Saratoga Hotlist - August 17

Today’s NY Hot List races to watch – Wednesday, August 17, 2022 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 worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

2^nd race [Clm 16000, 6F] – (1) Greeley and Ben marks the return of trainer David Jacobson who has not run a horse since October 8, 2018. He won 1,272 race and over $45 million in purse money. It looks like they want to win right away as this guy was claimed for $62,500 at Oaklawn Park, sold at auction for $80,000, and ran well in two stakes races. (4) Quick Return was claimed from his last three starts including a win last time for $12,500 at Saratoga after racing against much tougher. (3) Winning Drive was also claimed for $12,500 from his last start where he was second at Belmont Park. (5) Casalsa was claimed for $16,000 two races back and moved up to $32,000 in a turf event that was a throw out race.

3^rd race [Clm 16000 N2L, 6 ½ F] – (6) Mommasgottarun was claimed for $25,000 at Saratoga where she finished second after having the lead. She drops down in price and into a N2L condition for the first time for Brad Cox. (7) Backed by Gold set the pace last time in a $25,000 race at the Spa and finished second. (2) Wicked Happy has been off since April. She broke her maiden for a $40,000 tag at Aqueduct in February. (3) Perfect Provision will make her first start up north for Saffie Joseph after racing at Gulfstream Park on the Tapeta and turf although her first two races were good efforts on the dirt.

4^th race [Clm 35000 N2L, 1 1/16 mi TURF] – (7) French Franc broke her maiden for a $35,000 tag and then tried a tough starter allowance at Saratoga. This N2L condition is an appropriate spot. (6) I’m Buzzy was second at Monmouth Park in a similar spot last time. (4) Tales of Makenna was claimed from a $40,000 maiden victory last year by Linda Rice and made two starts in NY-bred allowances since then. This drop in class should help. (5) Kemba has four starts at this level this year and he ran well each time with three second-place finishes.

9^th race [NY, New York Stallion Series, 1 mi TURF] – (8) Dakota Gold has a significant advantage over this field in terms of speed figures and past competition. She won a NY Stallion Series stake in her first start of the year and was then second in the Rick Violette. Last year she was an open company stakes winner and was fifth in the Breeders’ Cup. (5) Marinara Sauced won her debut for Chad Brown back in May at Belmont Park. (10) Barrel of Quests was third in a state-bred allowance last time for David Donk. (3) Shinsun won at first asking and then was third in an open company starter allowance.

Best bets:  Greeley and Ben (2^nd); Dakota Gold (9^th). Best value: Mommasgottarun (3^rd); French Franc (4^th).