Exotics Plays for the With Anticipation Stakes

A total of 11 juveniles, two of which are main-track-only entrants, lead the way in the $175,000 With Anticipation S. (G3) at Saratoga on Thursday. The 1 1/16-mile grassy event for juveniles attracted two dangerous European invaders as well as four impressive winners, but I will side with a maiden in the feature. 

With Anticipation Exotics Plays

• $1 trifecta key 3 with 6,7,8,9 ($12)
• 50-cent superfecta key 3 with 6,7,8,9 ($12)
• $1 trifecta 6,7,8,9 with 3 with 6,7,8,9 ($12)
• 50-cent superfecta 6,7,8,9 with 3 with 6,7,8,9 with 6,7,8,9 ($12)

The Amerman homebred #3 Test Score (6-1) rallied to be a clear second under the wire in a grassy dash on the oval July 19, and improvement is expected after his debut combined with the added distance that he will get to work with. The Lookin at Lucky colt comes from a female family with numerous accomplished turf horses, and he left a nice impression in his debut despite competing in just a six-horse field. 

Governor Sam, the youngster who defeated my top pick, came back to win the Tyro S. at odds of 0.30-1 in his next assignment, and he looks like an excellent prospect with a potential Breeders’ Cup run in his future. Test Score is surely bred for this distance, and trainer Graham Motion does excellent work both with second-time starters and horses going long for the initial time. Junior Alvarado inherits what might be a live mount. 

Each of the four horses on the outside has merit, and I will include the quartet with my leading selection. 

#6 Reach for the Rose (5-1) – Saffie Joseph is winning everywhere this summer it seems, with Saratoga as no exception after 10 winners from just 29 starters. The Audible colt was a stakes second on the lawn in his first run prior to graduating on the main surface second time out. Edgard Zayas coming in to ride is interesting. 

#7 Zulu Kingdom (4-1) – The Irish-bred colt was a daylight debut winner at Saint Cloud on June 4 and will make his stateside debut. The February foal has Chad Brown and Flavien Prat in his corner, so he’s an obvious inclusion. 

#8 Cavallo Bay (3-1) – This Godolphin homebred has won a pair of races in succession, and the son of the brilliant Pinatubo is bred to be a very good one. Conditioner Charlie Appleby is especially dangerous with this type, and a positive run from the colt is expected. 

#9 Tenacious Leader (10-1) – The Todd Pletcher pupil showed vast improvement second time out and when dominating an off-the-turf event, and I love that he moves to the lawn following a sharp main-track tally. This colt from Not This Time fired a rapid half-mile bullet over the Oklahoma turf and retains the services of Irad Ortiz Jr.