Quick Horses Do Battle in The Quick Call at SAR

7/15/21

  8   SAR     The Quick Call (GIII)

   $120.000          3yo          5 1/2f  Turf        122lbs


Summer in Saratoga NY… it’s enviable, that is for sure.  We catch a full field of twelve sophomore sod sprinters set to go five and a half furlongs on the famed turf course here in northern NY, and The Quick Call (GIII) looks to be just about anyone’s race to win.  I’m headed towards the middle of the gate for my choices today and took Carlos as the top pick.  He looked good winning on the SA grass last out and I think he carries that into that one and just keeps on going.  I’ll put Ags Cherokee in second spot, as I think that soft grass got him in his most recent.  If it rains today, all bets are off on this one as I just think he wants firm footing.  Let’s give one of the Mb Stables entrants a shot as well, and put Tormented in the hunt.  He’s won four of ten starts and some of those races were about as salty as you could ask for… this may be a spot for him to get it done. 

Here’s The Field –


1
   Elijah G    Mb Stables    Cancel E   122   6/1

The big barn brings this one in with just a maiden win to his credit, and that came back in Jan.  He was third in a pair of graded races down in KY, and those were at today’s distance, so maybe he jumps up to claim his first stakes score today.

2
   Day Of The Dragon    John Henry    Cohen D   122   5/1

Two wins from his last three starts, so it looks like he’s in good form right now.  both of those were at the OptAlw level, so this is a step up and he was fifth facing graded foes at PEN on a soggy lawn, in between those two wins.  Can he get back after with these top-notch types?

3
   Finishing Move    Riggins Racing    Ortiz I Jr   122   7/1

Was nabbed out of a $30.000 claimer where he ran next to last, then did it again in his first start for the new connections.  Now they raised him in class and moved him over to the grass, and he was only beaten a length at GP on a lawn labeled good, so I think there could be some room for improvement today.  

4
   Carlos    Arindel    Castellano J J   122   7/2

Three wins this year and he was fourth in his other two seasonal outings, and I think this is a horse that is sitting on a big effort today.  He showed good speed and the ability to carry that speed to the end in his most recent, taking an overnight stakes at SA on the weeds there.  I’d give him a big chance today.

5
   High Crimes    Alydar Stables    Velazquez J R   122   7/2

Won the Swale (GIII) to kick off his ’21 season, sold after that and has been looking for the winner’s circle since that effort.  He was second in the Day Mile (GII) and he should fit well and perform well with this lot.  I’d look for him to be in the thick of it when they run to the wire.

6
   Ags Cherokee    Arq Racingfarms    Franco M   122   4/1

Won two in a row then tired to be last as the odds-on favorite at BEL vs. stakes company.  I’m going to give a pass on that race as I just don’t think he liked the soggy sod on that afternoon, so throw it out and give this one a chance to be a big part of the festivities today. 

7
   Tormented    Mb Stables    Lezcano J   122   9/2

Another from the big barn and he’s struggled a bit while facing the best of his class while on the TC Trail.  Sixth in the San Felipe (GII) and SA Derby (GI) then seventh in the Peter Pan (GIII) in his most recent.  He’s won on the grass and sprinting may be his cup of tea.  Give him a look.

8
   Fearisque    Maxmillion Farm    Carmouche K   122   8/1

Nabbed out of the Dec Auction for $22.520 and has three wins vs. NY-bred company, breaking maiden, taking out Alw types then winning vs stakes company in his most recent.  This is an obvious step up in class but the barn knows what they have and they don’t come to play… they come to get paid. 

9
   Grayte Trois    Gdp Inc    Davis D   122   6/1

Another that has been doing well vs state-bred company, of the Cal-bred variety, breaking maiden on the SoCal turf, then beating open Alw company at GG before coming back to SoCal to take (DH) the Snow Chief.  He seems to run will at any distance so he’s another with a big shot. 

10
   Bad Precedent    Mo Mentum Farm    Gaffalione T   122   8/1

Got back to the winning ways and at today’s distance taking out Alw horses at ELP showing good speed throughout.  Now he has some serious back class, so don’t think he was a flash in the pan… that was a big win at KEE taking out graded horses, so watch him, he could be sneaky. 

11
   Spankersville    The Sidley Stud    Rosario J   122   10/1

They shorten this one up trying to get him back on-track after a couple of less than wonderful starts vs graded horses where he was sixth at MTH and last of five at SA in his most recent.  Those were at a mile and a furlong and then the marathon distance of a mile and a half, so maybe getting back to shorter will wake him up.

12
   Neon World    D J C Racing Stables    Santana R Jr   122   8/1

He broke maiden at TAM by seven but it was a struggle in the next two, only to wake up last out and just miss in a stakes at SA going six panels.  Can he keep that momentum going and make some noise in this one?


COZMAN   4 / 6 / 7               Willie’s Green Card   10 / 5 / 1




Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES