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It's a small but very important step at Sartoga where 2yos are now not allowed to race on Lasix.
It's the Travers weekend at Saratoga which has survived Hurricane Isaias and has the green light for racing this weekend.
Friday's card features the Saratoga Special Gr 2 for 2yos over 1200m and this is the race that will be drug free. Steve Asmussen has two promising 2yos here – Cazadero and Jackie's Warrior who are on 5/2 and 7/2 in the Morning Line. Therideofalifetime is from the Correas establishment and will be ridden by José Ortiz.
Saturday is a mega day starting with the Ballerina Gr 1 f&m over 1400 with 7 runners. Bellafina is going for her 4th Gr 1 win and is on 9/5. Serengeti Empress is trying a shorter trip and is on 5/2, and last year's winner Come Dancing is on 3/1 to go back-to-back.
There are two Gr3 races following – the Troy and the Waya. The former has Imprimus on 8/5, Shekky Shebaz 5/2 and Pure Sensation on 3/1 with 7 tackling the 1400m turf. The latter has Mrs Sippy on 6/5, former French runner My Sister Nat on 2/1 and Another Broad who comes in as an "also eligible" or emergency who will be on 7/5 if she gets a run – it's over 2400m on the turf.
The Test is Gr 1 for 3yos over 1400m and has 6 starters, headed by the Baffert-trained Gamine who caught the eye when winning the Acorn at Belmont by over 18 lengths! She is on 3/5, and Venetian Harbor is on 8/5.
The Travers is Gr 1 also for 3yos and has a field of 8 headed by Tiz The Law, even money favourite here and also favourite in the Kentucky Derby betting. Uncle Chuck is on 5/2, and two promising 3yos in Country Grammer and Max Player are on 6/1.
At Del Mar Friday's card features the Sorrento Gr 2 over 1200m for the 2yo fillies with 6 in the line up. September Secret is on 2/1 and My Girl Red 3/1.
Saturday there's the Best Pal Gr 2 for the 2yos over 1200m with 7 runners. Roderick is on 9/5 – he's by Into Mischief as is Gamine who is running at Saratoga. Herd Immunity is 7/2 and is by Union Rags.
The Yellow Ribbon is also Gr 2 for the girls over 1700m on the turf. We like the Brazilian-bred Jolie Olimpica a lot and she's 5/2. Beau Recall is well named as she won this last year and Keeper Ofthe Stars is on 7/2.
