Hey folks, Cornelio and I didn’t break the bank at Saratoga last weekend for the Jim Dandy, but we definitely didn’t hit it rich either. Throw in a Sunday spent blowing $30 trying to beat American Pharoah and we’re going to have to hit the track again this weekend for the Whitney if we ever want to make it rich. With that said, this week we took a full 5 races from Saratoga and one from Del Mar for this week’s challenge. Good Luck to All.
Race 1: The Lure Stakes.
Race 1 is the Lure stakes, and our smallest field. You may just end up using 3 picks in this race, unless you want o leave out one of these talented 3. Reload is fast, sired by Hard Spun, gets talented Castellano on top, and looks pretty much sure to bounce back from a 4th place finish last time out. Vyjack is looking to try the turf again. he had the speed as a Kentucky derby contender, but just hasn’t blossomed since that win in the Kelso. The third challenger would be the Ramsey horse, Charming Kitten. The Ramsey’s weren’t firing last weekend, where they went 0/5, but I like Charming Kitten’s chances here better than Vyjack.
Race 2: The De La Rose Stakes.
Daring Kathy has some stakes experience, and 7 wins in 10 starts. She’s got some speed too and looks to like going to the front. Stellar Path goes this distance a lot, 11 of 16 races, and may have a shot at hitting the board, if not winning. Cornelio likes J Wonder over Recepta. She’s got graded stakes experience, although Recepta’s been working bullets lately.
Race 3: The Test Stakes.
A tough race. Cavorting won the Adirondack last year, and is 3 of 5 lifetime. The 2 losses in Graded stakes races, I think there are better options with more experience. Take Charge Brandi is coming off 4 straight wins including the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Angela Renee gets talented Mike Smith on her, finished 2nd to Cavorting in last year’s Adirondack, but had a bad run in the Juvenile. Could be some good value if she goes off at 6-1.
Race 4: The Whitney Stakes.
Good luck with this race. Honor Code and Tonalist can both have great cases made for winning this race. Noble Bird is running fast lately and on a roll winninf 3 of his last 4, 2 stakes races. I don’t like Moreno this time out, things lined up perfectly last year, but I don’t see a repeat. Never was a fan of V.E.Day, but he’s 2/2 at Saratoga. If Wicked Strong can stay at 20-1 odds, I love this play. Sure he’s fell on hard times lately, but this is last years Jim Dandy winner, and lost by a nose in the Travers, returning to dirt, and working bullets. Sign Me Up!
Race 5: The Waya Stakes.
Our last race at Saratoga is the Waya Stakes. Cornelio’s always a fan of Kitten’s Point, doesn’t like Prado on her, but she will be in the mix. Goldy Espony, funny name, is coming off 2 wins, and did reasonably well overseas. Eastern Belle is knocking on the door of her second win. Cat’s Claw won last years Waya, but hasn’t done a thing since. Lastly keep an eye on Queen’s Parade and Danza Cavallo.
Race 6: John C. Mabee Stakes.
Race six is from Del mar, and its the John C. Mabee Stakes. Throw a blanket over Emotional Kitten, Fanticola, and Storm Lucy, they all seem to match up pretty similarly. Queen of the Sand seems a step behind, but maybe she is back on track. Elektrum got boxed in last time out, she may have more for us to see.
Well it looks like a great weekend of racing, Palace malice will be back at Saratoga on Sunday for the Alydar stakes. Good luck to Cornelio and Mark who will be at the races.