Saratoga Hotlist - August 15

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Saratoga
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 worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

2^nd race – (6) Rip It (B) was off slow in his debut for Christophe Clement and then he ran up on the heels of a horse in front of him. He was sent off as the favorite in that Saratoga start. (2) Rock Sugar (B) was in that same race as the top choice and actually finished ahead of him in third. He was making his debut for Bill Mott whose horses usually improve in their second starts. (5) Polinesia will make his first career start for Chad Brown. He is out of a stakes winning dam and sold for $800,000 as a yearling at Saratoga.  (9) Jimmy P is a home-bred from the connections of the great turf filly Lady Eli who is trained by Graham Motion.

7^th race – (6) Mo Ready (A) made his 2020 debut for Todd Pletcher last time out in a first-level turf allowance for NY-breds. He was bet to be the favorite and looked full of run but was stymied in traffic for about an eighth of a mile and still only finished two lengths behind the winner. (2) Sanctuary City (C) took late money, dropping in odds from 21-1 to 16-1. He rallied boldly from 11^th to finish second after going seven wide turning for home. (8) Jimmy Jazz finished a head behind the second choice after getting the lead in the stretch. (11) Jack the Cat last ran at Belmont Park in this same kind of allowance and like mentioned above he also had a stretch lead but got passed and ended up in second.

10^th race – (9) Bustin Shout (C) was a front running winner last start after getting bet down from 8-1 to 6-1. He returns in a similar NY-bred turf sprint second-level allowance. (2) Shiraz was claimed in his last two races including a return to the barn of hot Saratoga trainer Mike Maker. Maker moves him back to state-bred competition after facing and winning his last two against open company. (1) Maxwell Esquire returned to NY-bred racing with an allowance win last time at the Spa. (8) Royal Asset is in for a tag after running second last time for Tom Morley behind the top choice.

11^th race – (2) False Alarm (B/D) was very rank and had to be steadied a few times in his last start in a $40,000 maiden claimer for NY-breds on the turf. He was also bet late from 8-1 to 6-1. (6) Michael’s Bad Boy was third and second in two starts this year at this same level. (4) Bricco has two second place finishes in 2020 at this maiden claiming level. (8) Mommie’s Jewel set the pace and had the lead turning for home. Rosario stays on board and will hopefully use her speed again against this group.

Best bets: Rip It (2^nd); Mo Ready (7^th).  Best value:  Bustin Shout (10^th); False Alarm (11^th).

@NYHotList Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special Pick 3 is on races 9-11 and includes the Alabama (G1):  1, 2, 6 with 1, 2, 8, 9 with 2, 4, 6 = $36.