‘Song’ the one to beat in Baruch

[Wandering Eyes]

On paper, Voodoo Song (English Channel) appears to tower over his opponents in Monday’s turf feature, Saratoga’s GII Bernard Baruch H. A winner of half his starts in 2017, including the nine-furlong GIII Saranac over the Saratoga turf, the Barry Schwartz runner has visited the winner’s circle in three of five starts this term, including his two most recent–Belmont’s one-mile Forbidden Apple S. July 14 and the Spa’s GI Fourstardave H. Aug. 11. Drawing the rail while trying to record his sixth win over the Saratoga turf, the Linda Rice trainee looks to use his trademark speed to dominate in a race seemingly devoid of any other sources of early foot. Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Inspector Lynley (Lemon Drop Kid), victorious in last season’s GIII Tampa Bay S., was winless in five subsequent starts, however, did manage to hit the board in three of them, including close-up seconds in a Belmont optional claimer over a mile May 11 followed by the 8 1/2-furlong GII Wise Dan S. at Churchill Downs June 16. Employing his standard off-the-pace tactics in the Aug. 11 Lure S., the five-year-old came home a 3/4-length winner over the encumbered Chad Brown representative Projected (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who takes another crack at him here. On the board in all four starts this term, Juddmonte’s Projected hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since last year’s GII Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup. Javier Castellano, who was aboard last time, returns for the Baruch.

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