After an exciting day of racing at Saratoga Race Course, we’re in Saratoga Springs for another afternoon of racing. One of the biggest races of the summer took place at Saratoga. The running of the $1,250,000 Travers Stakes (Gr. 1) was completed, with Epicenter taking the assignment on easily.
Saratoga has ten races worth $1,360,000 in prize money on the Sunday card. We’re also playing Monmouth and Gulfstream Park this afternoon. Head below for our best Saratoga picks on August 28, 2022.
Race 1
The opening race at Saratoga Race Course is a $105,000 event covering 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. Consider Akayla and Xigera to put up a big fight for the top prize in Race 1.
Akayla is a $650,000 filly making her debut in this start on Sunday afternoon. Chad Brown has a good one in Akayla and she’s going to have a chance right out of the gate.
Xigera looks to have better value closer to the inside, though. Xigera is a $190,000 filly putting in good work in morning workouts.
She is coming off a sharp workout on August 21 with a time of 48.12 seconds at 4 furlongs. Xigera is at her best going into this one and looks well-prepared for her first run.
No. 2 is going to be tough to beat in Race 1.
Race 5
Race 5 is a mile for a $115,000 purse on the inner turf. Devil’s Outlaw and Microphone should put together a good performance in the fifth at Saratoga.
Devil’s Outlaw is 1 for 8 and looking for better after finishing 9th on July 2. The colt has appeared in three races in the US after five in Europe.
In his first attempt, Devil’s Outlaw beat Urban Forest by 1 ¼ lengths for a $90,000 purse on May 1 at Belmont Park. That was well done.
However, Devil’s Outlaw finished 9th in his most recent showing on July 2 in a $92,000 event. That didn’t go as planned, but Devil’s Outlaw is capable of much better.
Microphone has finished 3rd, 5th, 2nd, 1st in four starts going into Sunday. He started hot with a 4 length win on January 7.
Microphone beat Harpoon Harry by 4 lengths for a $26,500 prize. That was well done, but he’s looking to go back to the winner’s circle for a bigger reward.
In his latest start, Microphone showed 3rd in a $92,000 purse on June 16. If Microphone can hold this form, he’s going to have a good chance of winning a $115,000 event.
Race 7
Race 7 is a $50,000 event covering 5 ½ furlongs on the turf. Look for Train to Artemus and Freedomofthepress to put up big work in this one.
Train to Artemus is 2 for 6 and finished 1st, 5th, 8th in her previous three starts. In her most recent outing, Train to Artemus beat No Payne by 1 ¾ lengths for a $50,000 purse.
Prior to the win, Train to Artemus finished 5th on July 14 in an $82,000 event in April. The drop in class helped put Train to Artemus back on the map.
Freedomofthepress is 2 for 11 and has gone winless in four events. She won a $41,000 event on April 29. Since then, Freedomofthepress has finished 4th, 5th, 3rd, 4th.
In her latest start, she finished 4th in a $70,000 assignment on August 4. That was a tough assignment, with Freedomofthepress likely finding better results down in a $50,000 event. No. 2 has some value.
