img HORSE

SARATOGA Race #9 (THE ALABAMA STAKES (G1))

August 15, 2020
img5:45 PM Eastern
Premium Pick

Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #5 (SWISS SKYDIVER) (7-5) - She moves back in with her own sex following a fine 2nd place finish facing males in the G2 Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland July 11. The winner of that contest 'Art Collector' returned last Sunday to take the Ellis Park Derby (G3) and will be one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Sat., Sept. 5. She worked fine here Aug. 08 and will be tough if she holds her form.

2nd pick: #6 (Harvey's Lil Goil) (15-1) - This longshot ships from Churchill where she won a G3 stakes going nine furlongs on the grass June 27. A winner of two of her prior three on the dirt, this homebred by 'American Pharoah' has been training fast at the Spa, and I think she'll be competitive at a big price.

3rd pick: #2 (Spice Is Nice) (7-2) - Competitive in three of four, her only subpar effort came when finishing 10 lengths in back of 'Swiss Skydiver' in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) March 28. After that effort, Todd Pletcher sent her in for almost a 100-day freshening, and she came back with a career-best at Belmont on July 3. A $1,050,000 daughter of 'Curlin,' she's dangerous with some further improvement.

4th pick: #1 (Envoutante) (8-1) - Daughter of 'Uncle Mo' is an uncoupled barn-mate of 'Swiss Skydiver' as both are trained by Ken McPeek. She's gone 4-2-1-1 on the dirt, is working very fast locally, and has a ground-saving post. Don't just dismiss her.

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