Saratoga Juvenile Plays for July 24

A trio of races for two-year-olds are part of a fine card at Saratoga on Sunday.

Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs)

Sharp young sire Good Magic is well-represented in the opener, as three of the eight boys by the sire are set for the dash. And I expect his youngsters to perform well in the heat, led by #2 Bat Flip (7-2). The $350,000 yearling purchase has been at this locale since May and shows some solid morning moves, including a swift bullet on the Oklahoma two prior. Her half-sister, Preposterous, won at third asking as a two-year-old in August.

#1 Faithful and True (5-2), another son of Good Magic, cost $450,000 in training during the spring and will be a force if he runs to his price tag. Brisset trainee gets a tricky rail draw for his first offering, but if early money comes in his direction, I would suggest including the colt.

Race 6 – Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs)

As long as he is not dead on the board early, #4 Kaling (7-2) is my selection. The two-year-old son of bright second-year sire Practical Joke has two siblings that graduated as juveniles, and I like the last three morning moves recorded by the $220,000 yearling purchase, too. Flavien Prat will be in the silks atop the Eclipse Thoroughbreds colorbearer.

Race 7 – Maiden Special Weight (1 1/16 miles turf)

Trainer George Weaver is often a major presence with his runners at The Spa, especially early in the meeting. #6 Hella Ella (20-1) debuts in the turf test for juvenile fillies and I think she will give a good account of herself at first asking. Speightstown lass hails from a female line with accomplished turf performers, including United Nations (G1) winner Turbo Compressor, and she has been training at Saratoga since May. Eric Cancel will guide the February foal.

#5 Idea Generation (2-1) is also another first-time starter to consider. By top sire Dubawi, the Chad Brown pupil brought a hefty sum as a yearling, and the Klaravich colorbearer has trained solely in Saratoga Springs since May. The March foal should be fit for a barn that is super dangerous with these types, and Irad taking the reins hints that the filly will flash plenty of potential.