East Cost Stakes Races – Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks and Grade II Sanford

The Saratoga meet is back! Although Rachel Alexandra runs in the Lady’s Secret at Monmouth Park this Saturday, plenty of attention will be paid to the horses taking the track in the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks.

On Sunday, 2-year-olds get to show their best stuff in the Grade II Sanford. Let’s take a look at both highly prestigious horse races.

East Coast Stakes Races

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 60% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? So go on JOIN NOW.]

Saturday

Saratoga Racecourse – Race 9

Where: Saratoga Springs, NY

When: July 24th, 2010 at 5:30 pm EST

TV: TVG and HRTV

BetFair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (Grade I)

Purse $250,000. For Fillies Three-Years-Old.

1 1/8 miles over dirt

The Todd Pletcher trained Devil May Care is the 6 to 5 morning line chalk for a reason, but I’m going to bet against her. Seeking The Title came back from a terrible Acorn Stakes run where she got shuffled back and then had to go 7 wide to win the Grade III Iowa Oaks in splendid fashion. She just busted a terrific work over the Saratoga dirt on July 16th and should be ready to go in this race. The expected pace could set things up for her. For second Devil May Care is a logical choice. She’s too good of a filly to finish out of the top 3 and showed way more maturity in the Grade I Mother Goose when winning by 1 ¼ lengths than I believe even her connections thought she would. She’s a deserving favorite in this. For third, Acting Happy, who won the Grade II Black Eyed Susan as a 10 to 1 long shot, seems logical. Acting Happy is 2 and 2 out of 4 lifetime races and can lie in the garden spot before making a run to the finish line.

1. Seeking The Title
2. Devil May Care
3. Acting Happy

Sunday

Saratoga Racecourse – Race 9

Where: Saratoga Springs, NY

When: July 25th, 2010 at 5:30 pm EST

TV: TVG and HRTV

Sanford S. (Grade II)

Purse $150,000. For Two-Year-Olds.

6 furlongs over dirt

In a wide-open Sanford Stakes, it makes sense to bet on a horse with a price. That horse could be Commonwealth Rush. The Afleet Alex progeny won at first asking for trainer Tim Ice and is listed at 12 to 1 on the morning line. Although definitely fast, Commonwealth Rush should be able to break from the 8-hole and then settle behind an expected blistering pace. The 2-year old is worth a shot at those odds. It took Chipshot three races to break his maiden, but when he finally did, it became obvious that he’s capable of becoming the best 2-year-old colt in the nation. Chipshot might be the speed of the speed and trainer Steve Asmussen is awfully good with youngsters. Another Silver Oak had all sorts of issues in his maiden winning debut. Okay, maybe only one. He was fractious but, once he settled and got the lead, he pulled away in exemplary fashion. The Todd Pletcher trainee is out of Bluegrass Cat and has every right to develop further in the Sanford on Saturday.

Good luck!

Check out the best stakes races at Saratoga this weekend by checking out the racebook.