How to Bet the Saratoga Special

Eight two-year-old colts will speed 6 1/2 furlongs on the Saratoga main course on Saturday in the $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2). The race that was established in 1901 has historically produced impactful horses and sires, and two winners in the past seven years have gone on to later pick up Classic victories -- Union Rags (2011) and Exaggerator (2015). ANALYSIS As many as five in the field could view for the early lead in the Saratoga Special, with Green Light Go, Tuggle, Long Weekend, King Snake and Iberico all flashing big gate presence to this point. Noose, who was super impressiver winning from off the pace at Churchill Downs, could benefit most if the quintet tangles early and often. WAGERS $20 Trifecta Key 3 with 1,5 = $40 Here is the 2019 field: NOOSE (#1) (4-1) – Eddie Kenneally pupil was ultra-sharp at first asking with a powerful tally from off the pace. The April foal was in traffic until the turn for home in his debut offering, and he powered clear in a swift and professional fashion in the stretch. More Than Ready colt fired a bullet half-mile most recently and will retain the services of Corey Lanerie. ZYRAMID (#2) (5-1) – Steve Asmussen trainee is the lone runner in the field with local experience following a maiden win in July. $275,000 son of City Zip is out of really nice mare and has plenty of room for improvement. Ricardo Santana Jr. picks up the ride aboard the contender. GREEN LIGHT GO (#3) (2-1) – Stronach homebred dazzled on debut at Belmont Park with a 3 1/4-length score, and he was further flattered when runner-up Another Miracle graduated at The Spa in his comeback race. Bay colt earned a substantial 93 BRIS Speed number for his work and he has sizzled in the mornings with a pair of bullet drills in the interim. His :46.34 breeze here was impressive. TUGGLE (#4) (9-2) – $160,000 son of Point of Entry made good in a first offering when leading throughout at Belmont. The Jeremiah Englehart charge was backed at 6-5 odds in his tally and has trained steadily since for a barn having good success at the meeting. Luis Saez will be sending the prospect from the break once again. LONG WEEKEND (#5) (6-1) – Son of Majesticperfection ran his foes off of their respective feet in a debut waltz at Churchill Downs for Tom Amoss. $225,000 juvenile purchase has been eyeing this race ever since with four local morning drills, including a swift four-furlong move here most recently. Kentucky-bred picks up pilot Joel Rosario for his stakes debut. KING SNAKE (#6) (8-1) – Jack Sisterson second-timer missed by a nose on the Polytrack at Arlington in his unveiling. Well-meant son of Elusive Quality was heavily backed that day and returned with two sharp morning moves at Keeneland in preparation of this assignment. Jose Ortiz riding adds to the appeal. PERUVIAN BOY (#7) (10-1) – Tapiture colt ran down the aforementioned at Arlington last time and will hope to do the same in his third lifetime showing. April foal will have to get faster to be a factor in the stretch against this bunch, however. IBERICO (#8) (15-1) – Florida-bred brings 4 1/2-furlong speed from the Sunshine State to the dash. Antonio Sano pupil draws widest, but he put it all together in his third lifetime showing and could be a menacing pace presence today. Chestnut colt will have Tyler Gaffalione on board. PHOTO: Noose (c) Coady Photography/Churchill Downs