Sophomore stakes plays for Saratoga on Aug. 27

Two of the six stakes races on the Friday card will feature Empire State-bred three-year-olds going long on the dirt. I will be siding with short-priced runners in the top slot in each, but there are value contenders in both contests that make the races especially playable in my opinion.

Race 7 -- Fleet Indian S.

The 1 1/8-mile affair for the fillies attracted a field of nine. Early speed has been very dangerous in route races at the meeting and I will use a pair of runners that I expect to be forwardly placed from the break. #9 Make Mischief (8-5) has good tactical ability and is the class of the field, as well. The Mark Casse trainee is a Grade-1 placed stakes winner who has run well in three of her four local assignments in advance of Friday. Into Mischief filly looms large with Irad taking the reins.

#2 Pay Grade (6-1) has done her best work when on the front end, and if Eric Cancel hustles her to the lead early on, then she makes sense to me as an upset contender. The Tonalist homebred was game in re-rallying for an allowance triumph at Belmont Park most recently, and the sophomore wouldn’t mind if there is some moisture in the ground, either.

Wagers

• $30 exacta 9 with 2 ($30)
• $10 exacta 2 with 9 ($10)

Race 9 -- Albany S.

Bob Baffert’s #5 Bobby Bo (2-1) is the speed of the cast and will be difficult to upend with anything resembling his maiden romp at Del Mar last time out in the $250,000 event for the boys. The fleet son of Speightster graduated in resounding style in his first run beyond 6 1/2 panels last time out, and he has posted two strong five-furlong drills in the interim. Chestnut looks like a logical wire-to-wire winner in his initial try with state-bred runners under Prat.

The top pick is likely to be a short price, so the value will come in the exotics. I will use two horses underneath, led by New York Derby star #2 Americanrevolution (9-5) for Pletcher. The $275,000 Constitution colt is a must use with Saez riding.

I will also be including #8 Our Man Mike (12-1) at a square number. The Street Boss colt doesn’t appear likely to spring an upset in the race, but he is consistent and had a nice tune-up when an allowance third from off the pace on the course last time out, as well. Jose Ortiz taking the reins adds to his exotics appeal.

Wagers

• $30 trifecta 5 with 2 with 8 ($30)
• $10 trifecta 5 with 8 with 2 ($10)
• $1 superfecta 5 with 2 with 8 with all ($6)