Quality field set for Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
By: Michael Mills, ThoroFan
The Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1), 6 furlongs on
the main track at Saratoga Racecourse does not have much quantity with just a
field of five but definitely has quality.
Four of the five starters won their last start and have a
total of 40 wins between them. Not sure
if other possible starters were afraid of the new shooter to the Graded Stakes
game Volatile or intimidated by the old guy seven-year-old gelding
Whitmore.
On paper, all but Lexitonian has a shot to win it. Picks are for a dry fast track.
1. Lexitonian,
Tyler Gafflione, Jack Sisterson.
Four-year-old colt has found the winner circle in graded company just
once back in May 2019. Comes in off an
allowance win at Churchill back in May but would be a surprise.
2. Whitmore,
Joel Rosario, Ron Moquett.
Seven-year-old gelding is a warrior.
Two for three this year racing impressively earlier in the year at Oaklawn. Been to the Breeders Cup twice
before and looking to return this year in the Sprint. He will be up close in the small field and
show his experience and quality down the lane.
3. Firenze Fire,
Irad Ortiz Jr., Kelly J. Breen.
Five-year-old comes in following a victory in the True North Grade 2 the
end of last month at Belmont. Raced in
this event last year finishing a distance 4th.
Loads of Grade 1 experience. Not
sure he is the same horse he was last year, be careful.
4. Volatile,
Ricardo Santana Jr., Steven M. Asmussen.
Four-year-old colt is the new shooter to the Graded Stakes racing
game. Lightly raced with just 5 starts
(4 wins and a second) he comes in following two wins this spring and racked up
112 Beyer Figure in his last at Churchill.
Pricey fellow when purchased could be starting to live up to
expectations.
5. Mind Control,
John R. Velazquez, Gregory D. Sacco. Four-year-old strung together three wins
before throwing in a clunker last month in the Carter at Belmont in the
slop. Two for two at Saratoga but will
need to bring his best game to bounce back.
While I am a fan of the old guy Whitmore, I’m projecting Volatile
to be too much for this field and hopefully at not too short a price.
1) #4 Volatile (4-5)
2) #2 Whitmore (2-1)
3) #3 Firenze Fire (4-1)
The Play: $50 Win #4
Have a Day……. Mike Mills
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