Saratoga Spot Plays for Saturday, July 13

The expected thunderstorms for Thursday turned out to be worse, with heavy rain hitting Saratoga for at least three hours. The track turned muddy and the turf was softened up. Saturday should have better weather but the turf will have some give to it. Race 4 is a maiden special weight event for two-year-olds going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track. HIGH TIDE (#1) (3-1) draws post 1, which can be problematic for young, inexperienced runners but trainer Todd Pletcher is back on his game with debut runners. The gelded son of Malibu Moon (13% debut winners) is out of a Grade 2-winning dam by Arch, who has produced two winners from two foals to race including a Grade 3 winner. Johnny Velazquez gets the mount – 24% riding for Pletcher. ZYRAMID (#6) (8-5) is the logical morning-line favorite off a debut race on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs, where he showed good speed for a half-mile as the 2-5 favorite. Nothing not to like other than the price. IRKED (#3) (6-1) is a first-time starter from Bill Mott, who is up to 10% with his debut runners. The colt is by War Front (15% debut winners) out of an Arch mare, who broke her maiden second time out and then won the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) going longer. Win: #1 Exacta: #3, #6 with #1 Race 6 is a maiden special weight for two-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course. ENFORCEABLE (#4) (5-1) has a big advantage with two dirt sprints at Churchill Downs and it gives him an experience edge. He now stretches out to two turns from an inside post for Mark Casse, who wins 11% first-time on dirt and 18% with his shippers. The gray son of Tapit (11% debut turf winners) is out of a multiple Grade 2-winning dam by Dixie Union (8% debut turf winners), who has produced four winners from five other foals to race including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) victor New Year’s Day and Enforceable’s full brother Grade 1 hero Mohaymen. MR EVERYTHING (#6) (8-1) raced evenly going two turns on the turf at Gulfstream Park when making his turf debut. He removes blinkers and Wesley Ward wins 25% with this move and with his second-time starters. The son of 2014 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) winner Mr Speaker trained well up here on the turf. FIELD PASS (#3) (3-1) rallied from way back to just miss in a turf sprint at Churchill Downs and now stretches out to two turns for Mike Maker, who improves to 14% with his second-time starters. Win: #4 Exacta: #3, #6 with #4 Race 9 is the Diana Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up. Chad Brown has four of the six entrants but there is hope that the ground conditions could cause an upset. SECRET MESSAGE (#5) (12-1) is an improving filly who has had two starts this year and won at Woodbine on firm ground despite a sluggish pace. She came back there to win the Nassau Stakes (G2) on yielding ground, which is what she might get in this spot. Graham Motion worked her a strong six furlongs on the Tapeta training track at Fair Hill and the four-year-old filly should be a stretch factor at a good price. RUSHING FALL (#2) (9-5) has only been beaten once and she won here last year on soft ground going this distance. She should get a perfect stalking trip with Javier Castellano. SISTERCHARLIE (#4) (8-5) returns to the races off a 252-day layoff, having last been seen winning on a slippery track in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). She might need a race to be at her best but the ground will suit. Win/Place: #5 Exacta Box: #2, #4, #5 Race 10 is a first-level allowance going seven furlongs on the main track for fillies and mare, three-year-olds and up. WHERE PARADISE LAY (#2) (6-1) broke her maiden two starts back at Churchill Downs before returning there against this allowance level. She rallied late after being shuffled back from post 1 in a very fast race and finished fourth. The dangerous Stanley Hough is back in the game and he uses Tyler Gaffalione. Win: #2 PHOTO: Secret Message (c) WEG/Michael Burns Photography