Saratoga Hotlist - August 13

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Friday, August 13, 2021 at Saratoga – Day 22
                By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                         B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

7^th race [NY, Alw 90000 N1X, 1 mi TURF] – (4) Mopolka (A) raced twice against open company and then moved back to face NY-breds last time for Linda Rice. That was her second start since Rice claimed her for $35,000 in May. Last time she had the lead in the stretch and it seems like she is ready to win now. (12) Masterof the Tunes (C) was well bet from 10-1 to 6-1 in her 2021 debut as a horse with relatively poor form last year. She stalked and rallied to win by a head after a six-month layoff. (10) Freedom Machine moved from a maiden claiming victory to finish third in an allowance at Saratoga last time. (1) Pure Bode was fifth in her first start of the year but she has races in 2020 that could win against this field.

8^th race [OC80k/N2X, 5 ½ F TURF] – (2) Duress (A) lost all chance when he had to steady at the start and then check as a horse that runs best from a stalking position. In his prior race, which was his first of the year, he was third in a similar spot. (3) Noble Emotion was a winner in his second start of the year just two weeks ago at the Spa for Horatio DePaz. (1) Shekky Shebaz has plenty of early speed in turf sprints but he has lots of second-place finishes. (9) Competitive Saint ran third in his first start of the year. Leading rider Luis Saez stays on board this guy who was stakes placed at Saratoga last year.

9^th race [Tale of the Cat, 6F] – (6) Foolish Ghost won his last two races including the NY-bred John Morrissey at Saratoga. Joel Rosario stays on board and a stalking trip would be ideal in this field that is loaded with early speed. (3) Bon Raison will make his second start of the year with races in Grade 1 company. He runs well at this distance, at the Spa, and from off the pace. (2) Shashashakemeup got claimed last time out for $80,000 when he was second at this track going seven-furlongs. (5) Wondrwherecraigis is a speedy invader from Maryland who got a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in a win at Pimlico last time.

10^th race [Clm 16000 N2L, 7F] – (1) Joey Loose Lips had the lead and then just missed by a neck in a NY-bred allowance and now drops into the N2L condition. (9) Well Done West was second at Churchill Downs last time for a $30,000 tag and cuts back to a sprint from two turns. (3) Vikram got his win in a maiden special weight and then tried a starter allowance on the turf. This is a much softer spot for the Jonathan Thomas runner. (4) Good Culture was claimed for $30,000 two races back by Mike Maker who is making all the right moves and drops this guy down in price looking for yet another win at the Spa.

Best bets:  Foolish Ghost (9^th); Joey Loose Lips (10^th). Best value:  Mopolka (7^th); Duress (8^th).