Check out my Sunday (6-9-24) Saratoga Race 8 analysis below.
SAR 8 (Critical Eye, NY-bred, 9f) – Post Time 4:38pm EDT
Primary – #6 MIDTOWN LIGHTS, #8 Fingal’s Cave
Secondary – #2 Venti Valentine, #9 Bustin Bay
Horse Comments:
#6 Midtown Lights (6-1) added blinkers and won her last two flat mile starts, and she earned an improved number on May 11. Manny Franco rides her well and she might work out a decent tactical trip in a race with multiple front runners. She earned an improved number last time and can compete with these if she handles the added ground of this race.
#8 Fingal’s Cave (5-2) won a pair of local races at this distance in 2022 including the Fleet Indian in the mud. She won the Bay Ridge last year and was third in the Distaff (G3) and fourth in the Ruffian (G2) in a pair of 2024 outings. She is back in the state bred ranks and drilled a local bullet for this on June 2.
#2 Venti Valentine (3-1) should be in the running for a top three prize (9 straight trifecta finishes). She is back with NY-breds and Irad Ortiz Jr. is her new rider. She won a local state bred stakes last year and she is versatile. The main concern is the distance. She is 0-for-5 with four minor awards at this trip.
#9 Bustin Bay (4-1) likes this oval and fits on recent form and numbers. She is 1-for-1 at this distance and owns early-pressing versatility. Now the bad news. Horses breaking from post 8 and out rarely win at this distance, and I would pick Fingal’s Cave over her.
Wagers:
#6 to win
Exacta box 6-8
Trifecta 6-8/2-6-8-9/2-6-8-9
Recent Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
June 2 – Chismosa ($8.60)
June 4 – Gun Collector/Bazinga D/Picture This Trifecta ($137.40)
June 8 – Measured Time ($8.20), Trifecta ($148.48)
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