Every horse racing fan and bettor is locked in on this year’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Moved from the traditional first Saturday in May because of the coronavirus, the 2020 ‘Run for The Roses’ will take place on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
In the meantime, this Saturday’s top racing action is a coast to coast affair. First up at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York is the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes. Moving to Southern California on the West Coast, Saturday’s featured event at Del Mar Racetrack is the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Handicap.
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Sword Dancer Stakes Picks – Saratoga Race Course
This Grade 1 stakes race will be contested on the turf track at Saratoga and is one of the biggest sporting events this weekend. Open to Thoroughbreds four and older, it covers an extended distance of 1 ½ miles.
The actual field for this race has yet to be set. However, Horse Racing Nation has seven top long distance turf racers listed as probable. Leading that list is Sadler’s Joy with a rating of 7.54. Trained by Tom Albertrani, this seven-year old veteran horse faded to fourth his last time out in the Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 1.
The quick turnaround might benefit this son of Kitten’s Joy after placing in the money in six of his previous seven races. He placed second in last year’s Sword Dancer Stakes following a sixth-place finish in 2018.
Also on the list of probable entries is trainer William Mott’s Channel Maker, who placed third in the Bowling Green. This six-year old Canadian-bred gelding has a solid HRN rating of 7.24.
Sired by English Channel, this turf racer has been a less reliable bet in recent runs. This was his first finish in the money over his last six events.
A horse to watch in this race could be Aquaphobia if he runs. Trained by Mike Maker, this seven-year old vet won the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes on July 18 at Monmouth Park.
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Pat O’Brien Handicap Picks – Del Mar Racetrack
The field for Saturday’s main event at Del Mar has eight entries listed as entered. This Grade 2 seven-furlong sprint on dirt is open to thoroughbreds three and older. Post time is set for 6:30 p.m. local time on the West Coast.
Breaking from the No. 7 post with jockey Umberto Rispoli aboard is Giant Expectations. Trained by Peter Eurton, this seven-year old New York-bred horse has been idle since falling all the way to 10th in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. This followed an inspired second-place finish in the 2019 Pat O’Brien behind Catalina Cruiser.
His experience in this race goes all the way back to a victory in 2017. Current form may be suspect, but the son of Frost Giant still boasts a very impressive career resume and could make a good bet this weekend.
Another entry to work into your top three would be trainer Philip D’Amato’ P R Radio Star out of the No. 2 post. Look for jockey Juan Hernandez to get the ride. This five-year old Kentucky-bred horse is coming off a victory at Del mar on August 2. He covered the 6 ½ furlongs on dirt in 1:16.95.
The son of Warrior’s Reward has now finished first or second in all three events this year. He has also finished in the money in five of his last six races.
Rounding out the list of top contenders for Saturday’s Pat O’Brien is trainer John Stadler’s Flagstaff at No. 4 and trainer Richard Baltas’ Vertical Threat at No. 6.
