8/25: Saratoga (Travers Day-C/O)
 

Travers Day upon us and should be a corker, and scorcher... Carryover of nearly $80,000 but NYRA kicking in $1,000,000 anyway, as well as on all-stakes P4.. Card terrific top to bottom with Derby winner looking to add Mid-summer Classic to resume in the feature's 138th edition..

One of the meet's nicest trifecta hits came Friday in the 2nd with me unable to get down on the $537.00 ($1) score, but $130.00 triple in the 5th did help keep the day from injuring bankroll (+$180.00). Scratches tore up the 2nd half of the selections with 4 of the principals in the Late Quad taking a pass. Hope you did well..


SARATOGA -- TRAVERS DAY


Selections Key:

1. "Best value win candidate"
2. "Most likely winner"
A. "Possible winner/Exotics include"
B. "Exotics include"


1st: OC/N2X, 3+, 8.5f-T (DD)

1. #5 Mathematician 6-1: Atttractive number on Godolphin 5yo.. 7th
2. #4 Loconia 3-1: Motion bay for top client Adam has strung big tries together before.. 4th
A. #7 Tiverton 9-2 3rd
B. #1 Got the Last Laugh 12-1 WON


2nd: MSW, 2yo, 6f (P3, P4)

1. #8 Elusive Schemes 8-1: Darley bay wide in bow; Can improve, score at a price..
2. #3 Mythical Pegasus 6-1: Lukas FuPeg colt chased a good one; Big chance.. WON
A. #5 He's Solid Gold 3-1 4th
B. #1 Grand Minstrel 5-1 2nd


3rd: MSW, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3)

1. #5 Konqueror 8-1: German-bred exits ordinary event but drilled miles for return.. 5th
2. #9 Virginia Minstrel 7-2: Has bit of career maiden look but has faced quality foes.. 2nd for wagering purposes
A. #3 Peace Mon 5-1 2nd, but won for wagering purposes
B. #2e Frankel entry 3-1 WON (as purse only entrant after late scratch of entrymate)


4th: CLM, 4+, 8.5f-IT (P3)

1. #1 Forget the Judge 4-1: Absolutely loves the Spa and Parisella winless meet.. 6th
2. #2 Noah A. 3-1: Desormeaux knows 5X winning 6yo Kimmel red.. 4th
A. #8 Westmoreland 5-2 3rd
B. #9 Taming the Tiger 5-1 2nd

INTERESTING LONGSHOT: #4 El Prado Rob (12-1): Disanto suddenly hot with wins both Thurs/Fri.. 10th


5th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3)

1. #9 FOREST JAZZY 12-1: May now be recovered from huge debut score.. 10th
2. #1 Genuine Devotion 12-1: Has KMc upsetter look; NOTE tote action from betting barn.. 6th
A. #4 Smartgabrielle 6-1 9th
B. #10 Motor City Mama 8-1 7th


<$50 P4 Play:

2: 1-3-5-8
3: 3-5-9
4: 1-2-8-9
5: 9

4x3x4x1 = $48


6th: MSW, 3+, 6.5f (P3, GS, DD)

1. #2 Hedge Fund 5-1: Love fact Phipps homebred has been legging up on lawn in a.m... 10th
2. #8 Salzburg 5-1: Dutrow 2nd out for top client (Fastok family).. 9th
A. #10 Forest of Dreams 8-1 3rd
B. #12 Now a Victor 15-1 WON


7th: 49th BERNARD BARUCH (Gr. II), 3+, 9f-T (P6. P4, Super)

1. #9 Silver Whistle 10-1: Mott 5yo for Stronach; May get lost on board.. 8th
2. #4 Linda's Lad 8-1: Criterium (Grp I) winner adds Lasix; Perfect spot for Kenneally's 1st meet win.. 9th
A. #6 Cosmonaut 3-1: Biancone's LDK 5yo threat on front end; Won here at 3.. 5th
B. #1 Shakis 4-1: KMc elder saves all the ground; Gr. I placed in Manhattan.. WON

LONGSHOT/EXOTICS ADD: #12 Gun Salute (12-1): Classy 'other' Mott snapped back to form last; Post a hinderence.. 10th


8th: 23rd KING'S BISHOP (Gr. I), 3yo, 7f (P3, DD, Super)

1. #2 Spin Master 12-1: Speed of speed and fear Romans here; Repeat of Matt Winn scores.. 11th
2. #3 Hard Spun 3-1: Jones a favorite and elongated sprint suits Danzig bay.. WON
A. #7 Teufelsberg 7-2: Successful despite trainer's over-eager handling; Respect.. 4th
B. #11 King of the Roxy 10-1: Last 2 one turn tries resulted in Kodak moments.. 7th

LONGSHOT/EXOTICS INCLUDE: #5 Longley (20-1): Gets cutback treatment; Repeat of race three back juices exotics.. 8th


9th: 138th TRAVERS STAKES (Gr. I), 3yo, 10f (P3, P4, DD, Super)

1. #5 Grasshopper 8-1: Came to hand for Howard; Farish visits these races ONLY if ready.. 2nd
2. #4 STREET SENSE 3-5: Derby winner looks to give conditioner-owner 2nd canoe paintjob.. WON
A. #2 C P West 5-1: May drift up on board and could set soft fractions.. 5th
B. #7 Sightseeing 6-1: Phipps' Pulpit colt in best form yet; Always 'going well late'.. 4th


10th: 5th VICTORY RIDE (Gr. III), 3yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

1. #6 ALLUDE 6-1: Possibly day's best value if close to this ML; Lost chance at break last.. 6th
2. #8 La Traviata 5-2: Biancone, Tabor-Smith, et all; Stalked successfully at MTH (!).. WON
A. #11 SCR
B. #10 SCR


<$100 P4 Play:

7: 1-4-6-9-12
8: 2-3
9: 2-4-5-7
10: 6-8

5x2x4x2 = $80


11th: OC/N1X, 3+, 6f (DD)

1. #4 Garifine 6-1 8th
2. #9 South Pacific 7-2 9th
A. #1e Darley-Godolphin entry 4-1 3rd/5th
B. #8 Vicarian 3-1 6th


12th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 6f (Super)

1. #1 Mor Chances 12-1 6th
2. #7 Zipperoo 5-2 WON
A. #13 Alright Now 3-1 4th
B. #3 Makin Me Famous 9-2 12th

LONGSHOT/EXOTICS ADD: #5 Yeah Mon 30-1 8th


<$50 P4 Play:

9: 4-5
10: 6-8-10
11: 1-4-8-9
12: 1-7

2x3x4x2 = $48


<$100 P6 Play:

7: 4-6-9
8: 2-3
9: 4
10: 6-8
11: 1-4-8-9
12: 7

3x2x1x2x4x1 = 48 x $2 = $96


Good luck!
Steve

Figure this is as good a place as any to put my thoughts for today. Just finished watching Mr Serling's show for this week, so my judgement may be a bit clouded...

Race 1:
Like so many today, very competitive race, trip will be the key,
have to start with the fastest horse, #4 Locononia...#2 Broadway Producer is solid, 12-1 ML is inviting... #1 Got the Last Laugh, was very well thought of at 2, makes third start off the layoff, needs to jump up, but has the back figs to do it. #9 True to Tradition, first time Lake would be no surprise, #10 Gaelic Storm has chased some good ones previously.

Race 2:
#3 Mythical Pegasus is the fastest of those that have run..#1 Burganland Kid shows a nice improving line...Firsters #5 He's Solid Gold, and #6 Eagle Strike are dangerous for Zito and Frankel respectively... #4 Baystreet Bully adds Lasix 2nd out for Jolley at a big price.

Race 3:
EXTRAORDINARILY competitive race, many different ways to go...both Steve and Andy love #5 Konqueror... I'm taking a major flyer on #8 Jump It, making 2nd start off the layoff. Last was a test drive on the turf, Gomez stays on, and he'll be at least 20-1...#9 Virginia Minstrel, and #1 Borobudor are both very solid and logical, and I love the pattern on Pletcher's #7 Rocket Legs.. also have to mention #1 On Fire, should improve 2nd Lasix at a nice price.

Race 4:
The 4 ML favorites pretty much stand out over the rest, top call goes to #9 Taming the Tiger... #2 Noah A, #1 Forget the Judge, and #8 Westmoreland round out the super...#4 El Prado Rob has the back class to contend, but his 1st to trys this year don't measure up.

Race 5:
I absolutely agree with Steve's top 4 choices..#9 Forest Jazzy ran the insane TG fig first out, switched over to Mott, dissapointed in last 2, maybe today!
#1 Genuine Devotion, made his debut for someone named Simon, ran a big fig at Aqueduct, comes back 2nd on turf, 2nd off the layoff...#5 Smartgabrielle, and #10 Motor City Mama are the 2 fastest coming in.. #7 Enchantal should improve for Hough, but would need to jump up to win.

Race 6:
Top 3 choices are the same as Steve's again...#2Hedge Fund, a bit gappy, but very fast for Shug... #8 Salzburg ran a buried fig in debut at Monmouth, picks up Lasix today...#10 Forest of Dreams ran a good one 1st out, had trouble at the start in most recent try.. #4 Roi Maudit, logical include..

Race 7:
#12 Gun Salute, tons of back class, in light and most recent race was very good...#6 Cosmonaut cannot be left out, but as highweight, we'll try and beat..#5 Outperformance, 20-1 ML, has had trouble in last 2, could surprise today..Can't leave out #4 Linda's Lad, first US start, very competitive fig in last European race. Others to use are #1 Shakis, #3 Drum Major, and #11 Ballast.

Race 8:
The 2 fastest horses are obviously #3 Hard Spun and #7 Teufelsberg, this may be the cold exacta.. I agree with Steve about #2 Spin Master, has paired zero's in last 2, most recent was against the bias at Monmouth, this one could move forward today. Frankel's #9 First Defence could be something special...

Race 9:
The Travers... #4 Street Sense on top, #7 Sightseeing for 2nd, #'s 2 CP West, 3 For You Reppo, and 5 Grasshopper for 3rd...

Race 10:
Possibly the key call of the day, regarding #8 La Traviata.. to single or not to single.. last at Monmouth was extraordinary, a repeat wins this easily.. #6 Allude and #4 Grahame Six are the next in line..

Race 11:
Two major question marks in here, #4 Garifine for Pletcher, and #9 South Pacific (ridiculous jump up in last)... the three I like are #8 Vicarian, was stopped on the rail early stretch in last, #5 Kong the King, huge effort 2 weeks ago 1st off the layoff, and #1 Incriminate, trouble in his first start at 3 last out.

Race 12:
The ML favorite #7 Zipperoo looks very strong in here..#3 Makin me famous has a couple of competitive figs to run back to.. #6 Wally World shortens up for this... #5 Yeah Mon can improve 2nd start for Wilkes... #14 Helenes Dream is a must use underneath.. Don't have a clue what to do with #13 Alright Now, one start at 2, runs today 13 months later.. watch the board.

Great day of racing at the Spa, hopefully will be a great day at the windows for all!!!

And let me add two at Monmouth:

Race 1:
#3 Silk Trippi, deceptively good debut last month, ships to Jersey.

Race 7:
#1 Trying Brian..gets the golden rail and a new jock today.

My pre-scratch under $50 P4 plays:

R2 - (2)Grand Minstrel, (5)He's Solid Gold, (6) Eagle Strike, (9)Cowboy Cal
R3 - (2)Brobudur/Fast Thought, (3)Peace Mon, (9)Virginia Minstrel
R4 - (2)Noah A, (8)Westmorland
R5 - (2)Genuine Devotion, (4)Double Down Dixie


R7 - (1)Shakis, (4)Linda's Line, (6)Cosmonaut, (12)Gun Salute
R8 - (3)Hard Spun, (7)Teuflesberg, (8)Most Distinguished
R9 - (4)Street Sense, (5)Grasshopper
R10 - (8)La Traviata, (10)Featherbed


R9 - (4)Street Sense, (5)Grasshopper
R10 - (8)La Traviata, (10)Featherbed
R11 - (1)Incriminate/Blue Sky God, (4)Garifine, (5)Kong the King, (9)South Pacific
R12 - (7)Zipperoo, (10)Stolen Forest, (13)Alright Now

GL to all today.

Steve and all:

RACE 5

Genuine Devotion is the #2
Smartgabrielle is the #5

there is an entry in the race

$96 R7 P4 play
 

1 // 2,10 // 4 // 8
1 // 3,7 // 4 // 8,6,10,13
1,9 // 1,11 // 4 // 8,6,10,13,3,11
3,10 // 1,11 // 4 // 8
4,12 // 3,7 // 4 // 8
4,12 // 1,11 // 4 // 8,6,10,13,3
9 // 2,10 // 4 // 8,6,10,13
1,9 // 1,11 // 5 // 8,6,10,13
9 // 3,7 // 4 // 8,6,10,13,3

Pk 4's split with Pmac:

7 - 1,6,9,11,12
8 - 3,4,8,11
9 - 4
5 - 4,5,6,7,8

Good luck to all today! :)

Race 9-12 pk 4 split with pmac:

9 - 4,5
10 - 6,8
11 - 1,3,4,6,9
12 - 6,7,11,13

Good luck!

chalk fest

Lost money on this one even though it came in, chalk fest is right and the late one is shaping up that way too. Alive to many, hopefully a couple of long ones late!