8/13: Saratoga ($97k C/O; Adirondack/Saratoga Special)

[Kasept]

Saturday card at the Spa was another messy slate with a heavy downpour after the opener ending any hope for something close to normal conditions. As opposed to Friday when adjustments paid off handsomely, this day had its' moments but wasn't nearly as productive. After some minor success stringing winners together early, I whiffed completely on Benzel's Newton Crescent in the 5th and Kenneally's Majestic Hussar in the 6th and needed to start fresh from the 7th.

Noticing the curious presence of 'Super Add' P J's Magical Wink in the 8th ended up a key to the afternoon and when the 15-1 ML invader was 7-1 in the bulky field, you could sense that mojo was in play. I hit a nice win bob with the $21.20 runaway and was excited at the prospect of him starting the P4. Unfortunately, I left Shankapotamus off the quad play and the afternoon fizzled.

We did see a tremendous performance from Wise Dan in the feature as Charlie Lopresti righted the ship after a bit of a barn lull. Biding his time with an inside stalking trip, Wise Dan was never asked by Johnny Velazquez and simply ran away from Corporate Jungle when given his cue. It's hard to believe Morton Fink's exceedingly versatile Wiseman's Ferry 5yo won't be a top choice in the Breeders' Cup Mile.. Or the Dirt Mile.. Or the Turf Sprint down the hill.. Or the Classic. LOL. He's that versatile.

Second half of the meet starts today and after the middling start, I've seen that bankroll steadily get back into line. Kick off the day down about $300, but feeling very comfortable with the topsy-turvy nature of the daily action. Let's gear up for a big 3+ weeks to Labor Day! $97k carryover with the 2 turf races in the sequence still on the turf. Races 1-2-3-4 are off the yielding sod.


SARATOGA RACE COURSE


POST-SCRATCHES


RACES 1-2-3-4 OFF TURF; RACES 7-8 REMAIN ON


1st: NY-MSW, 3+, 5.5f-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Palace 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #14 Charging Order 5-1 5th
Next Best: #13 Fair Trade 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #10 Notesfromabroad 5-2 4th


2nd: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 7f-OFF THE TURF (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #16 Melissa Song 6-1 3rd
Best Value: #8 Difficult Creek 12-1 5th
Next Best: #7 My Sparky 3-1 WON ($7.80)
Exotics Use: #15 Knight of Thunder 5-1 2nd


3rd: CLM, F&M-3+, 9f-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Dream Pegasus 8-1 6th
Best Value: #12 Truly Devoted 10-1 Eased
Next Best: #3 Cindy's Joy 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 Kittylicious 15-1 7th


4th: CLM, 3+, 9f-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Quick Recovery 7-2 6th
Best Value: #4 Imperial Robyn 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Red Jack 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #10 Political Justice 12-1 WON ($8.40)


5th: NY-OC/N1X, 3+, 5.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Game Token 3-1 7th
Best Value: #1 Readbytheline 10-1 5th
Next Best: #7 B Shanny 5-2 WON ($$4.50)
Exotics Use: #2 Half Nelson 8-1 6th

.10 SUPER: Key 5 in 1st/2nd with 1-2-6-7-11 (1x5x4x3 [60] + 5x1x4x3 [60] = 120 x .10 = $12.00


<$75 P4 Play:

2: 7-8-16
3: 3-6-8-12
4: 3-4-7-10
5: 1-5-7

3x4x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72


6th: MSW, 2yo-F, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

$97k C/O starts here..

Derby Eve a full sister of Colonel John and Beat the Drums (Smart Strike) SCR is out of the wonderful Storm Flag Flying. But Seasoned Warrior is the one exiting her BEL debut behind Baby J. Single to start your P6..

Most Likely: #8 Seasoned Warrior 8-5 WON ($3.10)
Best Value: #3 Distortion 8-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Toasting 6-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Bliss 5-1 2nd


7th: MSW, 2yo-F, 8.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

As straightforward as the 6th feels, this group has as a lot of mystery to it. Turf moves. Stretchouts. Firsters. And an Arky bred! (Minnie Bear). Chad Brown's Atlantic Dream a full to MGSW Icy Atlantic..

Best Value: #9 Minnie Bear 8-1 9th
Next Best: #3 Atlantic Dream 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Alluring Lady 10-1 8th
Super Add: #10 Oscar Party 12-1 3rd


8th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Heart of Destiny 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Off Limits 5-1 5th
Exotics Use: #9 Tapit Dancer 6-1 WON ($10.40)
Super Add: #11 All for Georgia 20-1 7th

.10 SUPER: 2-6 with 1-2-6-9-10-11 with 1-2-6-9-10-11 with 1-2-6-9-10-11 (2x5x4x3 = 120 x .10 = $12.00)


9th: NY-MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Meghan's Fury, Appealetta & Lumberjane all make the big El Droppo from NY-MSW to NY-$20k. Have to figure at least one of them takes the wake up call. Anchovy, Fruttidimare & Stone Maker are knocking on this door a second time. Quagmire race and note there is an apparent lack of speed. If you believe Anchovy -- or possibly Sheila's Gold -- grabs the point, you may have a merry chase on your hands because nothing is more dangerous than lone speed going 7/8ths. Andy Serling taught me that 15 years ago..

Most Likely: #1 Anchovy 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #12 Outlaw Cody Z 8-1 6th
Next Best: #8 Appealetta 12-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #11 Shiela's Gold 20-1 7th


10th: 96th Adirondack (G2), 2yo-F, 6.5f (DD)

Narrow P6 tix will have to live with Kauai Katie..

Most Likely: #3 Kauai Katie 2-5 WON ($2.80)
Best Value: #6 Salamera 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Vitamera 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Fully Living 12-1 3rd


11th: 107th Sratoga Special (G2), 2yo, 6.5f

Woodbine shipper Dan the Tin Man, a Songandaprayer son, could explode first dirt..

Favorite Shanghai Bobby a surprise SCR..

Best Value: #5 Dan the Tin Man 8-1 6th
Next Best: #3 Spurious Precision 5-2 WON ($3.50)
Exotics Use: #1 In Harm's Way 6-1 3rd
Super Add: #7 Drum Roll 5-1 4th


<$200 P6 Play:

6: 8
7: 3-4-5-6-9-10
8: 2-6
9: 1-8-11-12
10: 3
11: 3-5

1x6x2x4x1x2 = 96 x $2 = $192


<$75 P4 Play:

8: 1-2-6-9-10-11
9: 1-2-6-8-11-12
10: 3
11: 1-3-5-7

6x6x1x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (9-2-1/3-3/6) 4 Correct Paid: $41.35


Good luck!
Steve