Thoroughly wild Wednesday at Saratoga delivered a variety of plausible to impossible price winners including $21.40 Yampa River, $89 Kimmie’s Lucky Star, $44.80 Blue Pigeon, $27 Indian Starlight and $31.20 Image of Disco. The old ‘shipping money’ conceot may have reared its’ head as part of the boxcar bonanza too, as trainers Jimmy Ryerson and Anthony Quartarolo (both 0/15 entering the day) got their first Spa wins. The enigmatic results tripped a 2 day P6 carryover of $273,760 into Thursday’s good slate..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N2L, 4+, 16.5f-National Fences (P3, DD)

Speedy Mr. Universo should take to this course..

Best Value: #7 MR. UNIVERSO 6-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Kingdom 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 Bluegrass Summer 8-1 WON ($11.40)
Super Add: #4 Royal Fling Shot 7-2 4th

2nd: Mrs. Walter Jeffords, F&M-4+, 16.5f-National Fences (Pp3, DD)

Much of the cast from the Mrs. Phipps returns here..

Most Likely: #2e Fisher entry 2-1 3rd/5th
Best Value: #3 Cat Feathers 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #1e Fout entry 7-2 4th/7th
Exotics Use: #4 Kisser N Run 6-1 6th

3rd: NY-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Competitive group..

Most Likely: #2 (POE) Lender’s Way 4-1 6th
Next Best: #3 Little Rocket 5-2 WON ($4.20)
Best Value: #6 Hot Splash 12-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Keep Bustin 3-1 2nd

4th: CLM, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Star Harbour will every chance to wire this but note that this gambit wasn’t working as well as anticipated Wednesday..

Most Likely: #8 Star Harbour 5-2 WON ($4.90)
Next Best: #2 Majestic Number 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Blind Hope 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #4 Terminus 20-1 8th

5th: OC/S-ALW, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Best Value: #2 Hebert Hall 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Jess Not Jesse 2-1 WON ($3.90)
Exotics Use: #8 Downtownoscarbrown 8-1 7th
Super Add: #7 Off the Page 5-2 5th

6th: CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

$273k P6 C/O starts here..

As with Wednesday’s lynchpin 5th linking end of early P4 and start of C/O sequence, a very difficult group to decipher. Feels like there’s enough speed up front to be looking towards stalker-closers as the solution..

Most Likely: #4 Victory Island 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #8 Nuff Said Nuff Said 8-1 WON ($16.40)
Next Best: #9 Full of Intent 9-2 12th
Exotics Use: #3 Quiet Sunshine 15-1 6th

<$50 P4 Play:

3: 2-3-6
4: 1-2-8
5: 2-4
6: 3-4-8-9-11

3x3x2x5 = 90 x .50 = $45

$0.50 Pick 4 (3,7/8/3,4,9,10,11,12/8) Paid $80.87

7th: MSW, 3+, 5.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Wow.. Superfecta exiters from the opening Monday Joe Can Gallop score here as well as Mr. O’Leary who moves to lawn after chasing Eastwood. Chad Brown firster Lion Keen has worked steadily for bow and his brother-in-law Bruce Brown has a live FTS in Enough Already. Very difficult, especially if you expect regression from Kingston Bay in 2nd start..

Most Likely: #7 Mr. O’Leary 7-2 7th
Best Value: #8 Enough Already 15-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Kingston Bay 5-2 WON ($4.10)
Exotics Use: #9 Lion Keen 8-1 8th

8th: MCLM/$75k, 2yo-F, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Third P6 leg and opener of late P4 another juvenile curiosity..

Best Value: #4 Thundering Gale 8-1 7th
Next Best: #1 Long Island Lee 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Friends Pro 3-1 4th
Super Add: #8 Winekeeper 5-1 2nd

9th: NY-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Roses for Romney 8-5 8th
Next Best: #9 Funny Money 7-2 4th
Best Value: #4 Pure Amour 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Adriatic Dream 10-1 5th

10th: 9th With Anticipation (G2), 2yo, 8.5f-T (DD)

Best Value: #6 BASE CASE SCENARIO 5-1 5th
Next Best: #7 We Miss Artie 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #3 Tiger Bourbon 3-1 4th
Super Add: #2 River Dancer 12-1 2nd

11th: OC/S-ALW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT

Most Likely: #4 Brandys Secret 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #10 Broken Trust Fund 7-2 6th
Best Value: #5 Harbingerofthings 8-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Score Boyera 12-1 9th

<$100 P6 Play:

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

3x4x2x1x1x2 = 48 x $2 = $96

<$50 P4 Play:

8: 1-4-6-8
9: 1-9
10: 2-3-6-7
11: 4-5-10

4x2x4x3 = 96 x .50 = $48

Last week of Saratoga is upon us as another summer season has whistled by. Intense Travers Weekend wrapped Monday with a few odd winners that tripped a $65k carryover. Track was sealed Monday afternoon as rain was moving in, so be aware of potential for a very slick strip today, at least early on..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: MSW, 2yo, 9f (P3, DD)

Babies going 9f so fitness and aptitude key to group with modest-dubious accomplishments up to now..

Most Likely: #3 Commissioner 5-2 WON ($3.80)
Best Value: #1 Flying Joe 12-1 5th
Exotics Use: #7 Souper Lucky 4-1 2nd

2nd: CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Talent N Passion and Dixie Sparkle line up shoulder to shoulder and while Talent N Passion is faster, Paco Lopez picking up Dixie Sparkle likely means she’ll press as best she can. They could be flying early in a duel. A loose Talent N Passion will result in a wire win..

Most Likely: #1 Talent N Passion 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Miss Da Point 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #4 Liz Lemon 8-1 4th

3rd: NY-MCLM/$20k, F&M-3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Rosie’s Song 2-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Prize Taken 6-1 7th
Best Value: #7 Jupiter Moon 10-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Glass Aly 4-1 3rd

4th: My Flag, 3yo-F, 9f (P3, DD)

Personal Ensign was run Sunday and here’s event named for her 4x G1 winning daughter by Easy Goer. Might have been more appropriate to have this back at Belmont seeing as how My Flag won BC Juvy Fllies, CCAO & Gazelle downstate and never ran particularly well at the Spa (5/0-0-2)..

Most Likely: #3 Sister State 2-1 4th
Next Best: #4 Toasting 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #5 Profetiza 6-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Flash Forward 3-1 WON ($6.30)

5th: NY-MSW, 2yo, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD)

$65k P6 C/O starts here..

End of early P4 and start of P6 sees Clement return Bluegrass Flash (Bluegrass Cat), half to recent DMR Oaks winner Discreet Marq (Discreet Cat). Horse to beat after he dwelt at start of debut and moved few beats early (VIDEO). AE Cool It, The Mooche and John Bailey all exit same heat..

Most Likely: #6 Bluegrass Flash 5-2 8th
Best Value: #1 Gridley Here 12-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Tapidor 7-2 7th
Super Add: #10 Rewrite History 8-1 9th

<$24 P4 Play:

2: 1-4-7
3: 3 (6-7)
4: 3-4-5-6
5: 6

Main (3 in 3rd): 2x1x4x1 = 12 x $1.50 = $18
Back-up (6-7 in 3rd): 3x1x4x1 = 12 x .50 = $6

6th: NY-MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (G/S, P3, DD)

Hushion-Broman-Bernardini FTS Sleek (9-5) the obvious starting point here, but a couple big price firsters with potential (Selenite; On a Snowy Evening) are lurking and 2nd timers Canal Six and Cryptic Comet obviously can compete for top slots..

Most Likely: #1 Sleek 9-5 7th
Next Best: #8 Canal Six 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #9 Miss Narcissist 5-2 WON ($7.10)
Best Value: #2 Selenite 12-1 3rd
Super Add: #3 On a Snowy Evening 20-1 4th

7th: OC/S-ALW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Tricky, well-matched group but why not take shot with Clement first out winner Viva Allegiance (10-1) who won easily and gets ideal inside draw for this? Lezcano needs to be replaced with wrist injury that will sideline him a month..

Best Value: #1 Viva Allegiance 10-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Holiday’s Jewel 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #10 Caribean Beat 4-1 6th
Super Add: #8 Ceci N Red 20-1 5th

8th: 9th P. G. Johnson, 2yo-F, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

C. Brown candidates are potent 1-2 punch, but note that horses exiting Colonial closing day stakes card have come back strong after legging up over arduous lawn and that gives La Mejor Fiesta a price look here on stretchout that should suit him..

Most Likely: #6 La Reine Bourbon 3-1 6th
Next Best: #1 Granny Mc’s Kitten 5-2 WON ($5.70)
Best Value: #5 SCR
Exotics Use: #4 Candy Kitty 7-2 5th

9th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 1m-IT (DD)

No shortage of pace here..

Most Likely: #4 Sneaky Kitten 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Gimme Credit 4-1 5th
Best Value: #12 SCR
Exotics Use: #8 Alarmed Ndangerous 5-1 3rd

10th: MCLM/$25k, 3+, 8.5f-T

Best Value: #12 Indian Red 6-1 7th
Next Best: #6 Present Course 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #5 Alvear 8-1 6th
Super Add: #10 Lasso 7-2 WON ($11.20)

<$150 P6 Play:

5: 6
6: 1
7: 1-7-10
8: 1-6
9: 3-4
10: 2-4-5-6-10-12

1x1x3x2x2x6 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$75/<$40 P4 Play:

7: 1-7-10
8: 1-6
9: 3-4
10: 2-4-5-6-10-12

3x2x2x6 = $72 ($36 for .50)

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

NOTE: THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL THIS AFTERNOON

1st: OC/N2X, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Really fun group with potential for some boxcar numbers. Take shots because literally ANY combination of the 9 can finish 1-2-3-4..

Most Likely: #8 Happy My Way 8-1 3rd
Best Value: #7 Awed 12-1 7th
Next Best: #1 Tripski 5-2 5th
Exotics Use: #4 Spring to the Sky 5-1 WON ($4.40)

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

Doesn’t feel like an especially emergent group..

Most Likely: #2 Fingers Crossed 3-1 5th
Next Best: #6 U.S.S. O’Brien 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Domino Derval 9-5 2nd
Super Add: #5 Ocean Boulevard 5-1 WON ($13.40)

3rd: OC/S-ALW, 3yo-F, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #5 Gnarley Girl 4-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Ol Donyo 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Elusive Act 7-2 2nd
Super Add: #4 Heart of Rome 5-1 6th

4th: Smart and Fancy, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Interesting 50/50 group with half on/near pace, half off. Madame Giry may be ready to run ‘A’ race 3rd off layoff and Lion Down by Me could get sweet ground-saver to provide Luz dime-offer..

Best Value: #1 Lion Down by Me 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #8 Madame Giry 5-2 WON ($4.30)
Exotics Use: #6 Sweet and Lovely 5-1 7th
Super Add: #5 Jan’s Perfect Star 6-1 4th

5th: CLM, 3+, 1m-IT (P6, P3, DD)

Well-matched set with horses going in all different directions..

Best Value: #5 Sir Leslie 6-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Bedouin Now 3-1 7th
Exotics Use: #10 So Outspoken 5-2 3rd
Super Add: #3 Amber Coast 4-1 WON ($8.00)

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x4x1x4 = 96 x .50 = $48

6th: MCLM/$50k, 3+, 7f (G/S, P3, DD)

Sneaky Blowout is horse to beat, yes, but is he a 3-5 horse to beat? Cuts back and gets hood. Catholic Cowboy a fun price to use having faced some nice ones and curling back towards a big effort. Firster Tex Alex is working nicely for bow..

Most Likely: #5 Sneaky Blowout 3-5 2nd
Next Best: #3 Catholic Cowboy 12-1 4th
Best Value: #2 Tax Alex 15-1 7th
Exotics Use: #6 Team Lazarus 5-1 6th

7th: OC/S-ALW, 3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Another fun group with some value players to work around..

Best Value: #3 Scotus 15-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Plainview 2-1 WON ($4.00)
Exotics Use: #1 Compliance Officer 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #9 Political Courage 12-1 6th

8th: CLM, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #4 Belief System 9-2 3rd
Next Best: #8 Drum Roll 6-5 2nd
Exotics Use: #5 Fly Bye Pomeroy 10-1 4th

9th: 10th Saratoga Dew-NY, F&M-3+, 9f (DD)

Mischief Maker should prove tough to catch, especially if it comes up wet. Can’t blame Friedman for taking a shot back on dirt with Dreaming of Cara..

Most Likely: #3 Mischief Maker 7-2 3rd
Next Best: #4 Lady On the Run 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #1 Dreaming of Cara 10-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Tahoe Tigress 3-1 5th

10th: MCLM/$25k, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Most Likely: #1 Spunky Princess 5-1 WON ($9.10)
Best Value: #9 Bargaining Table 12-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Coralita 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #6 East Coast Express 10-1 3rd

<$75 P4 Play:

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

2x3x6x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

Travers Day spectacular as expected Saturday as 47,000+ thronged the Spa and a remarkable $41,000,000 passed through the windows. As good as the card and racing was, it was clearly impacted by speed-favoring surfaces the majority of the day, with turf front-runners particularly dominant. In the 8 grass events, only Why Not Whiskey and Sophie’s Turn were able to come from well of the pace. Dirt performers needed to be in front or up close for most of the day as well and it wasn’t until Capo Bastone’s pace collapse King’s Bishop win that a main track winner closed successfully.

Not to take away from any of the winners, but the stakes P4 sequence may be recalled as something of an oddity in retrospect, as it could be concluded that the ‘best horse’ may have been denied somehow in each of them. Mike Smith has had many great days in his Hall of Fame career, but this particular afternoon won’t be remembered as one of them with rides on My Happy Face and Palace Malice that were unarguably poor. Capo Bastone is a nice horse that picked the right time to capitalize on his potential (Career best 102 Beyer), but Mentor Cane gutted anyone that ran with him through the first 6f of the King’s Bishop and deserved a better fate. Laughing confirmed how good she is last month in the G1 Diana, but with the turf course lightening fast, was there ever a question that she would not be headed in the Ballston Spa?

Beyond the stakes, it was a curious day overall as well where you either needed to be on speeds from the start or adjust your play accordingly. To wit, in one of the more manic afternoons I can recall, I tabbed 7 winners on top and still managed to lose more than $400. Hope you enjoyed Travers Day and did OK. Another huge afternoon is on tap with Personal Ensign Day at the Spa and the superb Pacific Classic card slated at Del Mar!

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

Time for Jim Bond or Bobby Ribaudo to get of the duck. Treasured and Quay will be up front and one or the other should hit the wire first..

Best Value: #1 Treasured 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Quay 2-1 WON ($7.80)
Exotics Use: #11 Atlantic Dream 7-2 10th
Super Add: #6 Callana 5-1 4th

2nd: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Gracer 3-1 WON ($4.50)
Next Best: #2 Potosi’s Silver 2-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Gratitude 8-1 5th
Exotics Use: #4 Mei Ling 5-1 3rd

3rd: NY-MSW, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Knockher Off 1-1 WON ($3.00)
Best Value: #4 Sayaprayerforme 15-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Irish Etiquette 4-1 7th
Exotics Use: #7 Acigarisjustacigar 6-1 4th

4th: CLM, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Shankopotomus 5-2 WON ($3.90)
Next Best: #1 Radiohead 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #6 Non Stop Late SCR
Exotics Use: #7 St Liams Halo 6-1 3rd

5th: CLM, F&M-3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Crafty Push 4-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Kaitlyn’s Cat 6-1 WON ($7.50)
Exotics Use: #8 Seven Dreams 6-1 6th
Super Add: #5 Midnightinpositano 20-1 2nd

$50 P4 Play:

2: 1-2-4-5-7
3: 2-4
4: 1-2–6
5: 2-7-8

5x2x3x3 = 90 x .50 = $45

$0.50 Pick 4 (5,6,9/2,10/2,3,5,6/1,7) Paid $18.75 x 2 = $37.50

6th: Idle Rich, 3+, 9.5f-T (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Imagining 9-5 WON ($4.70)
Best Value: #4 Hobbs 12-1 6th
Next Best: #1 Atigun 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Sky Blazer 4-1 4th

7th: NY-OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 7f (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 What the Frost 5-2 WON ($6.60)
Next Best: #6 All Mine Tonight 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #7 Gee Linz 5-1 7th
Exotics Use: #9 Agillion 6-1 8th

8th: MSW, 2yo-F, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Difficult start to late P4 with some expensive babies including Royal Delta’s $1.6MM sister Crown Queen (Mott/Besilu) and $700k Nat Rea buy Zinzay (Arnold)..

Most Likely: #13 Hillhouse High 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #5 Gondole 12-1 7th
Next Best: #3 Sabbatical 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #1 Jamaica Bay 8-1 5th

9th: OC/N2X, 3+, 9f-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Sachem Spirit 5-2 4th
Best Value: #3 Share Out 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #6 Gentleman’s Kitten 5-1 WON ($8.90)
Exotics Use: #2 Overwhelming 8-1 3rd

10th: 66th Personal Ensign (G1), F&M-3+, 9f (DD)

Royal Delta imposing but Authenticity and On Fire Baby are within striking range and lots of odd things seem to happen in these high-profile events with small fields..

Most Likely: #2 Royal Delta 2-5 WON ($3.10)
Best Value: #1 On Fire Baby 5-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Authenticity 7-2 2nd

11th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Terrific finale..

Most Likely: #10 Divine Luck 6-1 2nd
Best Value: #11 Daddy Loves Gold 10-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Kitten’s Queen 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Can’t Explain 20-1 8th

<$75 P4 Play:

8: ALL
9: 2-3-4-6
10: 2
11: 2-10-11

10x4x1x3 = 120 x .50 = $60

DEL MAR

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: MSW, 2yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Be Proud 5-2: Rates edge on experience.. 4th
Best Value: #4 Lady Bugatti 6-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Antiquity 3-1 WON ($8.60)
Exotics Use: #10 Elite Eight 15-1 7th

5th: 27th Del Mar Mile H. (G2), 3+, 1m-T (P3, DD)

Obviously tough to beat..

Most Likely: #4 Obviously 3-5 WON ($2.60)
Next Best: #3 Silentio 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Tigah 4-1 5th

6th: MSW, 2yo, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Bardstown 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Primal Instinct 5-2 5th
Best Value: #8 I Earned It Baby 15-1 WON ($34.60)
Exotics Use: #14 Touchdown Wilson 5-1 6th

7th: 28th Pat O’Brien (G2), 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Goldencents 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #2 Gonna Fly Now 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Fed Biz 9-2 WON ($17.60)
Exotics Use: #8 Wine Police 12-1 4th

8th: OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Lilbourne Eliza 3-1 5th
Best Value: #4 Bonnie Lesley 8-1 4th
Next Best: #11 Warren’s Flasher 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #9 Special Charm 15-1 9th

9th: 23rd Pacific Classic (G1), 3+, 10f (P3, DD)

Game On Dude appears way more comfortable on the DMR poly for this go around. Fun cast around him including defending winner Dullahan, Woodbine invader Delegation and 20-1 pair from 8/3 ALW..

Most Likely: #11 Game On Dude 5-2 WON ($5.40)
Best Value: #3 Holding Glory 20-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Dullahan 7-2 6th
Exotics Use: #8 Delegation 8-1 8th
Super Add: #5 You Know I Know 20-1 3rd

10th: CLM, 3+, 1m (DD)

Best Value: #10 Bank the Eight 8-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Smokin Cat 7-2 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Diamond of Blue 5-1 WON ($6.60)
Super Add: #12 Casa de Cambio 6-1 4th

11th: Cal-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-T (Super Hi-5)

Best Value: #6 Awesome Okee 8-1 9th
Next Best: #1 Mr Lemon Tree 5-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #10 Wings of Mojave 8-1 6th
Super Add: #5 Volkonsky 5-2 WON ($9.40)
Hi-5 Play: #9 Empty Headed 7-2 5th

<$50 P4 Play:

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

2x3x3x5 = 90 x .50 = $45

Tiptoed to the finale of Friday P6 sequence live to just Secretive for $3,800, but couldn’t get the maiden past Parnelli. Early P4 made the day work with $457 tab on strength of 2nd race upset by Rice’s Palace ($27.00). Racing highlight of the day was undoubtedly Dance to Bristol’s latest overachiever stunt, a gutty G1 Ballerina win over an oncoming Book Review. After anxious moments in the Honorable Miss, Xavier Perez took no chances with the Speightstown filly and assured himself safe passage with 2013’s best story.

Hope everyone had a good afternoon in advance of what should be a great Travers Day and spectacular weekend. If you missed any of Weekend Preview ATR, catch the archive or stream for opinions on SAR’s & DMR’s big days from Jay Privman, Mike Welsch, Mike Beer, Nick Tammaro, Ed DeRosa, Jay Frederick, Rick Hammerle and Rich Migliore. Keep an eye on news feeds Saturday morning for updates on Joel Rosario’s condition and riding status…

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N2X, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #9 Rightfully So 6-1 10th
Best Value: #5 Dads Caps 12-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Colony Strike 7-2 9th
Exotics Use: #3 Cozzetti 6-1 3rd

2nd: MSW, 3+, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #10 Celebrated Talent 7-2 WON ($4.50)
Next Best: #7 Scam 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Charlie’s Picnic 8-1 7th
Exotics Use: #11 Tiz Chris 3-1 2nd

3rd: MSW, 2yo, 8.5f-T P3, DD)

2012 version produced Summer of Fun..

Most Likely: #9 Bobby’s Kitten 5-2 WON ($4.00)
Best Value: #3 Mr. Speaker 10-1 6th
Next Best: #2 Stroll to Victory 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Zalmon 20-1 8th

4th:NY-OC/N1X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Without as much fanfare, Dominic Galluscio has had as strong a season here as George Weaver. Marriedtothemusic was a revelation opening weekend and game in stake follow-up. Be Bullish deserves respect. Love Crafty Dreamer’s worktab for return. Aforementioned Weaver has dangerous Dr Figawi inside..

Most Likely: #11 Marriedtothemusic 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #12 Crafty Dreamer 6-1 9th
Exotics Use: #1 Dr. Figawi 6-1 6th
Super Add: #9 Kid Blast 15-1 8th

5th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

Pleased and proud to have Toy Cannon running on big day undercard and long-strider should benefit from outside draw. Cordero and Velazquez eagerly sought return ride on our Thunder Gulch gelding after serendipitous pick-up mount opening Saturday and will need to move smartly on speed-favoring course to garner honors in good field. Let’s get lucky!

Most Likely: #10 Toy Cannon 4-1 5th
Best Value: #5 Why Not Whiskey 12-1 WON ($18.20)
Next Best: #8 Make a Decision Late SCR
Exotics Use: #3 Archer Hill 10-1 11th

<$50 P4 Play:

2: 2-7-10-11
3: 2-3-9
4: 1-9-11-12
5: 5-10

4x3x4x2 = 96 x .50 = 448

6th: NY-MSW, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #10 Hudson Miracle 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #5 Campogiovanni 8-1 7th
Next Best: #6 Birchwood Road 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #8 Elroi 6-1 5th

7th: OC/S-ALW, 3+, 8.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Adirondack Dancer 3-1 WON ($7.00)
Best Value: #6 Wildcatter 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #4 Rivendell 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #8 Happy Fella 10-1 5th

8th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P6, P3, DD)

Best Value: #2 Rapscallion 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #6 Pick of the Litter 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #9 Joking 4-1 6th
Super Add: #10 North Star Boy 6-1 4th

9th: 88th Test S. (G1), 3yo-F, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Was inclined to believe Sweet Lulu was the goods even before glowing endorsement of her by Privman..

Most Likely: #5 Sweet Lulu 5-2 WON ($5.60)
Next Best: #8 My Happy Face 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #4 I’m Mom’s Favorite 20-1 7th
Exotics Use: #9 Wildcat Lily 6-1 2nd

10th: 25th Ballston Spa (G2), F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P

While acknowledging that it’s not the right way to approach a race, am unabashedly rooting for Miz Ida in wake of the passing of stalwart Louisville horsewoman Elaine Klein..

Most Likely: #1 Laughing 7-2 WON ($7.30)
Best Value: #3 Miz Ida 8-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Hungry Island 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Centre Court 3-1 8th

11th: 29th King’s Bishop (G1), 3yo, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Day’s toughest race to decipher. Central Banker very viable at big number with forward progress off turf dash..

Most Likely: #2 Forty Tales 5-2 4th
Best Value: #12 Central Banker 20-1 3rd
Next Best: #10 Let Em Shine 6-1 13th
Exotics Use: #7 Mentor Cane 8-1 2nd

12th: 144th Travers S. (G1), 3yo, 10f (P3, DD)

In much the same fashion Princess of Sylmar capitalized on her opportunity in the Alabama, Palace Malice appears poised to claim 3yo championship honors by annexing Mid-Summer Derby. All systems go based on post-Jim Dandy machinations. Romansh feels like the right outsider and will be a better price than Transparent. Should get an ideal voyage under 3x winner of this event in Castellano (Stay Thirsty, Afleet Express, Bernardini). Hard to be exuberant about Orb off the 11 weeks break, though he looks terrific and has impressed morning observers. Moreno has exceeded expectations in his G2 runs and is only player in field with triple digit Beyers in his last 2 starts. Verrazano is of course the most pressing question and anything like his Haskell effort will win here too. I’ll play against him within the race and cover him in the all-stakes P4..

Most Likely: #8 Palace Malice 5-2 4th
Best Value: #1 Romansh 12-1 5th
Next Best: #2 Orb 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Moreno 12-1 2nd

<$75 P4 Play:

9: 5-8
10: 1-2-3-4-5-6
11: 2-7-8-9-10-12
12: 3-8

2x6x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

13th: CLM, 3+, 5.5f-T (DD)

Most Likely: #5 Smiling Bob 6-1 WON ($6.70)
Best Value: #10 Impatient Investor 10-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Slamarama 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Risk Management Late SCR

14th: NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T

Most Likely: #5 Sophie’s Turn 6-1 WON ($9.60)
Next Best: #1 As Well 5-2 5th
Best Value: #2 Amazing Abby 20-1 7th
Exotics Use: #12 You So Smart 6-1 9th

<$50 P4 Play:

11: 2-7-10-12
12: 8
13: 3-5-7-10
14: 1-2-5-6-10-12

4x1x4x6 = 96 x .50 = $48