Josh finally got a nice price home yesterday to close the gap with Mark to $0.70. Caleb scratched yesterday so he’ll pick two today.

Mark @Two_Turns

Race 8 – #9 Immortalization: Interesting fresh face in a wide-open allowance race on the undercard. He feels like one of those specialists who prefers this 5.5f distance and can’t quite get 6f vs winners. He possesses a ton of early speed but isn’t a need the lead type as his debut shows and he may be able to clear here if they want. I gushed about Norm Casse’s Saratoga meet on yesterday’s post, so I’ll hold off here, but as with most stats, he’s also great on the long layoff with 20% winners and a $3.20 ROI. Adding to the appeal, he has a win going this exact trip across this surface last year in a really impressive performance. I’m also a big pattern guy and this one has won every other since moving to turf, although that probably deserves an asterisk as a layoff is involved here. I think Gaff has a lot of options here and this gelding should offer a lot of value in a wide-open betting affair.

Josh @CherryDrank

Race 12 – #5 National Treasure: National Treasure should be loose on the lead and has a very good chance to go wire to wire here similar to the Preakness. The Belmont was clearly too far and too fast for him and he will be facing much less pace pressure here with the only possible horse going with him being Scotland. Reincarnate was slated to be entered here and Baffert decided to only run National Treasure in this spot which to me seems to be a vote of confidence for him. Single A National Treasure with #4 Mage as my lone B in case it does get spicy up front. Remember, friends don’t let friends bet Tapit Trice.

Caleb @CalebWVU

Race 1 – #3 Secret Lover: My 2nd pick of the day is due to a late scratch of my pick from Friday. The opening race at Saratoga is a pretty interesting maiden special weight event without any clear standouts. Walstib will attract money off of a good second place finish last out. However, I thought he was really supposed to win that race, as he put a head in front and then had a horse to his inside re-rally on the rail and beat him somewhat comfortably. He now has to navigate an extra furlong, so while he can win, I prefer another from that race. Secret Lover got absolutely sandwiched at the start of that race, falling back nearly 20 lengths after having to check hard just a few jumps out of the gate. He launched an impressive rally to actually pass half the field and make up 10 lengths on the leaders who were always fowardly placed. Sano’s barn has been very hot this meet, with 3 winners from 6 starters so far, and I think this colt has upside if he can manage to get out of the gate cleanly today.

Race 9 – #4 Fort Bragg: This year’s edition of the Allen Jerkens is an extremely competitive event where nearly every horse has a realistic chance of winning. While Arabian Lion is likely to attract most of the Baffert money, I actually prefer the other Baffert, Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg ran an enormous race last out in the Dwyer, stumbling at the break and battling through fast fractions and ultimately wearing down Saudi Crown. Saudi Crown returned to run an extremely game second against Forte in the Jim Dandy next out while going a distance that is likely a bit too far, so the form of the Dwyer appears quite strong. Fort Bragg does not need the lead, so I think he has a good chance to stalk and pounce over New York Thunder.