Know exactly how you feel. Think you have done a great job handicapping. I've enjoyed your blog. Problem with the Spa is that there are too many races that involve guesswork. Horse attempting things they have never tried. Races at 1 1/8, 1 3/16, two year olds first grass, first dist etc. etc. Add in full fields, racing luck and some of these improbable winners and it is no wonder we can't string a multi together.

THURS - Saratoga (R8-R11 PK4)
 

Keep firing away, you've been doing some good work all meet.

I also am beating my head over that sneaky kitten hanging nag:zz:
Cannot believe there was no pass at the wire, thought we were home...

Yes, I was more worried about getting passed from behind by the 8 than not getting by the 7. Sigh.

Thanks guys. I'll see it through even if I'm at my wit's end.

Thursday, August 29

Early Pick 4:

3rd: I'm taking a stand with #3 Little Rocket. Her race two back after breaking last was very good and prompted Hushion to take a shot with her in the Prioress. She wasn't disgraced in there, now she takes a drop in class and gets an extra furlong for her late punch. The lack of speed in the race is a small concern, but Little Rocket has enough tactical speed to keep her in touch to prove best late.

4th: #8 Star Harbour is the horse to beat off back form and a drop after stumbling at the start and rushing into a hot pace last out. #1 Blind Hope makes a lot of sense on the drop back down into claimers after trying a race where the winner got a 105 BSF last time out. The rail draw could be a hindrance, however. #2 Majestic Number has turned into a solid sprinter and should be the inside speed in this spot. He's a question mark at seven furlongs. #6 Schoolyard Dreams is most likely to benefit if the pace heats up.

5th: No issues with #4 Jess Not Jesse as the favorite. He's a classy old gelding who brings his race every time he runs and finally draws inside after wide trips in his last two. There are two others that interest me though: #2 Hebert Hall did no running last out, but the way he ran suggested an equipment problem, now Castellano picks up the mount and a return to his race two back would make him competitive with the favorite at three times the price. I wanted to bet #8 Downtownoscarbrown last time out, but Stall scratched him and now he winds up in a slightly tougher spot. Still have to use him, as he's bred up and down for turf and it's not like he's been a slouch on dirt.

6th: Wide open race. Wouldn't take too short a price on anyone.

$1 3/1,2,6,8/2,4,8/3,4,5,6,8,9,11 $84
$4 3/8/4/6,8,9 $12
Race 5 $4 WIN 8

Hang in there Joey, this meet is about as tough as it gets. I feel your frustration, sometimes we have to shrug it off and move on. Keep up the great work and good luck today!

Really only takes one swing of the bat and you are right back in it.

$.50 Pick 4 pays $80.87 x 10 = $808.70

As the announcer at Blue Bonnets used to say "Boom just like that" you are back in business. Nice cold punch P4.

Nice play:tro:, good luck the next four days.

Thanks! Perhaps self-pity was the key all along. :p

Wish it would work for me too.

Nice job Joey!

Bada Bing!:$:

Nice job! Congrats!:tro:

Great score Ateam!:$:

Thanks all.

Amount Invested: $3,600
Amount Returned: $3,349.07
Net: -$250.93
$2 ROI: $1.86

Friday, August 30

Late Pick 4:

6th: Not much to say. Looks like a two-horse race on paper between #2 Delightful Quality and #6 Maracuya. I think the latter could become a very nice filly sprinter later this season and next.

7th: #3 Instrumental will probably be best for Chad Brown. I liked Serpe's horse before she scratched, now I'm left with #5 Freud's Sunset and to a lesser extent #1 Please No Emails and #9 Backstretch Lady as alternatives.

8th: This race could get a little interesting with the abundance of speed signed on, and although that should set the table for #7 Bella Castani, she's not exactly the most reliable filly in the world. #5 Promise Me More started on turf before showing a big late close on dirt earlier this year, goes out first time for Asmussen and should get a nice setup. #2 Unbelievable Dream, #8 Coarsegold and #9 Sister Ginger all should have chances in the lane. Of the speeds, #6 Midnight Watch is clearly the one you want.

9th: #4 Mr. William will take some beating, but he's not without his warts (claimed by Jacobson, dropped off a layoff, did no running). #1 Powder Springs needs to be sent from the inside but he could prove as the main speed at a good price. #11 Dendrite needs to be used but always finds a way to lose to someone. #5 It's Huge could factor if he runs back to his three-back race.

$.50 2,6/1,3,5,9/2,5,6,7,8,9/1,4,5,11 $96
$2 2,6/3/7/4 $4

Saturday, August 31

Liked this card a lot better before the rains came, so I'm just playing a horse who may not be favored that I consider one of the likeliest winners on the card.

Race 5
#2 Grand Arrival comes out of the Big Sugar Soda race that is increasingly looking like one of the best 2-year-old races of the meet. Strong Mandate came back to win easily with a 92 Beyer and Financial Mogul returned to dominate an off-the-turf race earlier today. Grand Arrival ran the 2nd best race that day, breaking dead last and making a big, wide move on the turn, staying on late to get 3rd. Being a big colt and coming out of the Zito barn, he figures to be better 2nd out and stretching out. None of the firsters look too serious.

Race 5
$100 WIN 2

Good luck, hope you're wrong. Live to 5,7,8 $3 pick 3....5,7 are decent scores.

Nice job, Joey!