Saratoga Saturday

Just a fantastic betting card at Saratoga today. Some short-ish fields but even those seem quite competitive.

In the 3rd, Glickman (5-1) cuts back to the distance at which he graduated, in his debut at the Big A. (4th place Swinging Tune won next out, and has since run competitively at this level.) Stretched out just a bit to seven furlongs for his first try against winners, Glickman set a very fast pace before succumbing to Arch Traveler, but dug in gamely to hold off Rocking Out for the place spot. Both of those horses have won at the conditions of today's race, and either could very well be favored here. Son of Trippi then stretched out to a mile without success, finishing 5th. But that race, run in the mud, has come back extremely strong, producing three winners - including Long Branch winner Rattlesnake Bridge, two strong seconds, and two very close thirds; that out of 8 runners who have returned. As mentioned, today's distance should help, and he's run well both leading and stalking, the kind of versatility which could come in handy in a race which could feature some ample early foot. Saddleranch (7-5) looks real impressive and all shipping in from the west coast for Baffert, but this is his first race on dirt.