This weekend features major racing from Arlington Park, Del Mar, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Woodbine. The spotlight will be on Arlington Park which hosts the GI Arlington Million as well as two other Grade I's and the new American St. Leger Stakes. Saratoga has two Grade I's on Saturday the Sword Dancer Invitational as well as the Alabama Stakes, and both are loaded with talent. Del Mar has graded stakes action on Saturday and Sunday including the GI Del Mar Oaks. Last but not least, Woodbine and Monmouth host very competitive grade II's.
Arlington Park
Saturday
American St. Leger Stakes $400,000
1. Jakkalberry
2. Lake Drop
3. Suntracer
GI Secretariat Stakes $500,000
1. Daddy Long Legs
2. Silver Max
3. Bayrir
Daddy Long Legs is my selection to dethrone Silver Max Saturday. Daddy Long Legs showed in the UAE Derby he runs well fresh. He should not have an issue with the distance and will put pace pressure on Silver Max, leading me to believe he wears Silver Max down in the final eighth of a mile.
GI Beverly D. Stakes $750,000
1. Aruna
2. I'm A Dreamer
3. Mystical Star
I believe Aruna was better than Mystical Star last time out as she was very wide. With a better trip and staying a little closer to the pace Aruna will not allow Mystical Star to get the jump. The distance is perfect for Aruna. I'm A Dreamer is the biggest threat she seems to fire every time and that gives her a great chance to hit the board.
GI Arlington Million Stakes $1,000,000
1. Crackerjack King
2. Boisterous
3. Afsare
Crackerjack King ran into some of the best horses Europe has to offer last time out at Sandown. He ran into Nathaniel, and Farhh. Farhh returned to run second to the best horse in the world, Frankel. Prior to that effort Crackerjack King was a Grade I winner in Italy. The Arlington Million provides class relief for Crackerjack King as Nathaniel, Farhh, amd Twice Over would be odds on in this race if they were to run. Crackerjack King gets the relief on Saturday and will establish his dominance in his American debut. Boisterous is the best of the American horses. He will not be good enough to win but he always fires, and I look for him to hit the board.
Del Mar
Saturday
GI Del Mar Oaks $300,000
1. Lady of Shamrock
2. My Gi Gi
3. Eden's Moon
Sunday
GIII Rancho Bernardo Handicap $150,000
1. Winding Way
2. Sugarinthemorning
3. Rumor
Saratoga
Saturday
GI Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes $600,000
1. Point of Entry
2. Brilliant Speed
3. Center Divider
GI Alabama Stakes $600,000
1.Questing
2. Grace Hall
3. Sea Island
This was the hardest race of the weekend to handicap. Many of the fillies in this race are evenly matched, but the major difference is no can put pressure on Questing early. Questing is 2 for 2 since Kiaran Mclaughin has put her on dirt. She went gate to wire last time out in the Coaching Club American Oaks and I look for her to repeat that effort. Based on their prior races the rest of the field does not have the speed to put pressure on Questing. Grace Hall is very talented and I look her for to chase Questing all the way around and run a very solid second. Sea Island could improve the most with the stretch out in distance and I look for her to be a factor late.
Sunday
GII Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes $200,000
1. Stephanie's Kitten
2. Better Lucky
3. Somali Lemonade
Monmouth Park
Saturday
GIII Phillip Iselin Stakes $150,000
1. Toby's Corner
2. San Pablo
3. Gourmet Dinner
Woodbine
Sunday
GII Sky Classic Stakes $250,000
1. Pender Harbour
2. Smart Bid
3. Forte Dei Marmi
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