Fun day of good racing for Del Mar opener, and tough afternoon turned into a nice evening of lucrative hits including straight super in the Oceanside and $200 tri in the 9th. Thought we might have had a carryover for today, but favored Gahnzo Bob rewarded live players with $64k scores. Hope everyone did well… Quick quad glance for Thursday ahead of Friday’s Saratoga opener.

DEL MAR

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: MDN CLM, 2YO-F, 5.5F (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Quirky feeling group..

Most Likely: #1 Grandma’s Rules 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #7 Wild Date 12-1 4th
Next Best: #3 Sheza Great Friend 7-2 8th
Exotics Use: #4 Silver Street 6-1 9th

6th: Cal-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Diamond Journey 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Laura Beasley 12-1 5th
Next Best: #10 Butterfly Beach 5-2 WON ($5.40)
Exotics Use: #6 Meltarib 6-1 8th

7th: OC/C, F&M-3+, 7f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1e Eurton entry 5-2 WON/2nd ($4.20)
Next Best: #2 Talktoomuch 4-1 5th
Best Value: #6 Salty Sarah 6-1 4th

8th: Cal-MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Best Value: #7 Kisses for Kate 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #8 Sentimental Ballad 3-1 WON ($8.40)
Exotics Use: #5 Aunt Gert 9-2 5th
Super Add: #9 Full Fashioned 5-2 2nd

<$75 P4 Play:

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

5x5x2x3 = 150 x .50 = $75

As hard to believe as it is, the summer racing season becomes reality this afternoon with Del Mar’s renewal, and Friday with Saratoga’s return. Both venues anticipate strong seasons. Officials like Joe Harper are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the oceanside oval, while Charlie Hayward and NYRA stalwarts expect the Adirondack institution to thrive over the next 7 weeks.

Certainly the opening day cards for both fan favorite facilities get things off on the right foot. ATR will focus on Saratoga Thursday with our first broadcast of the season from Carloina Barbecue, but day one of Del Mar gets the spotlight today with visits from Rick Hammerle, Steve Davidowitz and Brad Free. Remember that the speed of the Del Mar polytrack is greatly influenced by heat and humidity. When temperatures are coolish, as anticipated today, the surface is tighter and has played honestly for speed. But when the mercury soars, the strip gets torpid and tiring, and favors the rallying type.

Welcome to summer… Enjoy it, because Labor Day will get here faster than you expect!

DEL MAR

PRE-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N1X, 3+, 1m (.50 P5, Place Pick All, P3, DD, Super)

Note DMR introduction of 14% takeout, .50 P5..

Well-matched group for the opener; Will add new gelding #4 Times Gone By to the P5 play..

Most Likely: #1 Eye On Jacob 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #2 Galleta Monstruo 6-1 DH-5th
Next Best: #7 Price 5-1 WON ($10.40)
Exotics Use: #6 Kettle Corn 5-1 4th

2nd: CLM/N1Y, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Inside pair are dropping, and then there is crazy ol’ King Ledley. Group 2 placed as a juvenile in Ireland (Railway S.), he has earned $316k having won only once in 24 starts..

Most Likely: #8 Battle School 2-1 5th
Best Value: #1 One Nation 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 King Ledley 4-1 WON ($18.00)
Exotics Use: #5 Red Scare 5-2 6th

3rd: CLM, 3yo, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Sir Ed 5-2 6th
Next Best: #1 Devour 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #6 Regroup 5-1 5th
Super Add: #4 Giuseppe G 8-1 7th

4th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5f (P3, DD, Super)

Three of the 10 baby girls may own an advantage over the rest having made starts, but there are some sharp-working firsters in here including NY bred Weemissfrankie (Sunriver), Malabar Gold half brother Smoke Train (Medaglia d’Oro) and Punch Drunk from juvy specialist Peter Miller..

Most Likely: #10 Cha Cha Latte 7-2 5th
Best Value: #2 Smoke Train 20-1 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Sweet Nothings 6-1 4th
Super Add: #6 Punch Drunk 15-1 9th

5th: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Correspondent 5-2 5th
Best Value: #6 Honey’s Prize 6-1 9th
Next Best: #10 Simply Carina 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #9 Born Lucky 5-1 2nd

<$75 .50 P5 Play:

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

2x2x3x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

6th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Get My Fix 3-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Memphis Mobster 6-1 7th
Best Value: #1 Back at You 12-1 9th
Super Add: #3 Me Salty 12-1 5th

7th: Cal-OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #7 You Can Dream 8-1 6th
Next Best: #2 Money Lover 3-1 WON ($8.00)
Exotics Use: #1 Queenie Marie 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #8 Jade Taylor 12-1 9th

8th: Oceanside, 3yo, 1m-T (P3, DD, Super)

Very good group for this standard meet opening feature. Mr. Commons a deserving fave, but there are plenty of salacious prices to consider with him..

Most Likely: #3 Mr. Commons 5-2 WON ($4.20)
Best Value: #2 Burns 12-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Extensive 8-1 3rd
Super Add: #7 Robbie’s War 20-1 4th

$1 Exacta (3-2) Paid $13.90
$1 Trifecta (3-2-8) Paid $71.60
$1 Superfecta (3-2-8-7) Paid $629.60

9th: CLM, 3+, 1m (DD, Super)

Best Value: #5 Deputiformer 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Gilligan 4-1 WON ($9.80)
Exotics Use: #4 Whirling Thunder 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #10 North Fork 6-1 8th

$1 Pick 3 (2/3/8) Paid $52.40
$1 Exacta (8-4) Paid $22.00
$1 Trifecta (8-4-5) Paid $206.60

10th: MDN CLM, 3+, 5.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

Best Value: #2 Omega Storm 6-1 8th
Next Best: #10 Ignited 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Gahnzo Bob 3-1 WON ($6.00)
Super Add: #9 Warren’s Tiger 6-1 9th
Hi-5 Play: #12 Don’t Stop Ridin’ 12-1 4th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (2/3,10,11,12,13,14/8/5,6,14) Paid $91.35

$22 winner to start P4 at Belmont quashed hopes and helped trigger closing day madatory pay carryover ($46k), but Colonial proved lucrative later in the day via nice VA Oaks triple and overlaid Air Support in the VA Derby. Tried to get Wyomia (6-1) home in the Oaks, but obvious Excited (5-2) overhauled her in the stretch to get the win while Summer Savory (5-1) snuck up the rail to be second. The tri came back a nice $118.90 when Dynamic Holiday was made a curious favorite slightly over the Pletcher-Tabor winner.

Air Support was a delightful 13-2 ($15.80 win tote) in the Derby, with Street Game (5th as 3-1 favorite), King Congie (6th at 9-2) and Crimson China (7th at 11-2) all taking far more money than I thought warranted. As noted Saturday, despite being bested by Banned and Street Game in his last pair of stakes tries, Air Support had a developing line and was a prime play as they went to the gate, and received an excellent, patient, rail-skimming ride by Alex Solis. The 3yo turf division continues to produce great races among the solid cast, and you can really project more rivalries among these and the rest of the lawn set the rest of the summer and beyond…

With a lot yet to do at Saratoga in preparation for opening, hadn’t intended to play Sunday unless there was a carry on the meet-enders at New York or Hollywood. Sure enough… Ideas below. Hope you did well Saturday! ATR back live Monday!

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: NY-MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Tough way to start sequence with a lot of weak sisters..

Most Likely: #6 Cori’s Mint Julep 2-1 8th
Best Value: #4 Bayshore Blaze 12-1 5th
Next Best: #7 Money Magnet 3-1 WON ($7.50)
Super Add: #3 Elder’s Pride 12-1 3rd

6th: CLM, 3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Well-matched group. Seems necessary to include at least the top 3 seem to

Most Likely: #4 Ricoriatoa 2-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Saint Daimon 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #1 Raynick’s Jet 3-1 6th
Super Add: #7 Mad for Smarty 6-1 5th

7th: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 She’s Got Rules 4-1 WON ($9.20)
Next Best: #7 Bella Lady 2-1 7th
Best Value: #5 Hit Your Stride 15-1 4th
Super Add: #8 Too Tough Sissy 5-2 6th

8th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Dance Floor Maniac 6-5 2nd
Best Value: #7 Scibelli 30-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Shotgun Duty 3-1 6th
Super Add: #5 Hurricane Heat 9-2 5th

9th: CLM, F&M-3+, 6f-T (DD, Super)

As usual, a tricky turf sprint..

Best Value: #4 Risky Gamble 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Sextant 5-2 WON ($5.90)
Exotics Use: #10 My Lucky Penney 6-1 5th
Super Add: #2 Reproduction 6-1 7th

10th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 6f-IT (Super)

Nearly impossible assembly to end the sequence, and the season. Feels like about 9 of the 10 can win. The good news is that no matter how you did today or at the Belmont meet, the next time you hear a Tom Durkin call after this, it will be coming from Saratoga Race Course!

Best Value: #10 Mean Reversion 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Amirahy 4-1 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Aprilmayjune 3-1 WON ($7.40)
Super Add: #5 I’m a Personal Jet 8-1

<$200 P5 P6 Play:

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

2x3x2x1x2x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x1x4x9 = 144 x .50 = $72

It was another day of generally good results Friday attacking the sextet at Belmont, but money was also left on the table leaving ‘Super Add’ 4th choice Marblehead Manor out of the play. There were excellent rolling P3 hits throughout the sequence, with $15 Close to the Vest and $12 Coax Liberty helping make it a very nice afternoon… But the P4 payoff of $1,400+ was very generous, and I had no excuse for not bringing that home too. The spot I regret was the feature where it proved unnecessary to go 4 deep. I liked top tab ‘Best Value’ Coax Liberty a great deal in there, and didn’t need to be so worried about a less predictable result. I was shocked that the P6 went to one winner, a success worth more than $114,000. Hope you did well! Hollywood and Belmont reach closing weekends, while Delaware and Colonial have their second important Saturdays of the summer. Opinions below before heading over to Saratoga to continue preparations for next week’s opening!

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

7th: MDN CLM, 3+, 7f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #3 Our Corn 5-1 9th
Next Best: #8 Writethatdown 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Mr. Starr’s Report 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #5 Foggy Max 12-1 4th

8th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f-IT (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Top Yank 4-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Recharged 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Sam Hillic 8-1 WON ($13.80)
Super Add: #13 Logical Order 20-1 7th

9th: 28th Jaipur (G3), 3+, 7f-T (DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 Yield Bogey 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Right One 5-2 WON ($5.40)
Exotics Use: #6 Gantry 2-1 5th
Super Add: #3 Radiohead 5-1 4th

10th: CLM, 3+, 6f-IT (Super)

Best Value: #6 Fine Flyer 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #12 Art Currency 5-2 9th
Exotics Use: #4 Mor Chances 6-1 4th
Super Add: #3 Nobody Likes Mike 8-1 5th

<$75 P4 Play:

7: 3-4-8
8: 4-8-9
9: 3-4-6-7
10: 3-4-6-12

3x3x4x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

COLONIAL DOWNS

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: 15th Chenery, 2yo, 5.5f-Outer Turf (.50 P5, DD, Super)

Best Value: #8 Major Magic 8-1 WON ($12.00)
Exotics Use: #7 Jonmil Johny 4-1 5th
Next Best: #11 Getupwithesun 6-1 6th
Super Add: #9 Our Half 12-1 4th

5th: 15th Tippett, 2yo-F, 5.5f-Outer Turf (P3, DD, Super)

SCR #3 Embracing Hearts who ran and broke MDN Thursday..

Most Likely: #5 Putthebabiesdown 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #7 Doe 10-1 9th
Next Best: #12 Promise Me 5-1 6th
Super Add: #2 Hannah’s Holiday 6-1 3rd

6th: 10th Kitten’s Joy, 3+, 8.5f (P3, DD, Super)

#6 Vanquisher cross-entered in the Sussex at his home track (DEL), though he did run in the DaHoss here 6/18 (4th), and is 4/1-1-0-1 overall at CNL..

Most Likely: #2 Cherokee Artist 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #9 Rules of Honor 20-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Action Andy 4-1 WON ($8.80)
Super Add: #10 Court Band 30-1 9th

7th: 9th Virginia Oaks (G3), 3yo-F, 9f-Outer Turf (.50 P4, DD, Super)

She helped us at Tampa in that Suncoast win at 13-2, and it’s time to go back to her now: Wyomia..

Best Value: #5 Wyomia 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #8 Excited 8-5 WON ($7.00)
Exotics Use: #2 Summer Savory 8-1 2nd
Super Add: #4 Dynamic Holiday 2-1 5th

8th: 15th Virginia CDerby (G2), 3yo, 9f-Outer Turf (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Banned 5-2: Versatile and authoritative in G3 Jeff & G2 American.. 2nd
Best Value: #2 Air Support 6-1: 2nd to Banned & Street Game last pair; Still improving.. WON ($15.60)
Next Best: #4 Street Game 4-1: Stunning in Hill Prince win; Edgar subs for injured Curatolo.. 5th
Super Add: #10 King Congie 8-1: Has live look returning to lawn.. 6th

$50/$100 P5 Plays:

4: 7-8-11
5: 5-7-12
6: 2-9
7: 5-8
8: 2-4-7 (8-10)

3x3x2x2x3 = 108 x .50 = $54
3x3x2x2x5 = 180 x .50 = $90

Hard to decribe Thursday’s P6 action at Hollywood as anything but heartbreaking. Came live 2×3 to last pair with $15 and $20 winners in tow, but had to settle for $1,200 worth of conso when Unzip Me fell at 3-5 to uncovered and aptly named Broken Dreams. Disappointing as it was to miss out on the $48k payday, I heard from several people that did well taking in the opinions, and one that took down the sequence for their first P6 hit ever, which is endlessly gratifying. Another carryover to start the weekend, this time at Belmont…

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: S/ALW, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Starsilhouette 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Australis Princess 8-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Decennial 5-2 WON ($4.80)
Super Add: #3 To the Point 3-1 6th

5th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 1m (G/S, P3, DD)

Best Value: #1 Royal Majesty 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Thunder Chief 4-1 WON ($7.40)
Exotics Use: #7 Star of New York 6-1 5th

6th: MSW, 2yo, 6f-IT (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Not that he figures prominently today, but #6 Ur (Giant’s Causeway) is a half to the outstanding Island Sand (Tabasco Cat), who in 2004 beat Society Selection in the Acorn and was 2nd to Ashado in the Kentucky Oaks..

Most Likely: #1 Skorton 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #2 Finale 2-1 WON ($5.20)
Best Value: #3 Demon’s Deputy 12-1 5th
Super Add: #7 Knock Rock 10-1 6th

$1 Pick 3 (5-5-2) Paid: $35.75

7th: S/HCP, 3+, 7f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #4 Fisherman’s Wharf 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #6 Close to the Vest 15-1 WON ($25.00)
Next Best: #2 Unbridled Heat 3-1 2nd
Super Add: #8 Six Flings 12-1 –

$1 Pick 3 (5/2/6) Paid $170.00
$1 Exacta (6-2) Paid $55.00
$1 Trifecta (6-2-4) Paid $144.25

8th: Sometime Thing, 3yo-F, 7f (DD)

For a six horse overnight stake, this is a very nicely matched group. Indian Lilly is the only one of the set that would be a surprise. Savvy Supreme and You’re Kidding are the only parties especially inclined to being up front, and that frequently translates to horses running 1-2 all the way around. Dominguez will have a good view of what’s happening on Coax Liberty, and she may be very dangerous in his hands based on how she won the 11/12/10 Philly ALW last year. Victoria’s Wildcat deserves a mulligan for the muddy Acorn. Good, good race..

Best Value: #6 Coax Liberty 7-2 WON ($11.80)
Next Best: #2 Savvy Supreme 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 You’re Kidding 3-1 5th

$1 Pick 3 (2/6/6) Paid $305.00
$1 Exacta (6-2) Paid $19.40

9th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-T (Super)

Most Likely: #4 Miss Mexique 2-1 2nd
Best Value: #5 Stella Di Sicilia 6-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Vintage Heirloom 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #10 Marblehead Manor 5-1 WON ($15.80)

<$100 P6 Play:

4: 1-2-5
5: 1-5
6: 1-2
7: 4
8: 2-4-5-6
9: 4

3x2x2x1x4x1 = 48 x $2 = $96

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x4x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72