SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK- Super star Gun Runner wins 2017 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. (Photo by … [+]
A big weekend of racing continues Saturday at Saratoga with five stakes races headlined by the $1 million Whitney Stakes. The Grade 1 Whitney is an annual summer feature at Saratoga, and not only honors the prominent Whitney racing family, but produces some superb champions.
The 96th running of the Whitney drew six entries for the 1 1/8 mile race on Aug. 5. The winner is awarded $535,000 and an automatic invitation and fees-paid entry to the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
Live coverage from Saratoga Race Course begins at 3 p.m. ET on FOX TV with Race 10 and the Whitney Stakes at 5:42 p.m. ET. Picks for the Whitney and other four stakes races are provided below, and racing fans can watch and wager on FanDuel Racing with streaming live coverage on the TVG Network.
Whitney Field and Odds
1 – Zandon (9/2)
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Trainer: Chad Brown
2 – Charge It (5/1)
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
3 – Giant Game (20/1)
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Trainer: Dale Romans
4 – Last Samurai (15/1)
- Jockey: Flavien P
- Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
5 – White Abarrio (6/1)
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
- Trainer: R. Dutrow, Jr.
6 – Cody’s Whis (1/2)
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Trainer: Bill Mott
Whitney Stakes Picks
I turned to the experts at Horse Racing Nation (HRN) and it’s Super Screener big stakes race analysis for more insight on the Whitney. Top win contenders and insight are also provided for the other four stakes races at Saratoga plus one at Del Mar. A partly cloudy afernoon with temperatures in the upper 70’s is in the forecast for Saratoga Springs, NY Saturday.
Opening parimutuel odds are subject to change and adjust as more bets come in on the races.
Whitney Stakes (Race 10)
- #2 Charge It (5/1) – Top value
- #6 Cody’s Wish (1/2)
Others to use underneath in exotics: #5 White Abarrio (6/1) and #1 Zandon (9/2).
Understanding Horse Racing and Bet Types
The feel-good story horse continues with Cody’s Wish as the prohibitive favorite. He rides a six-race winning streak into the Whitney. The pace will come in slightly faster than par with Giant Game breaking out on top in attempt to make it three wins in row going wire to wire. He’ll be pressed in earnest by the Super Screener Top Win, Top Board Hitter and Top Value play in the race, Charge It.
When Charge It lost to three others in this race in the Grade 1 Met Mile, he was coming off a break and really needed that race. His come-back performance in the Grade 2 Suburban going 10 furlongs was something special resulting in a lifetime top speed figure. He projects to move forward again in his form cycle with a cutback in distance. This is a much fitter horse than what we saw back in June. Charge It offers great value at ML odds of 5/1.
So much to admire about Cody’s Wish and his accomplishments. Over his last 10 starts he has missed the win just once (by a neck) and has won on four different tracks including Saratoga. He is balanced, tactical and just unbeatable going 7 furlongs to a mile. But this is his first try traveling 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs). However, there is nothing in his Energy Distribution Profile nor his breeding that would suggest he can’t handle it with his sire the great Curlin. He’ll be closer to the pace here but will offer plenty of late interest. No value on him in this race, and a win sets up a dilema for his connections to run in either the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles, or defend his Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile win last year.
Keep an eye on White Abarrio. He seems to be coming into his own right now and should be considered a strong addition to the exacta and trifecta bets but at post time odds of 5/1 or better.
Other stakes races at Saratoga and Del Mar
As you determine your bet types and strategies and add any Pick 6 tickets starting in Race 7, here are additional top win contenders from Horse Racing Nation.
Race 6 – $300,000 Grade 3 Troy Stakes. The 5 1/2 furlong sprint for older horses on the turf drew 8 entries.
- #8 Remuda (10/1) Top Value
- #4 Caravel (3/5)
- #7 Nobals (7/2)
Others #5 Grooms All Business (8/1) underneath and #1 Thin White Duke (20/1) top longshot.
Race 7 -$135,000 Lure Stakes for older horses at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. The handicappers at Guaranteed Tip Sheet provide three top win contenders.
- #3 Dakota Gold (5/2)
- #1 Portfolio Company (7/2)
- #5 Speaking Scout (9/2)
Race 8 – $500,000 Grade 1 Test Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 7 furlongs. Eight entries and HRN picks include:
- #4 Jersey Pearl (15-1)
- #8 Maple Leaf Mel (2-1)
Horses to use underneath include: #6 Dorth Vader (6/1) and #1 Pretty Mischievous (9/5)
Race 9 – $600,000 Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational for nine 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
- #2 Program Trading (7/2)
- #5 Far Bridge (2/1)
The other “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup qualfiying race Saturday is at Del Mar just North of San Diego. The winner receives an automatic entry to the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. The Horse Racing Nation Super Screener and Guaranteed Tip Sheet top win contenders include:
Race 10 – $400,000 Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
- #2 Fun to Dream (9/5)
- #3 Adare Manor (4/5)
The #5 Desert Dawn (5/1) is one to consider underneath in exacta and trifecta bets in the compact field of five runners with very low payoff potential.
Whitney Day is part of a special summer of racing in August at Saratoga. The Travers Stakes for top 3-year-olds is Aug. 26 on the biggest day of racing at “The Spa” featuring six stakes including two other “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup qualifying races.
You can bet on it.