The speedy Volatile is favored in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt
The speedy Volatile is favored in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt
By the NY Hot List Staff // Friday, July 24
The $250,000 Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga on Saturday may have only drawn a field of five but it is a formidable group of experienced sprinters. Those five have won a total of 40 races in their careers and three of them are millionaires.
Volatile was made the 4-5 morning line favorite based on his eight-length victory in the Aristides at Churchill Downs last month. The Steve Asmussen runner earned a 112 Beyer Speed Figure which is the highest for any horse this year.
The 7-year-old Whitmore has 14 victories in his career with earnings of $3,146,350. The Ron Moquett trainee won his only start at Saratoga back in the 2018 Forego (G1). Moquett recognizes the quality of the Vanderbilt and the challenge that lies ahead for Whitmore.
“I’d really would like to win the Vanderbilt now. There’s a ton of quality horses running in it, so it’s going to be a tough, but fun, race,” Moquett said.
Firenze Fire got Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle and bounced back to win the True North (G2) after being transferred to Kelly Breen’s barn when indicted trainer Jason Servis lost all of his horses.
“We got Irad back, everything is doing well,” Breen said. “We just need things to keep going smooth. I believe the distance will suit him really well. He’s doing as well as he was into his last race.”
Mind Control loves Saratoga. He has two Grade 1 victories at the Spa in the Hopeful and the Jerkens for trainer Gregg Sacco.
“He’s 2-for-2, so he does have an affinity for Saratoga and we’re excited to get him back there and hope he performs well,” Sacco said. “To go for Grade 1 wins at 2, 3 and 4 would be special for him and our team and the Brunettis and Sol Kumin. It’s very exciting to bring him back, but we expect a very tough race and we’re just hoping Mind Control gives us his top performance.”
Here’s the Hot List picks for the Vanderbilt:
The $250,000 Vanderbilt (G1), Saratoga, Saturday, Race 10
(4) Volatile earned the highest Beyer Speed Figure for any horse this year and if he runs close to that effort again he will be very hard to beat on the new Saratoga racing surface which has been favoring forwardly placed runners thus far. The Vanderbilt does not have a lot of early speed which should allow Volatile to control the race. (5) Mind Control caught a sloppy track in the Carter Handicap (G1) at Belmont that was not to his liking. He’s had a short freshening and returns to his favorite track seeking his third Grade 1 victory upstate. (2) Whitmore deserves so much respect as a 7-year-old who always shows up his best effort. Six furlongs is his favorite distance where he has 12 victories. Expect his usual closing move. (3) Firenze Fire bounced back to find the winner’s circle in the True North (G2) in his second start since moving out of the barn of indicted trainer Jason Servis.
Full card picks and analysis for Saturday at Saratoga from the New York Hot List team are available free of charge at this website.