Saratoga

00:04

Runners: 8 Distance: 1m 2f 0y Going: Sloppy

Form
EW Places: 1/5 ODDS - 3 PLACES

Verdict: JOURNALISM landed the Preakness last time out and the abundance of pace up front enhances his claims. Hill Road is another one to consider,

Hill Road

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr Trainer: Chad Brown Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 73-31

Comment: Managed two wins in his last five outings; narrow winner of a Grade 3 (Belmont At The Big A) last month; has a reasonable shout.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
10/05/25	Belmont At The Big A / Stakes, Grade 3 / F	-	1 / 9	41/20	-
08/03/25	Tampa Bay Downs / Stakes, Grade 3 / F	-	3 / 7	9/2	-
01/11/24	Del Mar / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	3 / 10	611/10	-
15/09/24	Curragh / Group 1 / F	-	7 / 8	14/1	-
08/08/24	Leopardstown / Unknown / F	-	1 / 11	11/2	-

Sovereignty

Jockey: Junior Alvarado Trainer: William Mott Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 21-121

Comment: Had a couple of these behind when winning the Kentucky Derby over this trip at Churchill Downs by 1½l (sloppy track) last month; winner of three of his six runs to date; entitled to respect as jockey does well from inside draws here.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
03/05/25	Churchill Downs / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	1 / 19	399/50	-
29/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	2 / 10	17/10	-
01/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	1 / 6	16/5	-
27/10/24	Churchill Downs / Stakes, Grade 3 / F	-	1 / 9	143/100	-
27/09/24	Belmont At The Big A / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	2 / 6	49/20	-
24/08/24	Saratoga / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	4 / 10	56/5	-

Rodriguez

Jockey: Mike Smith Trainer: Bob Baffert Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 2-1231

Comment: Gained a success in the Wood Memorial (Aqueduct) in April; has chalked up two wins from his last four; others have more pressing claims with stamina to prove at this new trip.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
05/04/25	Aqueduct / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	1 / 10	73/20	-
01/03/25	Santa Anita / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	3 / 5	19/5	-
01/02/25	Santa Anita / Stakes, Grade 3 / F	-	2 / 5	7/5	-
04/01/25	Santa Anita / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 6	1/2	-
23/11/24	Del Mar / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	2 / 6	13/5	-

Uncaged

Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: -416

Comment: Comfortably beaten finishing sixth over 1m1f at Belmont At The Big A (Grade 3) last month; track has proven suitable before; just his fifth outing so still early days; steps into the unknown over new trip and makes little appeal.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
10/05/25	Belmont At The Big A / Stakes, Grade 3 / F	-	6 / 9	43/5	-
06/04/25	Aqueduct / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	1 / 6	13/5	-
02/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	4 / 5	7/10	-
03/08/24	Saratoga / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 7	53/10	-

Crudo

Jockey: John Velazquez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 411

Comment: Won in easy fashion over 1m½f at Pimlico (stakes) last month; aiming to complete a hat-trick and related to Grade 1 winner Sippican Harbor; having his first crack at a big race and should not be far away.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
17/05/25	Pimlico / Stakes / F	-	1 / 7	37/10	-
19/04/25	Keeneland / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 6	11/25	-
08/02/25	Gulfstream Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	4 / 10	9/10	-

Baeza

Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: J Shirreffs Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 9-2123

Comment: Nothing to fault about his last run (just under 2l third in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, sloppy track) last month; should not be far away.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
03/05/25	Churchill Downs / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	3 / 19	693/50	-
05/04/25	Santa Anita / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	2 / 5	143/10	-
14/02/25	Santa Anita / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 6	11/5	-
04/01/25	Santa Anita / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	2 / 6	157/10	-
02/12/24	Del Mar / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	9 / 11	67/10	-

Journalism

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Trainer: Michael McCarthy Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 1-1121

Comment: Managed five wins in his last six outings; proven at the highest level; gained a narrow win in the Preakness at Pimlico three weeks ago; notable rider booked; strong claims.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
17/05/25	Pimlico / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	1 / 9	1/1	-
03/05/25	Churchill Downs / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	2 / 19	171/50	-
05/04/25	Santa Anita / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	1 / 5	1/1	-
01/03/25	Santa Anita / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	1 / 5	31/10	-
14/12/24	Los Alamitos Race Course / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	1 / 5	14/5	-
17/11/24	Del Mar / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 10	49/10	-

Heart Of Honor

Jockey: Saffie Osborne Trainer: J A Osborne Age/Wt: 3/9-0 F: 1-12225

Comment: Finished fifth, beaten 9l, in the Preakness at Pimlico on his first start for this trainer last month; successful twice from six starts in UAE and Britain, picking up plenty of prize-money in the process; this looks a decent race so only limited appeal.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
17/05/25	Pimlico / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	5 / 9	197/10	-
05/04/25	Meydan / Group 2 / F	-	2 / 9	3/1	99
21/02/25	Meydan / Listed / F	-	2 / 15	4/5	99
24/01/25	Meydan / Group 3 / F	-	2 / 15	163/100	99
10/01/25	Meydan / Conditions / F	-	1 / 11	31/50	89
06/12/24	Meydan / Unknown / F	-	1 / 9	13/5	-

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Saratoga

01:02

Runners: 4 Distance: 1m 0f 110y Going: Sloppy

Race Predictor

Form
EW Places: 1/5 ODDS - 3 PLACES

Verdict: TARAJ might find the race opens up for him with the likelihood of plenty of competition for the lead and this is a step down from the Hampton Court. Smooth Breeze, Tiz Dashing and Jurisprudence can give the selection something to think about.

Ramblin' Wreck

Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche Trainer: Danny Gargan Age/Wt: 5/8-12 F: 242-57

Comment: Has scored over C&D; hasn't won for a while; didn't run too badly when out of the frame at Gulfstream Park (beaten 4½l) in an allowance optional claimer upped to 1m3f four months ago; has had some time off; this looks a fair heat so others more likely.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
01/02/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	7 / 12	42/5	-
04/01/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	5 / 12	17/5	-
01/11/24	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance / F	-	2 / 9	47/20	-
06/10/24	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance / F	-	4 / 10	10/1	-
31/08/24	Saratoga / Allowance / F	-	2 / 10	9/2	-
13/07/24	Saratoga / Allowance / F	-	5 / 8	23/5	-

Taraj

Jockey: Junior Alvarado Trainer: William Mott Age/Wt: 4/8-12 F: 1/30-

Comment: Well held in the Group 3 Hampton Court at Ascot 12 months ago; one from five in Britain and Ireland; runs in claiming company for the first time; returns from an absence here; should have every chance as with a top trainer for first start on these shores and drop into claiming grade should help.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
20/06/24	Ascot / Group 3 / F	1	10 / 12	20/1	103
12/05/24	Leopardstown / Group 3 / F	-	3 / 5	11/2	-
24/11/23	Dundalk / Unknown / F	-	1 / 12	11/8	-
24/09/23	Curragh / Unknown / F	-	2 / 10	10/3	-
26/08/23	Curragh / Unknown / F	-	4 / 12	20/1	-

Tiz Dashing

Jockey: Dylan Davis Trainer: Barclay Tagg Age/Wt: 3/8-6 F: 12-536

Comment: Sixth six weeks ago, only beaten less than a length, at Aqueduct in a stakes; should be on the premises if duplicating the form of his most recent win and drop into claiming grade should help.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
26/04/25	Aqueduct / Stakes / F	-	6 / 7	14/5	-
09/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	3 / 9	23/5	-
01/02/25	Gulfstream Park / Stakes / F	-	5 / 7	7/2	-
19/10/24	Belmont At The Big A / Stakes / F	-	2 / 8	27/20	-
20/09/24	Belmont At The Big A / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 7	5/2	-

Deuteronomy

Jockey: L Dettori Trainer: III Claude McGaughey Age/Wt: 4/9-0 F: 21-12

Comment: Couldn't quite get the job done when 6-4 second in an allowance optional claimer at Tampa Bay Downs four months ago; on target twice in his last three outings; most recent trackwork a positive and should be thereabouts.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
15/02/25	Tampa Bay Downs / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	2 / 10	3/2	-
18/01/25	Tampa Bay Downs / Allowance / F	-	1 / 10	27/10	-
29/11/24	Tampa Bay Downs / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 10	1/2	-
01/11/24	Laurel Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	2 / 10	21/10	-
20/07/24	Colonial Downs / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	6 / 6	32/5	-

Then

Jockey: Manuel Franco Trainer: Philip Antonacci Age/Wt: 4/8-12 F: 341-33

Comment: Finished third when 13-5 at Keeneland with Rothschild just behind 49 days ago in an allowance race.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
19/04/25	Keeneland / Allowance / F	-	3 / 12	133/50	-
01/02/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	3 / 11	13/5	-
29/12/24	Gulfstream Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 7	37/10	-
15/06/24	Belmont At The Big A / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	4 / 10	29/5	-
19/05/24	Belmont At The Big A / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	3 / 12	173/10	-

Jurisprudence

Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: Chad Brown Age/Wt: 4/9-0 F: 1

Comment: Successful introduction scoring narrowly at Laurel Park over 1m at 7-2 42 days ago; from a respected trainer; claiming debut; the stable is going well; capable of making an impact.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type		Class	Result	SP	OR
26/04/25	Laurel Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F		-	1 / 10	37/10	-

Landman Friday

Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Danny Gargan Age/Wt: 3/8-8 F: 91

Comment: Registered first success at the second time of asking at Gulfstream Park when springing a surprise to win at 20-1 in April in a maiden special weight; first attempt at a claimer; despite that Gulfstream Park success, may be vulnerable.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type		Class	Result	SP	OR
05/04/25	Gulfstream Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F		-	1 / 11	197/10	-
07/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F		-	9 / 10	23/5	-

Smooth Breeze

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Trainer: Jorge Abreu Age/Wt: 3/8-8 F: 142-91

Comment: Did it nicely six weeks ago at Aqueduct in an allowance race; C&D has proven suitable before; ran well in a stakes in November; runs in claiming company for the first time; has to be respected.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
27/04/25	Aqueduct / Allowance / F	-	1 / 10	29/20	-
01/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Stakes / F	-	9 / 10	6/1	-
16/11/24	Aqueduct / Stakes / F	-	2 / 10	13/1	-
28/09/24	Belmont At The Big A / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	4 / 8	74/5	-
30/08/24	Saratoga / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 10	123/10	-

Simulate

Jockey: Jose Lezcano Trainer: William Mott Age/Wt: 3/8-6 F: 61-

Comment: Gained a first success at the second time of asking in a maiden special weight when getting the job done by a short head last July upped to this trip; returns from a layoff; first attempt at a claimer; has to be considered.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type		Class	Result	SP	OR
27/07/24	Saratoga / Special Weight, Maiden / F		-	1 / 10	44/5	-
23/06/24	Belmont At The Big A / Special Weight, Maiden / F		-	6 / 9	58/5	-

Gene And Jude

Jockey: Keiber Coa Trainer: Thomas Proctor Age/Wt: 3/8-6 F: 31-7

Comment: Finished last of seven at Gulfstream Park in January in an allowance optional claimer; related to Grade 2 winner Chicago Style and looks the part on breeding (by Kitten's Joy); Keiber Coa having only ride on the card; has had some time off; is passed over.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
11/01/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	7 / 7	61/5	-
08/12/24	Gulfstream Park / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 10	27/10	-
30/08/24	Saratoga / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	3 / 8	33/5	-

Classic Creation

Jockey: Ricardo Jr Santana Trainer: J Terranova Age/Wt: 5/8-12 F: 4-49

Comment: A winner over C&D; has struggled to factor since winning an optional claimer at Saratoga last July; ninth of 12 in March (Gulfstream Park) in an allowance optional claimer; his best looks to be behind him and looks an unlikely winner.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
02/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	9 / 12	46/5	-
01/02/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	4 / 12	9/1	-
31/10/24	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	4 / 10	113/4	-
29/09/24	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	5 / 5	77/5	-
23/08/24	Saratoga / Allowance / F	-	3 / 8	139/10	-
12/07/24	Saratoga / Optional Claiming / F	-	1 / 12	93/10	-

Rothschild

Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: James Toner Age/Wt: 4/8-12 F: 360-26

Comment: Problems at the start (bumped) when close behind Then at Keeneland 49 days ago in an allowance race; form has an up and down look to it and not won for some time now.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
19/04/25	Keeneland / Allowance / F	-	6 / 12	251/100	-
01/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	2 / 12	7/2	-
01/12/24	Del Mar / Stakes, Grade 1 / F	-	10 / 11	83/10	-
26/10/24	Santa Anita / Stakes, Grade 2 / F	-	6 / 7	23/10	-
31/08/24	Kentucky Downs / Stakes, Grade 3 / F	-	3 / 12	1461/50	-
21/07/24	Del Mar / Stakes / F	-	3 / 11	93/10	-

Equivoque

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr Trainer: Todd Pletcher Age/Wt: 5/8-12 F: 574-8

Comment: Remains far from exposed; not beaten that far in eighth (4½l) at Gulfstream Park in March in an allowance optional claimer; knows how to win so looks like a player.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
29/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	8 / 11	17/2	-
15/12/24	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	4 / 6	23/10	-
10/11/24	Aqueduct / Allowance / F	-	7 / 10	33/5	-
05/10/24	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance / F	-	5 / 6	7/4	-
06/05/23	Churchill Downs / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	2 / 8	69/50	-
08/04/23	Keeneland / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 10	76/25	-

Top Gun Rocket

Jockey: Dylan Davis Trainer: Panagiotis Synnefias Age/Wt: 4/8-12 F: 1-5811

Comment: Going for a hat-trick; scored narrowly in a starter allowance at Belmont At The Big A upped to 1m (muddy track) last month on debut for this trainer.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
23/05/25	Belmont At The Big A / Starter Allowance / F	-	1 / 8	2/5	-
19/04/25	Keeneland / Claiming / F	-	1 / 8	41/50	-
01/03/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	8 / 12	299/10	-
29/01/25	Gulfstream Park / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	5 / 6	47/10	-
22/11/24	Churchill Downs / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	1 / 8	159/100	-
31/10/24	Churchill Downs / Special Weight, Maiden / F	-	2 / 6	311/100	-

Street Swagg

Jockey: Manuel Franco Trainer: Rob Atras Age/Wt: 5/8-12 F: 1222

Comment: Went close when runner-up at Belmont At The Big A dropped down to 6½f last month in a claimer; consistent performer; steps up to allowance company.

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
24/05/25	Belmont At The Big A / Claiming / F	-	2 / 8	27/5	-
15/03/25	Aqueduct / Claiming / F	-	2 / 6	99/10	-
02/02/25	Aqueduct / Claiming / F	-	2 / 6	9/2	-
01/01/25	Aqueduct / Claiming / F	-	1 / 9	9/2	-
26/11/24	Parx / Optional Claiming / F	-	8 / 9	19/5	-
19/10/24	Belmont At The Big A / Claiming / F	-	3 / 6	153/10	-

Whittington Park

Jockey: Tba Rider Trainer: Fernando Abreu Age/Wt: 6/9-0 F: 4-6561

Comment: Won by just over 2l over 1m at Belmont At The Big A (allowance optional claimer) 21 days ago, ending losing run; has won previously at this course; $50k claiming tag this time (up from $45k).

Date	Course/Race Class/Type	Class	Result	SP	OR
17/05/25	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	1 / 7	44/5	-
04/05/25	Belmont At The Big A / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	6 / 6	99/5	-
21/03/25	Aqueduct / Allowance, Optional Claiming / F	-	5 / 9	53/20	-
15/02/25	Aqueduct / Stakes / F	-	6 / 6	147/10	-
28/12/24	Aqueduct / Stakes / F	-	4 / 7	217/10	-
18/08/24	Saratoga / Stakes / F	-	5 / 6	8/1	-

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