Amount Invested: $2,500
Amount Returned: $2,540.37
Net: +$40.37
$2 ROI: $2.03
Saturday, August 17
Personally bummed that I couldn't make the trip for Alabama weekend like last year, but the disappointment has been dulled by a long-awaited upturn in wagering success this week. Yesterday's Pick 4 produced the desired effect, as Ballistic Sue, who's been a money-maker for me in the past, bravely held on to win the wide-open 8th at 9-1 and Awakino Cat predictably destroyed his four rivals in the finale. After some bleak days earlier in the meet, I've managed to swim back to the surface and it's time to really capitalize while my opinions are good.
Late Pick 4:
9th: This jam-packed Sword Dancer looks like a two-horse race on paper, with #10 Boisterous clearly the horse to beat on paper off his much-the-best Man O' War triumph, but he's also the type who's had a tough time stringing together big efforts. My "on top" pick is #4 Twilight Eclipse, who ran a sneaky big race in the Man O' War on ground softer than he'd like, gets back to firm turf today and could be ready for his breakout performance.
10th: #4 Princess of Sylmar will be tough to beat off a super impressive win in the CCA Oaks, but #6 Fiftyshadesofhay was pretty good herself in the Iowa Oaks and should, at the very least, get first run on the favorite.
11th: Deep, cheap turf maiden claimer with no shortage of options. #9 So Outspoken will take a lot of money for Pletcher, but that will be largely off of a dirt race, as his two turf efforts have been dreadful. He's a favorite well worth playing against. #6 Ryvit's race two-back behind Vinny Goodtimes is plenty fast enough to win this, #12 Tiu is a logical contender and #11 Pentagram has good turf breeding on the damside. I'll also take a shot with #8 Jade Master, debuting for sharp Jeremiah Englehart, mainly because he wouldn't have to be much to win this and that I love Master Commands on the grass. He's also a half to solid turf runner Paracaidas.
12th: Another race worth seriously spreading in. #3 Native Singer is coming out of a no-excuse loss at 6-5 and is another favorite worth taking a shot against. For my money, #1 Kid Wando ran the better race that day, closing from off the pace to be a good 3rd over a speed-favoring track. #6 Bottleofredorwhite is an obvious danger for Pletcher, being by Freud and a half to good NYB sprinter Ludo Bagman. The other firsters, #4 Summer Place to Be and #10 Shot to Win are hardly out of it, and
I outlined before why I like #7 Mr. G. Zee when he scratched out of Native Singer's last race. #8 One Red Cat is also a threat if he can get back to his good debut race off the layoff for Chris Englehart.
$.50 4,10/4,6/6,8,9,11,12/1,3,4,6,7,8,10 $70
$1 4,10/4/6,9,11,12/1,6,7 $24
Race 9 $6 WIN 4