SAR: Day 6 (End Week 1)

[Kasept]

NYRA Racing Secretary P.J. Campo joined us on "At the Races and Beyond" last night and we congratulated him on a great first year on the job. I might have thought to tell him he cost me at least 6 hours of handicapping time for Wednesday's impossible Opening Day card! Full fields and tricky reads abound on this 10 race menu, and I'll tread very lightly at the windows myself, prefering to get a feel for how the meet will unfold.


SELECTIONS -- Saratoga (7/26) Races 1-10


1st: Clm, 4+, 8.5f-T

1. #3 Massoud 7-2: Motion adds Johnny V. to package for return WON
2. #9 Forget the Judge 9-2: Formful Parisella veteran likes course 7th
A. #8 Hunting Hillbilly 8-1: Clever Foley lures Prado 4th
B. #11 Noah A 10: Inviting price on hot Kimmellast out winner

LONGSHOT ALERT: Gyarmati-Luzzi return #2 Sweetiewheatie (20-1) 3rd from ALW company to level of win three back.. Has board shot in brutally tough start to meet..


2nd: MSW, 3+, 6f

1. #1 bin Suroor Entry 3-5: Difficult to deny 1a Rondo 2nd off break WON
2. #3 Calculated Risk 8-1: Phipps bay looks ready to shine; Faced good ones 4th
A. #6 Vision of Sunrise 10-1: Bush rednut away since summer '05; nice drills 3rd
B. #8 Marquet Desire 6-1: Destefano has won 3 of last 5 2nd time starters 2nd

EX BX: $12.80
TRI BX: $41.20


3rd: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 6f

1. #4 Sultry City 12-1: Lostrito red just missed v. N2L open claimers in last 8th
2. #3 I'm a Yankee 5-2: Tagg gelding in form and always close 2nd
A. #1 Benlayla 4-1: Returns to Corny after odd trip in Mike Lee last out 3rd
B. #6 Woodmere 5-1: Schwartz-Luzzi are 5/1-2-1-1 with him since April 10th

LONGSHOT ALERT: Terranova's #5 Speedjama (15-1) 5thgets three karma moves going turf to dirt; addition of Bejarano and first decent post in last three..


4th: NYB-OC/N2X, 3+, 5.5f-T

1. #1 Wave the Baton 3-1: Clement-Karches bay exits key race; Cuts back 2nd
2. #4 Imperial Zip 6-1: City Zip turf firsters hitting at 20% 4th
A. #5 Thanasi 15-1: Sarris family homebred has faced better 7th
B. #9 Silver Timber 7-2: Rice excellent 2nd off break; Mig gets pace set-up WON

EX BX: $24.60


5th: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f

1. #3 City Snitch 9-2: Biancone bay by Carson City ran better than it looks WON
2. #5 First Degree 6-1: $1,000,000 Lukas-Lewis buy adds Lasix 4th
A. #9 Consecration 7-2: Shug Pulpit player chased nice Soaring By in debut 2nd
B. #11 Media City 8-1: Expensive Darley chestnut working nicely for bow 3rd

LONGSHOT ALERT: #6 Sweet Strawberry (50-1) 8thhas pair of eye-popping drills for first career start..

EX BX: $21.40
TRI BX: $113.00
SUPER BX: $300.50


6th: OC/N1X, 3+, 7f

1. #4 Memphis Mon 15-1: Take swipe in tough heat; Jerkens bay working super 4th
2. #8 Political Force 6-1: Chief's nice grey chased Discreet and Bluegrass Cat 3rd
A. #10 Spring at Last 9-2: Pletcher WinStar first out winner stalks SCR
B. #2e Frankel entry 7-2: 2b South of Broad prefered; Comes East from HOL 6th


7th: OC/$, 4+, 6.5f

1. #1 Awesome Twist 4-1: Lone closer in field o' speed WON
2. #8 Spanish Chestnut 7-2: Biancone oddity never runs for me 3rd
A. #2 I'm the Tiger 2-1: Frankel's Gr. I DeFrancis winner returns 2nd
B. #6 Better Than Bonds 15-1: In Motion we trust; Stakes placed bay fits SCR


8th: The Rogues Walk, $70,000, NYB-F&M, 3+, 7f

1. #2 Paige Nicole 5-1: Tony Dutrow's Lite the Fuse bay always gets a check 6th
2. #5 Carlow 12-1: Obscure connections tab Javy for FL stakes winner 5th
A. #1 Great Lady K 8-1: Mr. Jerkens' red figures to appreciate cutback 2nd
B. #3 Sweet Sweet 2-1: Nice Hushion runner gets pace pressure from bell 8th


9th: 88th Schylerville (Gr. III), 2yo fillies, 6f

1. #5 Frances G 8-1: Happy to try sharp horsewoman Pitts and Borel here 8th
2. #1e Zayat entry 4-1: Ownership pair both eligible off good debuts 3rd
A. #2 Expertise 12-1: Can't pass up big price on a Lucas-Lewis 2yo filly 4th
B. #7 Cotton Blossom 4-1: 2nd of 2 Pletchers may have won key race 1st out WON


10th: MSW, 3+, 1m-IT

1. #1 John's Song 15-1: Serpe gets Leparoux; Stalker had impossible #11 last 3rd
2. #2 Exton 4-1: Mott bay gelding finally gets decent launching pad 4th
A. #9 Mach Three 7-2: First wiseguy horse of the meet stretches for Clement 6th
B. #6 Pulpiteer 10-1: Erratic $900,000 Albertrani red gets 2nd turf try 7th
C. #5 Ben's League 15-1: Saratoga native Simon too clever to pass up here 9th


Late $1 P4:

7: 1-2
8: 2-5
9: 1e-5
10: 1-2-5-6-7-9

2x2x2x6 = $48


Good luck on what should be a great Saratoga meet!
Steve

Steve,

Thanks for all your great info on air and on the site. I have a stupid, newbie question: How do I read you selections? What do 1 and 2, and A and B mean? I'm sure I'm being dumb, but I am sometimes.

Thanks

[timmgirvan]

Chaser: 1 and 2 denote first and second selections and A/B denote parts of an entry. The inner numbers like #3,#4, denote post positions. Hope that helps!

[Scav]

Love Political Force here, but I think he is going to get pounded at the windows. Cheif blew him out yesterday, 35 and change from the gate, should run huge but you will get NONE of that 6/1

Way to start the meet out with a winner.

Chaser,

Think you got some incorrect info as to his selections.

Steve will probably respond directly but I think the 1 & 2 are his main selections and his a & b are extended picks.

As you see at the end of his posting you will see a suggested wager. Usually the 1's and 2's are used to keep the price of the ticket down but if you want to spend more you will use his a & b picks. That is why his suggested pick four ticket costs $48. In the 10th he must have felt it was very contentious and in this race he suggests to use all horses mentioned.

If you had extended your bet and used more of his a & b choices your ticket would increase in price accordingly.

Hope this helps but I am sure he will answer your question directly and be more helpful.

Miller

Miller,

Thanks for the clarification. I still wasn't clear, but felt too foolish to ask again.

[Kasept]

Four winners to open the Toga meet, and we'll take the modest exotic successes (3 exactas, 2 tris, 1 super) to escape a tough Day One card... Hope you did OK! It was a beautiful day here at the Spa, and a fine commencement to what looks like a great 6 weeks... Thursday's card is less exciting, but a $64,000 carryover beckons... Selections below..

SELECTIONS -- SAR (7/27) R2-9


1st: Jumpers! Box the longest shots on the board.. (Our only steeplechase advice)..


2nd: MSW, 2yo fillies, 5.5f

1. #1e Jerkens entry 3-1 3rd/10th
2. #8 Steel Millie 12-1 7th
A. #7 Cool the Economy 8-1 WON
B. #4 Silver Fountain 10-1 8th


3rd: ALW/N2X, 3+, 9f-T

1. #2 Dynaglider 9-2 4th
2. #3 Tiverton 5-1 2nd
A. #7 Crossword 5-2 9th
B. #6 Defer 7-2 WON

EX BX: $53.50


4th: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

1. #5 Elle Belle 4-1 2nd
2. #7 Captive Melody 2-1 WON
A. #9 Anxiety 6-1 5th
B. #2 Lenape Legend 12-1 3rd

LONGSHOT ALERT: #3 Royal Irish Lass (20-1) 6th

EX BX: $16.60
TRI BOX: $129.50


5th: CLM, 3yo, 6f (Superfecta race)

1. #3 Saint Jules 8-1 9th
2. #10 It's the Ritz 3-1 3rd
A. #7 Hurry Up Hillard 12-1 12th
B. #5 Closing Bell 4-1 11th

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER THROW-IN: #9 Honest Expectation (20-1) 7th


6th: NYB-MSW, 3+, 6f

1. #4 Say Revain 5-2 SCR
2. #1 First Expression 9-2 2nd
A. #6 Tough and Easy 7-2 WON
B. #11 L C Winston 8-1 11th

EX BX: $18.60


7th: CLM, 3yo, 8.5f-T

1. #8 Res Ispa 8-1 7th
2. #5 Mascot 4-1 WON
A. #4 Rocky Blue 5-1 3rd
B. #3 New Awakening 7-2 4th


8th: 92nd Sanford (Gr. II), $150,000, 2yo, 6f

1. #5 Trip to the Bank 5-2 4th
2. #4 Scat Daddy 1-1 WON
3. #3 War Wolf 2-1 3rd


9th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 9f-T (Superfecta race)

1. #6 Secret Agent 3-1 4th
2. #10 Takeh 15-1 7th
A. #2 Boysik 12-1 8th
B. #3 Dreamin of Victory 8-1 WON
C. #11 Buxton Hill 7-2 9th


<$100 P6 Play:

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

4x1x3x1x2x2 = 48 x $2 = $96

Enjoy Day 2 at the Spa!
Steve

[Kasept]

A better day "live" at the track on SAR Day 2 than on paper.. The inclusion of Also Eligible Solewisher (#10) brought down the generous $400+ trifecta when strangely underbet Mascot and Rocky Blue sandwiched the 2-1 'draw-in'.. The most satisfying element of the 'spot' play was seeing our friend Lorene Tessitore of Scotia hit the triple on our recco with just a box of the three top finishers ($6).

Her husband Don and I cook up a large buffet Sunday afternoons during the meet, with his tremendous Eggplant Parm and Chicken Napolean being just two of the highlights! Lori was on the skids yesterday and was mighty pleased to hit one the day's better returns!

Weather is hot and hotter with hottest apparently around the corner! We're looking to heat up as well with a great Saturday card drawn yesterday... Hope you're off to a good start.


SELECTIONS -- Saratoga, 7/28: R1-9


1st: CLM, F&M-3+, 6f

1. #1e A. & R. Dutrow entry 7-5: Prado and J.R. ride for Tony and Rick!
2. #8 Jules for A.J. 3-1: Can stalk or go
A. #2 Citi Prancer 10-1: SUF visitor can trip; Shades of Rockingham ship-ins
B. #4 Friendship Circle 9-2: Parisella good with "first time barn" starters


2nd: MSW, 3+, 9f

1. #6 Extreme Supreme 5-2: Exactly where do the Ward-Oxley sophs end?
2. #2e Darley entry 3-1: Albertrani's Tall Story had time to recover from big try
A. #4 Act of Contrition 4-1: Reynolds' bay 0 for 7 but tries hard
B. #1e Zito entry 6-1: 1a Orlov can impose with return to level two back


3rd: ALW/N2X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

1. #2 Crystal Current 5-1: Would be thrilled to get 5-1 on Mott listed winner
2. #1e Pregman entry 6-1: 1a Regina Madre acquires Edgar's services
A. #8 Cours de la Reine 10-1: Clever Nicks tabs JJ to ride; IRE-bred upticking
B. #3 Karen's Caper 1-1: Strange placement for Frankel's War Chant miss


4th: NYB-MSW, 2yo fillies, 5.5f

1. #9 Distinct Pleasure 12-1: DW Carroll-Pont St. debut gal can 'run a bit'
2. #1 Crosstown Traffic 5-1: Kimmel hitting on most cylinders
A. #6 Jocasse 3-1: No reason to exclude any Pletcher firster
B. #10 Kall Me K 20-1: Kelly Kip babies usually quick on the uptake


5th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 5.5f (Superfecta race)

1. #5 Heavenly Anna 3-1: Jumped up last; Adds Bejarano
2. #4 Sacre Via 8-1: 1 for 16 O'Brien lass goes Sutherland to Johnny V.
A. #9 Sun Lucky 8-1: Rice grabs Corny for speedsters return to lawn
B. #1 Brooke Haley 5-1: Dutrow miss exits key race v. couple good ones
C. #8 Maricopa 5-1: Pace pressing type caught yielding in sod bow


6th: NYB-MSW, F&M-3+, 6f

1. #7 Lady Rizzi 3-1: Rice bay has been 2nd thrice with trouble in each
2. #8 Karakorum Knockout 7-2: Odinitz-Kent D. 2 of 5 as team
A. #9 Ethics Aside 15-1: Schosberg gal had rail, bad break in debut
B. #10 Crush N Run 6-1: Note Smith-Levine 3 for 3; Faced Sun Lucky (in 5th)

LONGSHOT ALERT: #12 Ada's Diamond (15-1)showed speed in debut; goes T2D; gets Leparoux; will be lost on toteboard


7th: CLM, 3+, 9f

A very good race considering the level..

1. #7 Hongkong 3-1: A. Dutrow red takes slight drop; Likes to win
2. #Valiant King 10-1: Labocetta 7yo ITM 5 of 5 this trip; Gets Raffie
A. #2 Be Cool Fool 8-1: Doubt price holds and invader may be more mudlark
B. #6 Dual Jewels 5-1: Time for Contessa to unveil upstate version of his act


8th: 11th Lake George (Gr. III), $100,000, 3yo fillies, 8.5f-T

1. #7 Magnificent Song 3-1: Can Pletcher win every feature? Chased 'Venice'
2. #2 Southern Protocol 10-1: ALW winner gives away class edge; Keeps JJ
A. #6 Quite a Bride 2-1: Mott red carries 4 race streak in; No pace relief here
B. #4 Pyramid Love 6-1: Hard to exclude any mystery candidate from this T-J


9th: NYB-MSW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (Superfecta race)

1. #6 Jetastick 6-1: Klesaris AP Jet improves launching spot; Keeps Edgar
2. #12 Dove Wing 15-1: Inviting tab on Laudati red that flies home
A. #13 Bella Attrice 5-2: Lewis-Luzzi late-runner has been close in both tries
B. #3 Hot Truck Honey 4-1: Weaver chestnut 'steadied repeatedly' last
C. #9 Clear Heels 10-1: Rudy R. fighting for mounts; Was third Thurs on bomb

Good luck!
Steve

[TitanSooner]

Nice $31 horse in the 4th.. Thanks!

I took a shot for $2 on his maiden 2yr old fillies pick too, considering I had no idea what to do. Excellent pick. I used his picks like a Lawton Sheet. Usually they are very good.

[timmgirvan]

God Bless you, Steve! I'd been losin my behind ALL day and you worked your Magic with the Longshot ADAS DIAMOND and I hit for the $1 tribox...1753.00 That is now my largest score...thanks to you! TMG

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Kasept

8th: 11th Lake George (Gr. III), $100,000, 3yo fillies, 8.5f-T

1. #7 Magnificent Song 3-1: Can Pletcher win every feature? Chased 'Venice'
2. #2 Southern Protocol 10-1: ALW winner gives away class edge; Keeps JJ
A. #6 Quite a Bride 2-1: Mott red carries 4 race streak in; No pace relief here
B. #4 Pyramid Love 6-1: Hard to exclude any mystery candidate from this T-J
Steve

Great pick in the 6th - congrats!

Just thought I'd check to see if you included Christmas Stocking here..... I guess I'm the only one who likes her so she'll probably be last.

[tycharles01]

Steve GREAT PICKS Keep it up SAT!!!!

Got to ask you, Would love to hear what you think about the Wash Park at Arlington??

Can't wait maybe another 34/1

[ceejay]

Looks like a good day for you Steve! I hope you tied up that 9-horse in some multi-race exotics.

Surprising that this card would produce a carry with 2 "all"'s in the results due to off-the-turf....

[Kasept]

An absolustely wild day at the Spa Friday as heavy rains send the card into a tizzy and huge prices do the same to players! More "on top" success than exotics wins, but was able to get pieces of several of the big numbers... Friends Del Carroll and Pont Street Stables' nice firster Distinct Pleasure scored at 15-1, Longshot Alert candidate Ada's Diamond lit it up at 34-1 and Pletcher's Magnificent Song was overlaid at 3-1... Looks like several of you took advantage!


SELECTIONS -- Saratoga, 7/29


1st: CLM, 4+, 8.5f-IT

1. #1 Battle Chant 5-2: Motion repeas of Day One opener? Ramon in town
2. #9 Planets Aligned 10-1: Woke up with move to platers, Espo
A. #4 I've Got Speed 15-1: Capable Farro grabs Coa for stalking invader
B. #7 Whole Nine Yards 12-1: Forgive off turf effort and Romans/Ramsey fits


2nd: MSW, 2yo, 6f

1. #4 Pegasus Wind 7-2: Lukas-Bejarano
2. #7 Monsieur Fruchon 4-1: Biancone-Leparoux
A. #9 Bullara 2-1: Pletcher-Velasquez
B. #2 First Defense 6-1: Frankel-Castellano


3rd: ALW/N2X, 3+, 9f

A very tough ALW with many familiar names.. Must admit to not having a firm opinion here.. Could literally go any way..

1. #3 Sir Halory 9-2: Bobby sticks with Rudy R; Getting him a SAR win?
2. #1e Corinthian/Reverberate 8-5: Centennial pair both have talent
A. #6 Scipion 4-1: Might appreciate the cutback
B. #2 Take the Bluff 6-1: Violette gave plenty of time; Needed main all along?


4th: NYB-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 5.5f (Superfecta race)

1. #5 Naveah 4-1: T. Dutrow red lone closer in speedy set
2. #4 Fly to Me 5-1: Capable Ferraro has history of Rochester-Saratoga success
A. #7 Stand by the Phone 7-2: Bush adds Leparoux to solid Phone Trick filly
B. #6 She'stenontop 10-1: Savvy $6,250 claim has faced good Empire gals


5th: NYB-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-T

1. #3 Saturday's Cat 7-2: Romans' Purdadel colt jumped up first time sod
2. #2 Speaking Out 3-1: KO'B gelding just missing
A. #1e R. Dutrow entry 8-1: #1 My Apology worked well after pace collapse
B. #9 Stately Pegasus 8-1: Broman FuPeg grey streadied last; Chased Solewisher (2nd Thursday)

NOTE: Also eligible #14 Strikeuptheblues (6-1) is playable if he gets in..


6th: CLM, 3yo, 6f

1. #4 Rockhewn 8-1: Appealing tote on last out winner with Johnny V
2. #5 Stash the Boots 12-1: Imperio's own 6yo rarely runs a bad one
A. #1e Dutrow entry 5-2: Hey look! Another 'can't exclude' Dutrow entry!
B. #7 Mr. Fourth of July 8-1: Serpe-Leparoux-Flying Zee off to good meet start


7th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 1m-IT

1. #5 Habsburg 4-1: Zippy Darley red bred to love the lawn
2. #4 Louche 30-1: Taking flyer on ground-saver that should like stretchout
A. #3 Kid Carousel 6-1: Mott comebacker a fit if able to run to diploma fig
B. #8 Patriot Game 15-1: Zito-Farmer red faced toughies


8th: 68th Diana Handicap, Gr. I, $500,000, F&M-3+, 9f-T

1. #6 Lady of Venice 2-1: Daring gambit by Patrick placing 3yo v. elders now should pay off; Scary good and flattered Friday by Magnificent Song

2. #7 My Typhoon 8-1: Classy Live Oak red has never missed a check and has only failed versus the best F&M's on the scene

A. #2 Angara 3-1: Other Mott player doesn't seem to mind off going on lawn and was third in this a year ago

B. #4 Sweet Talker 10-1: Refuse to not include our man Motion with Ramon coming into town to ride


9th: 43rd Jim Dandy, Gr. II, $500,000, 3yo, 9f

1. #4 Bernardini 4-5: Simply may be best we've seen in a long time

2. #1e Ward entry 5-2: Good pair of deep Oxley sophomore group

3. #2 Sunriver 7-2: Not denying he's nice.. Just seems a notch below top of crop


10th: NYB-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T

1. #12 All You Need 8-1: Not pasing up 8-1 on Edgar-Dutrow
2. #4 Mohegan Sky 3-1: Rice looking like she has stable poised for meet
A. #2 Curtana 20-1: Nice number on Bush-Leparoux goggle-added gal
B. #6 Madame Music 10-1: Donk's Brahms bay cuts back
C. #9 Willshefire 4-1: Lewis-Luzzi miss trims half furlong


Good luck..
Steve

[AeWingnut]

Sorry Steve.. I had to pick some of the same horse

I have the heaviest $2 in racing
they can't carry me and you

A little chalky, but I like Rockhewn. I will stick with your 2yr old picks though. Hard to pick against the favorites today but I think the heat will be a factor.

[swedejxn]

Just throwing a few out for comparison....

1.. 1-8
2. 4-7
3. 6-3
4. 5-(7or9)
5. 1-12
6. 11-9 cant give up on (Impeachthepro)
7. 6-7
8. LofVenice is going to be the best of this bunch.... but cant make any money like this.... 7-4

9. Maybe Oh So Awesome if he wins.... 3-4

try 4-3- all and 3-4-all in the tris...

10. 6 and 12 about the same....

[ceejay]

This play allows 2 or less ML favorites to win. Key longshot may be Sweet talker in the Di. Thinking she could steal it up front.

% table below: