More McLean Selections: Bonus Coverage of Saratoga for Wednesday, July 26

We are embarking on an effort to handicap a few races at “The Spa” each day for the remainder of the meet. We won’t be providing full, race-day coverage. Only select races where we think we can offer some insight, value and winnings.

In addition, we will “air” some podcasts of our top race of the day, as well. Look for that here at “The Pressbox” in the days ahead.

Here’s our launch:

4th: 3-1-2/4…G2 Honorable Miss Handicap…This is one of the best races of the year for fillies and mares who are experts at sprinting the distance of 6 furlongs. This is no exception. Despite the short field, it offers some excite and some intrigue. I’m going with a huge upset here, despite the fact that I just love Echo Zulu (1). That one has captured 7 of 9 lifetime, with a runner-up, to boot. And, this one is a perfect 1-for-1 at this distance and coming off a huge win in the G3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs on May 29. Has speed to burn, burn, burn. Lots and lots to like here. But? Frank’s Rockette (2), just to her outside, is another who can speed up the motor pretty quickly and another who excels at this game of sprinting, too. In 16 lifetime tries at this distance, she has a 7-5-2 record and has earned nearly $1.5 million in purses. In 4 tries here? She has a win and 3 runner-ups. Wow. Ran 2nd in this same race a year ago to a fast closing Kimari. I can see a scenario where the 1-2 hook up early and often and the splits come fast and furious. If that happens? Look out for Maryqhitecontrary (3). This 4YO First Dude filly is trained by a HOFer, who loves it here and has started the meet 0-0-0 in the first 5 starts. This one loves to close. And, close fast. Lost the G1 Madison at Keeneland in early April to the great Goodnight Olive. If this one can run that race back? Upset city. I bet the 3 to win/place and then key the 3 over/under the 1-2 in the exactas. Going big. Or I am going home.

7th: 8-9-2/6-7/1-5/4-3…This is a 5.5-furlong sprint over the sod and I ante up with Arrest Me Red (8). This one has run in 10 straight Stakes races. Eight of those were Graded Stakes events. Three of those were G1 races. Drops here to help the cause and picks up Lasix for the first time. Gets the world’s best rider, too. Adds up to domination here. For me. I bet the 8 across the board and double/triple down on the win wager. I will box the 8-9-2 in one small exacta. I will ante up to key the 8 over/under the 9-2-6-7-1-5 in larger denominations.

9th: 1-7/6/10-1A-11/(14)/3-4…This is a 13/8ths mile marathon over the grass and I will go with the new arrival and Euro shipper Avenue Niel (1). This Irish-bred has not started since last September, but now arrives in the States and will benefit from the expert tutor / trainer and the addition of Lasix. This one has raced 7 times in the career and has hit the board in 6 of those efforts. Only miss was in the career debut in 2021. Working well for a trainer who wins with .21% of the last 39 to make the trip to the States, and with .19% of the last 368 to be off this long. Should be coming very late for a rider who is among the best when he does not fall asleep and waits too long. I bet the 1 across the board and then double down on the win wager. I will box the 1-7 in the exactas. I will key the 1 over/under the 7-6-10-11 in two smaller units.

Good Luck & Al the Best / Gene