Horse Racing picks for Saratoga on Thursday, July 15: Smitten with Kitten by the Sea

3:21pm Saratoga (Race 5) – Mommasgottarun +600

Thomas Amoss has his horses in great form at present and this debuting daughter of Maclean’s Music is a very interesting candidate. She’s bred for speed and cost $110,000 as a yearling, so connections clearly think plenty of this filly. Her work prior to this engagement has caught the eye and those with experience don’t set the most daunting of standards. She’s drawn the inside gate and with Tyler Gaffalione booked, she commands respect.

3:55pm Saratoga (Race 6) – Kitten by the Sea +200

Todd Pletcher’s charge won a pair of races at Gulfstream last year, latterly a claiming contest back in February 2020. She’s failed to add to her tally since, but she’s run well in allowance company, including a second-place finish at Belmont back in September. She’s been absent since November, but her recent work at Monmouth has been promising and this is a big drop in grade for her. She has a strong draw in gate five and after just eight starts, we’re unlikely to have seen the best of her.

5:39pm Saratoga (Race 9) – Happy Soul +160

This daughter of Runhappy is extremely speedy, graduating at the second attempt when making all the running at Belmont over five furlongs in May. She took another big step forward when scoring over half a furlong further at the same venue last time, winning the Listed Astoria by a huge eleven lengths. She’ll have no problem stretching out to six furlongs and her early speed will carry her to the early lead from stall seven. None of these rivals will be able to live with her tactical speed and Wesley Ward’s standard-setter is very difficult to oppose.

Exotic

Late Pick 4

Race 7: 1, 2, 3
Race 8: 3, 9
Race 9: 1, 7
Race 10: 1, 7, 8, 12
$0.50 Late Pick 4, cost $24.00