David Flores arrived too late on Proctor’s Grandma’s Rules in the first leg of the quad Thursday at Del Mar, an outcome that scuttled the play. Salvaged a $34 P3 from that point and caught a nice enough $46 triple in the nightcap to round out the modest action.

All of that was strictly a diversion during the evening with real work needed on Saratoga’s opening day slate. As Tom Durkin says in the familiar Spa advertising, ‘the season you wait for all year’ has arrived, and a very challenging 10 race card is upon us. Last season we stormed from the gate to a big early advantage, but that doesn’t always happen, and patience, discipline and determination are paramount to success over these next 7 weeks.

Best of luck for Saratoga 2011!

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD, Super)

Meet starts with same event that triggered monster bankroll kickoff a year ago when local kid Kerry Metiver combined with Julien Leparoux on 23-1 Dontstealmyland. This edition feels a bit more modest in the mutuel department, but the same jockey-trainer tandem offer a square 6-1 on Rocky World, and Metiver sends solid Tapitdar out with Prado at 8-1 as well..

Most Likely: #9 Boat 4-1 WON ($14.20)
Best Value: #8 Tapitdar 8-1 9th
Exotics Use: #10 The Noz 5-1 8th
Super Add: #5 Mr. Hooker 30-1 7th

2nd: NY-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Chardsey 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #7 Raffie’s Choice 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #6 Poliziotto 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #11 Winloc’s John Lee 6-1 6th

3rd: S/ALW, 3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Awesome Arceno 4-1 6th
Best Value: #4 Lubango 6-1 8th
Exotics Use: #9 Cure 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #5 Wise Stop 6-1 WON ($11.80)

4th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD, Super)

First straight open ALW of the meet, an unless I’m misreading the somewhat curious cast, LA bred Illusion of Speed (6-1) is a big overlay on the ML..

Most Likely/Best Value: #1 ILLUSION OF SPEED 6-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Babai Baby 7-2 6th
Exotics Use: #4 Valiant Passion 3-1 WON ($6.10)
Super Add: #5 Wild in Montana 30-1 7th

5th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

First baby race of the stand, and be aware that Todd Pletcher only won 18 of these a year ago. His #1 Stopshoppingmaria for Repole is likely ready, but draws the dreaded rail for her bow. #8 Bargain Blitz is a full to T. D. Vance, which begs the question of how soon Neil Howard moves her to the grass and stretch her out. Don’t get me wrong about her chances however, as that main track dash last time at CD was darn good. #3 My Miss Aurelia (By Smart Strike) is out of the wonderful My Miss Storm Cat, whose other baby (Albergatti) was bought up by same outfit (Stonestreet/Late Jess Jackson) and sparkled in debut as a 3yo this past winter at Santa Anita for Asmussen/Blasi. #7 Party of Interest is a Janney-Phipps homebred by 18% W’s first out sire Bernardini, and Shug an interesting 1-2-0 with last 4 debuters (3-3yo’s, 1-2yo). Great start to the juvenile Spa juvenile season..

Most Likely: #3 My Miss Aurelia 5-2 WON ($8.40)
Next Best: #8 Bargain Blitz 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #1 Stopshoppingmaria 6-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 Delightful Magic 7-2 2nd

<$75 P4 Play:

2: 3-7-13
3: 3-4-5-9
4: 1-4-6
5: 1-2-3-8

3x4x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

6th: CLM/N2X, 3+, 8.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

$20k claimers, and it’s tough to be overly confident in favored Marine Officer and Purvis. Several here in form at more attractive pricing..

Best Value: #2 Storm Galileo 8-1 4th
Next Best: #12 Ahgogo 5-1 11th
Exotics Use: #9 Pico Dinero 10-1 WON ($27.20)
Super Add: #3 Short Shrift 10-1 2nd

7th: NY-MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Sing Like a Bird 3-1 7th
Best Value: #1e Kimmel entry 5-1 6th/8th
Next Best: #9 Wildcat’s Smile 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 The Funky Express 10-1 9th

8th: James Marvin, 3+, 7f (P3, DD, Super)

As discussed Thursday on ATR with P. J. Campo, this event and the Curlin are recent stake intros that NYRA expect will get grading after this year. If this was to be instantly graded, it would be a G2 with a shocking lineup of accomplished sprinter-milers targeting the Forego, etc..

Best Value: #8 Hamazing Destiny 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 D’ Funnybone 8-1 8th
Exotics Use: #2 Jackson Bend 12-1 WON ($18.80)
Super Add: #3 Aikenite 4-1 5th

9th: 93rd Schylerville (G3), 2yo-F, 6f (DD, Super)

SCR #8 Flashy Lassie..

Best Value: #1 Force de La Nature 5-1: Note Bargain Blitz earlier today; Picks ’em up late.. 3rd
Next Best: #9 Georgie’s Angel 5-2: Pletcher barn excels at earning black type early.. WON ($3.90)
Exotics Use: #2 SCR
Super Add: #6 Gypsy Robin 3-1 4th

10th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T (Super)

Most Likely: #5 Chosen Empire 3-1 WON ($6.40)
Best Value: #3 Giarixa 12-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Alfarabi 4-1 7th
Exotics Use: #7 Liberty Cap 5-1 4th

<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-5-9
8: 2-7-8
9: 1-2/SCR-6-9
10: 3-5-7-9

3x3x4x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

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