There are a host of graded races this Saturday, with five Grade II races taking place at Kentucky Downs.
There are two Grade I races on Saturday, one on each coast with one at Saratoga and one at Del Mar.
Saratoga
Grade I Spinaway
(11th race, 2:45 p.m. PDT)
This seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies draws eight runners, with seven of them nominated for the Breeders’ Cup.
Summer Starlet (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana) won her lone start on August 8, beating a field of eight, taking control at the top of the lane, then drawing off to win by over six lengths at 16/1. She got an 87 Beyer for the effort.
Girvy Girl (Saffie Joseph, Michah Husbands) made her debut – and only start – on July 18 and proceeded to destroy a $50,000 straight maiden race by 15 lengths, wiring the field. She has been off since then but has had some strong moves in the morning over the Saratoga surface.
Harper’s Corner (Cathal Lynch, Paco Lopez) has the best Beyer mark in the field with an 88 following winning the Schuylerville at Saratoga July 3. She won that day by over five lengths a month after she won her debut over seven lengths. She’s been working well for the return.
Life Changing (Todd Pletcher, Flavien Prat) made her debut on August 1 a winning one, beating straight maidens by seven lengths at Saratoga, earning an 84 Beyer. She wired the field that day, lengthening the lead throughout. Obviously, a major player here.
Del Mar
Grade I Del Mar Debutante
(Race 10, 6 p.m.)
Another sprint, another race for 2-year-old fillies. There are 10 horses entering here with some being big purchase prices.
Dear Diary (Richard Mandella, Mike Smith) is one of two runners for the barn with Smith having ridden both horses and this is the spot he lands. She has one start on August 22, overcoming a slow start to run second by a length. Now jumps to a Grade I race and if she gets out clean, you must think she’ll be a force.
Free Closer (Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli) won her debut May 23 at Santa Anita, then shipped to Churchill for the Debutante and was fifth with a troubled trip on June 28. She came back to California and took the CTBAB at Del Mar on August 2 as the heavy favorite, crossing the line in front by over eight lengths. Takes a decent jump here but success over the track gives her a shot.
Miss Monica (Bob Baffert, JJ Hernandez) is one of two runners for Baffert and carries an $850,000 purchase price. Hernandez has ridden both Baffert horses and lands here. Her lone start came on August 9 and wired the field, crossing the line over five lengths in front at 1-to-2 odds and getting a 87 Beyer. Has worked well in both morning sessions since the debut.
Holmby (Bob Baffert, Ricardo Gonzalez) has run twice and won twice. First, it was straight maidens on July 18 at Del Mar, winning by over two lengths. She came back August 9 and took down the Grade III Sorrento at Del Mar by a neck with a big run in the lane at 4-to-5 odds. I don’t think she needs the lead but figures to be pushing the pace.