Saratoga Race Course Opening Day preview

As the summer gets into full swing, it’s time for Saratoga Race Course to wake up and become one of the premier horse racing facilities in the country. Opening day is this Friday, and the year will open up with 10 races at the Spa, highlighted by the Lake George Stakes. The post time for race one will be at 1 PM, and gates will open at 11 AM. Here is the card for Friday.

* All odds as of Wednesday at 9:30 PM.

Race One, Post Time: 1 PM. Distance: 1 ⅛ miles. Surface: Dirt

1. Clifton Pleasure, Manuel Franco, 4/1
2. Yakov, Jose C. Ferrer, 10/1
3. More Zen Tea, Julien R. Leparoux, 7/2
4. Jet Black, Jose L. Ortiz, 3/1
5. Thirst for Glory, Joel Rosario, 5/1
6. Beyond the Green, Junior Alvarado, 6/1
7. Battle of Evermore, Javier Castallano, 10/1
8. Sinistra, Irad Ortiz Jr., 12/1

My pick: Thirst for Glory

Race two, Post Time: 1:33 PM. Distance: 5 ½ furlongs. Surface: Dirt

1. With Wings, Eric Cancel, 12/1      1A. Bliss To You, Angel S. Arroyo, 12/1
2.  Ribbonite, Dylan Davis, 10/1
3. Tizza Temper, Luis Saez, 8/1
4. Icy Girl, Jose Lezcano, 12/1
5. Messer Misfit, Kendrick Carmouche, 9/2
6. Bree’s Got Heart, Edwin Rivera, 6/1
7. Seattle Ice Queen, Jose L. Ortiz, 3/1
8. Cha Cha Heels, Irad Ortiz Jr, 5/2

My pick: Seattle Ice Queen

Race three, Post Time: 2:06 PM. Distance: 6 ½ furlongs. Surface: Dirt

1. Match Up, Julien R. Leparoux, 9/2
2. Chipit, John R. Velazquez, 2/1
3. In R Defence, Angel S. Arroyo, 15/1
4. Dynamo Flotilla, Jose Lezcano, 8/1
5. John Eddie, Jomar Torres, 6/1
6. Roll Tide Roll, Jason Servis, 5/2
7. Chubby Master, Luis Saez, 12/1
8. Dettifoss, Michael J. Luzzi, 12/1

My pick: Chipit

Race four, Post Time: 2:40 PM. Distance: 1 1/16 miles. Surface: Turf

1. Distorted Beauty, Kendrick Carmouche, 8/1
2. Senterio Italia, Joel Rosario, 8/5
3. Tapitry, Jose L. Ortiz, 9/5
4. Tela, John R. Velazquez, 15/1
5. Darling Sky, Edwin Rivera, 12/1
6. See “also eligible”
7. 7) Selenite, Javier Castallano, 6/1
   8) My Cara Mia, Manuel Franco, 10/1

Also eligible: 6. Isabelle, Junior Alvarado, 8/1

My pick: Senterio Italia

Race Five, Post Time: 3:14 PM. Distance: 1 mile. Surface: Turf

1. Elementsofharmony, Joel Rosario, 10/1
2. Sense of Beauty, John R. Velazquez, 5/1
3. Pussy Willow, Jose Lezcano, 15/1
4. Fly Ash, Luis Saez, 30/1
5. Siralen, Florent Geroux, 20/1
6. Marnesia Big Girl, Jose L. Ortiz, 4/1
7. Cosmopolitan Girl, Joe Bravo, 8/1
8. Scarlet Goddess, Ricardo Santana Jr, 20/1
9. Nile Princess, Jomar Torres, 30/1
10. Candida, Javier Castallano, 7/2
11. Night Madam, Junior Alvarado, 8/1
12. Annie Rocks, Irad Ortiz Jr, 6/1

Also eligible: 13. First Embrace, Dylan Davis, 10/1. 14. Forever Plus, Manuel Franco, 12/1 15. Reckless Humor, Irad Ortiz Jr, 6/1 16. Game Girl, Jose L. Ortiz, 4/1

My pick: Candida

Race six, Post Time: 3:48 PM. Distance: 5 ½ furlongs. Surface: Dirt. NOTE: Either horse 1 or 1A will be scratched.

Seam, John R. Velazquez, 2/1
1A) Jumby Bay, John R. Velazquez, 2/1
2) My Sweet Stella, Ricardo Santana Jr, 12/1
3) Sunday Gravy, Javier Castallano, 15/1
4) La Coronel, Julien R. Leparoux, 3/1
5) Bowie, Florent Geroux, 5/2
6) Torrent, Jose L. Ortiz, 10/1
7) Special Risk, Irad Ortiz Jr, 8/1
8) She’s Had Enough, Michael J. Luzzi, 20/1

My pick: La Coronel

Race seven, Post Time: 4:24 PM. Distance: 6 furlongs. Surface: dirt

1. Anna Rae, Jose L. Ortiz, 6/1
2. Takrees, Junior Alvarado, 4/1
3. Laxfield Road, Joel Rosario, 12/1
4. Delicate Lady, Javier Castallano, 8/1
5. Apologynotaccepted, John R. Velazquez, 2/1
6. Bileaps and Bounds, Kendrick Carmouche, 5/2
7. True Romance, Manuel Franco, 10/1

My pick: Anna Rae

Race eight (Schuylerville Stakes), Post Time: 5:02 PM. Distance: 6 furlongs. Surface: Dirt

1. Olive Branch, Jose L. Ortiz, 3/1
2. Inspired Flight, Edgar S. Prado, 15/1
3. Lightning Dove, Joel Rosario, 8/1
4. Sweet Loretta, John R. Velazquez, 6/1
5. Made Me Shiver, Irad Ortiz Jr, 5/2
6. Summer Sally, Joe Bravo, 20/1
7. Platinum Spark, Manuel Franco, 7/2
8. Fun, Junior Alvarado, 20/1
9. Harlands Thunder, Florent Geroux, 10/1

My pick: Sweet Loretta

Race nine (Lake George Stakes), Post Time: 5:40 PM. Distance 1 1/16 miles. Surface: Turf

1. Thundering Sky, Gabriel Saez, 8/1
2. Elysea’s World, Javier Castallano, 5/1
3. Diamond Fields, Junior Alvarado, 6/1
4. Enjoy Yourself, Ricardo Santana Jr, 20/1
5. Ancient Secret, Irad Ortiz Jr, 7/2
6. Sky My Sky, Julien R. Leparoux, 15/1
7. Flora Dora, Emmanuel Esquivel, 30/1
8. Baciami Piccola, Joel Rosario, 15/1
9. Outsider Art, Manuel Franco, 15/1
10. Try Your Luck, John R. Velazquez, 9/2
11. Tin Type Gal, Jose L. Ortiz, 8/1
12. Gone Away, Florent Geroux, 15/1

My pick: Elysea’s World

Race 10, Post Time: 6:17 PM. Distance 1 1/16 miles. Surface: Turf

1. Silver Romeo, Joe Bravo, 15/1
2. Arch Contender, Manuel Franco, 6/1
3. Liscaullaun, Junior Alvarado, 12/1
4. Liam’s Prince, Luis Saez, 20/1
5. Market Strength, Irad Ortiz Jr, 5/2
6. Come Around, Jose L. Ortiz, 20/1
7. Brotherly, Florent Geroux, 15/1
8. Snowfly, Kendrick Camouche, 15/1
9. Big Platinum, Julien R. Leparoux, 20/1
10. Moegan Avenue, Jose Lezcano, 20/1
11. He’s One Wild Dude, Joel Rosario, 4/1
12. Dark Gemini, Gabriel Saez, 9/2

Also eligible: 13. Archangel Rose, Luis Saez, 5/1 14. Gandono, John R. Velazquez, 20/1 15. Sunshine Sperry, Irad Ortiz Jr, 15/1 16. Paschal, Manuel Franco, 8/1

My pick: He’s One Wild Dude