The Troy Grade 2

5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf
Purse $300.00 For Three Year Olds and Up
Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York

-Lots of handicapping angles in this year’s rendition of the Troy Stakes and many ways to go when hitting the betting windows, let’s see if we can’t plot the correct course of action here in upstate New York. King Speed Party from Winning Link Stables comes off a big win in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes run over this track and distance. He is two for his last three and obviously razor sharp right now for the barn that claimed him back in September of last year. The Jaipur was run over a track listed as “good” and there are thunderstorms in the forecast, so “King” might even get the same track condition and if that’s the case he would be even more scary, but if not, he could be more vulnerable to being upset. Douda from Spankys Barn just ran a monster, earning a big 102 number in Canada going a tad shorter. His only dance at this trip was in his first start, his maiden win, albeit on dirt in Ohio. This barn is having a lean year, starters wise, just now closing in on the century mark, but the barn has a lifetime history of moving turf sprinters way up the ladder, sometimes all the way up. Given the context here and the track bias, I am guessing he will be the target. Most handicapper’s will glance at Whoa Bo from Maxmillion Farm and think, this is a router going too short and that would be a mistake. This guy is still firing bullets at age seven and all of his wins were going one turn on turf. He might not put his head down as often as he used to, but if he breaks he will need to be reckoned with. Include him in all exotic wagers. Lava Man from Mb Stables rebounded nicely after the Jaipur when hitting a firm surface here in the Harvey Pack. If the surface is listed as firm for this race, upgrading his chances is probably the correct handicapping angle and move.

Of The Rest;

Because I Want To from Night Rider Stables is yet another in a long list of horses taken by this barn and quickly moved up the ladder. He ran his best race yet in his last start and is sharp as a tack right now. Can’t fault those taking a flyer here and he should be a square price on the board.

Teterboro from Chili King Stables did not break last time and never made a move afterwards. He is too good a horse to not be given a second chance, but this is a tough spot for a rebound. He will need a pace war and he may or may not get it. Include on the lower rungs of all exotics, especially if he drifts up in price.

Bayldonite from The Sidley Stud is sharp and might exit a key race, but with the rail draw here, he will either have to break like a rocket, not something he does consistently, or he will have to weave a passage through traffic, something tough on this course, at this distance. Glass half full or half empty?

Blueberry from Luz International is a sharp five year old looking for the hat trick, but picks a tough spot to get it. Looks like he is in a little too tough unless he is able to jump up another notch and that might be asking too much of him at this time.

Dimple Vate from Spb Racing has plenty of gas for this trip and eyeballs a chance at four straight. Him being picked on the bottom here tells you how tough this is. He simply hasn’t beaten this kind yet and that remains the bottom line until it happens.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES