UPDATED SPA DIARY, DAY 3: GRADE 1 DIANA AND GRADE 3 SANFORD ANALYSIS COMPLETE

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, August 15, 2022 – The first Saturday of Saratoga-154 features the Grade 1 Diana for turf fillies and mares going nine furlongs and the Grade 3 Sanford for juvenile colts.

The Diana has drawn six runners, four trained by Chad Brown, three owned whole or in part by Peter Brant and one, Bleecker Street, whose next loss after eight career starts would be her first.

The Sanford has a full field of a dozen, two from Todd and 10 from disparate outfits. The Diana pits Chad against himself. The Sanford, as one might suspect, is a mad scramble. Here’s the Tote Busters look-in.

G1 DIANA STAKES                  Race 8

The Skinny: Among the four Chad’s, the race goes through favored Bleecker Street (6-5). Even though she’s a deep closer, for the most part she never has been compromised by a slow pace; check her G1 New York score last out. Further, she’s won twice at this trip.

Technical Analysis (3-1) comes off a lifetime top score against a lesser G3 group, but is tactical and is pole sitting with Jose Ortiz. She’s 2-for-2 at the Spa.

Rougir (3-1) was tentatively handled while racing wide throughout the race ‘Bleecker’ won, She got the jump on her but was one-paced through the lane in a dullish performance.

Stablemate In Italian (6-1) was just the opposite, chasing an extremely fast pace in a race won by divisional-leading mate Regal Glory, who won that mile in an extraordinary 1:32.

DESERVING FAVORITE: Bleecker Street

MORNING LINE VALUE: In Italian

STRAIGHT and EXOTICA: Betting In Italian to win at 9-2 or greater. Exacta Box 1-3-6. Exacta Box 3-4-6. Trifecta Wheel 3-6 // 1-3-6 // ALL

G3 SANFORD STAKES          Race 10

The Skinny: Many impressive maiden breakers from top outfits and honestly can make a case for half of the dozen entered. We identified three that we could deem most probable, and none are Pletcher trained though we like the longer of the two and will use both defensively. The Todd preference is Major Dude (10-1) who got about two races of experience from his debut: eating some dirt then surging through close quarters at headstretch. The Monmouth line helps ensure value.

The three we are between at the top are Andiamo a Firenze (7-2), Curly Jack (6-1) and Valenzan Day (6-1).

While the victory came in the slop, it was dominating, and it was fast. A repeat of that effort by this impressive New York bred would repeat here, even in this company.

Curly Jack, a scopey type, was fast and very professional in his debut. Long striding colt has been purposefully pointed here by Tom Amoss, whose juveniles have been running out of their minds; newly Tyler gets the call.

Valenzan Day has had two races, including a stakes, was a speedy, head-to-head winner of his debut then was wrangled back in his second start, ran into contention taking kickback on the turn, angled out 5-6 wide into the lane and finished gamely for third in the Tremont. Rosario is taking a return call for Rudy Rod.

DESERVING FAVORITE:  Andiamo a Firenze

EARLY LINE VALUE:  Valenzan Day

STRAIGHT AND EXOTICA: Betting Valenzan Day to win at 9-2 or greater. Exacta Box 2-5-9-12.  Superfecta Key-Box 12 with 2-4-5-9.

Per usual, when more than one horse is listed in a categories, they are listed in preferred order. Exotic bets suggested at minimums available, straight wagers in $2 units.

All Diary Posts–just as we have done on our Saturday Tote Busters selections, are live columns, to be updated as needed