The Grade One action keeps coming at Saratoga on Saturday, with the Ballerina Handicap being a competitive affair for fillies and mares aged three and older. A total purse of $500,000 will be up for grabs in New York this weekend, with the winner of the seven-furlong contest also booking their spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Before Betting On Ballerina Handicap
A tricky-looking race appears to come in the form of the G1 Ballerina Handicap at Saratoga this weekend. This race is run over a distance of seven furlongs, with the field competing for their share of the $500,000 purse. The winner of the race will secure their spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and recent victors of the Grade One include Gamine, Goodnight Olive, and Echo Zulu.
Vahva appears to set the standard on form this season for trainer Cherie DeVaux, with the four-year-old having won four from seven starts in stakes company. She also comes into the race this weekend in excellent recent form after winning on each of her two previous starts over seven furlongs, with the latest of those coming in the G3 Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs.
However, carrying top weight in this contest will be no easy feat against such high-quality opposition. Scylla looks a leading contender for William Mott. She previously landed back-to-back wins at Churchill Downs, setting some impressive speed ratings in the process. There was also enough to like about her second behind Adare Manor in the G1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at the start of the month.
Accede is the runner for Chad Brown this weekend, and she has won four from eight starts on the dirt. She returned from a 52-day break with an impressive victory over seven furlongs at Belmont at the Big A, before stepping back in trip to finish second behind Spirit Wind over six furlongs in the G2 Honorable Miss Handicap. Leading chance now back up seven furlongs.
Ballerina Handicap Odds & Picks
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Vahva | +187 |
| Society | +400 |
| Accede | +500 |
| Scylla | +500 |
| Munnys Gold | +800 |
I’m prepared to take on Vahva this weekend, considering that the market leader carries top weight. A chance is taken on Steven Asmussen’s Society, who has little to find on official ratings. She wasn’t far behind Vahva on her first start in 231 days in June, and she has a solid chance to close that gap now up to full fitness.
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