The Grade 2 Saratoga Oaks co-headlines the Friday card at Saratoga Race Course, offering a $500,000 purse for three-year-old fillies going 1 3/16 miles on the turf. Scheduled as Race 10 with a 6:17 p.m. ET post time, this year’s renewal features a competitive cast, including several exiting the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks.
Projected Race Shape
This year’s Saratoga Oaks doesn’t appear to feature an abundance of early speed, which could produce a slow early pace followed by a sprint to the finish. Horses capable of securing good position and producing a strong late kick should have an advantage, while saving ground on the turns could prove especially important.
Contender Analysis
#1 Kentucky Belle (6-1)
Kentucky Belle enters the race in excellent form after winning an allowance at this same 1 3/16-mile distance at Keeneland. She rallied from seventh from an outer post to win by a nose over Bless Her, who returned to win her next start.
One of the most encouraging aspects of her profile is the consistency of her recent speed figures, paring-up back-to-back strong performances that suggest she may still have another step forward. Breaking from the hedge should allow her to save valuable ground under Irad Ortiz, Jr., giving her every chance to make a late run turning for home.
#2 Fitz Right (5-2)
Fitz Right has steadily developed into one of the top turf fillies in the division. Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, she captured consecutive stakes victories before finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks.
Perhaps most impressive is her progression in speed figures, steadily improving in every start throughout her career. Rather than producing one isolated career-best effort, she has shown a steady upward trend while stretching successfully from one mile to today’s 1 3/16-mile distance.
Her tactical speed should allow her to secure a stalking trip from post two, making her a very dangerous contender.
#3 Code (20-1)
Code has shown consistency but has yet to post the type of performance needed to defeat this caliber of competition. While her recent races have been respectable, she will need significant improvement to contend for the victory.
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