The Thursday Special and Picks – July 28

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Fearless runs away from Lone Rock in last month’s Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont. They meet again in Thursday’s $200,000 Birdstone Stakes going 1 3/4 miles at Saratoga. Tod Marks Photo.

A quarter of the meet in the books and we head to Day 11 Thursday with a 10-race card topped by the $200,000 Birdstone Stakes going the marathon 1 3/4 miles on the main track.

Kimari stole the show to start Week 3, winning the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap and handing Frank’s Rockette another narrow defeat.

A field of five entered the Birdstone, including defending race winner Lone Rock and Grade 2 Brooklyn winner Fearless. And don’t sleep on Original Intent, he’s the back-to-back winner of the “Trail’s End” starter allowance going the Birdstone distance on Closing Day at Oaklawn Park in 2021 and 2022.

Here’s your Special for Thursday, July 28. Enjoy and good luck.

Worth Repeating
“She’s racing royalty with the pedigree she has, and she has always kept great company.”
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen on Sunday’s Shuvee winner Clairiere

“The Alabama would be an incredible feather in her cap as well, as it’s a race we’ve always wanted to win. We hold it in high esteem and regard. At this point I would say that’s Option A with the understanding that if she needs another week, we’ll for sure consider the Travers.”
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Aron Wellman on Coaching Club American Oaks winner Nest

Names of the Day
Spinning Colors, second race. Owned and bred by William Parsons and David Howe, the 2-year-old filly is by Hard Spun out of Kaleidoscope.

Cold Call, sixth race. G. Watts Humphrey’s homebred is by Frosted out of Communique. 

Any Port, sixth race. Roy Lerman’s homebred is by Point Of Entry out of Ostensibly.

Roundabout, sixth race. Curragh Stable’s filly is by Cross Traffic. 

Snowy Evening, second race. Co-owner Steve Crist said she’s named for the Robert Frost poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The daughter of Frosted makes her second start for trainer David Donk.

Thursday’s Saratoga picks

JOHN SHAPAZIAN (29/101):
1-Inventing, Aunt Naughty, She’s Keen.
2-Spinning Colors, Souffle, Snowy Evening.
3-Boldish, Auburn Hills, Quick Return.
4-Devil Boy, Ocean’s Reserve, Two For Charging.
5-Fearless, Lone Rock, Original Intent.
6-Regina, Public Service, Birthday Time.
7-Risk Profile, Boston Tea Party, Evan Sing.
8-Price Discipline, Windylea entry, Great Workout.
9-Krakow entry, Balthus, Reigning Spirit.
10-Storm Shooter, Uncle George, Cool Laoban.

TOM LAW (26/101):
1-Inventing, Aunt Naughty, Forever After All.
2-Showmeyourheels, Fancypants Julia, Souffle.
3-Boldish, Saratoga Pal, Somebody.
4-Ocean’s Reserve, Devil Boy, Curlin’s Wisdom.
5-Fearless, Lone Rock, Original Intent.
6-Afilada, Birthday Time, Investment Income.
7-Boston Tea Party, Thin White Duke, Ring Of Fire.
8-Price Discipline, Windylea entry, Great Workout.
9-Roderick, Balthus, Reigning Spirit.
10-Uncle George, Sandrone, Ginnsu Warrior.

CHARLES BEDARD (31/101):
1-She’s Keen, Aunt Naughty, Forever After All.
2-Moonage Daydream, Little Linzee, Lady Jasmine.
3-Somebody, Boldish, Saratoga Pal.
4-Ocean’s Reserve, Devil Boy, Compromiser.
5-Fearless, Portos, Lone Rock.
6-Public Service, Belleshazza, Investment Income.
7-Ring Of Fire, Legends Can’t Die, Bustin Shout.
8-Price Discipline, Great Workout, Windylea entry.
9-Cold Hard Cash, Kantamaci entry, Mud Pie.
10-Storm Shooter, Ginnsu Warrior, Sandrone.

ROB WHITLOCK (23/101):
1-Forever After All, Inventing, Aunt Naughty.
2-Snowy Evening, Little Linzee, Souffle.
3-Boldish, Quick Return, Saratoga Pal.
4-Full Complement, Ocean’s Reserve, Devil Boy.
5-Fearless, Lone Rock, Shooger Ray Too.
6-Birthday Time, Public Service, Investment Income.
7-Evan Sing, Boston Tea Party, Thin White Duke.
8-Price Discipline, Great Workout, Windylea entry.
9-Reigning Spirit, Balthus, McLovin.
10-Ginnsu Warrior, Lord Gatling, Nature Boy

JESSICA PAQUETTE (24/101):
1-Aunt Naughty, She’s Keen, Forever After All.
2-Maggie, Snowy Evening, Showmeyourheels.
3- Boldish, Auburn Hills, First Deputy.
4-Ocean’s Reserve, Devil Boy, Full Complement.
5-Fearless, Portos, Lone Rock.
6-Dancing Sophia, Birthday Time, Public Service.
7-Boston Tea Party, Evan Sing, Ring Of Fire.
8-Price Discipline, Dangerous Edge, Great Workout.
9-Balthus, Cold Hard Cash, McLovin.
10-Lord Gatling, Deregulation, Nature Boy.