No need for the Conductor to play in the slop Friday. Especially after a brutal Thursday with two 2nds and a 3rd. The Ductor can’t believe it’s already Travers Stakes day. The worst meet in Saratoga history is coming to an end. Let’s get it over with. Skip.
Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Alw 149500n1x
#6 Highly Flammable (9/2) – This gelding has improved in his last three starts since moving to the turf. Last time out at Saratoga, he beat an allowance field handily with a poor turf trip. He was 4-wide and uncovered almost the entire turn and still won with ease. 9/2 would be stealing from the Pony Gods.
Race 10: 7 Furlongs. F.G1 Ballerina
#6 Echo Zulu (7/5) – This is a match race between her and #7 Goodnight Olive (7/5). Goodnight Olive got the best of Echo Zulu in the Breeders’ Cup last year, but the Conductor thinks she’ll turn the tables. Echo Zulu looks even better as a 4-year-old and she’s the lone speed in this race. She has no excuse here.
Race 11: 1½ Mile. (Inner Turf) G1 Sword Dancer
#5 Pioneering Spirit (8/1) – Winner of four in a row, this gelding has been dominant since switching to turf. He gets the acid test today stepping up in class, but this is a very weak Grade 1 field. The only legit Grade 1 horse is #7 Stone Age (6/5), who will be odds on. Linda Rice can continue to make a mockery of the NYRA.
Race 12: 1 1/4 Mile. Travers G1 Travers Stakes
*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Arcangelo (5/2) – The Conductor has no reason not to playback Arcangelo after cashing all the coal on Belmont Stakes Day. That was the best race a 3-year-old has run to this point and he looks to get a great trip again today. He has the tactical speed to sit right off #5 National Treasure (6/1) and get the jump on #1 Forte (7/5) as they turn for home. 2/1 or better will do just fine. The only price the Conductor is mildly interested in underneath is #6 Disarm (8/1). He’s sneakily improving with each start this season.
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