Snowdrops at Saratoga

Two days after the consistent Voodoo Dancer won the $500,000 Diana Handicap, trainer Christophe Clement will try for another graded stakes victory today at Saratoga.

Clement, who wins at a high percentage year after year, will send out longshot Snowdrops in the $100,000 Lake George, a Grade III for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

A gray daughter of Gulch, Snowdrops has won two of three on the grass and both of the wins have come under jockey Mark Guidry, who is back aboard this afternoon. She broke her maiden at 11-1 in her debut on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, then won an allowance race at Keeneland on April 15.

In her most recent race, Snowdrops, who was bred in England, was last of five in her first start on dirt.

Owned by Bonnie and Sy Baskin and trained by Todd Pletcher, Ocean Drive will be favored in the Lake George. A Belong to Me filly, she has won five of six on the turf over four courses. After winning her debut on the Saratoga lawn last Sept. 2, she has gone on to score at the Meadowlands, Keeneland and Belmont Park.

Ocean Drive, whose only loss came when she was the 3-5 favorite in the Miesque at Hollywood Park last Nov. 29, will be ridden by Jerry Bailey.

Race of the day: A rapid pace seems a certainty in today’s seventh at Del Mar, the second five-furlong turf race of the meet. Most of the 10 entrants do their best running up front, so it will be interesting to see how the contest develops. The first turf sprint was won by favored F J’s Pace, who made the lead and held off longshot Red Sky’s on Thursday.

One for the road: She’s A Sweetheart can bounce back on a fast track in today’s ninth at Saratoga. The 3-year-old Go For Gin filly can win if she repeats her last effort on dry land for trainer Nick Zito. She also gets a jockey upgrade to Edgar Prado.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Life’s Pleasures, Nazareen, Saintly Persuasion and Alice’s Silver Lady in the sixth, singling Broke In Blairsden in the seventh and using Ramekin and Sheza Gladiator in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/5. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$23.40. Total money bet: $88.