Horse racing matches one horse against another, of course, as trainers effort to shape their development and careers. When this happens, handicapping becomes a study in trainer intent–angles, as it were. Now consider the case of My Sassy Sarah.
The New York bred filly has had a three-race career, all on turf. She won her second start from off the pace following a mid-race move when third in a promising debut. Last time, she stepped into open company, stretched out to 8.5 furlongs, and at the Grade 2 level.
Angles favoring My Sassy Sarah are the following: She reurns to the state-bred level; she gets a switch to one of America’s hottest jockeys and goes postward for Michelle Nevin, a profitable 22% effective going turf to dirt. The sweeteners are that she owns the fastest Thoro-Graph figure, albeit on grass, and has the table set by the promise of a contested pace.
Therefore, we’re taking My Sassy Sarah (3-1) to win at 2-1 or greater and boxing an exacta with stakes-toughened and experienced Single Verse (5-1), poised for a forward move and never worse than second in five career starts.
YESTERDAY: I said place it on Kept True. Kidding, of course, but not about the result. Filly raced well but could not handle the even-money favorite Alisio.
