Friday's Best Bet: Endorsed the right price in Curlin Stakes

Friday's ninth race from Saratoga is the $100,000 Curlin Stakes for 3-year-olds traveling a mile and an eighth on the main track (Post Time 5:51 p.m. ET).

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I have been a fan of #7 ENDORSED (6-1) since his sharp debut maiden win at Saratoga last summer. Something must have gone wrong in the Champagne (G1), and he returned with a sharp entry level sprint win in his first start in more than eight months June 23. He owns a promising route pedigree and might contest the Travers if he wins this contest.

#5 Rowayton (9-2) had an uncomfortable trip as my top choice in the Dwyer (G3) July 6. He was excellent in an entry level sprint at Belmont June 6, and he looms a pace factor at the very least under Rosario, Does he want to go this far? 

#3 Looking At Bikinis (5-2) won both of his starts as the chalk for Chad Brown. The $240k purchase drilled a local bullet July 19 and I like his running style versatility.

#1 Intrepid Heart (7-2) won his first two starts but was not able to step up his game in his last pair vs. stakes foes. A ground saving stalking trip is expected.

#8 Highest Honors (5-1) missed by a neck in his sprint debut in the mud at Keeneland April 20, and that was a productive heat. He stretched out and graduated as the strong favorite at Belmont June 1, and the clear runner-up was a next-out winner. The Chad Brown trainee projects a stalking trip.

Wagers:

#7 to win

Trifecta Key 7/1-3-5-8

Trifecta 1-3-5-8/7/1-3-5-8

Trifecta 1-3-5-8/1-3-5-8/7

July Best Bet Winners:

July 1 - MR GREY ($4.00), Exacta ($15.20)

July 3 - Lucullan/Noble Indy Exacta ($17.40)

July 11 - LISTING ($4.80), Exacta ($25.75)

July 14 - Break Even/Eyeinthesky/Bohemian Bourbon Trifecta ($16.25)

July 15 - MESS'N AROUND ($7.20)

July 16 - Cuddle Kitten/Mia Bella Rossa/Atina Salsa Trifecta ($18.65)

July 17 - Jasikan/Nolde Exacta ($14.50)

July 18 - CALLE KINGPIN ($10.00), Exacta ($11.70)

July 20 - JUST HOWARD ($5.40)

July 22 - Ceduna/Afterburner Exacta ($73.00)