From all indications a wet but good time was had by all on the final Saturday of the Saratoga season. Trainers who enjoyed themselves included perennial stable leaders Chad Brown and Brad Cox, both of whom had three winners. As for jockeys, popular NY rider Manny Franco led the pack with four wins, followed by Junior Alvarado with two. A couple of longshots helped push the payoff for a $2 Win ticket to $16.15, the highest of the meet.
Saratoga Race 3 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 5 ˝ furlongs on turf
#7 SPIRIT’S MISCHIEF (15-1 morning line) for turf master Wesley Ward, who makes wholesale changes: expensive colt now a gelding; gets Lasix for first time, and names new rider, Junior Alvarado. Hey, the changes will do him good.
Saratoga Race 4 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
: #4 UNCLECHARLIESGIFT (10-1 morning line) for a pair of HOFers, trainer Nick Zito and jockey Javier Castellano. Stretching out to a mile suits the son of Uncle Moe’s closing style.