Saratoga Friday

The first on Opening Day typifies the duality at Saratoga these days. Yes, it's a state-bred race, and traditionalists may be offended to see such horses open the meet. However, what a state-bred race it is from a betting standpoint; a wide-open head scratcher to get things off to a lively start. From there, it's a pretty typical Saratoga card - three two-year old races -including the G3 Schuylerville for fillies; and an overnight stakes that could be a Grade 1.

In the 6th, Pervis (7-2) takes a big drop in class for the high-percentage trainer Chad Brown. Two races back, he graduated for a 65K tag at Belmont, rallying three wide on the turn, surviving a bumping incident after turning for home, and closing determinedly into steadily quickening fractions to nail loose-on-the-lead East Indies, who came home strongly after being allowed to walk in nearly 25 seconds to the half mile mark; and who earned an 84 Beyer in a game second next time out. After a freshening, Pervis returned in a Monmouth allowance against a far better field than he'll face here - the winner earned a Beyer of 91 that would blow away this restricted claiming event. Not only does Pervis drop, but he has a clear pattern of sharp improvement in his second race off the layoff line. Castellano, who rode Pervis to that maiden win, returns to the saddle here; he won 30% of his starts for this barn at the Spa last year. Short Shrift (10-1) returns to the flat from some dismal steeplechase efforts, and surely fits on past class and Beyers. Best of luck and have a great opening day!

- Always nice to start a meeting off on a winning note. Burns, mentioned prominently here, ran second at 11-1 to favored Mr. Commons in the Oceanside at Del Mar. The exacta returned $27.80.