How to bet the Fourstardave Handicap

A sensational field of nine, led by four top-level winners from the barn of Chad Brown, will go postward in Saturday’s $400,000 Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga.

Fourstardave Analysis

The race will go through #5 Halladay. #4 Got Stormy will track the early leader from second, with #2 Casa Creed, #3 Emmaus, and #7 Valid Point in the next flight.

Fourstardave Contenders

#1 RAGING BULL (5-2) -- Multiple Grade 1 victor is the first from the Brown shedrow and drew the rail. Dark Angel 5-year-old closed from last to be runner-up in the race last season, and he brings better form to the cast this time around. Bay will be making one run from off the pace beneath Rosario.

#2 CASA CREED (20-1) -- Mott pupil notched his lone graded tally in his lone local appearance when annexing the 2019 Hall of Fame (G2). Jimmy Creed colt has never proven to be of Grade 1 quality, and he will need a lifetime best to make the frame against this fine cast.

#3 EMMAUS (15-1) -- Hard-trying sort was just a length back in the deep Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland last time out, but gelded 6-year-old will likely need better to challenge inside the final furlong of his Saratoga debut. Jose Lezcano will be in the controls.

#4 GOT STORMY (8-1) -- Defending champ has gone winless from four outings this year for Mark Casse. Get Stormy chestnut did run two of the best races in her lifetime on this course last campaign, and she has been working well on the course as of late, as well. If the mare is ever to get back to her peak self, it will likely come at ‘The Spa.' Tyler Gaffalione will be up, and I will take a chance with her returning to her best.

#5 HALLADAY (4-1) -- Pletcher pupil has done his best work when racing on the front end, and the talented War Front colt appears to be the controlling speed in the Fourstardave. Kentucky-bred gray was a flat fourth in the recent Bernard Baruch (G2) on the course when attempting to rate and run them down late, but he will be more dangerous when he clears early under Saez.

#6 UNI (3-1) -- Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) romper finished a solid third in the Just a Game (G1) at Belmont Park to commence her 2020 season. More Than Ready mare was third in the race last summer, and the chestnut will surely improve second time off the layoff. Jose Ortiz will pilot the obvious win contender.

#7 VALID POINT (12-1) -- The third from the Brown shedrow finished last in the Poker (G3) while making his seasonal bow. Secretariat (G1) star has been outrun in his most recent two outings, and he faces a tall order in the Fourstardave in such a deep field. Regular rider Castellano stays in the pipes.

#8 WITHOUT PAROLE (4-1) -- Group 1 victor ran out of time when closing to finish a close fourth in the Maker’s Mark in his latest showing. Frankel 5-year-old is winless since June of 2018, but he is classy and can really finish in the lane on his best day. The win threat will have Irad taking the reins.

#9 CHEWING GUM (20-1) -- Mott trainee made up a lot of ground when closing for fourth in the Troy (G3) at 5 1/2 furlongs most recently, but he faces a much different task on Saturday. Son of Candy Ride was not helped by drawing the widest post in the field, either. Johnnie V will be in the silks.

Fourstardave Wagers

• $10 Win and Place: #4 Got Stormy ($20)
• $1 Trifecta Key: 4 with 1,5,6,8 ($12)
• $1 Trifecta: 1,5,6,8 with 4 with 1,5,6,8 ($12)