The Whitney Stakes

Saturday is the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.  It is the next step on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup for horses targeting the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic, held November 2nd at Santa Anita Park.

This nine furlong race has a scheduled Post Time of 5:46 eastern standard, and will be televised on NBC.

Here is a look at the field for the Grade 1, million dollar race.

1.  IMPERATIVE  (30-1)

Jockey: Jose Bracho

Trainer: Anthony Quartarolo

Career record: 49 starts – 7 wins – 8 seconds – 4 thirds

Career earnings: $3,277,810

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 120

 

2. FORWARNED  (30-1)

Jockey: Dylan Davis

Trainer: Uriah St. Lewis

Career record: 17 starts – 6 wins – 4 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $205,613

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 101

 

3. MONONGAHELA  (12-1)

Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Trainer: Jason Servis

Career record: 24 starts – 6 wins – 11 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $381,043

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 116

 

4. THUNDER SNOW  (3-1)

Jockey: Christophe Soumillion

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor

Career record: 24 starts – 8 wins – 7 seconds – 4 thirds

Career earnings: $16,511,476

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 117

 

 

5. VINO ROSSO  (6-1)

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Todd Platcher

Career record: 12 starts – 5 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $1,253,125

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 114

 

6. McKINZIE   (7-5)

Jockey: Mike Smith

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Career record: 11 starts – 6 wins – 4 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $1,703,560

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 121

 

 

7. YOSHIDA  (10-1)

Jockey: Joel Rosario 

Trainer: Bill Mott

Career record: 15 starts – 5 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $2,185,770

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 116

 

8. PRESERVATIONIST  (3-1)

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Trainer: Jimmy Jerkins

Career record: 8 starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $572,300

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 111

Summary: This year’s Whitney does not appear to be a race that is pace dependent, but rather a field of horses from which handicappers need to figure out who will be in top form.  The field size and the nine-furlong distance should decrease the chance that the race will come down to the best or worst trip.

The Daily Racing Blog is always searching for Value.  That said, our Top Choice #4 THUNDER SNOW, at 3-1 odds will offer very little R.O.I.  So our top Value choices are #5 VINO ROSSO, (6-1) and #7 YOSHIDA (10-1).  

Therefore our play will be: a Trifecta key using both the #5 and #7 on top of the #4-6-8.  So the Wager should read; 5-7 with 4-5-6-7-8.  So in order to cash this ticket the or 7 must Win, while the remaining chosen numbers need to come in 2nd and 3rd- in any order.

We’ll also do an Exacta Box using 4-5-7, along with Win Bets on both the 5 and 7.

Best of luck know matter how you play it.

 

 

 

 

 

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