Last weekend the Saratoga meet opened to the usual anticipation and excitement. The Friday card had a jockey losing his tack while somersaulting to the delight of the crowd. Frankie Dettori's flair swooned the crowd and he had them eating out of his European palm and wanting more. A young jock announced his arrival just in case you hadn't noticed before. Jose Ortiz came out swinging and immediately put the veteran jockeys in the corner asking for reevaluations of their skills. They quickly recovered and countered with wins that reminded the young man that at Saratoga veterans like Bailey and Cordero lay the foundation.
Shaun Bridgmohan came through with his first win on Overton Square, lighting up the tote board in the process. The win and price brought back memories of when Shaun lit up the boards with two horses from the Stanley Hough barn on the same day. Those two wins were the talk of the meet for a few days. Bridgmohan put Overton Square on the lead and nursed the win, while Belly Of The Whale who I had on top came flying for second.
Better Lucky mowed them down in the Shine Again Stakes to cap off a wonderful opening week from the Spa. It was a great finish to a stake race that featured grade one winners. My Miss Aurelia seemed to need the race and Grace Hall is back in form. Exciting things to look forward to from all four horses that competed in the Shine Again Stakes.
Upcoming: Commanding Curve who finished second in the Kentucky Derby to California Chrome will be back on the track this Friday in the Curlin Stakes. The three year old disappointed in the Belmont Stakes and will have some proving to do this Friday in a race in which he should win.
Things to watch for Wednesday July 23rd:
Race 2 is a maiden special weight for two year old fillies... the race draws Asmussen..Pletcher and Mott.... Dallas Stewart is also in the race with a filly for the same connection who saddled Designer Legs to a win in the Adirondack last summer. This is a race where you should watch the board to see who is taking money, though I like to play trainers who are consistent even if their horse isn't getting played much. Pletcher's Overspending is the morning line favorite but he also has Southern Gem with Castellano. Asmussen is showing up with Empressive Humor and he attracts Rosie in the saddle...Good to see Rosie back in the irons.
Race 3 Got Lucky with Velasquez and Pletcher will be tough to beat. Find some worthy plays to box with the filly..it is horse racing.
Race 7: Al Stall's Treaty Oak is dropping in for a tag in a wide open race....three starts on turf with two seconds and a third..could be the right one...long shot It's Macaroni also comes into the race after two starts..last effort was against Crown Queen who came back to win an allowance race on Sunday..blinkers goes on and Irad Ortiz climbs aboard for the first time.
Race 8: Real Estate Rich lures Joel Rosario.. he is capable of putting in a good effort and the price
maybe just right
The Lake George: Daring Dancer...Garcia and Motion..potent team.
Selections:
Race 1: Wantan
Selection Sunday
Syros
Race 2: Empressive Humor
Southern Gem
Overspending
Race 3: Got Lucky
Equilateral
Madaket Millie
Race 4: Shot to Win
Ithastobegeorge
Poliziano
Race 5: Girlaboutown
Pretty Like Me
Moonlight Fantasy
Race 6: Artemis Agrotera
Hot Splash
What the Frost
Race 7: Treaty Oak
It's Macaroni
All Star Kitten
Race 8: Bernie the Maestro
Go Appeal
Real Estate Rich
Race 9: Daring Dancer
Sweet Acclaim
A Little Bit Sassy
Race 10: Hot Squeeze
Official
Saucon Valley
Shaun Bridgmohan came through with his first win on Overton Square, lighting up the tote board in the process. The win and price brought back memories of when Shaun lit up the boards with two horses from the Stanley Hough barn on the same day. Those two wins were the talk of the meet for a few days. Bridgmohan put Overton Square on the lead and nursed the win, while Belly Of The Whale who I had on top came flying for second.
Better Lucky mowed them down in the Shine Again Stakes to cap off a wonderful opening week from the Spa. It was a great finish to a stake race that featured grade one winners. My Miss Aurelia seemed to need the race and Grace Hall is back in form. Exciting things to look forward to from all four horses that competed in the Shine Again Stakes.
Upcoming: Commanding Curve who finished second in the Kentucky Derby to California Chrome will be back on the track this Friday in the Curlin Stakes. The three year old disappointed in the Belmont Stakes and will have some proving to do this Friday in a race in which he should win.
Things to watch for Wednesday July 23rd:
Race 2 is a maiden special weight for two year old fillies... the race draws Asmussen..Pletcher and Mott.... Dallas Stewart is also in the race with a filly for the same connection who saddled Designer Legs to a win in the Adirondack last summer. This is a race where you should watch the board to see who is taking money, though I like to play trainers who are consistent even if their horse isn't getting played much. Pletcher's Overspending is the morning line favorite but he also has Southern Gem with Castellano. Asmussen is showing up with Empressive Humor and he attracts Rosie in the saddle...Good to see Rosie back in the irons.
Race 3 Got Lucky with Velasquez and Pletcher will be tough to beat. Find some worthy plays to box with the filly..it is horse racing.
Race 7: Al Stall's Treaty Oak is dropping in for a tag in a wide open race....three starts on turf with two seconds and a third..could be the right one...long shot It's Macaroni also comes into the race after two starts..last effort was against Crown Queen who came back to win an allowance race on Sunday..blinkers goes on and Irad Ortiz climbs aboard for the first time.
Race 8: Real Estate Rich lures Joel Rosario.. he is capable of putting in a good effort and the price
maybe just right
The Lake George: Daring Dancer...Garcia and Motion..potent team.
Selections:
Race 1: Wantan
Selection Sunday
Syros
Race 2: Empressive Humor
Southern Gem
Overspending
Race 3: Got Lucky
Equilateral
Madaket Millie
Race 4: Shot to Win
Ithastobegeorge
Poliziano
Race 5: Girlaboutown
Pretty Like Me
Moonlight Fantasy
Race 6: Artemis Agrotera
Hot Splash
What the Frost
Race 7: Treaty Oak
It's Macaroni
All Star Kitten
Race 8: Bernie the Maestro
Go Appeal
Real Estate Rich
Race 9: Daring Dancer
Sweet Acclaim
A Little Bit Sassy
Race 10: Hot Squeeze
Official
Saucon Valley
