8/22: Saratoga (Day 26; Alabama)

[Kasept]

Highly anticipated nightcap fell apart at the Spa Friday when morning rocket ship Marking flipped in the gate and took $1.6MM Farraj out with him. Marking has been brilliant prepping for hisdebut but came with a warning tag about his gate deportment. Now Kiaran McLaughlin really has a problem on his hands, because once they have an experience like that, it can be difficult to cure.

At Del Mar, the winners were not especially hard to identify ($11.80, $11.40, $15.20, $4.00, $17.80, $6.60) in the huge double carry P6, but it was tricky getting them all on one ticket. A healthy total of 37 players scored and were appropriately rewarded to the tune of $33k.

Amazing that there was again so much intense action on a weekday afternoon and evening! Hope everyone did OK.. Alabama Day at Saratoga.. Excellent Monmouth Oaks on the Shore.. Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar..


SARATOGA


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: NY-CLM, F&M-3+, 7f (P5, P3, DD)

Competitive sextet. Cancel has been very good on front end and light Bridgetta can take them start to finish..

Most Likely: #2 Bridgetta 7-2 5th
Best Value: #6 Run a Dubb Dubb 5-1 WON ($8.70)
Next Best: #4 Hot Rendezvous 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #3 Touching My Toes 5-1 2nd


2nd: CLM, 3+, 9.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Assembly of quality horseflesh with many stakes veterans knocking heads for a quarter..

Most Likely: #4 Vinceremos 4-1 4th
Best Value: #7 Dreams Cut Short 6-1 WON ($8.80)
Next Best: #1 Here's Johnny 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Cozy Kitten 5-2 3rd


3rd: NY-ALW/N1X,

Hard to argue with the favorites here. Sidearm acquisition and run back right in Gullo's wheelhouse and Sidearm starts out as second choice..

Most Likely: #5 Sidearm 5-2 WON ($5.70)
Next Best: #8 Giantinthemoonlite 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #7 Jai Alai 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #6 David Rocks 7-2 5th


4th: MSW, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Very hard read on this collection of misfit toys whose careers appear to be going nowhere fast. Hardcore can certainly wire though there's pressure. Sudestada and May Flowers have been competitive in these races. Neilinger is worth inclusion on tri and super bottoms. Blame Dixie cost $300k and has been terrible, but her dam happens to be a sister of the turf-talented SW's Love Cove and Half Heaven, so there's a hint that this assignment might fit her..

Most Likely: #8 Hardcore 3-1 4th
Best Value: #5 Blame Dixie 5-1 8th
Next Best: #6 May Flowers 7-2 WON ($9.50)
Exotics Use: #7 Sudestada 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 Neilinger 20-1 5th


5th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Quite a can of assorted nuts with breeding products of PA, KY, IN, NY and CA represented. In addition to their far flung heritage, this set last raced at PEN, MTH, SAR, DEL, ELP, SA and BEL, so you've got a tricky set of company lines to evaluate. Pace has potential to heat up, but that's far from a certainty. Royal Saint makes 3yo debut here and has the most upside. Barn doesn't reach for Castellano too often either..

Most Likely: #6 ROYAL SAINT 4-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Bucchero 3-1 6th
Best Value: #2 Instructor Kunu 10-1 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Day of Fury 5-1 7th


P5 Grid:

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

Simple (A+B): 4x4x2x3x1 = 96 x .50 = $48


P4 Grid:

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

Simple (A+B): 4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72


6th: MSW, 2yo, 8.5f-IT (P6, P32, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Life Imitates Art 2-1 2nd
Best Value: #9 Isotherm 8-1 WON ($10.00)
Next Best: #7 Zero Hour 7-2 9th
Exotics Use: #4 Hunter O'Riley 15-1 3rd


7th: Troy, 3+, 5.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Refuse to give up on Spring to the Sky (8-1) who appears to be circling back around to best form..

Best Value: #4 Spring to the Sky 8-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Shore Runner 2-1 WON ($4.80)
Exotics Use: #1 Something Extra 5-2 4th
Super Add: #9 Sandy'z Slew Late SCR


8th: MSW, 2yo, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

In addition to the obvious below, Forevamo 4th and Sheikh of Sheikhs WON ($15.20) ready for spot as well..

Best Value: #8 Gift Box 8-1: Stonetastic half; Professional in morning.. 3rd
Next Best: #1 Patrick's Day 5-2: Talented & prepared but post no bargain.. 6th
Exotics Use: #5 Portfolio Manager 7-2: Strong worktab on other C. Brown.. 2nd
Super Add: #6 Sky High Skyler 30-1: Found Uncle Vinny in bow; Working well.. 10th


9th: OPT CLM/C, 3+, 9.5f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #9 Taghleeb 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Film Making 8-1 6th
Next Best: #3 Zambian Dream 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Top Billing 5-1 9th


10th: Alabama (G1), 3yo-F, 10f (DD)

Petite Super Saver daughter Embellish the Lace is a half to Travers winner Afleet Express, so the bloodlines are in place for success at this unique challenge for sophomore girls. With a return to the kind of fractions she saw in her wins before the red hot Mother Goose, Embellish the Lace can gallop her foes into submission. Will need to withstand waves of pressure, but may be up to the task at a bonus tote. Lovely Maria arrives in the Spa City with the same team that brought you Proud Spell in '08, but that Brere Jones Kentucky Oaks winner ripped through the Delaware Oaks after being stunned by Music Note in the Mother Goose. Proud Spell then turned the table on Music Note in an epic Alabama and Lovely Maria will have to right her ship after a dull DEL run that was blamed on a respiratory issue. Working sharp for this and will try a stalk and pounce trip. The CCA Oaks pair (Curalina/I'm a Chatterbox) are both solid, though neither glistens with appeal here..

Best Value: #5 Embellish the Lace 10-1 WON ($14.00)
Next Best: #3 Lovely Maria 5-1 6th
Exotics Use: #2 Curalina 7-5 3rd
Super Add: #6 Include Betty 8-1 5th


11th: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Most Likely: #10 My Senses 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #9 Showersofsweetness 15-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Il Mulino 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Forensic 3-1 5th


P4 Grid:

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

Simple (A+B): 6x4x2x3 = 144 x .50 = $72


Good luck!
Steve

[Kasept]

SAR SCR/CHG'S