Jim Dandy Is The Start Of Second Season

The Jim Dandy at Saratoga draws a collective group of talented three year olds. One doesn't have to look deep to see the talent that litters the group. Tonalist began painting a master piece in the Peter Pan and completed the painting in the Belmont Stakes when he dashed hopes and dreams on a beautiful New York Saturday. Tonalist will once again be ridden by Joel "all world" Rosario, and this three year old will be trying to send another message to California Chrome and others that the win in the Belmont Stakes was a prelude of what is to come.

Tonalist won't be without his challengers and Linda Rice comes to the party dressed up with Kid Cruz. The horse with the name that reminds me of a calypso singer has been on a roll since his disappointment in the Preakness. The switch was made to Irad Ortiz and he has come alive with the young jockey. Kid Cruz will be singing and dancing down the lane but he won't find a sprinter trying to stretch out, and there won't be any Life In Shambles who was a shamble yesterday in the Curlin.


Legend has been out of the money once in five starts but if I am not high on Kid Cruz, why would I be high on this three year old? He won't be a legend after this race.


Ulanbator comes to the party as the buzz horse. Third in the Dwyer...behind whom?..you guessed it -Kid Cruz... if I am not dancing with Kid Cruz I am sure not dancing with this Ian Wilkes charge.


Commanding Curve My Derby pick..ran well...my Belmont Stakes horse..stunk up joint like a New York subway after the clubs let out.....should be there at the end.


Wicked Strong could be wickedly strong in this race..he could and should be there with Tonalist.. Maragh is riding very well.

Selection:
Tonalist
Wicked Strong
Commanding Curve


The appetizer for the Jim Dandy is the Amsterdam....

Coup De Grace...comes off winning effort..confidence builder...has kept great company..can he get a breather?....if so could be there.


Rock Fall...Pletcher/Castellano..won on turf and dirt..the horse he beat last time out Real Estate Rich gave a dull effort in his last start...Saratoga will play him because it's Pletcher.


Captain Serious..love this crazy serious race horse..saw him compete in the Mike Lee and when Jose Ortiz was leaving the paddock he was smiling like a kid at Christmas..he laughed all the way to the wire...last out in Dwyer he did all the work and got out finished not by a better horse but by the distance...he is a stud..will fire once more.



TizNowForAmerica...wouldn't you want to hear Durkin call this one first at the wire... could be a little over his head.


Noble Moon...is cutting back in distance since maiden breaker...Gyarmati is sneaky good..underrated trainer...won't surprise me.


Big Guy Ian...is cutting back..last out finished behind Protonico...don't know if he is fast enough..could get a piece...


Selection:
Captain Serious
Noble Moon
Coup De Grace



Race 7..is an enticing betting race...

Fabulous Kid...last time on dirt in Peter Pan sat close to pace..faded..came back on turf and showed nothing...shortening up.

Celebrated Talent... last win came over Saratoga's dirt..missing in action for sometime...barn is ice cold thus far but can wakeup in a New York minute.

Rich "N" Tuck..put on dirt for last two and woke up in both efforts..Zito is off to a good start..Saez at a price


Jimmy Connors...cut back in distance for last start and came alive..this could be the right spot.

Selection:
Rich "N" Tuck
Fabulous Kid
Jimmy Connors



Watch Your Money:
Smart Ashley in race 1 has burned a lot of money..breaking from the outside...I am betting she will still be a maiden.


Make Some Money:
Race 5... Rankhasprivileges...fits with these... why is Golden Soul 5/1???...because he has ran in nothing but stake races until his last?..I am taking the higher price horse that finished ahead of him.



Race 6: Arc Above...has run 2nd at distance two back..kept good company..Norumbega..Star Channel.. Capitan Futuro..long layoff...if he is right then the price is right with this level...Knight's Nation..done nothing in first two starts of the year but the company is softer in this spot.


Selecctions:

Race 1: Rapid Repair
             Magnolia Lane
             Engaginglee



Race 2: Hidden Vow
             Blue Pigeon
             Sanctify



Race 3: Bayerd
             Competitive Edge
             Aldrin



Race 4: Vecino
              Tom's Vision
               Poppy's Watching



Race 5: Rankhasprivileges
              Bay Of Biscay
              Matuszak



Race 6: Arc Above
             Capitan Futuro
             Knight's Nation



Race 7: Rich "N" Tuck
             Fabulous Kid
             Jimmy Connors



Race 8: Captain Serious
             Noble Moon
             Coup De Grace


Race 9: Miss Owell
             The Lady Says Yes
             Distorted Beauty



Race 10: Tonalist
              Wicked Strong
              Commanding Curve




Race 11: Elroi
               Tapitation
               Poliziotto
               Bluegrass Flash

Curlin To Write A New Chapter

The word is that Commanding Curve will skip Curlin Stakes and head to the Jim Dandy to run on Saturday. The Jim Dandy is shaping up to be a nice race, but the Curlin runners will be looking to make a name for themselves for later on in the season. The race has some nice horses but after looking closely at the race, I immediately dismissed most of the field. Todd Pletcher sends out Protonico who has two wins from three starts. He came back from a layoff to score beautifully going a mile but the second and third place finishers behind him - All My Memories and Big Guy Ian won't set anyone's track on fire.

Life In Shambles will be ridden by Joel Rosario who is riding very well at the current Spa meet. The three year old colt train by Clement is coming off a third place finish behind Kid Cruz. I selected Life In Shambles to win the Easy Goer because I wasn't in love with Kid Cruz. Well Kid Cruz won that race and came back to win the Dwyer a month later. Life In Shambles has only been out of the money once in his career so I will include him underneath.


Joint Custody is an ultra consistent horse who always seems to fire in the MidAtlantic region. Today he is coming to Saratoga to strut his stuff and the talented jock McCarthy follows the charge. I like a consistent horse that will lay it down no matter what. He has eight starts and finished in the money seven times with three wins. The Curlin is a grab bag and I am not reaching too deep in the bag to find this gem waiting to sparkle.



Things to watch for on Friday, July 25th:

Race 2: Valerie Victoria is a live long shot..third start off layoff..stretching out a bit..morning line is very inviting.



Race 3: Shetan is live long shot play...Motion and Rosario..both are hot right now...third off layoff..love that angle..take a shot.


Race 4: is a lovely race..Jose Ortiz jumps off Horatio and goes to Noble Cornerstone..Ortiz had a win on the horse last month..things that make you go hmmm when handicapping.



Race 6: Abraham..love this horse today...has a win over track..he will have to fight off Qualify who is going for four in a row...and Bad Hombre coming back in twelve days..all three are going well.




Race 10: Long shot play Por Que Te Sueno..some nice works..will get Lasix for first effort..Bridgmohan already scored with long shot on turf...use in gimmicks.





Selections:


Race 1: Vision of Mine
              Naughty Matilda
              Silver Union




Race 2:         My Place
                   Violet Hour              
                   Valerie Victoria



Race 3: Shetan
             Clearbrook
            Royal Blessing





Race 4: Noble Cornerstone
             Horatio
             Leilani's Ticket





Race 5: Stormy Rocit
             Upward
             Animal Style





Race 6: Abraham
             Qualify
             Bad Hombre





Race 7: Mobilize
             Sumba Sunset
             Shift Colors





Race 8: Readthebyline
             Finding Candy
             Bug Juice





Race 9: Joint Custody
             Protonico
             Life In Shambles





Race 10: Forensic
               Jolene
               Por Que Te Sueno
               Giant's Jewel
               Colorful................... Super box play
             

Don't Get Harpooned Once More

Things to Watch for:

The Quick Call Stakes is race 9 on the Thursday card and we have a money burner in the field. Harpoon whose last win came December 26th at Gulfstream Park will once again take a majority of bettors' money. The promising three year old son of Tapit wet the appetite of many has a two year old, but he hasn't lived up to his potential. Put your money elsewhere, but if he decides to show up and run a winning effort then so be it...the payoff won't be that hurtful...I am taking the hook out of my mouth and passing on him until he shows more.

Pure Sensation: he is trying turf for the first time and has been keeping excellent company..Clement knows how to get a horse ready to run, and turf is where he has made his name...include this charge in your exotics.


Harpoon: made my case


Escapist: broke maiden and came back to win an allowance race after some time off...both winning effort has been on the green..DeCarlo wasn't replace by some big name jockey...which is the trend at Saratoga...good for DeCarlo.



Good Bye Greg: is the son of Teuflesberg...fast and more fast..two starts and two wins..both wins on the fake dirt.



Favorite Tale: should take to the green...shortening up for this spot...Rosie...include



Glacken Too: is an interesting play...he has kept good company such as Unknown Road..Embellishing Bob and Cabo Cat...last time on the green he raced wide the entire race..chased fast pace..made three wide move and weakened going a mile..shortening up for this effort..this race is begging for a price



Choctaw Chuck: I am a Taylor Rice fan but this one I am passing on


Selection: Glacken Too...Pure Sensation...Escapist



Race 2 is an inviting two year old race with Pletcher and Asmussen once again ready to throw down..Yesterday Asmussen got the better of Pletcher... this race Asmussen sends out Revolver and Pletcher counters with Battle Red and Bully Proof..Revolver departs a four and half furlong race where he came on to be second... Battle Red finished second behind I Spent It...Another interesting horse is Louisiana Brown who finished second to Mr. Z at Churchill Downs..Mr Z is a nice colt.



Jockey watch: Robbie Albarado... Edgar Prado... Taylor Rice... still waiting to visit the winners' circle... Rice will be aboard Penella in race 3 and the horse has a shot..dropping back to maiden claimers..back to dirt..blinkers on..give this price play a look


Race 3..Molly Jordan is coming off an extended break..dropping in claiming race...if she is ready she will fire against these.. Keep Right will be tough in this spot...Mary's in Utopia finished behind Girlaboutown who freaked yesterday.


Race 7: is a feast... I will be taking some price underneath Sneaky Kitten


Race 8: Egotist intrigues me


Race 10: wants a long shot to come home...All Over Me is very vulnerable in this spot...2/1 morning line...take a peek elsewhere




Selections:

Race 1: Gmac
             Saint Jerome
             Bluegrass Summer




Race 2: Louisiana Brown
             Battle Red
             Revolver




Race 3: Mary's In Utopia
             Keep Right
             Molly Jordan




Race 4: Ultimate Shopper
              Katie's Garden
              Lady Gracenote




Race 5: Skipping
             Orient Harbor
             Miss Lech




Race 6: Bridgetta
             Bird House
             Darn That Trip




Race 7: Sneaky Kitten
              Lord Of Love
             Status Of Forces




Race 8: Wholelotaroyalty
              Pura Vida Zen
              Egotist





Race 9: Glacken Too
             Pure Sensation
              Escapist





Race 10: Regretless
               Chasin Chama
               All Over Me

Saratoga's Boutique Meet Is In Full Operation

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

Will My Miss Aurelia Turn Them Back Today?

Things to watch for Monday July 21st at Saratoga:

Race 8 on the Saratoga card is the dessert from an exciting opening weekend. The Shine Again Stakes feature some beautiful older females who will deliver from the opening bell.

Toasting: Last win came three back but this hard knocking four year old brings her heart to the fight. She will be fighting once more with Irad but I am passing this time around.

Grace Hall: train by Hall Of Famer Bill Mott is a mare whose last win came in 2012 at Hoosier Park when she beat the now retired Wine Princess. She has hit the board in her last two and maybe finding some consistency.


Bridgehampton: She has six starts in her career hitting the board four out of six..won her last race at Parx.. room for growth...morning line of 5/1 which should be there for the taking since Grace Hall and My Miss Aurelia should take most of the money....take the 5/1..bet often and enjoy



My Miss Aurelia: Ultra consistent..won't be there @ 2/1..if she is then unload..will be tougher than leather to beat in this spot.



Angel's Glory: If she hits the board the connections will he happy. Can't see this mare doing damage against this caliber of field..Pass



Better Lucky: Has done most of her beautiful work on grass or on the fake stuff but has a good record on dirt..two wins and a third from four starts on the dirt...will be very tough in this spot


The Picks for the Shine Again

Bridgehampton..love the morning line..improving..needs luck...5/1 is very inviting..take a shot

My Miss Aurelia... Consistent..tough..beautiful to watch and heart of a champion

Better Lucky...can find a new home on the dirt




Take a look at race 5 and find some value.... I love Console whose last win came on the Saratoga lawn a year ago.. Castellano and Maker are money makers..love the odds



Top Jockeys wanting the winners' circle but can't seem to find it thus far: Shaun Bridgmohan and Robbie Albarado... Shaun Bridgmohan is alive in the race 6 with Fire Ship... Bridgmohan and Violette have teamed up to win several races over the years. Look for Bridgmohan to find the winners' circle for his first winner.



Selections:


Race1: Shimba
            Dusk To Dawn
            Greg's Four Wheeler




Race2: Partisan Politics
            Kisses For Romeo
            Sashay



Race3: Wraith
             Corinthian's Glory
            Annie walker




Race4: Neilos
            Artemus Paperboy
            Tony B





Race5: Console
            Came Back
            Storm Pursuit




Race6: Fire Ship
            Make Your Point
            Kevin's Steele





Race7: Mr. Rosenthal
            Western Tryst
            Sandy Slew




Race8: Bridgehanpton
            My Miss Aurelia
             Better Lucky




Race9: Belly Of The Whale
            Handsome Dennis
            Overton Square

They Are Off At Saratoga

Things to watch for on Sunday July20th:

Irad  and Jose Ortiz are off to a nice start to the Saratoga meet and today they will continue  do well at the Spa. They are sitting on  live mounts for the Sunday card. The young riders may just give the veterans a run for the title.

I have been waiting for Unbridled Forever to find her Churchill and Fairgrounds ways and today she may unlock the key in the Coaching Club America Oaks. I love America in the CCAO...the Bobby Flay filly broke her maiden in her second start and then went on to compete with the big girls. She has not fully put it together, but in her last race she finished a well beaten third behind Untapable. There are no Untapable types in this spot, and I can't play Stopchargingmaria on top as a player.  Take America and hope for some good cooking.




Price Play: Race 7: Gentrify

                   Race 11: Tsonga


Race 1: Tax Package
              Navy Blue
              Sandler


Race 2: Tizmas
             Le Deluge
             Cease/Groomeforvictory


Race 3: Maximova
             Gathering
             Scampering



Race 4: Denzel
             Glickman
             In The Dark



Race 5: Strong Impact
             Great Attack
             Spring To The Sky



Race 6: Dreaming Of Danny
             Gourmet Dinner
             Lay It Down



Race 7: Hidden Candy
             Gentrify
             Eternal Bull



Race 8: Sir Leslie
             Fiona Hero
             Ultimate Empire



Race 9: Crown Queen
             Silky
             Fizzy Pink


Race 10: America
               Unbridled Forever
               Stopchargingmaria



Race 11: Rontos New York
               Hushhushmushmush
               Tsonga

They Are off At Saratoga

Things to watch for on Saturday July 19th:

Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen will go after each other in the Sanford Stakes. Pletcher will send out the ultra impressive Nonna's Boy and Asmussen will counter with Cinco Charlie who was boastful in his two wins. I like Cinco Charlie to keep on progressing further, but if he is not up to the task then Pletcher will capture the first two stake races for two year olds.

I am intrigued to see Bold Conquest perform today from the Asmussen's barn.
I am giving Discreet Marq another shot to make some noise.

Jockey Corner:
Look for Joel Rosario and Javier Castellano to have a great Saturday at the Spa.  They both can easily win three to four races.


Selections:

Race1: Kamarius
            Luck Of The Kitten
            Dubai Sky


Race2: Handy Stan
            Ogermeister
            Sidearm


Race3: Taghleeb
            Cosmic Gold
            Contrary Opinion


Race4: Bold Conquest
            Smithereen
            Money Changer



Race5: Piquant
            One King's Man
            Sam Sparkle


Race6: Thurgood
            Forever Utopia
            Ready Heart And Soul


Race7: Cinco Charlie
            Nonna's Boy
            Silverhill


Race8: Tasmona
            Divine Luck
            Weave    



Race9: Pyrite Mountain
            Battle Force
            Casino Dan


Race10: Discreet Marq
              Tannery
              Abaco


Race11: Bingo Kitten
             All Included      
             Mcllroy