August 2023 - Page 2 of 2 - The Conductor's Scroll

Whitney Stakes Saturday Picks — August 5, 2023 | Whitney Day at Saratoga

on August 4, 2023April 19, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

0/2 Thursday and another sloppy off the turf Friday has the Conductor turning his attention to the weekend. Saratoga is kicking his teeth in and the weather is ruining the meet. However, this Saturday Whitney Stakes card has given Mr. Ductor a shining light in a sea of darkness. Toga’s ready to get whacked. Skip.

Race 8: 7 Furlongs. F.G1 Test Stakes

#8 Maple Leak Mel (2/1) – This is a salty stakes race with tons of other early speed. However, the Conductor thinks this filly is the lone freak in the field. Her cruising speed is outrageous and she ran a strong late pace figure last time too. If she is indeed the 2nd choice, the Conductor will be funneling all his coal through the windows.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 Webslinger (4/1) – This colt was probably best in the Belmont Derby last time. He made a massive 5-wide move on the turn from the back of the pack and made a giant stretch run against the flow. He has the same rider again today, but he must get a better trip. With all the vacationing passengers attending Saratoga on Saturday who don’t watch the tape, he’ll likely be an overlay. The Conductor’s coal count will quadruple on the back of this colt.

Race 10: 1 1/8 Mile. G1 Whitney Stakes

#5 White Abarrio (6/1) – #6 Cody’s Wish (1/2) is obviously the most likely winner. The Conductor hopes he puts on a show stretching out in distance. However, you need to pair him up with someone to create any sort of value in here. White Arbarrio ran a sneaky big race behind Cody’s Wish last time. He stumbled at the start, still showed early speed, then lost ground on the turn and re-rallied down the stretch. He was clearly 2nd best that day and he’s proven at this distance unlike Cody’s Wish. Now 2nd off the layoff and Irad taking the mount, the Conductor sees him running a monster effort.

Race 12: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Alw 149500n1x

#2 Danzigwiththestars (10/1) – Last time going one turn at Belmont, he was floated 4-wide early on the turn and ran much better than the form shows. He draws well today and stretches out to two turns, where he’s done his best running. All three of his career wins have come over this Saratoga turf course and the price is right for him to add another today. Let’s end the card in style. Skip.

Saratoga Thursday Picks — August 3, 2023 | Full Card Contenders

on August 3, 2023April 19, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 2 Comments

When your best bet gets nosed out at the wire like Miss M M did Wednesday at Saratoga, you’re better off shutting it down for the day. This string of 2nds is getting comical. The tide will turn, but it better change quick before we’re sleeping in the gutter. The weather looks sketchy today, but better than the forecast projected. The stakes race will be on the turf for sure and the Conductor likes a bomb. Skip.

Race 8: 1 Mile. OC 62500n2x

#4 Galt (7/2) – This colt showed talent as a 3-year old and has been steadily progressing this year. He’s working well off a short break and is exiting his best race to date. He pressed a hot pace going 1 1/8 mile and still hung on for 3rd. The cutback to a Saratoga two turn mile looks perfect for him off that effort. He’ll be an overlay at the windows and the favorite, #2 Pipeline (3/5), is coming off a 9-month layoff.

Race 9: 1½ Mile. (Inner Turf) F.G2 Glens Falls Stakes

#5 Sopran Basilea (15/1) – This race obviously goes through #1 War Like Goddess (3/5). However, the Conductor is happy to take a shot against her today. She got a terrible ride by Rosario last time, but that’s happened before and she’s been able to overcome poor trips. Last race was the 1st time she’s missed the board in three years, and she may be just a bit off. Plus, Rosario is still in the irons. Sopran Basilea came to the US with strong European form and has run two huge races since. She’s been far back behind slow paces and shown a thunderous late punch. Last time she closed from last, got stuck on the rail, and still re-rallied to win easy in race with an otherwise merry go round flow. The Conductor loves her late pace figures and thinks she has a legitimate shot to take down the favorite. The coal will be all on #5 for Mr. Ductor today, but he won’t knock you if you do a cold 1/5 exacta. He knows you passengers don’t have the same intestinal fortitude. Skip.

Saratoga Wednesday Picks — August 2, 2023 | Full Card Contenders

on August 2, 2023April 19, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

The Conductor got nothing for Verstappen running 2nd at 18/1 Sunday, with Channel Maker pulling the upset. It’s always nice that the Saratoga racing week starts a day early. The wait to make NYRA pay for it’s sins is a bit easier. However, this card stinks with small fields. We’ll make do. Let’s Ride.

Race 6: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Clm 35000b

#1 Miss M M (8/1) – This filly is by far the Conductor’s best bet on this Wednesday card. She ran evenly sprinting vs similar last time and now they stretch her out to a route, where she’s done her best running. Making her 3rd start off a layoff, she’ll set a moderate pace alone on the lead and this weak field won’t be able to catch her in the stretch. Gate to wire. Skip.

Race 8: 1 Mile. (Inner Turf) F.De La Rose Stakes

#6 Regal Realm (5/1) – This filly is improving and in great form while the Chad Brown favorites are exiting disappointing efforts. She’s one of the few runners in here that is exiting a two turn race too. She looks to get a nice stalking trip sitting behind a contested early pace.

Race 10: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 16000n2L

#4 Baby Sox (6/1) – This filly won easy vs similar two starts back and got caught up in a pace duel vs much tougher last time. Now she drops back in class and has early speed in a Saratoga dirt race without much other early pace. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez is 31% with a +$0.04 ROI this year dropping runners 2+ classes as well.