Saratoga Racetrack: Grade 3 Victory Ride

A good but questionable field of 10 are poised to run in the Grade Three Victory Ride at six furlongs.

Maple Forest is 8-1 and appears capable of being in the mix. I love the John Velazquez and Todd Pletcher combination. If the rain comes, so will her chances.

Jealous Girl is 3-1 and I'm not sure what to make of her. In her first career start, she lost by nearly 30 lengths but has won four in a row since. This is a huge class test for her and this appears to be a very tough spot for her. I know she'll be on the front early but not sure how she's going to hold up late.

A Z Warrior ships in for Bob Baffert and had an incredible workout on August 21 at Del Mar, where she worked six furlongs in 1:11.1. Her last two races have been bad, but she's cutting back in distance and could be a threat.

Oflee Wicked has won two in a row but is also taking a huge step up in class. Her last two races have the two best of her career, but neither would have beat many in the field today. I'm going to pass on her.

Funny Sunny has won both starts at six furlongs but neither race is really that impressive. She has shown early speed but in this race, that only means she's going to tire early. I don't like her chances.

Hot Summer is my dark horse. At 8-1, this David Fawkes-trained horse appears to be a great value and the horse to catch and pass in the stretch. The recent nine-furlong loss doesn't scare me off and the recent five-furlong work over the Saratoga main track only entices me.

Precious Soul is coming off a solid six-length victory at Saratoga on August 1, but this is a tough spot for the lightly raced 3-year-old filly. This will be her fifth career start and I don't like her chances.

Valiant Passion is the horse to beat. Graham Motion sends out this very talented horse off his recent claim from Todd Pletcher and I love her chances. With two wins at Saratoga, this is the pick.

Roman Treasure is 5-1 and is very dangerous. I love the Mike Hushion and Ramon Dominguez combination and this is no exception. In her last race, she faded late but that was at seven furlongs, so the one less furlong should help her be a stretch threat.

Moon Buzz has a lot of potential, as seen by the two wins in two career starts but the wide draw is a lot for a young horse to overcome. In both wins, she got to the front and dominated. If she tries to get to the front here, she might exert a lot of energy.

Valiant Passion over Roman Treasure, Hot Summer, Moon Buzz and Maple Forest.