Wow, what a Travers stakes that was! It was great to see American Pharoah, great to see such an awesome race, I just wish I had bet a little more against him, like my friend Mark who had $20 to win on Keen Ice. Good for him. Well this week we return to Saratoga for the wrap up of the meet with 4 races, including the Woodward. We also head out to Del Mar for the Debutante Stakes, and to Kentucky Downs for the More Than Ready. For those playing the Pick 6 Challenge, things are pretty tight, as the top 5 teams are within one win of the leader. Five weeks left, including this week, let’s go handicap!
Race 1: The Saranac Stakes.
- Take Over Target – has the hot Irad Ortiz riding, and trained by Bill Mott, high speed ratings, coming off a win (at Saratoga), has gone the distance before 3-1-0 record on turf in 5 starts.
- Go Around – also has a win at Saratoga, soprts a 2-0-2 record in 4 starts, has the speed to be there, he will be good for the distance
- Nonna’s Boy – A slight edge over World Approval, trained by Pletcher, has the speed, coming off a win 2-1-1 in 4 starts this year
Race 2: The Spinaway Stakes.
- Rachel’s Valentina – Pletcher / Velazquez combo is hard to beat at Saratoga, maiden winner, out of Rachel Alexandra, will be heavily bet
- Tonash – second Pletcher entry, two race experience, huge speed fig last time out in second place finish, will compete well with Rachel
- Tap to It – talented Rosario on top, I like her over Constellation, bullet workout
- Just Missed – Banree; second in the Schuylerville, working bullets, could be great betting value in an upset (knocks are low % jockey and trainer)
Race 3: Woodward Stakes
- Effinex – winner of last 2 if you throw out the Brooklyn, fast, has gone the distance, working bullets
- Liam’s Map – second by a head in the Whitney, has great winning percentage, Pletcher, get’s Javier, won’t go off at a good price
- Coach Inge – also Pletcher trained, gets talented Johnny V, got caught in the Suburban at a longer distance, fast speed, should do well, would love to get 6-1
- Just Missed – Protonico, training well (bullet), get’s Jose Ortiz / Pletcher, has the speed, winner of his last 2, could hit the board at least, but probably doesn’t have the talent of Liam’s Map.
Race 4: Glen’s Falls Stakes
- Goldy Espony – winner of last 3, including Waya at Saratoga, fast, won last two at 1.5 mi, so shorter distance shouldn’t hurt
- Ceisteach – out of Ireland, won last 2 at this distance, hope she likes the track
- Regardez – tough call between Eastern Belle and Regardez, I go with the Ortiz / Brown combination and their slightly higher win percentages, coming off a win by 5
- Just Missed – Eastern Belle, I may pick 4 this race, Johnny V / Graham Motion filly hard to rule out
Race 5: More Than Ready Stakes
- Undrafted – looking good coming out of Ascot, looks like Rosario is going to race out to ride this one, fast speed, won 2 of 3 at distance
- Regally Ready – turf specialist Leparoux, I like the workouts better than Tourist, gone the distance 8 times, I think he will like shorter mile than last time out (tired fin 4th)
- Departing – drops in class, may like shorter distance, this horse has been racing the best Graded stakes horses out there, I think he can bet these fellas
Race 6: Del Mar Debutante
- Pretty N Cool – I give the edge to Baffert filly that has won 2 of 2
- Song Bird – also a fast filly, talented Mike Smith, Jerry Hollendorfer would be the man at Del Mar were Baffert not around
- Surfside Tiara – Again, Hollendorfer, another fast filly, good luck picking between these 3, 94 speed fig last time out winning
Good luck to everyone, hope you enjoy a great day of racing. I’m going to blow a few bucks betting the Repole horses at Saratoga.