Test Stakes Analysis Featuring Bellafina & Serengeti Empress

Two of my top five sophomore fillies square off in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August, 3, 2019. The seven furlong Test is a rematch between Serengeti Empress and Bellafina. The former took down the latter in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on the first Friday in May at Churchill Downs. The shorter distance of the Test Stakes might favor Bellafina, and she is fresher than her nemesis this time. 

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SAR 8 (G1 Test, 7f ) #2 BELLAFINA (2-1) is 6-for-9 with a 2nd, and her only two below par efforts were at Churchill Downs as the beaten favorite in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1). She runs well fresh and is 2-for-2 at this distance. She might sit a great trip stalking fast fractions. #5 Royal Charlotte (3-1) is 4-for-4 for Chad Brown, and she easily made the grade as the 3-2 favorite in the Victory Ride (G3) July 5. Javier Castellano should have options with the early-pressing filly. #4 Trenchtown Cat (12-1) switched to dirt and earned improved numbers in her last pair, and today’s rider Irad Ortiz Jr. guided her to a pair of turf wins at Gulfstream Park earlier this year. She figures to stalk the pace and can spice up the exotics. #3 Covfefe (5-2) is very fast early, and she was brilliant in the Miss Preakness (G3) at Pimlico May 17. I am not sure she wants to go this far, especially with #1 Serengeti Empress (7-2) and #6 Please Flatter Me (15-1) breathing down her neck. #7 Jeltrin (20-1) rounds out the field. The Davona Dale (G2) winner landed the show in the Acorn (G1) and Mother Goose (G2) in her last pair. A minor award is not impossible. Wagers: #2 to win, Exacta 2/4-5, Exacta 4-5/2, Trifecta 2/4/ALL, Trifecta 2/ALL/4