Jim Dandy and Glens Falls Selections for Saturday at Saratoga

A quartet of graded stakes races highlight a fine Saturday card at Saratoga. I will focus on a pair of Grade 2 events that are surely worth watching and wagering on.

Jim Dandy

Todd Pletcher has a pair of formidable contenders in the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds, but this is more than a two-horse race. While I surely respect the two morning line choices, I will make a value play with #7 Mystic Guide (4-1) for conditioner Mike Stidham.

The chestnut son of Ghostzapper has won or placed in each of his four starts to date, and I liked how he closed for third following a poor start in the Peter Pan (G3) on the surface. Godolphin homebred will be equipped with blinkers for the initial time on Saturday, and judging by his sharp recent morning drills, the change will have a positive effect on the talented colt.

Wagers

• $20 Win: #7 Mystic Guide ($20)
• $5 Exacta Key Box: 7 with 1,6 ($20)

Glens Falls

Grassy affair for fillies and mares attracted seven stayers to compete at the 1 3/8-mile distance. Chad Brown’s #5 Eliade (8-1) is too good of a price to pass up in the Glens Falls. Expensive daughter of Teofilo closed into a crawling pace to be a head second in a recent allowance tilt on the course and at the trip, and the 4-year-old could be peaking in her third start since coming to the states, as well. Having Irad in the silks only adds to the appeal of the import.

I also feel that #2 Beau Belle (5-1) will outrun her odds for Tom Albertrani. The two-time local heroine has pace in a field with little of it, and she could get brave if allowed to dictate things with soft fractions under Saez. Giant’s Causeway mare moves up if there is moisture in the ground, as well.

Wagers

• $10 Win and Place #5 Eliade ($20)
• $2 Trifecta: 5 with 2 with all ($10)
• $2 Trifecta: 5 with all with 2 ($10)