Kristufek’s Saratoga Scouting Report: Aug. 5 Kentucky Horses

The featured ninth race on Wednesday’s Saratoga card is a second-level optional claiming allowance on turf. In a compact field of six, Chad Brown saddles the two likely favorites in She’s Got You and the Euro invader Miss Teheran.

As the racing analyst at Churchill Downs, it’s my job to provide information you can’t necessarily read in the past performances. I keep detailed track bias, pace and trip notes for every race, every day, and that information can prove to be quite valuable, particularly when horses travel from one circuit to another.

For the entirety of the Saratoga meet, I will provide “scouting reports” for the horses who raced in Kentucky in their most recent start.

Race 2

#6 Naughty Prince           9-5 ML

In his career debut over 7 furlongs on July 8 at Keeneland, Naughty Prince broke alertly, raced four than five-wide throughout and grinded out a victory. Based on that performance, you would think that 9 furlongs might actually suit him better. He faces a suspect group, even for this level. Single.

Race 5

#6 No Mo’ Spending       5-2 ML

In his career debut on June 18 at Churchill, No Mo’ Spending was live on the tote early before closing at odds of 7-1 in a field of 11. She broke out at the start, losing some three lengths, and sat near the back of the pack early before being hung five-wide on the turn and racing evenly to the wire. Ian Wilkes’ runners often learn lessons on debut, she’s posted three works between starts and this race is restricted to New York-breds. Mixed signals. Not sure who else to use, but I’d find it difficult to lean on him as a 5-2 favorite.

Race 7

#7 Heavenly Sis                6-1 ML

Off a four-month layoff over a one-turn mile on June 20 at Churchill, Heavenly Sis got a dream run at the rail behind a hotly contested pace. She rallied to just miss behind the 6-5 favorite and galloped out in front. Three weeks later over a short-stretched mile at Keeneland, she once again chased a hot pace from the rail while in the clear. All in on the turn, she got a dream run inside and got up for second behind a much the best winner in what was a weak race for the level. Likely not as good as she may look on paper. More likely for a minor award so I’m willing to fade for multi-race purposes.

Race 8

#2 Intrepid Heart             3-1 ML

Off a three-month break on June 26 at Churchill, Intrepid Heart was hustled away into a perfect spying trip in a bunched group through tepid fractions. He led off the turn, was headed, came again to score a narrow win against a deep group for the level and galloped out best. Off the 2x allowance win, the drop in for a $50K tag makes sense, and 9 furlongs suits him well. Tough not to use, but he certainly doesn’t have to win.