SARATOGA SPRINGS – An evenly matched field of nine was entered for the fifth running of the Grade 3 Glens Falls Handicap at a mile and three-eighths on the inner turf. The fact that the field is evenly matched is that six of the nine horses starting in the race are the co-highweight at 114 pounds, with the other three horses in the field carrying 113.

The morning line favorite in the race is Melody Queen at 5-2.

2ND RACE – Bella Rouge was in good striking position rating off the pace entering the far turn when Eleanor’s Lullaby bolted out from the rail and forced her to check sharply. She fell back and was forced outside and then tried her best to come back, but could only close to finish fourth. She is better than that and will be tough to hold off next out with a clean trip. Belong to Be Wild was bumped by Bella Rouge on the far turn but then tired in the stretch drive.

4TH RACE – Cherokee Rocket raced very greenly early, running behind horses entering the far turn. At the top of the stretch, she finally had running room and took off like a rocket, catching pacesetting Young Man’s Fancy easily and going on for the victory. But Cherokee Rocket looked very ouchy afterward when she was unsaddled and led back to the barn area. First time starter Counting Visions was bet down to be a 4-5 favorite and she closed well behind Cherokee Rocket to gain the place spot.

5TH RACE – Adverse set the pace and tried to draw away on the far turn. Gypsy Sparkle made a wide move on the turn to reach contention and was on even terms with Adverse at the top of the stretch. Gypsy Sparkle slowly edged away from Adverse in the stretch but then bore in under right handed whipping by Jose Espinoza, forcing Adverse to check. Gypsy Sparkle went on to win the race while Adverse barely held off the fast closing Flo’s Double for second. There was a claim of foul by Mike Smith on Adverse against Gypsy Sparkle, but after a review by the stewards, no action was taken.

6TH RACE – Noel Wynter was making his return to the saddle in the afternoons after working as an exercise jockey for the past couple years. Allen Jerkens always supported Wynter and put him aboard Put It Back for his comeback. Put It Back was steadied at the start when Chariot bore out in front of him. He then rushed up on the rail and checked constantly entering the far turn until the top of the stretch. He finally had room to run at the top of the stretch and tried to run down pacesetting Mr. John, but he ended up second best. With better and patient handling, Put It Back would have been the winner of the race. He will return again soon versus maidens and since Jerkens likes to show loyalty, Wynter will probably ride him again next out. So bettor beware.

8TH RACE – Roundstone was thought by many people to be the better part of the coupled entry of Cardinal Verse and Roundstone. Jose Santos rated him off the pace under a hard hold while wide and then tried to get him to make a wide move on the far turn. But in the stretch he came up empty and fell back. But Mike Smith saved the day for the entry as he saved ground throughout, angled outside in midstretch and just got up in time to win the photo over Quiet Quest for the victory. Nice birthday present for Smith, who turned 35.

YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS

1ST RACE: Lenape Forge ($25,000) by Ricky Hendriks

5TH RACE: Adverse ($25,000) by Leah Gyarmati; Gypsy Sparkle ($25,000) by Ludwig Lamm

10TH RACE: Celtic Tower ($40,000) by Mike Miceli; Meadow Place ($40,000) by Randy Morse

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 5-4-4-8-6-1

9 winners each receives $6,478

270 consolation (5 of 6) winners

each receives $71.50

No carryover.