Saratoga Scouting Report: Kentucky Horses for Aug. 13

Just a small sample of Kentucky invaders on the Friday Saratoga card, including a likely favorite in Six Pack that I’m willing to take a stand against in race four.

Due to a complete revamp of the turf course, the Churchill Downs backstretch is completely vacant this summer, and many of those horses have taken up residence at Saratoga.

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 3

#5 Salit (12-1 ML) – Gimmick stretch; C in multi-race wagers

On May 15 at Churchill, this sophomore daughter of American Pharoah broke from the extreme outside post in the field of 12. She broke out at the start, losing four lengths, sat near the back of the pack behind slow fractions and passed tired horses in the stretch. Stretched out to nine furlongs in her follow-up start, she stalked a slow pace while three wide on the backstretch and raced evenly to the wire. She drops in for a claiming tag for the first time, but needs to do better.

Race 4

#3 Six Pack (2-1 ML) – Willing to fade in multi-race wagers at the expected short price

Battled into submission in his May 9 sprint start in the slop, this sophomore son of Flatter dropped in for a tag for the first time on June 13. After breaking alertly, he stalked fast fractions while four wide over a racetrack that slightly favored off the pace types. He loomed five wide on the turn while still in hand, swept to the lead and drew off as the odds-on favorite. Claimed for $75K, he drops in for $40K (nw2) today.

Race 10

#9 Well Done West (9-5 ML) – Win contender; A in multi-race wagers

Dropped in for a $30K (nw2) claiming tag on May 6 at Churchill, this four-year-old gray Awesome Again colt was sent off as the 2-1 second choice. Over a racetrack that slightly favored inside speed, he sat an advantageous, pocket trip behind a tepid pace. He popped out off the turn and drew even, only to falter slightly late and lose a tough decision to the 7-5 favorite. His claim was voided after the race, and now he resurfaces more than three months later for roughly half the price. The connections, who took him for $50K out of his debut, have already enjoyed a little success with him, and perhaps the voided claim will scare off some interested parties.