A terrific seven-horse area has turned out for Saturday’s $500,000, Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, a one-mile turf race that awards a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Nov. 2 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Introduced by PDJF Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
All seven entrants are confirmed stakes winners. Six have received graded stakes, and considered one of them – anticipated favourite #2 Grasp of The Seas – is a a number of Grade 1 winner who scored his signature victory within the 2023 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park.
Grasp of The Seas seems to be downright formidable in Fourstardave. Previously primarily based overseas, the 6-year-old gelding has made his final 4 begins in North America, the place he’s a nostril away from being undefeated. Within the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile final September, Grasp of The Seas launched a last-to-first rally to dominate by 3 ¾ lengths. Then within the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile, he failed by solely a nostril to outkick As much as the Mark, a three-time Grade 1 winner voted champion turf male on the 2023 Eclipse Awards.
That defeat preceded an amazing efficiency within the Breeders’ Cup Mile, during which Grasp of The Seas one way or the other gained 5 ¾ lengths by way of the ultimate eighth of a mile to defeat the gifted filly Mawj by a nostril. And he was as sharp as ever when beginning 2024 within the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland, sticking inside two lengths of a sluggish early tempo earlier than taking command to win by 2 ¼ lengths.
There ought to be sufficient tempo within the Fourstardave area to arrange one other successful rally from Grasp of The Seas. #1 Robust High quality is a pure pace horse who figures to set the tempo; he’s received two stakes this yr in wire-to-wire vogue, together with the 1 1/16-mile Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes over the Truthful Grounds turf course. #6 Ottoman Fleet may be distinguished after main from begin to end within the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Smart Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs final trip, and up to date one-mile Grade 3 Kelso Stakes winner #4 Carl Spackler has completed a few of his greatest work when sticking near the early tempo.
There are additionally constructive jockey and coach statistics that recommend Grasp of The Seas shall be able to shine. He’s educated by Charlie Appleby, a 34% winner in North America this yr who has gone 3-for-5 (60%) at Saratoga this summer time. And Grasp of The Seas shall be ridden by Flavien Prat, a 22% winner at Saratoga who has gone 3-for-6 (50%) teaming up with Appleby during the last two months in line with Brisnet statistics.
For all these causes, we view Grasp of The Seas as a extremely possible winner of the Fourstardave, and horseplayers planning to wager the race can really feel assured enjoying him on high of unique wagers just like the trifecta and superfecta.
Who ought to we use beneath? The above-mentioned Ottoman Fleet, one other Appleby trainee, is a logical horse to emphasise. The 5-year-old gelding has been on a roll at Churchill Downs; previous to his victory within the Smart Dan, he moved from 1 ½ lengths off the early tempo to win the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Arlington Stakes by one size.
We will’t underestimate Carl Spackler both. Skilled by Chad Brown (a 23% winner at Saratoga this meet), Carl Spackler has received 4 of his final 5 begins whereas successful three stakes at Saratoga: the one-mile Grade 2 Nationwide Museum of Racing Corridor of Fame, the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Saranac Stakes (each final yr), and the Kelso.
#7 Extra Than Seems is one other intriguing contender. He launched an enormous late cost to complete sixth within the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Mile, overwhelmed solely two lengths after gaining 6 ¼ lengths by way of the ultimate eighth of a mile. Victorious within the one-mile Grade 3 Manila Stakes at Belmont Park final summer time, Extra Than Seems hasn’t run because the Breeders’ Cup and could also be wanting peak health off the lengthy layoff. However when it comes to expertise, he’s a must-use participant underneath five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
Wagering Technique on a $10 Price range
$2.50 trifecta: 2 with 4,6 with 4,6,7 ($10)
What to say on the betting window: Saratoga, tenth race, $2.50 trifecta 2 with 4,6 with 4,6,7
Wagering Technique on a $30 Price range
$6 trifecta: 2 with 4,6 with 4,6,7 ($24)
What to say on the betting window: Saratoga, tenth race, $6 trifecta 2 with 4,6 with 4,6,7
$1.50 superfecta: 2 with 4,6 with 4,6,7 with 4,6,7 ($6)
What to say on the betting window: Saratoga, tenth race, $1.50 superfecta 2 with 4,6 with 4,6,7 with 4,6,7
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
