Wednesday's Best Bet: Ajourneytofreedom gets the call in John's Call
Wednesday’s 9th race from Saratoga is the $120,000 John’s Call Stakes for four-year-olds and up traveling a mile and five-eighths on the turf course (Post Time 5:39 p.m. ET).
#4 AJOURNEYTOFREEDOM (7-2) is having a productive season and I like his lighter race schedule this year. He just missed in the John B. Connally (G3) Jan. 31, and followed that up with an even 4th in the Louisville (G3) May 15 and a wide 3rd in the Belmont Gold Cup (G2) at two miles June 4. He dropped into an optional claiming turf marathon and picked up a much needed win at Saratoga July 23. He can run all day and is sharp enough to repeat.
#8 Serve the King (3-1) exits an even 4th in the United Nations (1) and that eleven furlong affair was his longest career test. He showed decent late energy in a slow early/fast late affair last time and the Chad Brown trainee might enjoy the added ground of this race.
#1 Red Knight (5-1) added blinkers, broke slow, and was never a serious threat in the Bowling Green (G2) July 31. Blinkers come off for this event and he has been a decent late runner in these long distance turf races for quite some time.
#6 Fantasioso (6-1) handled longer distances in Argentina and proved his stamina in this country in a rallying runner-up finish in the Belmont Gold Cup (G2) on yielding ground June 4.
#3 Shamrocket (5-2) almost always finishes in the top three on turf. The ultra-consistent colt can stalk or close but he is 0-for-4 at Saratoga and he does not act like the more distance the better.
#5 Conviction Trade (12-1) had a troubled start at a mile and an eighth Aug. 6 and he ended up splitting a 12-horse field that day. He was up on the pace in his three longest races and is probably going to attempt a wire job under Jose Ortiz.
#7 Ry’s the Guy (6-1) owns early-pressing versatility and the surface switcher has won on turf before. He has stamina when he is on his game but his recent form is suspect.
#2 Moretti is entered for main track only. It looks like sunny skies and dry conditions so he figures to scratch.
Wagers:
#4 to Win
Exacta Box 4-8
Trifecta 4-8/1-3-4-6-8/1-3-4-6-8
Recent Best Bet Winners
Aug. 2 - Cavalier Cupid/Rambert Exacta ($7.00), Trifecta ($22.60)
Aug. 4 - Pearl Tiara/Diamond Solitaire Exacta ($11.60)
Aug. 6 - ART COLLECTOR ($5.60), Exacta ($21.60)
Aug. 7 - Pappacap/Finneus Exacta ($27.80), Trifecta ($76.60)
Aug. 10 - LEAKY CAULDRON ($6.00), Exacta ($15.20)
Aug. 11 - ARREST ME RED ($6.10)
Aug. 16 - BULLSEYE BEAUTY ($7.20)
Aug. 17 - American Union/Unflappable Max Exacta ($7.60)
Aug. 19 - RIJEKA ($8.00)
Aug. 20 - EDGEWAY ($4.00)
Aug. 22 - Mutamakina/Etoile/Merveilleux Trifecta ($110.90)
Aug. 23 - Just Might/Mucho Exacta ($15.40), Trifecta ($148.40)
Aug. 24 - FULSOME ($3.20)