Saratoga Stakes Selections for Friday, Aug. 11

A trio of stakes events will headline a fine day of racing at Saratoga on Friday.

Race 4 – Union Avenue H.

The six-furlong heat for fillies and mares bred in the Empire State attracted six. I was very impressed by David Duggan’s #5 Kant Hurry Love (5-2) when she ran down a clear foe late to upset the cast in the Dancin Renee S. at Belmont Park most recently, and I will tab her to pick up her second stakes trophy in this spot. The Kantharos four-year-old has won three of five races since being claimed by this outfit and broke her maiden on the oval, as well. She will track the pace with intent early beneath Trevor McCarthy.

Race 8 – National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2)

An especially well-matched field of nine will travel one mile on the lawn in the rescheduled turf test. #6 Mysterious Night (10-1) hasn’t been sharp from a pair of assignments in 2023, but he was excellent as a two-year-old and looks like good value in the event. The Charlie Appleby pupil couldn’t have looked better when dominating the Summer S. (G1) at Woodbine in his two-year-old finale, and the gelding will add blinkers, which may help him in his third appearance of the season. Junior Alvarado picks up the mount atop the Irish-bred.

Race 9 – Evan Shipman H.

New York-bred boys will run one mile on the dirt in the final black-type race of the afternoon. Todd Pletcher’s #1 Americanrevolution (1-1) is a Grade 1 hero who has come out victorious in each of his four tries with fellow state-bred runners in advance of Friday. The Constitution five-year-old is a local stakes winner who came home a strong second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) here in his 2022 finale, and he appears to be training well in the interim. Luis Saez will guide the chestnut and have him within range throughout the one-turn endeavor.

For the exotics, I will include #6 Barese (12-1) for conditioner Mike Maker. The Laoban colt comes off of a fine allowance tilt in his latest performance and seems poised to have a major say in the outcome at a fine number. The bay fired a five-furlong bullet on the surface in preparation for this tilt.