The 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan is the headliner in Saturday’s feature at Saratoga, the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (G2), which drew a field of seven that will go one mile on the inner turf course.
Wise Dan is seeking his eighth win in a row, the winning streak starting in this race last year. The gelding won last year's running of the Fourstardave over yielding footing and there likely will still be some give to the ground after the races were washed off the turf on Friday due to rain.
The gelding is coming into the race off a sharp win in the Firecracker Handicap (G2) carrying 128 pounds and he picks up one pound today and spots his six rivals from nine to 14 pounds. The gelding should get a good trip sitting just off the pace under jockey John Velazquez, who has won on this guy six times in seven trips.
He has only lost once at a mile on turf, the defeat coming in the 2011 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland in a fourth place finish. The price is going to be light but this gelding just keeps on winning and the barn just keeps on placing him in spots where he towers over the field.
Za Approval is coming off a solid effort in a runner up finish in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Hollywood Park to Obviously, one of the best turf runners on the west coast. Obviously ran third in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) last fall to Wise Dan, beaten two lengths. The fourth place finisher in the Shoemaker was Jeranimo, who came back to win the Eddie Read (G1) in his next outing on July 20 at Del Mar.
The gelding makes his third start of his current form cycle for the Christophe Clement barn and looks to be sitting on a good one here. He did break his maiden over the Spa turf. He will need another career top or for Wise Dan to toss in a clunker.
Lea finished up well for the runner up spot in the Firecracker and was only beaten two lengths to Wise Dan. The lightly raced four-year-old won the Commonwealth (G3) last fall at Churchill Downs for his lone stakes win.
He still has some upside as he makes his third start off the bench here for the Al Stall barn. He is getting a dozen pounds from the chalk, but not sure we are going to see enough of a price to back him for the upset.
Mr. Commons makes his second start off a 3 ½ month break here for the John Shirreffs barn. The five-year-old was only beaten two lengths to Wise Dan in the Makers 46 Mile (G1) at Keeneland back in April.
King Kreesa is coming off back to back wins, taking the state bred Kingston followed by the Poker (G3). The gelding has some speed and a pair of triple digit Beyers coming into the race, but gets a true class test here.
Completing the field are Dixie (G2) winner Skyring, and longshot Willyconker, who was beaten 17 3/4 lengths in his last outing versus second level optional claimers.
Selections: Wise Dan – Za Approval – Lea – Mr. Commons
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