Main track fast and the turf courses once again listed as 'firm', though they were certainly something less than that yesterday. 

There is a carryover in the pick six in excess of $47k beginning in race 4.

The feature comes early with the $100k Union Avenue, for NY-bred filly and mare sprinters, carded as race 3. It's not much of a betting race with a field of only five and a heavy favorite in the form of Picco Uno. She is not exactly reliable, but her last race was strong in fast time, and she is hard on this field with something similar as she looks to defend her Union Ave title. 

Bonita Bianca has turned back effectively for Jason Servis recently and is the likeliest upsetter if Picco Uno stubs her toe, which has been known to happen, and it's not like the others are hopeless in that scenario. 

I'm still not that interested in getting heavily involved on the turf as we wait for the courses to firm up, though they have had a full day to come around now without rain. In the 5th I'll try to get through with the class-dropping speed of Giant Run - who is better than these horses when he's right - and the closing kick of Astounding. 

Some interesting firsters in the 6th, a MSW for older fillies and mares, including Chamber for Chad Brown (out of the top race mare Sightseek, who hasn't produced much so far) and Face It (a Tapit filly who is a half to multiple Grade 1 winner It's Tricky) for Godolphin/Kiaran McLaughlin. 

I went with a different firster in Curlism for Ralph Nicks. She is a half to the multiple stakes winner Mopotism from a dam who is a sister to the very good dirt sprinter Songster, and Ralph Nicks tends to send his good ones to debut at Saratoga. 

In the 7th I'll take Hollywood Handsome, who was last seen finishing a no threat 5th at Churchill in a race that featured a rated pace. He needs his best on the class drop for a trainer who has been quiet up here this year, but worth pointing out that Dallas Stewart went 4 for 11 over the last two Saratoga meets with dirt routers, with winners at 18:1, 17:1 and 9:1. 

In the 8th I'm not against Altea for Chad Brown, who ran very well last time against Daddy Is a Legend and is getting significant class relief. I am interested to see what Katie Cruel can do in her stateside debut for Graham Motion, who has strong numbers with horses like this, however. Sister Sunday is also interesting for Clement.