Spa Enters Final Week of Meet With Eye on Radar

We enter the final week of the Saratoga meeting with one eye on Wednesday's $443,274 Pick 6 carryover, and the other on the projected path of Hurricane Earl, which seems to have its sights on the east coast later this week.

There is still plenty of quality racing on tap this week, but Hurricane Earl appears likely to be hugging the east coast by Thursday night, and by Saturday, the storm could be affecting the Saratoga Springs area.

Let's hope it takes a right hand turn and stays safely in the Atlantic Ocean, because we have a good weekend of racing on tap.

On Saturday we have the $250,000 Forego (G1) and the $750,000 Woodward (G1).

The feature on Sunday is the $250,000 Spinaway (G1), and the final Grade 1 race of the meeting is the $250,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful on Monday.

Quality Road will likely be the favorite in Saturday's Woodward. Among the runners the Todd Pletcher trainee is expected to meet include Arcodoro, Convocation, Indian Dance, Mine That Bird, Mythical Power and Tranquil Manner. Haynesfield is possible for the race.

The Forego will likely draw Big Drama, Bribon, Charitable Man, Girolamo, Here Comes Ben, Starforaday, Vineyard Haven, Warrior's Reward and You and I Forever.

Among those possible for Sunday's Spinaway include Le Mi Geaux, Abide, Alienation, Position Limit, R Heat Lightning, Sky Hosoya, Stopspendingmaria, Valiant Passion, Fancy Point, and Let's Get Fiscal.

The co-feature on Sunday's card is the $100,000 Saranac (G2). Those pointed toward the race include Citrus Kid, Devon Rock, Fantastico Roberto, Hudson Steele, Lethal Combination, Mystic, Turf Melody, Alcomatch and Stately Victor.

Let's head out to the Spa for Wednesday's feature:

Saratoga Race 8 The P.G. Johnson Post time 4:55 ET

• Believe in A.P. 8/1
• Lauren Byrd 7/2
• Fancy Point 12/1
• Dos Lunas 3/1

Believe in A.P. put in a solid effort for the Dutrow barn in her first start on turf. The filly raced a bit greenly racing in between foes heading down the backstretch, made a good middle move to get into the mix and finished up well for third, beaten just a half length for the top spot. She should move forward off that effort and has a nice pedigree. She is by A.P. Indy out of the stakes winner I Believe in You ($244K), who has dropped a couple of winners including four-time turf winner I Believe in Me ($174K). Leparoux sticks and we should catch a fair price on this filly.

Lauren Byrd came with a four wide rally and got up late to break her maiden in her debut at Belmont Park at six furlongs on the turf. The runner up in the race was Arch Support, who came back to graduate in her next outing on July 30 here. The Pletcher filly has enough pedigree to handle the stretch out. She is by Arch out of a Smart Strike mare that has dropped three turf winners, top earner Hudson Steele ($171K) a stakes winner over the weeds.

Fancy Point checked in fourth in her debut after a troubled trip. The filly was bumped coming out of the gate, was stuck behind a wall of horses approaching the quarterpole, was angled to the inside where she split rivals and flattened out late. She should appreciate the switch to turf. She has three sibs that have won on turf. Worth tossing in the mix here at a generous price.

Wagering
WIN: Believe in A.P. to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 6,9 / 3,4,6,9
TRI: 6,9 / 3,4,6,9 / 3,4,6,8,9

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