Saratoga Racing Tips: Battle Of Normandy to build on debut success

Saratoga 22:39: Battle Of Normandy 1pt win at 11/4 or better

The $175k Grade 2 With Anticipation Stakes at 22:39 has drawn an interesting group of lightly raced 2-y-os, though none make more appeal than impressive debut winner Battle Of Normandy.

A $500K yearling, this son of City Of Light overcame a difficult trip in that maiden race as he was hung three-wide on both turns, yet still had enough in reserve to draw away from Joseph O'Brien's useful Alexis Zorba in the last half-furlong, eventually winning by just over 2 lengths.

It's worth noting that Alexis Zorba knocked heads with some of Europe's best juveniles this season before heading over at Saratoga, namely when finishing runner-up to Blackbeard and Little Big Bear on his opening two starts.

With an inside draw in stall 1, there's every chance that Battle Of Normandy will get a more ground-saving trip this time and should take plenty of stopping as long as he doesn't encounter any traffic trouble.

There are a few dangers lurking, the best of which may well be Determinedly, who didn't get the best of passages himself when second to Our Dream R'yed over this C&D in a maiden last time.

He'd likely have gone very close but for meeting trouble there and should get a start here despite being on the reserve list (a couple entered will likely scratch to run elsewhere), though his post on the outside in 11 is a bit of a concern.