Woodward Stakes, Saturday September 5th

Caixa Electronica

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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.

  1. Rachel’s Valentina – Pletcher / Velazquez combo is hard to beat at Saratoga, maiden winner, out of Rachel Alexandra, will be heavily bet
  2. Tonash – second Pletcher entry, two race experience, huge speed fig last time out in second place finish, will compete well with Rachel
  3. Tap to It – talented Rosario on top, I like her over Constellation, bullet workout
  4. 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

  1. Effinex – winner of last 2 if you throw out the Brooklyn, fast, has gone the distance, working bullets
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

  1. Goldy Espony – winner of last 3, including Waya at Saratoga, fast, won last two at 1.5 mi, so shorter distance shouldn’t hurt
  2. Ceisteach – out of Ireland, won last 2 at this distance, hope she likes the track
  3. 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
  4. 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

  1. 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
  2. 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)
  3. 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

  1. Pretty N Cool – I give the edge to Baffert filly that has won 2 of 2
  2. Song Bird – also a fast filly, talented Mike Smith, Jerry Hollendorfer would be the man at Del Mar were Baffert not around
  3. 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.