WUNDERDOG (HORSES)
SARATOGA Race #1 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Top pick: #5 (MISS LAA DI DA) - English-bred filly kept good company in both her home country and Ireland and finished 3rd last out at Belmont missing the top prize by a head. Race was her best since coming west and she's nicely spotted today by trainer Jonathan Sheppard. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #2 (Inflation Hedge) - Improving filly ran a career best at Belmont June 16 when she was an impressive maiden winner at Belmont racing for $65K. She's clearly improved since switching to the grass and has fine early speed.
3rd pick: #1 (Puzzling) - Like all the Phipp's runners she's beautifully-bred and this filly comes north following a maiden win at Monmouth June 26. Daughter of "Ghostzapper" is in shape, continues to work adequately, and can factor at a nice price.
4th pick: #3 (Loure) - Darley-bred and owned filly by "A.P.Indy" defeated two other rivals to get her maiden win at Belmont July 8 in a contest that was washed "off the turf". Improving, has some speed, and was bred to be a good horse.
DEL MAR Race #5 at 7:00 PM Eastern
Top pick: #4 (WARREN'S LADY)- Filly returns from a 5 month layoff and is working fast at Santa Anita for her return. Home-bred flashed big early speed in all three starts facing special weights and will drop into a claimer for the first time. The horse to beat.
2nd pick: #11 (Lorenbray) - Well-bet in her debut and she ran a solid 2nd after being involved in a pace-duel. Grey filly has had a month to recover and trainer Kristen Mulhall (36% 2nd time out) has put a pair of nice works into her and will drop her slightly in price. Win candidate.
3rd pick: #1 (Random Luck) - Nice effort last out saw her race close-up while wide and tired a bit to finish 4th at this price July 8. Moves to the rail, gets a rider upgrade to Valenzuela, and filly has an impressive local work Jul5 23.
4th pick: #3 (What a Shill) - First time starter by "Artie Schiller" is working steadily and above average for the Cerin barn and his "go to" rider Raf Bejarano is aboard. The pair wins at an excellent 37% rate when teamed up over the past 18 months (23 for 62).
5th pick: #10 (Golden Tranquility) - Longshot ran a career best at Hollywood July 15 in her 2nd off a Dan Morgan claim. Barn removes her blinkers for the first time and this filly could grab a share at a big price.
