Start The Week Off Right At Saratoga

Saratoga begins the week with the John Call Stakes to compete over the turf course. The field is comprised of some hard knocking horses who are all capable of putting forth a good effort.

Tricky Hat..while this gelding's last two have been less than pleasing on the eyes he does conduct himself in a professional manner most of the time..he owns a win at the track and the distance won't be an issue.

Horvat Clan.... will have to beat me and surprise me.

Bohemian Dance..is a filly trying to dance with the boys in the open stake race..she will have to party and dance very hard to hit the board.


Micromanage....Todd Pletcher/Castellano..Todd Pletcher/Velasquez..winning combo no matter who he legs up...will appreciate the green..his race two back beat any of these...won't get 3/1...bet and bet some more when you find more money.


Seton Hall...he is just as consistent as the Pirates playing in the Big East in New Jersey....Leave him alone.


Manchurian High...He is not a candidate in this spot.


Winning Cause...see Micromanage..the bet in this race should be to see if Johnny had his choice between the two charges...I like Micromanage better but this one is proven on the green..bet the choice that offers the better bang for the buck.


Grand Rapport... I love how this one is going..this is one of those multiple second and thirds that Jacobson had during the first week or so...he could be the main danger to Pletcher's studs.


Holiday Star.... leave Motion out if you like wasting money..I am always rooting for Prado one of the most classiest dudes.... Prado can ride with the best of them but a jock is as good as the horse's effort..If he wins I will be happy for Edgar Prado.


Race 2: Moonluck is a deserving morning line favorite but months off..dropping in for a price..no Rosario for the comeback effort... let's try beating this one.

One horse that should get a look is the David Carrol charge Boss Daddy. His last work was fourth best of 85 and while it has taken him some time to get to the track most of these haven't done much running for a while..first time lasix... 3/5 on a horse coming back off a layoff or 12/1 on a horse fresh out of the barn.


Race 3: will be a good betting race and also probably the most entertaining when the day is over.

Springcourt..has been consistent in last three and should once again be there..blinkers off..Jose Ortiz..watchout!


Sacred Ground..if this one performs well then you may want to pay attention to Grand Rapport later on...In the money for the last five tries...some time off.... Got my eyes on this one.


Conspiracy..is coming off a break..five starts this year with one win and three third place finishes...if I get 3/1 on Castellano and Brown then I am thinking I got away with one.


Race 4...try to beat Wesley Ward...something about his horses that is not impressing me and last week I got suckered with the Ascot playback... I felt the pinch.


Race 5: One element of handicapping is taking a look at the horses' past performances, but the jockeys and trainers are a major component of this process. If a trainer is not firing and the horse looks good in the program I would pass and the same thing goes for the jockeys. With that said I am going to throw it all out and look at Wesley Ward in this spot because I love a price that makes sense in my mind and Sweetmarys Success is the play.


Race 6: love love Zo Zo...first time out she finished fourth in debut..Trainer Dutrow is doing one of my favorite things...equipment change..Blinkers will be fitted on the daughter of Super Saver whose first crops are banging hard on the track.


Race 7: Kitten's Queen is my best bet of the day...I love the four year old filly's company line.. I loved Keening going into the last start and that one didn't disappoint me.. should appreciate everything about this field and Castellano was gifted by the racing gods to do this thing.



Selections:


Race 1: All The way Jose
             All That Rules
             Mr. Starr's Report



Race 2: Boss Daddy
             Moonluck
             Yankee Dime



Race 3: Springcourt
             Conspiracy
             Sacred Ground



Race 4: Jet Alley
             Astron
             Thirtysilverpieces


Race 5: Sweetmarys Success
             Quay
             Making Havoc


Race 6: Zo Zo
             Building Permit
             Cool Temper



Race 7: Kitten's Queen
             Satisfaction
             Get Gorgeous



Race 8: Middleburg
             Upgrade
             Casino Dan



Race 9: Micromanage
             Winning Cause
             Grand Rapport



Race 10: Rontos New York (if he draws in)
               Full Pads
               Sole Train
               Lotza Heat

Leave Iotapa Alone At DelMar

Selctions for DelMar

Race1:Pimpernel will appreciate the fake dirt
           Snowday will love the relief
           Ankeny Hill


Race 2: Next speaker
             Half dome Dude
             Muchos Besos



Race 3: Deraptor
             Know Plans
             Image Of Joplin



Race 4: Loufoque
             Penny Sixpence
             Lethal Story



Race 5: Ritzy Tags
             Madam Aamoura
             Call To Congrats



Race 6: Front Rage
             Downton My Lady
             Tiz Midnight



Race 7: Skip Tony
             Benba
             Crusher



Race 8: Fiftyshadesofhay
             Broken Sword
             Iotapa


Race 9: Another Rucker
             Turnover
             Conscience



Race 10: Gold Medallion
               Dr. Williams
               Format V

Palace Malice Could Be The Envy Of Many

Saratoga has offered horse racing fans a beautiful menu to feast from today. Palace Malice is the main course in the Whitney Handicap, and the big horse whose last win was a scripted adventure on a lovely day at Belmont Park did not scare off many. A field of nine will line up in the Whitney and some very accomplished race horse will try to knock that sweet taste out of Palace Malice's mouth. Will Take Charge will reunite with Luis Saez and try to regain the form that had him eating up the track.  Itsmyluckyday whose comeback race this year was against Palace Malice in Florida and he was sent away wounded from the defeat. He moved his bruised ego down to the Jersey shore and regained his confidence. Moreno's trainer Eric Guillot said that he will go to the front and if you want to go with him it will cost you. A few years ago during the Breeders' Cup, Nick Zito said the same thing when he dared anyone to dance with War Pass on the front end. They didn't and Cornelio Velasquez stole the money. Moreno could be the lone speed on the front end if others decide to take back, and if that happens anything can happen.


Race 1: Dowse's Beach..looks tough in this spot that lacks a lot of consistency..Christophe Clement  knows turf racing very well..I don't care for most of these.


Selection
Dowse's Beach
Leroy Jr.
Giantinthemoonlite


Race 2: Snowbell is going back to dirt..stretching out a bit.. she will be going well.

Brilliant Jewel finished behind Predicate and Ridingwiththedevil last time out...she is a consistent four year old..Ridingwiththedevil has been out of the money once..

Selection
Snowbell
Ridingwiththedevil
Brilliant Jewel


Race 3: Two year olds on the green..Face The Music..McGaughey barn is known for taking their time with firster...I like the the last workout on Saratoga training turf course.

Cordero is coming back from Ascot where he finished sixth..getting lasix..Wesley Ward and Velasquez gets it done more often than not.

Firespike....second first time out at Ellis..the Maker charge will group and improve from last time out.


Selection
Face The Music
Cordero
Firespike


Race 4: Keening... is a consistent young lady that always put her best effort forward..won back in June and I don't see why she can't repeat that effort once more.

Tokyo Time...will make a good account of herself in this spot..she loves the distance//nice company line..Castellano.

Selection
Keening
Tokyo Time
Rubindy


Race 5: Royal Son is a son of Tiznow..Pletcher is loaded with babies once again..this charge worked 59.35 on July 23rd which was best of fifteen..open the gate and let him roll.

Evolution..is 10/1 on the morning line..first start finished third..major room for improvement and the morning line should be there.

Selection
Royal Son
Evolution
Pride Of Stride


Race 6: is a closely matched turf race for three year old fillies...Fashion Fund is getting blinkers..making fourth start in country..enough time to figure her out..Rosario and Shug..money makers.

Granny Mc'sKitten...is coming out of a strong Edgewood stakes at Churchill Downs. She finished  fifth behind A Little Bit Sassy and Istanford...Tepin also came out of that race to run well at DelMar. Love her today!

Selection
Granny Mc'sKitten
Fashion Fund
Pink Poppy


Race 7: Pianist..is coming off layoff..kept wonderful company..if she is ready the music could sound very good.

Joy..won last time out in a five horse field...one horse lost its jockey which interfered with the running of the race...she kicked on in the stretch..turf wasn't firm..could get a piece.

Dayatthespa... coming off layoff...two back finished behind the impressive Better Lucky.

Filimbi..won last time out and two back finished behind Somali Lemonade.

Selection
Pianist
Joy
Dayatthespa
Filimbi



Race 8: Vyjack... I have been sitting on this one and waiting for the right opportunity to play him..he is cutting back to a distance that he will love tremendously..the price will be lovely and he will provide you with seed money for Whitney and Test. Bet Often on this one.

Palace and Baken will be a difficult matchup for Vyjack..

Happy My Way..has been cooking with gas lately..last three starts are lovely bio.

Lemon Drop Dream..has grow up potential and horses can grow up overnight.


Selection
Vyjack
Palace
Happy My Way
Lemon Drop Dream


Race 9: The Test I am expecting a very fast pace like the Victory Ride, so I will be looking for closers at a price.

Street Story...who won the Victory Ride should get same setup.

Birdmaker...who won last race at Churchill will appreciate the seven furlongs.

Southern Honey...brings three game winning streak..going very well.

Selection
Street Story
Birdmaker
Southern Honey


Race 10: The Whitney is a four horse race... the pace maker Moreno will have a comfortable lead if allowed to roam out there by himself..Romansh may provide some push  but that may take him out of his game..Palace Malice will sit off the speed and Will Take Charge will wait until the engine is fully heated up. Palace Malice is a serious racehorse but horses get beat and I have tried to beat him a few times with no success..I am stubborn..will try to beat him once more with Moreno doing his best Game On Dude impersonation..color me crazy.

Selection
Moreno
Palace Malice
Will Take Charge
Itsmyluckyday


Race 11: I was confused looking at this bunch. I went through the lot and wished the main track only entrants were a part of the body..you can take a shot with just about any of these..box four and hope for the best.

Selection
Front
Kharafa
Bio Pro
Big Blue Kitten

Rain Rain Go Away

Yesterday was a complete mess from a handicapping standpoint at Saratoga. The race card was totally decimated with scratches and I kindly watched as a viewer, throwing out everything I saw. Today I am hoping racing will return to the turf even if it's soft because a soft turf is better than what I endured yesterday. Boca Babe won by over twenty lengths while my pick Crashing Conclave with Manny Franco riding just crossed the finish line, ready to go around again because she didn't run a step the first time around. My hands went up in the air and so did my program. Hopefully today will bring sunshine that will begin the drying process for an exciting Saturday.

Things to watch for Aug 1st at Saratoga:

Race 1: No Nukes.. has been going well since dropping to more inviting company..had many chances to blow up tote board but hasn't delivered, and I don't like faves who had too many chances.

Fidelius.. is dropping for George Weaver..going back to dirt..if No Nukes is fave why not play this one.

Invasion Point.. is another dropper trying to find some love..son of Invasor should appreciate the stretch out and relief.

Jacob's Here ... yet another dropper..shortening up..state bred first time..will be on ticket.


Race 2: Point To The Wild... If the mare is correct and ready to make a point add your ten cents to your two dollar bet...she will love the green or dirt..only challenger in this soft spot should be Ave's Halo if it stays on green..sit back and enjoy this one.


Race 3: Samantha Nicole had people watching first time out but the party and hype was short lived..she had some time off and changed barns..working well and may just decide to be good like her sister.

Dragonberry...finished fourth last time out to Predicate who came back to finish second in allowance company..5/1 morning line.. I likey.


Cali Star... is rightfully the morning line fave... had many chances..play but try to beat in top spot.


Twenty In One... Three starts..three times in the money...is this another Smart Ashley in the making?


Race 4: North Slope enjoys dirt..third last time out behind sail mate who stunk up the joint yesterday but the entire card stunk up the joint with the mud..give this one a look.


Ever Rider..has kept company my mother would be proud of..will be tough.


All Tied Up...last time ran against horses that were window dressing for Bayern in Haskell.



Race 5: Herd Mentality..broke maiden a year ago at Saratoga...given a month off by Asmussen..coming back in a race that is screaming for a price.

Solly's Mischief... fits with these at 10/1 morning line..Franco will have to work out a trip.



Race 6: How..takes a drop..play at 7/5 or just watch... I hate just watching so I am playing but not this one on top.

Once A Week ... 6/1..fits nicely with these..she will be coming and maybe the right play if you don't like HOW.


Race 7: Lunar Tales...looks like the right one if race is on turf.

Let's Go Ben..will be played if taken off green..Blinkers added will put this son of Songandaprayer in the game early.


Race 9: I loved Munnings Sister the moment I saw the card... She is one of those I always enjoy watch running... going to turf after extended campaign on dirt..if this taken off I love her even more.




Selections:


Race 1: Jacob's Here
             Fidelius
             Invasion Point
           



Race 2: Point To The Wild
             Ave's Halo
             My Bella Beauty      




Race 3: Dragonberry
             Cali Star
             Samantha Nicole



Race 4: Ever Rider
             North Slope
             All Tied Up




Race 5: Solly's Mischief
             Herd Mentality
             Stowe





Race 6: Once A Week
             How
             Daddy Loves Gold




Race 7: Lunar Tales
             Let's Go Ben
             Stalagmite




Race 8:  Smokey Brown
              Aripeka
              Jigsaw




Race 9: Munnings Sister
              Free As A Bird
             Believe In Charlie




Race 10: Romans Paradise
               Dividend
               All My Trails          

Make Some Money

The Thursday card at Saratoga offers some nice opportunities in each race.

Race 2: Rare Eagle had five starts this year and put himself in the money four times.. lone disappointment was on turf this year..back to dirt..Maragh and Albertrani always play good music.

Harbor King: has had many chances and all in state bred company..last December finished third behind Uncle Sigh..I am sighing while dismissing this one.


None Like Nolan: is the morning line favorite based on recency..done nice work on dirt and turf.


Aggrandizement: has never been in the money but has kept beautiful company..the relief maybe the prescription..I am banking that he wakes up in this spot.



Race 3: Hot Squeeze...scratched from Coronation Cup and that was a wise decision considering the Graham Motion horse was nice...eight days turnaround..Weaver knows he has a Saratoga diva...go to the window..could be first repeat winner.


White Sangria.. is going well this year..hit trifecta in three starts..one to beat.


Neck Of The Moon...Second start off layoff..Chad Brown knows how to get them fit and Castellano is ahead of the class.



Race 4: North Ocean...woke up last time...that maybe the antidote..he will be tough with Pletcher legging up his main dude.


Big Town...jockey improvement..just love the company line.


One King's Man...four back finished behind Big Town..could get a piece.



Race 5: I am going to play Motion and Ortiz..Reign is an apt name for the way Motion is going right now at Saratoga..Hail the turf king.

Crashing Conclave....coming out of race won by Lonely Teardrops who I loved yesterday..Lonely Teardrops finished third in nice effort at a price.


Stay In Front...Changed barns..coming off layoff.. dropping immediately.


Price Play: Madris in Race 7...my price play on the day... Media Kid and Grand Rapport has played tag in last two races..they will be tough in this level but you have to take shot at some point and Madris at 15/1 morning line fits with these.


Race 9: Evan Shipman Stakes... Big Business..Jacobson is finishing in the money..morning line fave..nice horse.


Awesome Vision..will be the play for me..just look who he danced with and even beat back in November..Zivo.. My Best Bet On The Day.



Selections:

Race 2: Rare Eagle
             None Like Nolan
             Aggrandizement



Race 3: Hot Squeeze
             White Sangria
             Neck Of The Moon


Race 4: North Ocean
             Big Town  
             One King's Man


Race 5:  Reign
              Crashing Conclave
              Stay In Front


Race 6:  Bullheaded Boy
              Scorecard Harry
              Watergate


Race 7:  Madris
              Media Kid
              Grand Rapport


Race 8: Los Borrachos
             Mister Special
             Strom


Race 9: Awesome Vision (best bet)
             Big Business
             Sailmate


Race 10: Rack Em Earl
               Anmatt
               Grandpa Len

Things Are Still The Same At Saratoga

The more things change the more they stay the same. After the early start to the Saratoga meet, jockey John Velasquez and Javier Castellano are once again fighting for leading jockey with one win separating the two top jockeys. Both jockeys are hitting in the money at a staggering 50% for riders with over fifty mounts, which is mind blowing considering the competition at the meet. Bet Velasquez and Castellano if you like padding your two dollar bet, but venture outside the norm if you want some value.

For the trainers, Todd Pletcher is once again ahead of the class with his stock stable. Mott, Maker, Dutrow, and Weaver are also hitting hard with winners. Chad Brown and Christophe Clemente are in the money from 24 and 22 runners respectively. With seventeen starters, Bruce Brown has been in the money ten times with seven of those finishing third. How many of those third place finishers will convert to winners in the next few weeks from the Bruce Brown barn? That is something to pay close attention to. 

Barns that can get even hotter in the next few weeks:  Kiaran McLaughlin with only two in the money finishers from nine staters. The barn is quiet on the track and off. David Jacobson has one winner from twenty starters, although he has seven second and third place finishers and "Shug" McGaughey with twelve starters with two winners and two third place finishers.

Things to watch for Wednesday, July 30th at Saratoga: 

The Coronation Cup is the ninth race on the card and it draws ten starters. I am not blown away with these fillies, but there will be a price play in the field.  

We have Hot Squeeze coming off a nice win on July 23rd... seven days turn around..loved her in her last start but I am passing this time around.

Ruslana: I looked..I saw..I don't like.

Sweetmary's Success: Trying turf for the first time..she will love it..third off layoff..love that!

Scatcapade: Five starts this year..in the money three times..leave out Clement at your own peril.

Recoupe: Broke maiden on turf after three starts on dirt..could be rising.

Stars Above Me: is an interesting filly..first time lasix...in the money four out of five starts..the field is not incredibly strong..motion is going well..take a shot!

Fat Kat: Two starts..two stakes..someone thinks highly of this filly.

Isabelle: From the Lisa Lewis barn...will be trying turf for the first time..if she likes it then payoff could be great.

Elena Strikes: Comes into field boasting impressive company on dirt...Pletcher and Velasquez are hot again at Saratoga.

Selection: I am playing Stars Above Me on top...I am banking that she will be nice against this bunch..will play three others underneath for super.

Race 2: Brandini is stretching out for the first time..sticking to maiden claiming ranks after trying straight maiden six previous starts...could graduate today.

Race 3: Willet will be tough but I am trying to beat that one with Here's Zealicious...the six year old mare is hard hitting on the track...seven starts this year and in the money six times with four wins.

Price Play: Race 4...Alaskan Bird form the Nick Zito barn...won last time out after going back to dirt...will enjoy stretching out and she could just love that winning feeling.

Race 5..Dilger and Bridgmohan did some nice work with the two year old Wired Bryant last year..this season Bridgmohan came off Saluda when the gate opened...they will be tough in this spot with the daughter of Smart Strike.

Selections:

Race 1: Harrods Creek

             El Season

             Virsito/Easy Reach

Race 2: Brandini

             Kelly's Prize

             Bella Fachi

Race 3: Here's Zealicious

             Willet

             Atlantic Smile

Race 4: Alaskan Bird

             Rock Me Mama

             chase My Tail

Race 5: First Charmer

             Oohlala

             Nonna Jo

Race 6: Mama Zee

             Rosie My Way

             Kelwynne

Race 7: Lonely Teardrops

             Wine Burglar

             Ear D' Rhythm

Race 8: Queen To Be

              La Madrina

              Hobe Wins

Race 9: Stars Above Me

             Scatcapade

             Isabelle

             Fat Kat

   

Race 10: Uptown Joe

                Candir

                Jimmy Souls

                Kato

              

They Are Giving Away Saratoga Money

Things to watch for on Monday July 28th at Saratoga:

Race 1 is an interesting mix of horses coming out of maiden races and a few coming out of maiden claiming ranks.

Point of Hope....last time out finished behind Special Agent and Sheldon. Special agent came back to win allowance race while Sheldon broke maiden..barn had win yesterday...looks strong.

Are We Not Men..has raced three times..kept good company and this spot seems softer than previous campaign.

Pilatus...has been running well in maiden claiming company..if others don't show up he could get a piece.

I am looking forward to seeing race 2 and I hope the rain gods stay away so this one remains on the green.

Banana Thief...is a son of kitten joy out of a Johar mare...Asmussen and Bridgmohan has teamed up to do some lovely things in the past..going well.

Amazing Anne..is a filly tackling the boys..the daughter of Freud has had a series of work..will love the lawn.

Essence At Noon...is a son of Noonmark who will be making his second start..first start was in a stake race where he finished fifth.. he will improve from that first effort.

Race 3.. I am playing Southern Blessing at a price...one start this year after a taking a break..last start ran into some nice three year olds..Asmussen is great in these of type of races.

Race 4..is a bettors delight.. maiden claimers looking to graduate..I am taking a shot with a firster from the Maker barn. I am not so blown away with the others so why not take shot with a newcomer... War Of Honor is a son of War Pass who was a very fast horse..Irad climbs aboard and I will be hoping.

Race 8 is the Honorable Miss Stake...My Wandy's Girl is my best bet of the day..love this mare who has kept beautiful company in her six starts..out of money once..Mike Hushion is going very well at Saratoga...shortening up though one effort at six furlongs was off the board..dismiss that..last time out chased 45 and change for the half and got caught in stretch.. great foundation from that race..if I get 7/2 it would be a gift.

Race 9..Romancing The Gold is coming off a win but showed nothing in previous..will get money because of the barn...I am staying away from the top spot with this one.

Selections:

Race 1: Point of Hope 

            Are We Not Men

            Pilatus

Race 2: Banana Thief

             Amazing Anne

             Essence At Noon

Race 3: Southern Blessing

             Mr. O' Leary

             Beau Who

Race 4: War Of Honor 

             Spa City Treasure

             Frame

Race 5: Citizen Wells

             Maserati

             Best Play

Race 6: Forest Boy

             Pecorino

             Appealing Alex

Race 7: Father Johns Pride

             Big Sugar Soda

             Defiant (if he draws in)

Race 8: My Wandy's Girl

             R Free Roll

             La Verdad

Race 9: Zoebear

             Mr. Espresso

             Star Of New York

             Romancing The Gold