Saratoga: Grade 3’s Schuylerville, Quick Call Headline Opening Day

By Rick Francis —-

The 156th year of racing at Saratoga Race Course begins with what else, Graded Stakes. The Grade 3 Schuylerville features 2-year-old fillies followed by the running of the G3 Quick Call for three year olds testing the turf. It promises to be yet another memorable meet so let’s get started.

Race 8) Grade 3 Schuylerville 2yo Fillies 6 Furlongs Post Time 5:15 EDT

1) Shippy (Midshipman); drove away from Laurel maidens last month; O’Neill takes over the coaching duties.

2) Integral (Algorithms); gate-to-wire debut win at Gulfstream; Pletcher well above average in these spots.

3) His Glory (Mineshaft); exits strong win at Indy, flattered by show filly in that contest winning next out.

4) Lula’s Roadrunner (Uptowncharlybrown); battled throughout in taking her maiden win at Parx; possible bounce?

5) Comical (Into Mischief); as with rail stablemate, O’Neill filly enters with the field’s highest speed figures.

6) Lady Fatima (Bodemeister); her maiden win last out came over the Belmont turf; solid Casse angle.

7) Buxom Beast (The Big Beast); 1st time starter for barn that does better with experience.

8) Aurelia Garland – SCRATCHED (Constitution); hand ride winner at Belmont; barn is 25 percent with 2yo’s.

9) Kiss the Girl (Into Mischief); when asked, she answered in maiden score at Belmont; trainer/jock, 22 percent.

Selections: 1, 5, 3, 9

Race 9) Grade 3 Quick Call 3yo 5&1/2 Furlongs Turf Post Time 5:51 EDT

6) Call Paul (Servis/Franco); multiple graded stakes winner makes his turf debut, an angle that trainer succeeds with 30 percent.

1) Abyssinian (Ward/Velazquez); is one across the board in his last three, all against solid field’s at Gulfstream, Keeneland and Churchill; forwardly place, will be the one to catch.

4) Listing (Cecil/Rosario); though it came against only fur rivals, win last out was the perfect tune-up for his Saratoga debut; jockey always tough here.

9) Neverland Rock (Asmussen/Santana); exits a tough closing second at Belmont; distance will prove to be his best.

Selections: 6, 1, 4, 9