Whitney Day at Saratoga is one of the most anticipated racing days on the calendar. The racing is high quality, the pools are large, the atmosphere is as close to perfect for a racing setting as one can get. All that leads to excellent wagering opportunities. This year and this edition are no exception.

I looked long and hard at the Whitney. The anticipated scratch of Forged Steel changes the pace set up for sure, but while it increases the likelihood of speed holding, I don’t think it is going to change the outcome.

Magnitude is the speed from the rail and in career form and on a roll of wins. He broke through the gate and won last out, but the reality is after that mishap things went as perfect as they could for him. Even with the scratch of Forged Steel, the main early pace he would have faced, I don’t think this trip will be as cushy for him.

Nitrogen loves the track and is a quality filly. That said I do not believe the fillies she has been facing and beating are of the caliber of these males. She will have to prove to me she is this kind of special. She may, but I am not betting on it.

Antiquarian is intriguing and I think the sharp play in here. He should be north of 10-1 especially with Johnny V opting for the filly and taking off his former main man Todd Pletcher’s horse. That concerns me little if at all. Antiquarian has been fast on Thorograph in the past and appears on a forward pattern. I thought his last trip was worse than it looks on paper, but he continued to dig in. The Met Mile was a tough spot on a tough configuration and a toss race for me. His form coming in is a bit obscured and I think he has a real chance at an upset.

White Abarrio ran one of the best Whitney’s I ever saw a few years ago and I bet him that day. At his best he can run with anybody, but is he at his best? Has he lost a step? Legitimate questions in my book.

If you like Sovereignty this is the day and place to bet him. His price will finally be fair relative to his chance of winning. He loves the track. He should finally be right and tight after a few subpar starts to begin this year but key for me is the fact I do not believe Bill Mott and Godolphin would continue to run him, in this spot especially, where losses can only devalue him at stud, if they finally didn’t have him at his best. I have always felt there was a blip on his radar somewhere possibly regarding soundness or some type of problem or injury. He skipped The Preakness, and scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and didn’t go to Dubai where Godolphin literally rules. All tells to me. That said, again I don’t think they run here unless he is as good as he can be, and when he is like that he can run with the best of them.

Tiztastic looks over his head.

Baeza in my view is best at a mile and a quarter and we are all still waiting for that breakout race he has been hinting at for a while now. Does it come here, I am not sure but that is another thing I would not bet on. Maybe at the longer distance or with a crazier pace, but not Saturday.

For me it comes down to Antiquarian or Sovereignty, I’ll go for the price.