Draw your Swords for Stakes Saturday

 We take in a lively classic Turf race up at the "Spa" for our Stakes Saturday handicapping venture.

Saratoga {Sword Dancer~G1~1 1/2 mile~TURF~4 year-old Up~Graded Stakes}

A modest field of eight very talented Turf horses will battle in this grade one. There are a few forwardly placed types to keep an honest pace. Speed numbers are fairly close making it a competitive one. A couple of millionaire horses make their appearance plotting to bulk up their purse earnings. Premiere Turf trainer, Michael Maker has three entrants. It should be a heck of a race at this marathon distance.

#2 Aquaphobia (I. Ortiz / Maker) is in excellent form with the highest last out speed number and four superb peaking workouts. Among this group, this fella shares top honor for most victories at nine. This guy comes in fresh ready to run in his tracking style. A son of Giant's Causeway, he is 58% in the money from thirty-six starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#7 Pedro Cara [FR] (Velazquez / Motion) will challenge coming off an extended layoff after racing in Qatar. He has hit the board in his last three races and has compiled a stamina producing workout tab (four works) during his time off. This French bred turfer is 83% in the money at this distance covering six starts. A son of Pedro the Great, he should take up a tracking position ready to slice through.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#5 Corelli (Rosario / Thomas) will be making his third North American start after racing over in Great Britain. He holds the third highest last out speed number and two solid workouts. Our friends across the pond love the progeny of Point of Entry, as they tend to be "stayers". This guy has raced at much longer distances than any of his foes in this race. Expect him to take up a tracking position and gun it in the stretch.

$2 SHOW.

#8 Sadler's Joy (Castellano / Albertrani) might go off as the favorite with the second highest speed number at the distance and the second highest (tie) last out speed number. He has produced two sound workouts in the last thirty days. This guy has hit the board in his last three. A son of the great Kitten's Joy, he will need some pace to run in to with his commanding kick.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#2 Aquaphobia  //  #7 Pedro Cara [FR],  #5 Corelli,  #8 Sadler's Joy.

10 CENT Superfecta ($1.00)

#2 Aquaphobia  /  #7 Pedro Cara [FR]  /  #5 Corelli,  #8 Sadler's Joy  /  ALL.

Furlong Friday Results

Monmouth Park R3.  Beaten Claiming.  Our first pick, Rogue Patriot, won (1st) for win money of $7.70 and show money of $2.60.  Our second pick, Earned Success, finished 2nd for show money of $1.10.

We hit the Superfecta with our box effort earning a modest $9.81. Superfecta went 7-5-4-1.

Bankroll gets a nice lift to $91.39.