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7/25: Saratoga (Day 3; Sanford)
Out of the gate in good order the first two days at the Spa, as despite any especially large hit, the full, competitive fields give us all a chance to right wrongs with any square success. Before looking at the notable trends and outcomes though, how about a pause to appreciate the season's first G1 tilt? Leading up to Saturday, we talked on ATR about the sure-to-prove fascinating 5 horse chess match that the CCAO appeared to be on paper, and the result was an instantly epic duel between Acorn winner It's Tricky and Kentucky Oaks heroine Plum Pretty that went decisively to the former.
The win by It's Tricky, who subtly moved from Darley maroon to Godolphin blue ahead of the event, confirmed what many said all winter about the emergent quality of the Mineshaft bay that was one of the last foal bred by the McNairs before selling their Stonerside operation. Other than the misstep of shipping It's Tricky to Gulfstream mid-winter for an Oaks try there, Kiaran and Neal McLaughlin, Artie Magnuson and their staff have been perfect with the pro-tem leader of the 3yo filly division. The Coaching Club ideally sets up a titanic Alabama, where most from Saturday's quintet are expected to be joined by Josie Carroll's Queens' Plate victress Inglorious and John Sadler's Hollywood Oaks winner Zazu. In terms of mutuel conversation from days one and two, why not wonder aloud how the Oaks result produced a $73.00 trifecta ($2) from the top three choices? Plum Pretty (1.80) and Royal Delta (2.00) were near co-favorites, with It's Tricky (4.40) shading Buster's Ready (4.40) as third choice. The bulbous return is indicative of how liquidity in the Saratoga pools helps rewards being correct joyously. From an individual win tote standpoint, Friday's 6th and Saturday's 4th were spots where simply gravitating toward contenders that were drifting away on the board proved lucrative whether you were rolling P3's or betting on the nose. Pico Dinero was 10-1 in the tough $20k/N2L on opening day, and was a $30 horse at points leading up to the race. He produced a $27.20 cash and $85 exacta (with Short Shrift) and $190 P3 taking advantage of a turf course kind to front end speed. Wishingonastar was 6-1 to start the wagering, and went into the gate at nearly twice that number to bingo for $24.60. When easy to have Dynafortwo and obvious Capital Market followed with their successful exploits, you had a $275.00 P3. Hope everyone is doing well and has been catching enough of the hits. Stay confident if not... It's a long meet. Before we turn attention to Day 3, quick mention should be made about Friday's James Marvin which saw likeable Jackson Band break a long losing skein. As I said on Capital OTB's "Loose on the Lead" Saturday, Nick Zito, assistant Tim Poole, Calder-based Stanley Gold, career resurrection hopeful Corey Nakatani and the plucky son of Hear No Evil, all should come away from the result feeling proud and good. Jackson Bend (108 Beyer) beat a diminished but still solid field of Forego aspirants, and though he is less likely to win that G1 later in the meet, he appears whole again after some over-reaching Triple Crown folly a year ago. Wayne Lukas deserves plaudits for having Hamazing Destiny ready for a stalwart effort of the layoff too, as the speedy 5yo Salt Lake -- second in the BC Sprint when last seen -- ran too well to lose. Sunday card features the G2 Sanford and Repole-Pletcher steamer Overdriven, but personal focus is the Maiden $20k 5th with Dee Tee Stables pleased to finally get Lloydobler into a race at the Spa. The handsome chestnut is as healthy as he's been in over a year, and gets back to the main track after three fitness-building jaunts on turf. Miguel Mena, who booted Ausable Chasm to the Lime and Royal's emotional Saratoga win a year ago, takes the reins and should fit the Smarty Jones gelding well. SARATOGA POST-SCRATCHES 1st: MSW, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super) Shakeira is nothing special as a 5-2 fave. Having Solis keeps her in the picture, but there are plenty of better options at square prices.. Most Likely: #9 Glory in Motion 5-1 3rd Exotics Use: #4 Lemon Tiger 6-1 6th Best Value: #8 Catchapenny K 15-1 8th Super Add: #5 Shakeira 5-2 2nd 2nd: NY-MSW, 2yo, 5.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super) Serpe, nursing a broke rib and ankle, sends the highly-likely and very short-priced Flying Zee entry.. NOTE: 1a The Prize Fighter is a SCR.. Most Likely: #4 Dehere of the Cat 7-2 WON ($6.50) Next Best: #2 Swag Daddy 4-1 6th Exotics Use: #5 Half Lit 5-1 2nd Super Add: #3 Readbytheline 12-1 4th 3rd: OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super) Typically tricky turf sprint.. Best Value: #9 Isn'tlovejustgrand 8-1 9th Next Best: #8 D'oro Dancer 4-1 6th Exotics Use: #2 Running Tap 12-1 5th Super Add: #6 Luigi P 15-1 2nmd 4th: OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD) Six betting interests but well-balanced.. Most Likely: #1a Happy Bull 2-1 WON ($4.10) Best Value: #3 Sun Dance Moon 6-1 5th Next Best: #4 Fordangshore 3-1 5th 5th: MDN CLM, 3+, 6f (P6, P3, DD, Super) I'm not sure I've ever selected a Dee Tee runner on top to avoid the hoodoo and 'homer' accusations, but Lloyd is my favorite, and return to dirt, outside draw, recent drills, hustling rider and big price all reasons to believe.. Best Value: #8 Lloydobler 15-1 8th Next Best: #11 Afleet's Acclaim 4-1 9th Exotics Use: #5 Lemon Ghost 10-1 4th Super Add: #9 War Colony 6-1 WON ($17.10) <$75 P4 Play: 2: 2-4 3: 2-8-9 4: 1-3-4-5 5: 4-5-8-9-11-12 2x3x4x6 = 144 x .50 = $72 6th:CLM, 3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super) Best Value: #6 Coaltown Legend 8-1 WON ($16.00) Next Best: #8 Katskill Bay 5-1 7th Exotics Use: #1 The Zipster 3-1 5th Super Add: #2 System Restore 15-1 2nd 7th: Irish Linnet-NY, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD, Super) Most Likely: #3 Gitchee Goomie 2-1 2nd Best Value: #8 Mystic City 10-1 4th Next Best: #9 Chorus Music 5-2 WON ($8.10) Super Add: #2 Paraiba 5-1 5th 8th: MSW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super) Interesting turf route for diploma seekers. Good betting opp.. Best Value: #5 Brilliant Future 6-1 2nd Next Best: #1 Enrichment 7-2 8th Exotics Use: #2 Splendid 15-1 6th Super Add: #3 Virtously 5-1 4th 9th: 97th Sanford (G2), 2yo, 6f (DD, Super) They have to run the race, but half brother of Smooth Air certainly will take some beating here after spectacular debut and plenty of time since.. Most Likely: #6 Overdriven 3-5 WON ($2.60) Best Value: #8 Jack in the Deck 10-1 3rd Next Best: #7 Power World 5-1 2nd Super Add: #1 Tarpy's Goal 12-1 5th 10th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (Super) Would love to come up with clever price here as the principals seem interchangeable -- usually a recipe for an upset.. Most Likely: #2 Frothy Market 7-2 6th Best Value: #12 Winery 6-1 9th Exotics Use: #1 She Drives Me Wild 3-1 3rd Super Add: #4 Lemme 5-1 7th <$75 P4 Play: 7: 2-3-8-9 8: 1-2-5-8 9: 6 10: 1-2-4-12 4x4x1x4 = $64 ($32 for .50) Good luck! Steve
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans Last edited by Kasept : 07-25-2011 at 05:14 AM. |
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Steve,
Great start to the Spa meet! Congrats and thanks as always for your tireless efforts. Here's to a great Sunday, and success and safe trip to Lloyd. Question on your early P4, in the second race, did you want to use the #2 with the one as listed, or the #5, your third choice as listed? Thanks again, and best of luck today and the rest of the meet! |
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__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans |
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Steve,
Nice to see you as always and Good Luck today with Lloyd. Great racing for sure.......and the Carolina BBQ briskets rocks by the way. Spyder
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. |
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Thx! Hope you're off to a good start and appreciate the support with Lloyd. Changes in the 2nd resulted in reworked play as it turns out... BOL today!
__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans |
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Good to see you... It's a tradition. Point and Pmac and Blaha, et al, were looking for you yesterday!
__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans |
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Steve
Hope you haven't jinxed Lloyd by picking him. He was my shot for the day. Form looks like he is coming around and if he runs back to his 70 Beyers head to the winner circle. |
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Quote:
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The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it - Lou Holtz |
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Agree. It's the Serling angle of going back about 5 races to find competitive figs. Good luck!
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race 2
p4 4,5/7,8/1,6/7,8,9,11,12 |
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welcome to the selections thread.
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"Let the whiners and lazy cry about how impossible "they've" made it to win at this game." - Steve Byk |
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Thanks.
3/4 gives me the right to tear my ticket up. Need to take all in those turf sprints. |
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Nice top pick in the 6th Steve!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
"Let the whiners and lazy cry about how impossible "they've" made it to win at this game." - Steve Byk |