8/10: Saratoga (Day 12/$58k C/O)
 

Weekend closed with a humdrum kind of Sunday at the Old Spa, but it was puncuated by impressive performances from Giralomo, Bribon, Elusive Heat, Game Face and the lovable Fabulous Strike. After a high energy crowd of 40,000 Saturday, yesterday was buzz-less and a bit deflated.

Big hits were not forthcoming, but did OK trading dollars for the most part with $65 early P4 ($48 play), a handful of chaky P3's, the Finney turf stake ($95) and Vandy ($50) triples. Prices in the 8th and 11th triggered a $58k+ carryover for Monday which closes out the first third of the meet. Rain overnight with more possible later, likely impacts grass course decisions. Hope you did OK Sunday and this weekend.


SARATOGA RACE COURSE


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: NYB-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

If this impossible set stays on turf, don't be afraid to reach for the prices. Virtually all can win this..

Most Likely: #1e Donk entry 5-1
Best Value: #2 Higher Incentive 6-1
Next Best: #6 Soave 4-1
Exotics Use: #8 Speed Dating 7-2


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

Most Likely: #1 (POE) Proud Zoe 9-5 WON
Next Best: #4 Afleet Maggi 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #8 Quiet Temper 12-1 2nd


3rd: Albert the Great, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Barrier Reef 2-1 6th
Best Value: #6 Le Grand Cru 6-1 4th
Next Best: #1e Zito entry 9-5 (Cool Coal Man preferred) WON


4th: CLM/N3L, 3+, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

If remaining on lawn, this has potential to be immediate P6 play backbreaker. Favorite (#11) is poorly posted and comes in off a year's layoff, and virtually all are capable of winning on their best and with right trip..

Best Value: #3 Maccarib Pass 10-1 5th
Most Likely: #11 Gravitational 5-2 4th
Next Best: #1 (POE) William T 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #2 (POE) Riptide 9-2 WON


5th: Waya (R), F&M-4+, 12f-IT (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #1 Jazz Jam 6-1 5th
Most Likely: #5 Communique 2-1 4th
Next Best: #4 LATE SCR
Super Add: #7 Borrowing Base 5-1 3rd


<$75 P4 Play:

Check for changes with off the turf adjustments very possible..

2: 1-4
3: 1-2-6
4: 1-2-3-11
5: 1-4-5

2x3x4x3 = $72


6th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Brutally tough turf sprint..

Best Value: #5 Dr Paula Moynihan 10-1 6th
Most Likely: #3 Serela's Song 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #11 Gentle Ride 6-1 WON
Super Add: #8 Barbie Girl 7-2 4th


7th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #8 Awe So Beautiful 5-1 3rd
Most Likely: #10 Imandra 3-1 WON
Next Best: #5 Concorde's Dance 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #2 Amelia the Cat 8-1 6th


8th: NYB-OC/N2X, 3+, 6.5f (DD, Super)

First class state bred main track route.. Terrific betting race

Most Likely: #8 Rereadthefootnotes 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #6 Mr. Bourbon Street 15-1 7th
Next Best: #9 Multidude 4-1 WON
Exotics Use: #7 Overextended 10-1 2nd


9th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 9f (Super)

Best Value: #5 Smart Tomcat 6-1 6th
Most Likely: #1 Lofty Banner 15-1 WON
Next Best: #2 Weekend Pass 8-1 4th
Super Add: #7 Coaltown Legend 20-1 5th


$200 P6 Play:

4: 1-3-11
5: 1
6: 3-5
7: 8-10
8: 6-7-8-9
9: 1-5

3x1x2x2x4x2 = 96 x $2 = $192


<$75 P4 Play:

6: 3-5-11
7: 2-8-10
8: 6-7-8-9
9: 1-5

3x3x4x2 = $72

$2 Pick 4 (11/13-10-9-1) Paid $1,059


Good luck!
Steve

Still on turf despite the hard overnight rain!

Early play split with pmac:

2- 1,4,5
3- 1,2
4- 1,2,3,6,11
5- 1,4,5

Good Luck!

early pick 4

1,2,WT,1,2,WT,1,2,3,4,5,11,WT,1,7

Get that pick 4, Steve! Good luck!

Nice hit, Steve!!!!!!

There you go Steve!! Optimum result in the 'cap, great ticket that you put together there! Congrats!

Nice work, Steve! :$:

Did'nt play the pick 4, but I did play your 1 horse that you had on top on the 9th to win. Thanks Steve and congrats on your hitting a sweet pick 4 :tro:

good job steve, thats two mondays in a row the pick 4 paid a grand for ya.... thanks for the insight, keep it up. I hope this years august 13th pays out like your last years august 13th picks

Way to go Steve!!!!!!!!!

:tro:

WOW!!! What a day today. First and foremost, big thanks to Steve for his late P-4 selections. A great way to end the last 3 days of racing at the SPA.

I have had many special experiences at the Saratoga, but today may have been the topper. The day was filled with alot of laughs and many great stories as I was able to join Joe the Dude, Hickory, Ateam, Steve, Chuck's dad and Chuck on the patio at Carolina BBQ. In addition, the day also included meeting, the Mig, Michael Blowen from Old Friends and MAYLAN STUDART :D .

But things continued on and after a little late P-4 celebration at Siros, the Dude, Hickory and I headed over the the sales to join Chuck and his dad. Tonite's sales were a who's who of racing industry to include Sheik Mo :$: dressed down in jeans and a t-shirt. :tro: The setting was very festive and the horses looked great. If you are able to visit the SPA, you need include an evening at the sales. It is truly an electric experience.

Looking forward to the next SPA visit later this month.

DB

Nice score Steve/. Impressive Most Likely in the nightcap.

Thanks all... Much like last Monday, a great way to end the first third of the meet after slowly leaking money for much of the week. Reiterates the 'stay the course' message. But I didn't think it was the best play of the day...

More than the P4, I thought the real score was the Proud Zoe keyed triple in the 2nd. I didn't understand the tote at all with Shug's firster being bet down ridiculously. Proud Zoe had faced the best 2yo filly in the country and other good ones in her starts, and should have been 3-5. Romans' firster was overlooked at 12-1, and Afleet Maggi, the other logical behind Zoe, was the beneficiary of the money on Protesting at 11-2.

Those were the only three I laid out and used, and the $170 tri ($2) is an outrageous 85-1 bonus payday on the key of Zoe (3-2) over the pair... in a 7 horse field! I hope some had that... The short priced winner with monster prices underneath continues to be the story of the meet wagering-wise.

Hope all did well as we all take a breather before gearing it back up tomorrow!