Anticipation
With the Breeders’ Cup a few weeks away and with an eye toward the BC Juvenile Turf, let’s get an early tune up on that race by looking at Friday’s With Anticipation at Saratoga.
Last year, the winner of this event, Interactif came from 6th when making his turf debut to win by over 4 with a 85 Beyer. Two races later, he was third beaten three quarters in the BC Juv. Turf won by Pounced.
These juvenile races on grass are usually absolute scrambles and at the top of the lane, 6 or more usually have a chance to score.
From the rail out, Typhoon Slew graduated at Ellis Park last time in 2nd career out by almost 11 lengths with a comment rarely seen, “ as rider pleased”.
He’s looking at faster splits here but hails from a very powerful Mike Maker barn.
Powhatan County comes off a troubled trip at Monmouth but has a win on the course. Would envision a journey where he will sit 3or 4 off the pace hoping the speed comes back.
Grigio is still seeking that first win but he was beaten a nostril last time by today’s rival Air Support. Grigio has limited speed and will be at the mercy of how the race unfolds while Support was troubled in the debut and has a right to have a nice career as kin to stakes placed double grass winner Perusal.
Lou Brissie picked a tough spot to try grass for the first time and he will be trying to route for the first time too.
Manchurian High is a candidate that connections tried in a Grade 2 to start career and he was beaten 19 lengths. This $1,000 yearling buy has his work cut out.
Silver Medallion will be a handful. Game in his debut on this course when holding on by a nostril and the horse he beat graduated next out. On top of that, Medallion has a right to mature with class as a kin to Grade 1 millionaire on turf in Sweet Talker.
id Curry was scheduled to run on grass last time but it got rained out and it’s never simple to beat winners right back after breaking the maiden for a tag.
Soldat regressed a bit last time as he is looking for the diploma. He was clear for fun and has yet to catch a glib surface.
Todd Pletcher is looking for a repeat in this race with Sensational Slam, who won both of his races at Woodbine sprinting on the Polytrack, the last with only a 67 Beyer in a $151,000 stakes.
Two entered the race in case it comes off the grass. Madman Diaries and Running Tap. The former is trained by a guy great with babies but will be going long for the first time while the latter paid 5-1 taking dirt sprint bow.
For our purposes, we’ll assume the race stays on grass.
Here is how it may unfold. Expect the two outside horses Soldat and Sensational Slam to be on the muscle early. Pletcher is on record as saying his trainee has to be ridden “every step of the way in sprint races” and he thinks stretching him out would give him an opportunity to improve.
That may put Typhoon Slew, Air Support and Silver Medallion in the second tier screaming for room at the top of the lane.
When the smoke clears. Medallion will hit paydirt on top with Air Support holding off Typhoon Slew in the exacta.
That’s the way we see it, good luck and watch this race with an eye to the Cup.
