By Jarrod Horak
The Saranac Stakes goes as Race 10 at Saratoga on Friday, July 3, with a large field of three-year-olds set to travel 1 1/16 miles on the turf for a $150,000 purse. Scheduled post time is 6:15 p.m. ET.
Pace Scenario
One of the first things that stands out is the projected pace.
Siyouincanada (#1) appears to be the lone true front-runner in the field. After wiring the field in his career debut from the rail, he draws the inside again and looks capable of controlling the tempo if no one challenges him early.
Behind him, Glavin (#7) projects to enjoy an ideal stalking trip. Most of the remaining entrants prefer to settle in mid-pack or farther back, making this a race that could favor horses positioned near the front.
Main Contenders
#1 Siyouincanada
This colt couldn’t have asked for a better debut, wiring the field from the rail at generous odds.
He finds himself in a similar situation here, drawing the inside once again with very little confirmed early speed signed on.
The class hike is substantial, and this is only his second lifetime start, but if he’s allowed to dictate comfortable fractions, he’ll be difficult to reel in.
#4 Teddy’s Rocket
Teddy’s Rocket won his Saratoga debut last summer before encountering trouble in each of his next two starts.
After returning from a layoff with another troubled effort, he has posted a sharp bullet workout leading into this race.
With Manny Franco aboard and a favorable draw, he has the potential to improve enough to hit the board.
#7 Glavin
Glavin enters the Saranac off a respectable fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge, a race that may have been better than it looks on paper.
He broke awkwardly, lost valuable position early, and was forced to race wide throughout before finishing less than two lengths behind the winner. The top three finishers from that race return in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, while Glavin lands in this more manageable spot.
His speed figures continue to improve with every start, and his middle draw and tactical running style might allow him to secure a much better trip under John Velazquez.
If he gets the clean journey he lacked in his previous races, Glavin looks capable of taking this stakes event.
#11 Arizona Territory
Morning-line favorite Arizona Territory has improved his speed figures in every outing while posting back-to-back impressive victories. His late acceleration has been especially eye-catching, making him a major threat if the pace develops in his favor.
The primary concern is the outside draw, which can make trips difficult at this distance on the Saratoga turf course. Even so, his talent is undeniable, and he remains the biggest danger.
Longshot to Consider
#2 Heeere’s Johnny
Still searching for his first victory, Heeere’s Johnny has developed a reputation as a consistent runner-up.
He owns:
- Four second-place finishes from seven career starts.
- Two runner-up efforts at Saratoga.
- Four runner-up finishes at this distance.
While winning may be asking a lot, he makes plenty of sense underneath in trifectas and superfectas at attractive odds.