GIII – Saranac
$300.000 Graded Stake 1 1/8 Miles on Turf for Three Year Olds
2016 Champ: Fluctuation
A group of five up and coming turf three year olds will get to compete for $300.000. The field doesn’t look like your typical $300.000 race but should be a fun race none the less. Mb Stables will be sending out two to defend his title as champion after winning this race last year with Fluctuation.
1- Vegan Restaurant (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Ortiz I Jr)
The first of the Mb Stables entries is Vegas Restaurant. This will be his fourth career race but comes into the race off an impressive optional claimer win at SAR a few weeks ago. The race was at the same mile and an eighth distance as the Saranac. That race was fast enough to put him in the top 15 quickest times as a three year old this year. The only one with a quicker race time in the race is Genetics.
2- Jabba The Hutt (Trained by TwinTowersRacing, Ridden by Castellano J J)
Twelve career starts but only his last one came on the turf. That one race was the second fastest time by a three year old at a mile this year so he quickly took a liking to the turf. He should be able to handle the distance just fine but coming into the race that will be the biggest question mark.
3- Hustlin In The Rain (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Albarado R J)
Coming off the purchase of $135.000 he was able to run away with the $100.000 PA bred Robellino Stakes in early August. This will be his first race over a mile and a sixteenth but looks like he should be able to handle the extra distance. He also picks up top jock Albarado R J who is winning at almost 25% on turf so far this year.
4- Genetics (Trained by Team 7 Illusions, Ridden by Desormeaux K J)
This will be Genetics’ first career stake race but what he lacks in experience he quickly makes up for with speed. His last race was the third fastest time at a mile and an eighth for any three year old all year long. He ran an impressive first race on the turf and will look to build on that run in the Saranac. Typically he may need another race or two before being a contender for this type of purse but when comparing to this field he has just as good a shot as any at coming out on top.
5- Deep Down (Trained by Jkk Racing Stables, Ridden by Lezcano J)
The only one in the race with GI experience. He comes into the race off a solid fourth place finish in the GI Secretariat. Based on his last three races the slightly shorter distance then what he has been running could be just what he is looking for. If he can get some sensible early fractions on the lead he could be tough to beat turning for home.
My Selections: 4/5/1
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
