed Figure. John Velazquez has been aboard the her the first three rides and, will get the nod again here. PRETTY BIRDIE is another contender who has some pedigree. She’s the daughter of BIRD SONG and won her maiden back on June 18th in a MSW at Churchill Downs. MAINSTAY is also coming off a maiden victory at Monmouth Park where she torched her competition. EAGLE EXPRESS has been shipped in under Trainer Steve Asmussen from Lone Star Park. She’s coming off a win in the Texas Stallion Pan Zareta Division Stakes back on June 13th. The filly did not run an great speed figure in that race and will certainly need to step it up to compete with this field. VELVET SISTER who is also trained by Steve Asmussen, has a chance in this race after winning her maiden. She’s 1-1 in career starts, winning a MSW back on June 10th at Belmont Park. PIPELINE GIRL is also coming off her maiden win in a MSW at Churchill and is trained under Thomas Amoss. Amoss, also has another horse in this race in CARTEL QUEEN. She’s coming off a bit of a delay with her last race coming back in May where she won her second start in a MSW at Churchill. She finished second in her first start but, improved in her second race which is an encouraging sign.
Picks:
WIN : (2) MAINSTAY, (4) VELVET SISTER
Mainstay and Velvet Sister both showed some impressive speed in their maiden’s and I think one of them can take down the favorite here. Happy Soul has had a lack of competition in her first two races and this race should offer up some more quality. If you’re looking for an exotic wager here, I would throw the 2,4 over the 7.
