Ranking the Contenders for the G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga

The top three finishers from the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes return to do battle in a salty edition of the G1 Test to be run at 7 furlongs. Kiaran McLaughlin won this race last year with Cavorting in closing style. In fact, the past two editions of this race were won by deep closers... both ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. While the top prize is typically taken by the favorite, for a good percentage of these races the bottom of the Exacta is completed by a big long shot.

#8 Kinsley Kisses will push #3 Kareena through pressured fractions close to par. #6 Lewis Bay and #7 Off the Tracks will press. #4 Malibu Stacy and #5 Lightstream project to get the perfect trips behind the speed.

#7 Off the Tracks took the Mother Goose in wire-to-wire fashion. In that race, #6 Lewis Bay ran a very determined race after going to her knees at the start but couldn’t catch the winner. #5 Lightstream ran a deceptively good race as when it looked like she would not gain on #6 Lewis Bay in the stretch... as they approached the wire, she started to find another gear. I think she’ll definitely appreciate the return to the 7-furlong distance.

#3 Kareena, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Javier Castellano, appear to have a major pace advantage here. She tossed out some wicked early fractions against lesser last out and drew away willingly. Looks like she is the one to beat against these.

#4 Malibu Stacy will be our top long shot pick in this race. Watch the replay of her game 2nd place finish in the G3 Victory Ride. Found more heading into and through the wire. This will be her 3rd race off the long 5-month layoff and form cycle analysis says look for a big move forward in this race. She is begging for the 7 furlong distance... taking a big step forward but a board hitter player at a juicy price.

-- By Mike Shutty, Super Screener author

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