Saratoga: Juvenile stakes plays for Aug. 27

A total of six black-type races for Empire State-bred runners will be contested at Saratoga on Friday. The focus for this piece is on the pair of stakes races for the youngsters, and I have a strong opinion in each sprint event.

Race 2 -- Seeking the Ante S.

A few fine two-year-old filly prospects will dash 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt to kick off the stakes action on the day. #3 November Rein (2-1) was more professional in her second career outing when trouncing her foes on the oval. The Kelly Breen pupil forced the pace before taking over in that recent showing, and the Street Boss lass figures to receive a fine trip behind a pair of speedsters to the top of the lane on Friday under Jose Ortiz.

Colleen S. winner #1 Miss Alacrity (7-5) showed her versatility with a stakes triumph on the green, which followed a 10-length romp on the Belmont dirt on debut. The Wesley Ward trainee will be a force with another move forward under Johnnie V.

#2 Laoban’s Legacy (5-2) splashed home to the easiest of wins on the oval in her first assignment for Jeremiah Englehart. The $150,000 two-year-old purchase could be any kind.

Wager

• $4 trifecta 3 with 1,2 with all ($32)
• $10 trifecta key 3 with 1,2 ($20)

Race 4 -- Funny Cide S.

A superb field of eight boys will speed 6 1/2 panels in the Funny Cide. I could make a legitimate case for any runner in the field, and as often as I shy away from a horse breaking from the rail in a juvenile race, I can’t look past #1 Senbei (6-1).

The Christophe Clement trainee was awesome in leading in gate-to-wire fashion here over a muddy, sealed oval on debut, and if the chestnut Candy Ride colt repeats that effort, he will be awfully tough to beat. Manny Franco retains the mount and the price is right.

Finding separation in a cast with some many impressive youngsters is difficult, so I will run the top pick up and down in the exacta in addition to my straight bet.

Wager

• $20 win #1 Senbei ($20)
• $2 exacta 1 with all ($14)
• $2 exacta all with 1 ($14)