Why I'm betting Preservationist in the Whitney Stakes

If you reviewed my recent Breeders’ Cup Classic Top 10 here on BetAmerica, you probably already know I’m excited to back #8 Preservationist in Saturday’s $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

Never mind that he’s facing a deep and competitive field, led by grade 1 winner #6 McKinzie and two-time Dubai World Cup (G1) victor #4 Thunder Snow. Preservationist isn’t as accomplished (yet) as his heralded rivals, but his recent races suggest he has the talent to compete at a very high level.

Soundness issues limited Preservationist to just four starts between 2016 and 2018, but he seems to have put his troubles behind him, with four starts in 2019 alone, including three straight victories. The 6-year-old son of Arch is undefeated in four starts traveling a mile or farther, including a dominant victory in the 1 1/4-mile Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont last month.

I was impressed with every aspect of Preservationist’s Suburban victory. Flashing tactical speed from an inside draw, Preservationist briefly set the pace before he conceded the lead to favored Catholic Boy, who made a premature move before a half-mile had been run. Preservationist could have gotten rank and chased after Catholic Boy, but instead he relaxed along the inside in second place and rallied up the rail to reclaim command at the top of the stretch. From there he powered clear through a :24.31 final quarter to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:59.99 to earn an eye-catching 108 Beyer speed figure.

Preservationist’s tactical speed should be a major asset in the Whitney, a race that has been won by the pacesetter in five of the last six years. Few of his rivals have shown any serious interest in racing on the lead, so Preservationist should sit an easy trip setting or stalking modest fractions. His outside draw affords him plenty of options, should one of the other runners (perhaps longshot #3 Monongahela) get aggressive and pursue the lead.

McKinzie and Thunder Snow have strong reputations, so they’ll start at short prices in the Whitney wagering, possibly leaving Preservationist as the third choice. Yet Preservationist is just as fast or faster on paper and enters the Whitney in career-best form. I don’t think we’ve seen the best Preservationist has to offer, and I’m confident Saturday is the day he delivers another tour-de-force performance to claim a “Win and You’re In” berth to the November 2 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and emerge as a division leader.

Let’s bet Preservationist to win and key him on top in the trifecta, while using only McKinzie and Thunder Snow underneath.

$10 to win on #8 Preservationist $10 trifecta: 8 with 4,6 with 4,6 ($20)

Good luck!