Looks like another wet weekend at Saratoga, and that adds to the handicapper’s challenge.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby are expected to pelt the region with heavy rains Friday continuing into Saturday’s stakes action. If the predictions are true, anticipate a muddy or sloppy, sealed track.
For several 2-year-old colts in the $200,000 Saratoga Special (G2), rain clouds could hold a silver lining. Global Legend, First Resort and Smoken Wicked have already posted victories over wet tracks.
Granted, we are dealing with small sample sizes. No one in the field has run more than four times. Many have never been tested on anything other than a fast surface.
The handicapper’s safest route is sticking with the known variables, and that brings us back to the trio of proven mud lovers in this 6 ½-furlong contest.
Stakes Debuts and Muddy Triumphs: Analyzing Top Contenders
First Resort made a strong first impression in his debut at Ellis Park. The Godolphin homebred sired by Uncle Mo and trained by Eoin Harty broke inward at the start and quickly recovered to set the pace. He was under pressure rounding the turn before kicking away from the pack in the stretch to post a sharp-looking 3 ½-length score in the mud.
This will be only the second start for First Resort, and his stakes debut, but he appears to possess the class to handle the assignment. Flavien Prat, who is having a bang-up meet at the Spa, picks up the mount.
Smoken Wicked makes his third start and has the advantage of stakes experience. He ran a trouble-filled second last time out in the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs, a solid follow-up to his winning debut in the slop at Evangeline Downs.
“It was very good,” trainer Dallas Stewart said of the Bashford Manor. “He’s a nice horse who has trained very well here, so we are looking forward to the Special.”
Global Legend captured his debut in the slop at Gulfstream Park two months ago for trainer Mark Casse.
“He looks like a sprinter, but I wouldn’t say he won’t go around two turns at some point. But right now, these sprint races are right up his alley,” said Shane Tripp, assistant trainer to Casse. “He’s so athletic and does it right within himself. He gets across this track like you want one to.”
So mud lovers, who do you like? For those who bet horse racing …
The picks: 1 First Resort 2 Smoken Wicked 3 Global Legend