SARATOGA: 2nd Half Kickoff

[Kasept]

The second half of the Spa Season kicks off Wednesday as Toga-goers enjoy a spate of weather the likes of which I can't recall. With every day more beautiful than the previous, attendence, handle, pleasure and excitement have grown around the old plant on Union Avenue.

We start the Alabama-Travers-Woodward Weeks section off our first down period of the meet, a span of 4-5 days where 2-3 scores kept us alive. While still about $700 "up" personally, the exotic hits we aim for were suddenly not coming through during week three. Wednesday's card is quirky, and not necessarily a spot to plunge.

We started a new "ATRAB Race(s) of the Day" on Monday, and the first plays were at Philly Park where the 7-8-9th Pick Three was negotiated for $18 and a $163 return. Tuesday's show offered a look at Saratoga's late double and Monmouth's 8th race feature, and those selections are below and in the "ATRAB" section of Derby Trail.


SELECTIONS -- Saratoga, Wed., 8/16/06 (Day 19); Monmouth 8th


1st: Clm, 3yo, 7f

1. #2 Marco's Tale 5-2: Grabbed by Blasi for $20k last Wed., right back
2. #6 Coach Kent 3-1: Pletcher drops M/M Jones' Foresty from ALW company
A. #4 Corryville 5-1: Nabbed by Foley at Churchill last; gets pace scenario
B. #7 Mr. Mugs 10-1: Lightly-raced Zito trainee away since March

NOTE: #3 Rocky Blue (8-1) chased the good looking Mascot last pair.. May be forgotten at the windows and worth saving with a win bet at value price.


2nd: NYB-MSW, 2yo fillies, 5f

Have no strong opinion here..

1. #7 Tre' Bon Pro 3-1
2. #9 Quick Humor 5-2
A. #4 Full of Class 12-1
B. #6 Simply Preferred 6-1


3rd: ALW/N2X, F&M-3+, 7f

1. #5 Wild Fit 3-5: Lays over on class if right
2. #4 Heavenly Psalm 8-1
3. #2 She's Indy Money 3-1


4th: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f

1. #8 Ice Man Cometh 4-1: Violette-Klarman Trippi firster working lights out
2. #7 First Degree 10-1: $1MM Lukas-Lewis Forest Camp has experience edge
A. #2 Cowtown Cat 2-1: $1.5MM Pletcher-WinStar red debuts
B. ##4 My Golden Opinion 6-1: Harty High Yield chestnut attracts Edgar


5th: MDN CLM, 3+, 1m-IT (Superfecta race)

1. #7 Bold Love 7-2: My man Sciacca coming achingly close to win circle
2. #3 Nelson St. Swing 5-1: Violette player showed quality spped at Big A
A. #8 Good Looking Out 5-1: Cedano has started runners sparingly
B. #10 Ready Read 9-2: Jerkens sends bay to lawn and adds Mig

LONGSHOT ALERT: #6 War Storm (20-1) looks improved with surface switch and slight move inside..


6th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (Superfecta race)

1. #11 Exclusive Wildcat 5-1: Dangerous Foley runner must hustle
2. #2 Be a Believer 3-1: Late runner from Rice should have target for Mig
A. #4 Texas Breeze 7-2: Pletcher bay makes sod bow; Artax a grass negative
B. #6 Heavenly Anna 5-1: Galluscio gal a threat with run-back to MDN breaker

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER ADD-IN: #8 Valid Concorde (12-1) will float up on the board and gets services of Castellano who negotiated her diploma run at Hallandale..


7th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-IT

A really intriguing state bred ALW featuring a well-matched group..

1. #5 One Good Man 3-1: Minor award type has done best running under Jose
2. #3 Prince Raffie 7-2: Levine red best at 9 panels, but could be lone speed
A. #10 Goodtimes at Home 4-1: Ran up on heels last out; usually close at end
B. #9 Fairway Drive 8-1: Martin takes goggles and returns Prado to irons

LONGSHOT ALERT: #6 Big Boo Boo (15-1) gets Migliore back, and Carroll barn always a threat when things are going well..


ATRAB RACE(S) OF THE DAY


8th: 90th Adirondack BC (Gr. II), $200,000, 2yo fillies, 6.5f (Superfecta race)

1. #10 Magical Ride 6-5: Daughter of Victory Ride imposing but not invincible
2. #5 Early Vintage 15-1: Attractive tote on Romans' runner with Raphy
A. #6 Tora 8-1: Dutrow slaying them with new acquirees; drilled big
B. #1 Chagall 5-1: $850k bay from Pletcher-Team Tabor has done little wrong

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER ADD-IN: #7 Expertise (20-1) has 5 starts under her belt..


9th: NYB-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-IT (Superfecta race)

1. #5 Bachelornumberone 6-1: Serpe grey was close last two grass tries
2. #7 Stately Pegasus 7-2: Kimmel barn coming on and FuPeg grey just missed
A. #10 Egyptian King 8-1: Jara sgticks and Kelly colt has been close last 4
B. #12 Saturday's Cat 3-1: Struggling Romans sends Purdy-bred with Bejarano

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER ADD-IN: #9 Sir Slamdance (30-1) has been much better animal on sod. Obscure connections boost tote..


MONMOUTH PARK

8th: ALW/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (Superfecta race)

1. #5 All Night Rebel 12-1: Seeger ship-in from Philly in sod exacta 7 of 8
2. #6 Royal Wave 5-1: Like addition of Lezcano to Royal Academy dark bay
A. #7 Loving Thoughts 5-2: Logical fave necked under Decarlo last time
B. #3 Regina Madre 5-1: Preman import goes third off break
C. #4 Iwoman 7-2: Pompay filly one of two here with Oceanport sod score


Good luck!
Steve