8/3: Saratoga (Day 15; Waya)

[Kasept]

Thoroughly terrific Whitney Day at Saratoga Saturday with a tremendous card that whistled by in front of an appreciative, enthusiastic crowd. Proving once again that horseplayers relish big days and competitive action, the 11 race slate generated a stunning $27.8MM in handle from a myriad of exciting and notable heats. While the Moreno win in the Whitney was a fascinating apex of the afternoon, the thrilling Test was undoubtedly the highlight; a frantic finish offering 4 superb efforts from the superfecta quartet with Sweet Reason.

Graham Motion swept the 2yo maiden events with gargantuan turf baby Strong Coffee and resolute main track 2nd start winner Pride of Stride. Strong Coffee's win continues the remarkable freshman stallion success of Warrior's Reward as the 6th debut tally for his progeny in just 10 unveilings.

Went into Saturday looking for price plays and the the front half of the afternoon went well with alternatives to the favorites clicking with alacrity. But aside from Moreno's 9-1 tote in the feature, one or other of the top 2 public choices prevailed in the 6th-11th. Still, a good day overall from every vantage point. Hope everyone did well!


SARATOGA RACE COURSE


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: MSW, 2yo-F, 6f (P5, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Feathered 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #3 Kinsley 2-1 4th
Best Value: #1 Harbouring 8-1 3rd


2nd: OC/N2X, 3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #4 Summer Breezing 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Partly Mocha 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #6 Banzai Charge 8-1 WON ($12.60)


3rd: MSW, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Prefer the firsters..

Most Likely: #5 March Too 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Sherifco 10-1 5th
Next Best: #4 Flat Jack 2-1 2nd


4th: NY-ALW/C, 3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Kharafa 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #10 Barrel of Love 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Compliance Officer 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #9 Front 8-1 4th


5th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

Saucon Valley SCR'D being given away but that doesn't mean she needs to be avoided. With Delite freshened and likely ready to fire..

Best Value: #11 With Delite 6-1 10th
Next Best: #3 South Sound 5-2 WON ($3.40)
Exotics Use: #7 Little Gidding 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #5 Mononoke 8-1 4th


P5/P4 Grid:

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


6th: CLM/N3L, 3+, 1m-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

Fun betting affair with plenty of prices (1-6-10-11-12) to feather in with the solid faves (5-8)..

Most Likely: #8 Shining Copper 3-1 WON ($3.40)
Best Value: #1 Mop Head 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Dream Man 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #11 Chief Cochise 15-1 8th


7th: MCLM/$75k, F&M-2yo, 5.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Milista 3-1 7th
Best Value: #8 Replay Runaway 15-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Mercer Mill Mae 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Ex Wives 10-1 9th
Super Add: #3 No Shanks 6-1 5th


8th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Political Courage 4-1 7th
Best Value: #6 Nubin Ridge 10-1 8th
Next Best: #10 Cage Fighter 8-5 2nd
Exotics Use: #9 Precious Metal 8-1 4th


9th: Waya, F&M-3+, 12f-IT (DD)

Crazily well-matched and of course the pace scenario is completely muddled. No bad concepts..

Most Likely: #8 Inimitable Romanee 9-2 9th
Best Value: #10 English Class 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #12 Gulsary 5-1 4th
Exotics Use: #13 Cat's Claw 6-1 WON ($28.40)


10th: MCLM/$40k, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T

Fun nightcap. Seems a good spot to take shot(s)..

Best Value: #9 Reckless Move 10-1 8th
Next Best: #7 Costenia 5-1 WON ($14.00)
Exotics Use: #1 Little Miss Brown 3-1 3rd-DH
Super Add: #8 Town Leader 10-1 5th


P4 Grid:

7: 1 (A), 7-8 (B), 3-4 (C)
8: 1-6 (A), 9-10 (B), 8 (C)
9: 8-10 (A), 12-13 (B), 3-7-9-11 (C)
10: 7-9 (A), 1 (B), 8-12 (C)


Good luck!
Steve