Saratoga Race Opening Day 2013: Time, Contenders, Post Positions, Odds, Schedule

Friday marks the opening day of the annual horse racing meet at Saratoga Race Course in New York, and an exciting showcase is in store for what will be the first of 40 programs to run through Labor Day.

The world-class venue is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013; it will be the debut for New York Racing Association president Chris Kay, per the Associated Press via ABC 10.

All three Triple Crown winners in Orb (Kentucky Derby), Oxbow (Preakness) and Palace Malice (Belmont) will square off in Saratoga Springs, but that won't occur until Aug. 24 in the Travers Stakes.

10 total races are scheduled for Friday—including three stakes races. Below is an overview of the schedule and what to expect as this marquee horse racing event begins to unfold.

Note: Statistics and racing history are courtesy of Equibase.com. Information on Saratoga was obtained from NYRA.com.

When: Friday, July 19 (first post is at 1 p.m. ET)

Where: Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Post Positions and Contenders: Complete listing for all 10 races can be found at the New York Racing Association's official website—along with the morning-line odds.

Predicting Winners for 3 Stakes Races

On The Bus Stakes (Purse: $100,000): Hessonite (6-5)

It's hard to argue against the clear-cut favorite in this race of seasoned thoroughbreds despite what should be formidable competition.

Having a Triple Crown-winning jockey like John Velazquez aboard certainly doesn't hurt the cause, though betting on Hessonite would be an unwise choice given his short odds.

The win at the Grade 3 Beaugay Stakes at Belmont Park back in early May proved that Hessonite could stand up against difficult stables of competitors.

Hessonite is a filly who is very fast and should be in her element on the inner turf track for this race.

James Marvin Stakes (Purse: $100,000): Souper Speedy (5-2)

The four-year-old colt won an allowance race at Belmont Park before taking the Grade 3 Jaipur Stakes, which gives him momentum entering Saratoga Race Course.

It was the first time since 2002 that the Jaipur Stakes were run on a dirt track, and that is the type of terrain Souper Speedy will be navigating on Friday in an effort to reach the winner's circle for the third consecutive time.

A case could have been made for 4-1 shot Politicallycorrect, but two factors count against him.

Jockey Joel Rosario has the edge over his Souper Speedy counterpart, Jose Lezcano. However, when Rosario was closest to the rail at the Preakness aboard Orb, he was never able to recover, even with the most physically formidable horse in the field.

Post position and Rosario's recent history should thwart Souper Speedy's biggest threat and allow him to continue this winning streak.

Schuylerville Stakes (Purse: $150,000): Brazen Persuasion (3-1)

Precocious jockey Rosie Napravnik enjoyed a successful Triple Crown campaign in 2013, and is aboard Brazen Persuasion for the biggest purse on Day 1 in Saratoga Springs.

Napravnik is only 25 years old but has accumulated the requisite experience to get the job done in situations like these.

A victory at the maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs gives Brazen Persuasion credibility. The venue's PR guru noted how well trainer Steve Asmussen trains younger horses to early success:

The combination of Asmussen and Napravnik is unique and legitimate, and in this race filled with two-year-old fillies, there are few better bets to place than on the side of Asmussen.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has an impressive duo of horses in Elena Strikes and Yes Liz, who are the co-favorites from the morning line at 5-2. However, I like Napravnik to ride Brazen Persuasion to victory in a slight upset on the six-furlong dirt track.