Saratoga stakes plays for Aug. 8

A trio of stakes races, two of them graded, will top a fine Sunday card at Saratoga.

Race 7 -- De La Rose S.

Fillies and mares will travel one mile on the inner turf to kick off the black-type events. Seven talented grassy performers will go postward in a field that is expected to have a sharp and contested early pace. #3 Viadera won the race in 2020 and possesses arguably the best turn of foot in the cast. The five-year-old daughter of Bated Breath capped her four-year-old campaign with a trio of narrow wins in succession, including a score in the Matriarch S. (G1) at Del Mar, and I expect her to continue her winning ways on Sunday. Regular rider Joel Rosario stays in the controls atop the Juddmonte homebred.

Race 8 -- Adirondack S. (G2)

The Norm Casse-trained #2 Ontheonesandtwos has been sharp from a pair of lifetime runs to date and gets the slight nod in a very competitive field. Chestnut was a debut winner beneath the Twin Spires prior to coming home a smart runner-up in the Debutante S. on the same course second time out. The Jimmy Creed filly will capitalize on what is expected to be a wicked early tempo in the 6 1/2-furlong affair.

Race 9 -- Saratoga Oaks (G3)

In this 1 3/16-mile test on the green for three-year-old fillies, I will lean toward European invader #7 Creative Flair. By Dubawi, the Charlie Appleby trainee just missed in her Group debut last time when a neck third in the Prix Chloe (G3) at Chantilly, making it five straight outings when finishing in the money. The Godolphin homebred has substantial pace and could try to make all of the running with Mike Smith in the silks.

I will also include #1 Higher Truth as a back-up in the race. Chad Brown trainee was no match for the exciting Santa Barbara in the Belmont Oaks (G1) last time out, but the lightly raced lass has room for improvement and could get a very good trip from the rail, as well. Jose Ortiz has the assignment aboard the Galileo filly.