Saratoga Scouting Report: Kentucky Horses for Friday, August 9

With Churchill Downs coming off perhaps their strongest spring meet in history, the horses based in Kentucky should perform even better than they have in years past. Chances are, in many cases, they won't get the respect they deserve. There is value to be had, but on the flipside, some of the Kentucky invaders might not be as good as they look on paper. That's what I'm here for. For the entirety of the Saratoga meet, I will provide "scouting reports" for the Kentucky-based horses – good, bad and indifferent. Horses are listed in order of preference, with a short comment playability notation in the wrap. Race 3 #8 Snap Hook Enjoyed a perfect pressing trip through moderate fractions on grass in his May 24 start and darted away late in what was a deep field for the $75,000 maiden claiming level. Switched over to the dirt for the first time in a eight-race career, he broke alertly, set tepid fractions, responded when asked, and was not seriously menaced late. Comment: Fits well under starter allowance conditions, but this appears to be a strong race for the level. Worth considering, but prefer others. Race 5 #5 Cairo Cat Hasn't been seen since September when he won the Iroquois (G3) at 17-1. Stalking from the rail behind a slow pace, he made a middle move to the pocket. Loaded on the turn for home, he was shuffled back a bit and was in tight before rallying stoutly off heels to get up in time. It was a game performance by horse and rider. Comment: Entered to run back in the Curlin Stakes, he flipped in the paddock and was scratched. To run back nine furlongs off a 10-month layoff is a super tough assignment. Keep tabs for next time. Race 7 #2 Hollywood Critic Made the lead in a pace-less race on June 29, but gave way at the top of the stretch. It was a very average race for the level to begin with. Comment: Chops his tag in half off the Joe Sharp claim and cuts back in distance. He does have three wins from five starts at seven furlongs, but don't be fooled. Finds a salty race for the level and looks like an easy toss to me. Race 9 #1 Uno Mas Modelo Hung four/five-wide wide behind a hot pace and proved to be overmatched in the Churchill Downs (G1) on Kentucky Derby weekend. Comment: Claimed for $10,000 back in October 2017 at Hawthorne, he became an entirely different horse when adding blinkers for the first time six months later. This is a tough spot for the return and others have a major fitness edge. Pass and keep tabs for later. Race 10 #3 Elle's Town Stalked the pace three wide and made a steady advance on the turn in her May 25 start on grass. Was bothered slightly at the top of the stretch, drew even, and then could not go on behind an eventual stakes winner. Cut back on dirt in her follow-up start, she ran a surprisingly big race to finish second at 44-1. That being said, it wasn't the strongest race for the level. Comment: Her form is spotty, but there's little doubt that sprinting on turf is her best game. That being said, she should enjoy a forward trip over today's one mile distance. Would be a stretch in the multi-race wagers, but useable underneath in intra-race gimmicks. #14 Graceful Princess Enjoyed an advantageous, pocket trip behind moderate fractions on June 13. Was all in off the turn for home and failed to respond. Comment: Entered to run on turf for the first time off a seven-week break and is post compromised. Keep tabs for later.   (c) Coglianese Photography