WUNDERDOG (HORSES)
Opening day from Saratoga and Del Mar
SARATOGA
Race #2 at 1:30 PM Eastern
Top pick: #1 (STEPHEN'S REVENGE) - Gelding has taken money in all his starts and has improved since coming back from a layoff in early May and switching to the turf. He's finished second in both tries at this level, has fine early speed and he draws the inside post. Believel speed will be doing very well on both the dirt and turf courses here until there's some rain.
2nd pick: #3 (Chardsey) - Probably will go favored in this spot. Colt by "War Chant" was away slowly when debuting and rallied strongly to get beat a length. Working fine for this and trainer Chris Clement is strong second time out (22%). Win candidate.
3rd pick: #5 (Newman Rocks) - Longshot was very wide last out at Belmont while running evenly. Race was his first in 10 months and it's good to see trainer Bruce Brown bring him back in three weeks for this. Think this gelding will be competitive at a big price.
4th pick: #11 (Winloc's John Lee) - Good educational debut June 26th at Belmont saw this gelding race evenly while racing between horses, a tough spot for one making his debut. He wasn't beaten much and will stretch-out in distance for this. Needs to overcome this tough post.
DEL MAR
Race #1 at 7:00 PM Eastern
Top pick: #1 (FRISKY MOMENT) - Debuting gelding "blistered" a half-mile from the gate at Santa Anita 11 days ago and he draws the rail in this small field. He did that work in :45.80 and if he does it again when facing "live" action he'll win this.
2nd pick: #4 (Del Siete Leguas) - Colt improved in his second start when trainer Walt Solis dropped him into a claimer. Colt by Forestry rallied to finish third that day and his barn has given him six weeks to recover. Working fast and it's good to see Gomez stay aboard.
3rd pick: #3 (Senor Rain) - First-time starter is working above average for trainer Pete Miller (17% with debuting runners). Some of his earlier drills are pretty quick and would expect him to run well in his initial appearance.
