Saratoga Race 8 is the Play of the Day

It’s back to Saratoga on Friday for the pick of the day. John’s Call was one of the better turf horses to have run at Saratoga the past twenty years.

Because of that, he gets a race named after him. That race, the 8th at Saratoga, figures to be a good place to find an overlay or two.

Let’s take a look at Race 8 at Saratoga on Friday.

Race-time: 4:55 pm EST.

Saratoga – Race 8

$94,000 John’s Call Stakes

For Four Year Olds and Upward Which Have Not Won a Graded Sweepstakes in 2009

1 5/8 miles on turf

Join BetOnline Racebook Today!

Mission Approved – - 4/1 morning line odds

Ramon Dominguez jumps on board this 5 year old horse sired by With Approval. Trainer Gary Contessa is still looking for his first victory of the meet but has a great chance of getting it as there isn’t a whole lot of speed signed up for this race. If Dominguez can get this guy away from the 11 hole in good order, settle in, and then not get into a pace duel, he can win.

Always First – - 3/1 morning line odds

There isn’t much not to like about this 8 year old gelding trained by Thomas Voss and ridden by Kent Desormeaux. He looks like a winner on paper and has 8 lifetime victories, but he also runs four to five bad races in a row after a victory. He just won in his last. Putting together another victory might be too much to ask, but he should be right there at the end.

Trifone – - 6/1 morning line

Jockey Jeremy Rose will have to keep Trifone from getting into a speed duel with Mission Approved, but if he can then this guy has big upset potential in this race. Trifone will be close to Mission Approved through the whole race and there’s no telling who will win in a duel if Trifone, Always First and Mission Approved end up alone at the top of the stretch. He’s got a shot.

Wagering Tips

I believe that Dominguez will give Mission Approved a good ride. I’ll bet him to win and place. I will also play an exacta and trifecta box with Mission Approved, Always First, and Trifone.