Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 8/1 – Saratoga Special & Jim Dandy

We continue with our look at Saratoga today with their two races on the main track today. We will take a look at the Grade 2 Saratoga Special where a field of six juveniles are entered to go six and a half furlongs on the main track.

Then we will look at the Jim Dandy. It’s a short field of five horses, but it is the local prep for the Travers, also known as the Summer Derby. That race is a mile and an eighth. Let’s take a look at those two races today.

Saratoga Race 6 – Saratoga Special (Grade 2)

Favored in this race is the 4 Booked (7/5 morning line). He has won two in a row, both of which were right here at Saratoga. He was on the lead and drew off to an easy win. It is possible he is right behind the speed, but it is also possible he could be dueling for the lead here.

The 6 Flight Command (9/5 ML) won his debut impressively by 10 lengths at Aqueduct last month. He is from the first crop of champion Flightline’s offspring so the sky might be the limit for this colt. The question with only one right under his belt is will be go right for the lead again or not.

The 1 How’s Al Today (6/1 ML) looks like he could be the closer in this race. He will have the same post as his maiden breaker at Churchill Downs last month where he sat back and weaved through traffic for an impressive win. If they go too fast up front, this is your winner.

The 5 Uncle Kef (12/1 ML) will race on the dirt for the first time after his first two races on the synthetic surfaces at Presque Isle Downs and Woodbine. He was not a factor in the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine, but does get Irad Ortiz to ride in a big jockey improvement.

Joe’s Saratoga Special Pick

This could be a three-way speed duel down the backstretch here today with the two favorites and the 3 Twinkle Town (7/2 morning line). This sets up perfectly for How’s Al Today who is bred for these shorter races. Look for him to be flying late to get the win in the Saratoga Special.

I’m calling this race 1-4-6-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 1.

Saratoga Race 10 – Jim Dandy Stakes (Grade 2)

A short field of five horses are entered in the Jim Dandy here. The 5 Commandment (6/5 ML) is favored here this afternoon. He closed strongly in the Belmont Stakes here at Saratoga last month but could not get by Golden Tempo in the stretch. He had a wide trip in the Belmont and may have better placement with less horseflesh on the track today.

The 1 Chip Honcho (3/1 ML) won the Ohio Derby at Thistledown passing Ocelli in deep stretch. With no speed in this race, this colt could assume the lead that no one appears to want early on today.

The 2 Asked and Answered (30/1 ML) goes turf to dirt but it still a maiden after six tries, but only has had one race where he was close. This horse is definite “race filler” as I like to call these type horses.

The 3 Renegade (7/5 ML) finished third in the Belmont but was almost six lengths behind the winner at the end as the favorite. He has run well everywhere he has run except for Saratoga so far. He has the strongest kick, but he might not be able to show it with no obvious speed here today.

The 4 Silent Tactic (6/1 ML) finished second in the Arkansas Derby to Renegade back at the end of March and went on the shelf. He returns today for a hot trainer. Look for this colt to stalk Chip Honcho this afternoon.

Joe’s Pick

I admit sometimes these short fields can be tougher than a full field race. There is no speed in this race and could be a race that Chip Honcho steals on the front end. But Silent Tactic has not run a bad race yet and he looks dangerous coming off the bench here for Mark Casse. I think Silent Tactic wins this in a mild upset.

I’m calling this race 4-1-5-3 and my play is $20 to win on the 4. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!