Saratoga Race Course is renowned for its terrific 2-year-old racing, and all of the big barns west of the Mississippi plus some of the smaller stables with a nice juvenile or two target the meeting in upstate New York. It doesn’t take long for the 2-year-old action to swing into high gear as the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes is one of three featured stakes on the first Saturday card of the meet.

1. Mentee (6-5 morning-line odds): This Repole Stable homebred is a full-brother to last year’s champion 2-year-old male, Fierceness. He opened a commanding lead in his career debut and appeared to be coasting to victory before needing to dig in near the finish line to hold off a late challenge. Looks like the one to beat.

Jockey: John Velazquez; Trainer: Todd Pletcher

2. Mr. Squeaky Wheels (15-1): He’s a dominant debut winner in a 4 ½-furlong race on the all-weather Tapeta Footings surface at Presque Isle Downs and takes a big step up in class here. Price should be right.

Jockey: Jose Ortiz; Trainer: Kevin Rice

3. Baby Dukes (12-1): Another who enters off an impressive debut win, taking a 4 ½-furlong race at Parx Racing by four lengths June 24. Trainer Butch Reid typically spots his runners well so he’s worth a look.

Jockey: Jose Lezcano; Trainer: Butch Reid

4. Soontobeking (20-1): After a third-place finish in his first start against New York-breds, he rallied to win an off-the-turf race at the Belmont at the Big A meet. Prefer others.

Jockey: Eric Cancel; Trainer: George Weaver

5. Three Echoes (4-1): Followed a debut win with a third-place finish in the Tremont Stakes, held during Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets week on this main track. Will need to make up 2 ¼ lengths on the Tremont victor one post to his outside.

Jockey: Flavien Prat; Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Studlydoright (Coglianese Photos/Walter Wlodarczyk)

6. Studlydoright (7-2): Improved to 2-for-2 with a 1 ¾-length score in the Tremont Stakes on this main track June 6. Lone stakes winner in the field plus a victory on the track is a solid combination. Closer would benefit from a fast pace. A win contender.

Jockey: Xavier Perez; Trainer: John Robb

7. War Tax (15-1): Impressed in a front-running, two-length debut win in May at the Belmont at the Big A meet but took a step back when beaten by 21 ¼ lengths in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. Rough start contributed to disappointing stakes effort and odds will be appealing if he can bounce back.

Jockey: Javier Castellano; Trainer: Carlos Martin

8. Mo Plex (6-1): Dominated by 10 lengths as the favorite June 20 in his career bow at the Belmont at the Big A meet. Faces a better group but one of several in here with loads of potential.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.; Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart

THE PICK: Mentee

LIVE LONGSHOT: Baby Dukes

SUPERFECTA: 1-8-3-6