Saratoga Special Showcases Rising 2-Year-Old Colts

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On Saturday, the $200,000 Grade 2 Saratoga Special will be the second major event in Saratoga’s prestigious trio of graded stakes for 2-year-old colts between the Sanford (G3) and the Hopeful (G1). 

This year, nine promising young colts are set to compete in the six 1/2-furlong race that catches the attention of those interested in offtrack betting.

Top Contenders

Smoken Wicked enters the race after a second-place finish in the Bashford Manor Stakes. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Smoken Wicked demonstrated his potential by recovering from a troubled trip to close strong. With four solid breezes at Saratoga, including a five-furlong bullet in 1:00.25, Smoken Wicked is poised to impact on Saturday, offering intriguing horse racing odds for bettors.

Train by Todd Pletcher, Showcase also brings strong credentials to the race. After a textbook debut victory at Belmont at the Big A, Showcase is expected to be a significant player.

Pletcher’s 2-year-olds typically perform well at Saratoga, while his stats show mixed results in transforming maiden winners into stakes victors. His recent work with another promising 2-year-old suggests he’s ready for the challenge, adding another layer of excitement for those tracking Saratoga betting.

Global Legend, trained by Mark Casse, is another intriguing entry. This colt made a winning debut over a sloppy Gulfstream Park track, showcasing professionalism and earning an 81 Brisnet rating. 

The text highlights Global Legend’s impressive recent performance at Saratoga, where he trained alongside an older, successful horse. His strong pedigree and potential make him a promising underdog, offering value for those betting on horse racing odds.

The Rest of the Field

First Resort, trained by Eoin Harty, enters the Saratoga Special after a convincing maiden win at Ellis Park. While his pedigree and training suggest he can handle a mile or more, Harty’s 2-year-olds often regress in their second start, making First Resort a question mark in this competitive field.

Touchy, a Wesley Ward trainee, bypassed maiden races to debut in the Tremont Stakes, where he finished a game second. Ward’s record with 2-year-olds is impressive, and Touchy’s pedigree suggests he’ll relish the extra distance. 

Despite concerns about his jockey’s recent performance, Touchy could be a pleasant surprise. 

Finally, Keep It Easy, trained by Dale Romans, is another colt to watch. After an impressive win at Churchill Downs, Keep It Easy has shown he can handle the pressure of stakes competition. Junior Alvarado will be riding Keep It Easy in Saturday’s race. With high praise from the trainer, Romans, the horse is expected to be a strong contender.