Seven line up in the $100,000 P.G. Johnson over the Spa turf on Thursday. (photo credit © Cheryl Quigley | Dreamstime.com)
A field of seven juvenile fillies will head to the starting gate in Thursday’s feature at Saratoga, the $100,000 P.G. Johnson led by 7-5 morning line favorite Coasted from the Leah Gyamarti barn.
The filly broke her maiden in her second career start going two turns over the Spa turf, drawing away to win by six lengths. A $210,000 Keeneland purchase, the filly is out of the stakes winner Malibu Pier. She will be ridden again by Jose Lezcano and break from the four post.
The race is named in honor of longtime trainer P.G. John, best known as the trainer of Volponi, upset winner of the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at odds of 43-1.
We enter the last five days of the 40-day Saratoga meeting and the NYRA is tossing horseplayers a new toy. They have added a second Pick 5 with a 15% takeout that starts on Friday.
The wager will be on the last five races on the card. On Friday, it is on races 6 through 10, Saturday and Sunday, races 8-12 and Monday it will be on races 7-11.
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Monday is closing day at the Spa meeting with the Fall Championship Meeting at Belmont Park opening next Friday.
Let’s head out to Saratoga for Thursday’s featured race of the day:
Saratoga Race 9 The P.G. Johnson (Post time 5:40 ET)
#6 Lady Joan 6-1
#4 Coasted 7-5
#3 Noble Ready 8-1
#7 Majestic Bonnie 7-2
Analysis: Lady Joan tracked the early pace and drew off sharply to break her maiden last out going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in her third career start. She now stretches out to a route for the first time. She looks headed in the right direction and is out of Powerscourt mare, her first foal to race. Powerscourt crossed the wire in front of the Arlington Million (G1) twice, getting DQ’d once. The Serpe barn is 15% winners moving runners from sprint to route. Decent value if she goes off near her 6-1 morning line.
Coasted is proven going long on turf here, breaking her maiden in impressive style last out in her second career start by six lengths. The runner up Dream Dancing came back to graduate in her next outing on Aug. 28. The $210,000 Keeneland purchase is by Tizway out of the stakes winner Malibu Pier ($466,220). She is one of two in here with a win at the distance and owns the top last out speed fig. She is the logical one to beat but is going to be a light price.
Noble Ready went gate to wire to break her maiden at 7 1/2 furlongs at Delaware Park in her second career start. The Clement barn is 18% winners moving runners from sprint to route. This gal is bred to go long, a half to three other turf winners and a couple of stakes winners, top earner Zindaya ($401,240).
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 4-1 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 3,4,6,7
TRI: 4,6 / 3,4,6,7 / 1,3,4,6,7
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