This year’s field features several familiar rivals, including horses exiting the Grade 3 Poker Stakes, making for an intriguing rematch with a potentially different pace scenario.
Pace Analysis
Several horses prefer to race on or near the lead, including Maycocks Bay, My Boy Prince, Itsallcomintogetha, and Mi Bago.
That projected pace should favor the tactical stalkers and late runners, particularly Zulu Kingdom if he returns to the running style that produced many of his biggest victories.
Rather than being committed to the front, he figures to save ground from the rail before making his move entering the stretch.
Race Overview
The morning-line favorite is Zulu Kingdom (5-2) for trainer Chad Brown with Flavien Prat aboard. A seven-time winner from 10 starts, Zulu Kingdom has been remarkably consistent throughout his career and owns a strong record at both Saratoga and the one-mile distance.
He enters this race after finishing third in the Grade 3 Poker Stakes, where he was sent to the front from the rail. While he has proven capable of winning on the lead, many of his best performances have come when tracking the pace before producing his finishing kick.
If Prat allows him to settle behind the early leaders this time, Zulu Kingdom could be in an ideal position turning for home.
Main Challengers
Pass the Hat
Pass the Hat arrives in excellent form after upsetting the Poker Stakes at 10-1. He pressed the pace before narrowly defeating stablemate Capitol Hill by a nose, with Zulu Kingdom finishing third.
His recent speed figures have improved noticeably, and his running style versatility gives jockey John Velazquez plenty of options depending on how the pace develops.
With three victories in his last four starts, Pass the Hat clearly deserves serious respect once again.
Read more at Today's Racing Digest
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