Expert Pick of the Week: 2021 Jockey Club Gold Cup
Sep 02, 2021
A compact field of six will go postward in the lucrative $1 million Jockey Club Cup Gold (G1) on the final Saturday of racing at the Saratoga meeting. The “Win and You’re In” contest will provide the winner with a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 6.
Wertheimer and Frere’s homebred Happy Saver suffered his first career defeat when a solid third in the Suburban S. (G2) at Belmont Park last time out, but he has trained well in the interim and seems poised to register his second win at the Grade 1 level on Saturday. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.
The Todd Pletcher pupil kicked off his career in June of 2020 and won with ease on debut. A trio of victories followed as he finished his sophomore campaign a perfect 4-for-4, capped by a triumph in this event in October when the Gold Cup was still hosted by Belmont.
Happy Saver, who was a smashing allowance victor in his lone prior run at the Spa, commenced his four-year-old season with a strong allowance tally over a nice cast going a one-turn mile two back, and his third in the Suburban last time out was a nice move forward in his second assignment off the long break. The colt will be ready to defend his crown in the storied event in his third race off the bench.
In the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the top selection figures to receive an excellent trip forcing the pace while in the clear from the opening bell. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will have the chestnut in striking range throughout and ready to pounce turning for home.
Forza Di Oro is short on experience but long on ability for trainer Bill Mott. The lightly-raced colt has won three races in succession dating back to last season, and he had a fine prep run for Saturday when cruising home an impressive allowance winner in his first outing on the strip last time out.
The four-year-old son of Speightstown will have no trouble negotiating an additional furlong in this spot, and any improvement will make him a dangerous player from the rail in his first attempt at the highest level. I expect the chestnut to take advantage of his inner draw to stay close along the fence to the top of the stretch with Junior Alvarado in the stirrups.
An exacta with Happy Saver on top of Forza Di Oro is the Best Bet of the Week.
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