7/23: Saratoga (CCA Oaks; $209k P6 C/O)
 

Rollicking first Saturday of Saratoga had a bit of everything including thrilling Diana that saw popular Lady Eli win for the last time where she broke her maiden in 2014. Pletcher's Mr. Crow announced himself for the KRA in the opener Saturday, etching a 109 Beyer in the 3yo's second career start. The Korea Racing Authority buys many horses that ship out and run there, so it's great to have them campaigning domestically. Rare to get double digit value on Jason Servis runners, so Firenze Fire's upset of the Sanford provided a nice boost as a $27 winner. Hope everyone did well. Terrific wagering opportunities all day Sunday, punctuated by the $200k+ carryover in the torturous P6..


SARATOGA


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: MSW, 2yo-F, 8.5f-T (P5, P3, DD)

Best Value: #3 You People 6-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Miss Mo Mentum 9-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #11 Kitty Kat Kate 5-2 7th
Super Add: #4 Orbolution 4-1 WON ($9.30)


2nd: CLM/N3L, 3+, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #4 Top Fortitude 9-2 4th
Next Best: #7 Scarf It Down 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Aztec Sense 8-1 8th
Super Add: #2 Tiz Shea D 3-1 3rd


3rd: MSW, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Mr Classical 8-5 4th
Next Best: #5 Uncle Mojo 3-1 WON ($7.20)
Exotics Use: #3 Weather Wiz 5-2 2nd
Super Add: #4 Fireball Shot 8-1 5th


4th: S/ALW, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Yeesh. What a hodge-podge..

Most Likely: #9 Driven West 9-2 9th
Best Value: #10 Rapid Red 8-1 5th
Next Best: #7 Bellows 10-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Cinderella El Chrome 20-1 2nd


5th: OC/N2X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #4 Seeking the Soul 10-1 WON ($20.00)
Next Best: #1 Thebigfundamental 2-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Fifth Title 20-1 6th
Super Add: #6 Goats Town 15-1 8th


P5 Grid:

1: 3-5 (A), 4-11 (B), 1-7 (C)
2: 4-7 (A), 1-2 (B), 5-8 (C)
3: 2-5 (A), - (B), 3-4 (C)
4: 9-10 (A), - (B), 2-5-7 (C)
5: 1-4 (A), - (B), 2-3-5-7-8 (C)

Simple (A+B): 4x4x2x2x2 = 128 x .50 = $64
All A's: 2x2x2x2x2 = 32 x .50 = $16


P4 Grid:

2: 4-7 (A), 1-2 (B), 5-8 (C)
3: 2-5 (A), 3 (B), 4 (C)
4: 9-10 (A), - (B), 2-5-7 (C)
5: 1-4-5 (A), 2-3-7 (B), 8 (C)

Simple (A+B): 4x3x2x6 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A's: 2x2x2x3 = $24 ($12 for .50)


6th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD)

$209k P6 C/O starts here..

Start of DBL C/O P6 sequence and a potentially explosive spot. Short Kakes should be on an isolated lead and has potential to wire. Thrice goes first off the Weaver claim but loses Irad to Rudy (Cha Cha Heels). War Canoe (8-1) & Cap's Vow (10-1) separated a length in similar spot downstate and will be arriving on scene late. Questeq (12-1) returns to level of diploma and gets Castellano back too. Weekend Hottie (20-1) finally broke MDN after 20 tries and not unusual for these types to keep winning once they get their picture taken..

Best Value: #6 Short Kakes 20-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Thrice 7-2 WON ($7.70)
Exotics Use: #10 Cap's Vow 10-1 7th
Super Add: #3 Weekend Hottie 20-1 8th


7th: CLM, 3yo-F, 6f (NYRA Bets P5, G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Honor Way 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #8 Star Studded 20-1 8th
Next Best: #6 Nisha 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 She's Had Enough 20-1 12th


8th: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Alabama Bound 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Sweet August Lady 3-1 4th
Best Value: #11 Somerset Sandy 20-1 WON ($43.80)
Exotics Use: #9 Bree's Got Heart 8-1 11th


9th: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Best Value: #7 Nite Delite 6-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Animal Appeal 9-2 7th
Exotics Use: #12 Ginger N Rye 8-1 WON ($24.00)
Super Add: #10 Rumble Doll 12-1 3rd


10th: CCA Oaks (G1), 3yo-F, 9f (DD)

Fascinating edition of this famed filly event with top two - Abel Tasman & Salty - rematching out of the Acorn thriller where Mike Smith pulled a rail rabbit out of his hat. Elate making case as the clever play coming out of preposterous DEL stake win, but it's Daddys Lil Darling that may be cute price key returning to dirt off excellent try in the Belmont Oaks 2 weeks ago..

Best Value: #3 Daddys Lil Darling 9-2 5th
Next Best: #2 Abel Tasman 8-5 WON ($3.60)
Exotics Use: #1 Elate 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Salty 5-2 3rd


11th: MCLM/$40k, 3+, 1m-IT

Most Likely: #10 Starstruck Kitten 6-1 6th
Best Value: #2 Harlan's Vador 30-1 8th
Next Best: #11 Prognostication 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #12 Major Force 15-1 WON ($13.60)


P6 Grid:

6: 5-6 (A), 10 (B), 2-3 (C)
7: 4 (A), - (B), 6-8 (C)
8: 5 (A), 7 (B), 9-11 (C)
9: 3-7-12 (A), - (B), 6-9-10 (C)
10: 2-3 (A), - (B), 1-7 (C)
11: 2-10 (A), 11-12 (B), 1-6 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x1x2x3x2x4 = 144 x $2 = $288
All A's: 2x1x1x3x2x2 = 24 x $2 = $48


P5 Grid:

7: 4 (A), 6-8 (B), - (C)
8: 5-7 (A), - (B), 9-11 (C)
9: 3-7-12 (A), - (B), 6-9-10 (C)
10: 2-3 (A), - (B), 1-7 (C)
11: 2-10 (A), 11-12 (B), 1-6 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x2x3x2x4 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A's: 1x2x3x2x2 = 24 x .50 = $12


P4 Grid:

8: 5-7 (A), 11 (B), 1-9 (C)
9: 3-7-12 (A), - (B), 6-9-10 (C)
10: 2-3 (A), 1-7 (B), 1-7 (C)
11: 2-10 (A), 11-12 (B), 1-6 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x3x4x4 = 144 x .50 = $72
All A's: 2x3x2x2 = $24 ($12 for .50)

$0.50 Pick-4 (11/12/2/12) Paid $2,941.25


Good luck!
Steve

BOOM goes the Dynamite!!

Congrats and Thanks:tro::$:

Saratoga season has officially begun; what an amazing day.

Nice day today Steve!

Great work, Steve :tro:

Nice work Steve

Great job Steve!

Great job today on the structuring & handicapping, Steve!

Well done, Steve! :$:

Guys..

Thanks a lot.. That was a really fun day. As Nick Tammaro said on ATR Friday, this looked like the best betting card of the weekend. When Seeking the Soul won I had a good feeling about where things were going.

Hope everyone got something!

Strong work Steve!

Great job Steve. Way to pull some prices!!!

That's racing... One man's pain is another's pleasure...StS getting up in the last strides ripped my heart out of the early P4 but the last race was some consolation! Congrats on a fantastic day!
:tro: