Harvey Pack 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf
Purse $200.00 (plus up to $30.00 for NY-breds) For Four Year Olds And Upward
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York

Nitro from The Sidley Stud is razor sharp and has been an exotics terror since cutting back to shorter turf sprints. Only out of exotic payouts once since May of last year when he made the aforementioned distance switch. This race looks to have ample gas and Nitro should be right on the wire regardless of who else fires a big shot. He is the horse to beat. Lava Man from Mb Stables also handles the distance and can adapt to whatever pace scenario goes down as well. The top choice is always on the wire, but he doesn’t always win, as evidenced by his five wins and five seconds over his career, with three of them coming within his last four starts. “Man” might be the one to knock him off the win platform. Zion Birdie from La Canada Racehorses is interesting in here. The four year old has gone two-turns since breaking his maiden some sixteen starts ago, except for his last start where he cut back to a sprint and dead-heated for the win coming down the Hill in Arcadia in a grade 3 Stakes run at six and one-half furlongs. He now cuts back to a distance he hasn’t seen since that aforementioned maiden win. Also worth noting that his maiden win was at this course, so it’s not impossible for him to be effective Sunday at this short of a distance. Teterboro from Chili King Stables drew the far outside slot here, but his running style might be able to overcome it. Expect him to come out, take back, drop down to the rail and then come flying in the last eighth of a mile. He will need luck on his side, but it’s not impossible to envision it happening.

Of The Rest;

Around The Table from Black N Gold Stable was taken for $30 via the claim box three starts ago and the quickly moved right back up the ladder, winning for allowance $79.58 and then running second in a $100 overnight stakes in Texas. The barn is hitting at 23% and this guy will close from a mid-pack position if he can work out a trip. Don’t sell him short.

The Answer from Night Rider Stables is yet another in a long list of low lever claims and purchases by this barn that have moved right back up the ladder. This guy now switches back to sod, where he has never been off the board in four lifetime appearances. He also has a ton of gas and it should be on full display in this spot. Expect him to break on top and take them as far as he can.

Dont Fear The Reaper from TwinTowers Racing can sprint, has gas and drops from a better than looked Grade 1 performance. He however is winless on grass and this just feels like the wrong spot to change that.

Neagh from DJC Racing Stables drops from a Grade 1 performance as well, but also looks out of his element here. Expect a slight close late in here, if at all.

Little Tiger from Temulac Farm unfortunately draws the rail here and I can’t see that helping any. He certainly can’t clear and he most likely will get covered up and then have to try and weave a magic trip through lots of traffic. After failing as the favorite in Arcadia, his overall efforts seem to be tailing off some at at age eight and that could be a sign of big trouble. His race back on January 24th however gives hope and if repeated could earn him a piece. Conflicting info abounds.

Mooresy from Big Guns Stables has only one turf sprint victory and it was against NY state breds for optional $40. Not a bad run, but the transfer over to this group is a whole other story. Not with my money.

-Trackman

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded