The 2nd is a high power maiden race that makes Saratoga such a terrific meet. First Defence is a first timer out of Honest Lady, a Grade I winner and twice second versus the boys (Met Mile, BC Sprint). Honest Lady is by top producer Toussaud, making her a half sister to Chester House and Empire Maker. D. Wayne Lukas was so high on Pegasus Wind that he started his career in Grade III Bashford Manor. He stalked a hot pace before fading in the stretch. Monsieur Fruchon is bred from the family of Lac Quimet, Salem Drive, St Jovite, and Farda Amiga. Bullara is the morning line favorite and looks like a play against, despite Pletcher and the two second place finishes. I will buy into the Lukas hype and back Pegasus Wind.

I would like to bet the two stakes races in multi-race exotics but the Pick 3 and Pick 4 sequence each include a turf sprint for state-breds. If Sweet Talker is anywhere near her 10/1 morning line in the Diana, I will bet her enthusiastically. She won the Grade I QEII at 3 and has run well three starts (at three different tracks) this year. Her stalking running style should be an advantage on a turf course where speed seems to be holding up reasonably well. The unproven Lady of Venice will be sucking up a lot of money. In the Jim Dandy Bernardini is a cinch.

Perfect Drift is not at ArP but instead at AP to run in the Washington Park Handicap. He will once again finish in the money but lose, this time to Suave.