Defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan put a nice exclamation point on the first half of the Spa stand Saturday with a professional repeat in the Fourstardave over the plucky King Kreesa. While pundits and observers continue to debate the merits or mundaneness of the campaign of Morton Fink’s gelding, the Wiseman’s Ferry 6yo continues to pile up wins. Now 17 for 24, Wise Dan appears overwhelmingly likely to continue on his present course towards a Breeders’ Cup Mile title defense. Charlie Lopresti pushed his personal Saratoga seasonal stakes win mark to 4 years with the win (Wise Dan: 2012-13 Forestardave; Turallure: 2011 Baruch; Here Comes Ben: 2010 Forego) and pushed his ’13 record to 9/2-4-3 in the process.

Nothing special happened at the windows on this 4th Saturday as I continued to tread water looking for a bonus hit. Caught a decent P3 tying the 3rd-5th together after misdiagnosing the short field 2nd, but was then stymied badly mid-card by Metiver’s 3rd win of the meet ($15.20 Even Got Quiet) and B. Brown’s 17-1 Dangerous Lad in the scrambling 8th. Hope everyone did OK. Idyllic Sunday at hand with a pair of 2yo stakes and Dee Tee’s My Pal of Pals getting a Saratoga start in the opener..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

Prefer My Pal of Pals at 7f or so, but it’s not available upstate. Should be able to set up shop stalking from cozy slot and have opportunity to contend late if the added ground isn’t too taxing..

Most Likely: #5 Pyro City 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #9 Bold Forest LATE SCR
Best Value: #4 My Pal of Pals 10-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Bill of Rights 7-2 WON ($5.70)

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

Short-priced Pletcher fave will betough to beat but there are hot-working, ‘win early’ players lurking and all you need to do to envision upset is go back to In Trouble corralling Sound of Freedom Saturday..

Most Likely: #6 Sweet Whiskey 6-5 WON ($2.90)
Next Best: #8 Radiant 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Tea Time 10-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 Walk of Stars 15-1 7th

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

SCR of Talent N Passion will change this a bit..

Most Likely: #3 Gritty Gal 9-2 7th
Best Value: #10 Yankeeindixieland 12-1 9th
Next Best: #5 Pop Pop’s Smyle 5-1 8th
Exotics Use: #4 Lenderoflastresort 12-1 6th

4th: MCLM/$65k, 2yo, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

Best Value: #4 Lieutenant Seany O 8-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Frogman Mel 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Greek God 7-2 2nd
Super Add: #1 Racetrack Romance 5-1 WON ($12.00)

5th: NY-OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 She’s Stone’s Sis 8-5 WON ($3.50)
Best Value: #2 Zekes Surprise 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Motion Lounge 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #9 My Unbridled Storm 8-1 5th

<$50 P4 Play:

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

5x3x3x2 = 90 x .50 = $45

6th: MSW, 2yo, 8.5f-T (P6, P3, DD)

Fun baby turf route. Think you want to liberally use prices in this open affair inclusing DWL’s Canadian Winner who grappled in the a.m. with Optimizer and held his own..

Most Likely: #1e Ramsey entry 5-2 WON ($4.50)/9th
Best Value: #9 Canadian Winner 15-1 10th
Next Best: #7 Patent 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Elrigh 12-1 6th

7th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

SCR Magnificent Shirl who ran in the Auntie Mame Saturday. Another wide open event where no combination will be outlandish. Several D2T and stretchout players involved and watch for potential AE draw-in of #12 Marataya’s Tune (12-1) which would add more zip to the already solid pace scenario..

Most Likely: #1 Yes It’s Pink 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #8 Sense to Compete 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Happy Face 10-1 6th
Exotics Use: #4 Teen Pauline 7-2 WON ($8.90)
Super Add: #6 Neith 20-1 5th

8th: OC/S-ALW, 3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Partly Mocha 6-1 WON ($10.20)
Next Best: #11 Jess Not Jesse 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #10 Ziptronic 5-1 3rd
EXotics Use: #5 Rip Roarin Ritchie 7-2 5th

9th: 97th Adirondack (G2), 2yo-F, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Calhoun filly seems a notch above the rest of her division right now..

Most Likely: #2 Fiftyshadesofgold 7-5 3rd-Elevated from 4th
Next Best: #4 Who’s in Town 4-1 4th-DQ’d from Win
Best Value: #6 Charmed Hour 12-1 DNF-Broke down
Exotics Use: #3 Thank You Marylou 6-1 2nd-Elevated from 3rd

10th: 108th Saratoga Special (G2), 2yo, 6.5f (DD)

Well-matched baby boys, but fact that Candy Dandy topped next out winners Dunkin Bend and Best Case Scenario tips scales. None of these would be a surprise..

Most Likely: #3 Candy Dandy 3-1 5th
Best Value: #1 Lunarwarfare 6-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Twang 5-1 7th
Exotics Use: #7 Wired Bryan 7-2 2nd

11th:NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Best Value: #1a Celesta 5-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Atlantic’s Smile 4-1 WON ($6.70)
Exotics Use: #3 Jennys Creek 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #6 Sheedbdawon 3-1 4th

<$50 P4 Play:

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

4x1x5x5 = 100 x .50 = $50

First sloppy day of the season Friday produced some OK results with $21.60 Leah Gyarmati monster miss the highlight anchoring the early P4 ($90). Shine a Spotlight lost an agonizing photo in the 7th that cost the late quad which had potential to return $250 or so. Gyarmati blasted off an 0/13 Spa duck with longtime client Jeff Treadway’s first time starting filly Sweet Reason (Street Sense) who won by 5 widening lengths and tripped an 82 Beyer under Alex Solis. Out of the Mt. Livermore mare that produced MSW Don’t Forget Gil (Kafwain), the $185k KEE yearling buy is advanced physically and looks like a major player considering that she is most likely cut out to route. Hope everyone did well. Weather cleared out overnight and a beautiful weekend is on tap with terrific cards at both Saratoga and Del Mar..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: ALW/N1X, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Terrific opener to fun card. Would love to keep 2-1 ML fave Ithastobegeorge out of the pay slots hoping he regresses from huge try last, but run back to it makes him tough. And if he doesn’t fire, you still have Jacobson’s Tenango (5-2) to deal with outside. Make Your Move turns back to 7f after chasing in Dwyer. Tug of War earning high marks from clockers..

Most Likely: #7 Moonlight Song 4-1 WON ($6.20)
Best Value: #1 Make Your Move 6-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Tenango 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Ithastobegeorge 2-1 3rd

2nd: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Tricky group of six. Favored Greed and Fear has only one race on page (11/17/12 Safely Kept win at LRL) that makes her competitive. Even in hands of magical troika of Maker/Ramsey/Rosario, seems like an overbet play-against. Invasor was inducted into HOF Friday and daughter Expression looks right having faced nice stakes foes last pair including Silverette, Romans’ and Pompa’s impressive turf dasher..

Most Likely: #5 Expression 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Ann’s Smart Dancer 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Greed and Fear 5-2 5th

3rd: CLM, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Ramsey shoving The Sixties through again after no one was interested for $10k at the Downs. Worktab info says he’s ouchy. El Cuadro drilled sharply for this and adds hood. Needs to get out of gate to pursue likely pacesetter Rubys and Pearls..

Most Likely: #5 The Sixties 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 El Cuadro 15-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Rubys and Pearls 5-2 DNF
Exotics Use: #6 Where’s Danny 3-1 WON ($6.60)

4th: MSW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD)

As offered by Nick Tammaro Friday on ATR, C. Brown owns gaudy percentages and ROI under scenario that fits Can’t Catch Kate. There are nice options to use with her though as Shirreffs’ Poster Girl looks set for best and Neat Package (Sheppard for ad man Bill Backer) makes first 3yo start. Be aware that Treasured Up has merit should she find her way into the starting gate of the AE’s..

Most Likely: #2 Can’t Catch Kate 3-1 7th
Next Best: #6 Poster Girl 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #1 Neat Package 5-1 WON ($13.80)
Exotics Use: #4 Winner’s Legacy 8-1 10th

5th: CLM, 3+, 1m-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #13 Dighton 4-1 WON ($9.60)
Next Best: #12 Harley 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #7 Prudent Investor 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #9 Kiss of Thunder 5-17th

<$50 P4 Play:

2: 1-2-3-5
3: 1-5-6-7
4: 2-6
5: 7-12-13

4x4x2x3 = 96 x .50 = $48

6th: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f (P6, P3, DD)

All firster guessing game with pedigrees, worktabs and trainer history the clues to possible success..

Most Likely: #5 Sound of Freedom 2-1: Pletcher War Front likely ready.. 2nd
Best Value: #2 Tiznowforamerica 12-1: Surprise package caught eye of Welsch.. 3rd
Next Best: #4 Point Hope 6-1: KMc/Darley full to North Slope steady in a.m. 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Borseggiatore 3-1: Sharp drills but Zito not hitting 1st out.. 8th

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

Do I Amuse You (12-1) will be bet down on acclaim of pace play advantage. Trainers can read PP’s too and expect aggression from Rosario (Ambassador Bridge) and Saez (Charlie’s Punch)..

Best Value: #9 Charlie’s Punch 10-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Ambassador Bridge LATE SCR-Gate
Exotics Use: #6 Do I Amuse You 12-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Soul House 7-5 3rd

8th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Tough reads abound here with any number of surface switchers offering intrigue and value. Pace looks square at the least and possibly quite fast. Note that Shirreffs’ AE player Pease and Justice GETS IN dangerous if allowed to participate..

Most Likely: #2 Valid 5-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Abraham 3-1 7th
Best Value: #4 Rivendell 12-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Ghost Hunter 5-1 5th
Super Add: #11 Peace and Justice 3-1 8th

9th: Auntie Mame, 3yo-F, 8.5f-T

Nice group..

Most Likely: #8 Summer of Fun 7-2 WON ($5.50)
Best Value: #4 Bella Castani LATE SCR
Next Best: #2 Praia 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #1 Joy 12-1 3rd

10th: 29th Fourstardave H. (G2), 3+, 1m-IT (DD)

Hard to take stand against Horse of Year Wise Dan even though the 129# impost offers serious length spreads with rest of the solid cast. Tactically and pace wise, Lea, King Kreesa and Skyring could inhibit each others upset potential out while Velazquez sits the ideal up-close stalking voyage inside as in last year’s edition of this. Za Approval stands to benefit the mosr from any pace contention and feels like the right one for exotics keys underneath the favorite and as small saver on top..

Most Likely: #1 Wise Dan 3-5 WON ($2.80)
Best Value: #3 Za Approval LATE SCR-Stake/Course condition
Next Best: #6 King Kreesa 6-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Mr. Commons 10-1 4th

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

Most Likely: #8 Adirondack Dancer 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #7 Third Knight 6-1 9th
Next Best: #4 North Star Boy 5-1 WON ($10.80)
Exotics Use: #11 Wildcatter 5-1 4th

<$75 P4 Plays:

8: 2-3-4-5-7-11
9: 2-4/SCR–8
10: 1 (3/SCR)
11: 8 (4-7-11)

6x3x1x1 = 18 x $2 = $36 (Wise Dan press)
6x3x1x4 = 72 x .50 = $36 (Wise Dan wide)
6x3x1x1 = 18 x .50 = $9 (Za Approval/Adirondack Dancer back-up)

SARATOGA

ALL RACES — 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th — ARE OFF THE TURF

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, F&M-3+, 5.5f-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #10 Talent N Passion WON ($3.90)
Best Value: #2 Acrobatic Tactic 5th
Exotics Use: #7 Wellspring Legacy 4th

2nd: MCLM/$20k, 3+, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Nick Tammaro pointed out Thursday that as implausible as it seems, Abel Lezcano (Joey N) has 4 wins at the meet… and chances again Friday for more..

Most Likely: #7 Start Jumping 2-1 WON ($4.20)
Next Best: #1a Optionality 6-5 4th
Best Value: #8 Joey N 10-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 Like a Boss 12-1 5th

3rd: OC/N!X, 3+, 16f (P3, DD)

The meet’s annual 2 mile race which happened to be the last time Ea had his picture taken..

Most Likely: #1e Jacobson entry 7-5 WON ($3.20)/2nd
Best Value: #4 Kings Village 20-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Le Deluge 8-1 4th

4th: MCLM/$35k, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Forbidden Talent WON ($5.80)
Best Value: #2 Saratoga Miss 8-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Johnny Meatballs 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Sheered 8-1 4th

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

$43k C/O Starts Here..

Most Likely: #10 Boom Boom Vroom 2-1 6th
Next Best: #6 Miss Lech 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #2 Sweet Reason 12-1 WON ($21.60)
Exotics Use: #1e Nihei entry 5-1 4th

<$50 P4 Play:

2: 1-2-7-8
3: 1-4-5-6
4: 4
5: 1-2–/SCR-6-10-11

4x4x1x6 = 96 x .50 = $48

$.50 Pick 4 (3/6/7-1/2/3-4/7-2) Paid $90.50

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

Most Likely: #7 Fox Rox 2-1 4th
Exotics Use: #4 From the Point 8-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Empire Dreams 7-2 2nd
Super Add: #3 Free Mugatu 5-1 WON ($12.40)

7th: MSW, 2yo-F, 8.5f-OFF THE TURF (P4, P3, DD)

Pedigree notes take slight turn with off/turf, but Jazil’s Dream a half sis to Maram; High Heel Kitten a full to Csaba; All Star Kitten a full to Empire Builder..

Best Value: #6 Shine a Spotlight 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Courtesan 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Aldara 3-1 5th
Super Add: #4 Duff One 4-1 WON ($6.40)

8th: Hall of Fame (G2), 3yo, 8.5f-OFF THE TURF

Most Likely: #6 Battier 3rd
Next Best: #1a (POE) Charming Kitten 4th/5th

9th: Alada-R, F&M-3+, 9f (DD)

Terrific group..

Most Likely: #8 Flashy American 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Best Value: #6 And Why Not 6-1 5th
Next Best: #3 Street Secret 4-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Lady Cohiba 8-1 2nd

10th: CLM, 3+, 9f-OFF THE TURF

Most Likely: #3 Barzini 4th
Best Value: #2 Matt and Jesse WON ($7.00)
Next Best: #5 Cytherean 2nd

<$150 P6 Play:

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

2x2x3x2x1x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

$50 P4 Plays:

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

3x4x2x4 = 96 x .50 = $48

Weekly Wednesday C/O at Del Mar came off feeling like a big opportunity missed when only one truly hard horse to use on a narrow ticket tripped a payoff of $20k+. Not that I play hunches, but Carla Gaines/Jerry Quinn filly ‘Wednesday’ (!) was the key to the sequence as she emerged the 6th race winner from a three horse photo at nearly 9-1. The Medaglia d’Oro dilly wasn’t ‘impossible’ but she did need to improve past 4-5 foes to win and she did. The rest of the sextet was pretty mundane as ship-&-win candidate Spring Breeze ($8.60/2nd choice) blitzed the opening leg, Euro import Clenor ($3.80/favorite) proved out, while $7.20 Derek’s Girl (2nd choice), $8.60 Concave (Sorrento 2nd fave) and $11.00 Suances Pride (3rd choice) rounded out the evening.

At Saratoga, ATR listeners heard Mike Welsch help you find Belly of the Whale ($11.20) in the opener, but 28-1 Wisdom of Oz was beyond most everyone in the 3rd and kaboshed all the multi-race plays I envisioned. Drum Roll looked like a candidate to win on the front end to me and even stalked early before taking over to post a $15.20 hit. After the ticky-tack DQ of Orino in the Cab Calloway elevated West Hills Giant and Pan Dulce’s strong effort for Galluscio in the 6th, improved Sally’s Dream won her second in a row for Randi Persaud and Bridgmo. The day had potential to explode when traffic-impeded Terminus (13-1) performed admirably in the 8th, but the photo went to favored Thinking of Girls and meager exotics were the booby prize. Console looked special demolishing the rich ALW 9th and word was clearly out on local boy Kerry Metiver’s Professor Chaos (12-1 ML; 4-1 post time) who Abel Lezcano couldn’t derail.

Fun day — and night — of racing. Hope everyone did well. Another threatening day weather-wise here in upstate NY, but there’s a chance the precip arrives after the day’s undertaking..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: Mrs. Phipps, F&M-4+, 16.5f-National Fences (P3, DD)

Wide open and opportunity to play against the ML faves who only look slightly better than pricey alternatives..

Most Likely: #1e Fisher entry 4-1 WON ($7.90)/6th
Best Value: #5 Hunter Forward 20-1 DNF-Fell
Next Best: #6 Cubist 5-1 DNF-Left course
Exotics Use: #9 Well Fashioned 5-2 3rd

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

State bred babies and a more than a bit of guessing game. Donk can win with a firster and Chrysolite a full sis of swiftish MSW Freud’s Notebook..

Most Likely: #6 Nutmeg 3-1 4th
Best Value: #3 Chrysolite 8-1 7th
Next Best: #4 Miss Narcissist 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #1 Blithely 4-1 2nd

3rd: OC/N2X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Colony Strike 9-5 2nd
Next Best: #2 Windswept 2-1 WON ($6.30)

4th: OC/S-ALW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

If she were to get in, #12 (AE) Holiday’s Jewel (5-2) would become most likely..

Best Value: #2 Rain Forest 5-1 7th
Next Best: #6 Stick to Your Guns 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #8 English Rhythm 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #9 Bustle 6-1 6th

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

Most Likely: #5 Bluegrass Finish 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Marvin’s Miracle 5-2 WON ($6.70)
Best Value: #6 Cool It 15-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 John Bailey 5-1 4th

<$50 P4 Play:

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

6x1x4x4 = 96 x .50 = $48

6th: OC/S-ALW, 3yo, 1m-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

Deep, well-matched set with perhaps 7 of the 10 within a couple lengths of each other and no shortage of pace. Appreciative this isn’t in a P4 sequence..

Best Value: #5 Prado Cat 6-1 6th
Next Best: #7 More Hundred Acre 5-1 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Southern Tier 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #2 Kanturk Kid 6-1 WON ($12.00)

7th: CLM, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #1 World Premier Gate SCR
Next Best: #2 Cinematize 5-2 6th
Exotics Use: #5 Victory Island 7-2 2nd
Super Add: #8 Warrior Marie 15-1 4th

8th: NY-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Fun wagering affair with 1-4-5-6-7-8-10 most eligible for top pay slots..

Best Value: #10 Newbie 10-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Golden Galaxy 5-1 10th
Exotics Use: #5 Discreet Force 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #8 Miss Da Point 12-1 8th

9th: 11th Statue of Liberty-NYSS, 3yo-F, 1m-IT (DD)

Most Likely: #2 Adriatic Dream 5-1 6th
Best Value: #8 John’s Mariah 10-1 4th
Next Best: #3 Palace Dreams 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Frosty Bay 7-2 WON ($16.20)
Super Add: #9 Image of Noon 4-1 2nd

10th: CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T

Looks like a scrambler with plenty of pace involved. Last move wins?

Best Value: #4 Bonatini 8-1 6th
Next Best: #2 Belle of the West 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #3 Scealeile 8-1 8th
Super Add: #5 Yampa River 6-1 4th

<$100/@$50 P4 Plays:

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

3x3x3x4 = 108 x .50 = $54
3x3x5x4 = 180 x .50 = $90

Closed out 3rd week of Spa session with modest early P4 hit for $300 on $1 try ($72), but single of dreadful 1-1 Starsilhouette in late quad nightcap left door open on $48 attempt. Weather appears slightly iffy at this hour with 50-50 t-storm possibilities as we start Week 4 and approach meet’s mid-point. At Del Mar, a challenging sequence is in the offing on the 3rd straight Wednesday carryover scenario, this one a $265k pot that should reach $1.5MM by the 6:09pm ET post of race 3.

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Fascinating set of all firsters in opener with no shortage of slick debut barns sending well bred types. Mack Miller (Pletcher/Dogwood) dropped from Satish Sanan’s productive mare Raspberry Eggcream (Rothko, Kinsey, etc.) and was a $130k standout at OBS March. More Than Classic goes for Wesley Ward and has had a string of sharp half miles coming in. Bluegrass Hall/Calumet homebred All Cash is ideally born for lawn being by English Channel out of a Dynaformer mare, but likely needs added distance. Catfive (Smart Strike) was bred by Don Adam (Courtland Farm) o/o SW Cat Charmer, but sent through ring and fetched but $3,000 as a KEE Sept yearling. Canani barn has been in some turmoil upstate. Little Boss bows for Vaccarezza/Romans and is bred to win early (Street Boss). War Hawk (War Front) brought $300k from Jerry Durant and has worked steadily for Asmussen..

Most Likely: #2 Mack Miller 5-2 5th
Next Best: #7 War Hawk 3-1 7th
Best Value: #3 More Than Classic 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Belly of the Whale 6-1 WON ($11.20)

2nd: Claramount-NY, 3yo, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Marriedtothemusic exploded here 2 weeks ago and repeat wires this. C. Brown turnback Bond Vigilante needs clever ride by J. Ortiz from rail..

Most Likely: #4 Marriedtothemusic 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Bond Vigilante 9-5 WON ($7.60)
Exotics Use: #2 Chapman 5-1 3rd

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

Bit of a quagmire here with 5 of 9 cutting back in distance and 4 dropping down from NY-MSW company..

Most Likely: #1 Mononoke 5-2 5th
Best Value: #6 Scienzato 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Ampa’s Girl 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Rufus Ruth 5-1 6th

4th: CLM, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #7 Drum Roll 6-1 WON ($15.20)
Next Best: #8 Vee’s Accolade 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Mighty Ian 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #4 Favorite Uncle 5-2 7th

5th: NYSS-11th Cab Calloway, 3yo, 1m-IT (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 West Hills Giant 7-5 WON-Elevated on DQ ($3.20)
Next Best: #5 Captain Gaughen 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #4 Madam I’m Adam 8-1 5th
Exotics Use: #1 Old Pal of Mine 7-2 4th

<$75/$50/$25 P4 Plays:

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

Wide: 4x6x4x1 = 96 x .50 = $48
Press: 2x1x4x1 = 8 x $3 = $24

6th: MCLM/$35k, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Everyone that’s had My Cousin Zinny has wanted to get her on the grass and good 1st/claim with C. Englehart a good time to try at bonus mutuel..

Best Value: #7 My Cousin Zinny 12-1 9th
Next Best: #1 So Royal 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 Blue Ballerina 7-2 5th
Super Add: #8 Pan Dulce 5-1 WON ($12.20)

7th: NY-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Pace should be square here and in a fairly well-matched group, let’s put ourselves in the hands of the 4 best turf riders..

Most Likely: #9 Temper in Command 7-2 9th
Next Best: #1 Roses for Romney 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #8 Downtown Hottie 6-1 7th
Exotics Use: #6 Mah Jong Maddnes 8-1 6th

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

Found this set of in/outers a bit confusing..

Most Likely: #6 Taproot 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #5 Terminus 12-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Thinking of Girls 9-5 WON ($5.80)
Exotics Use: #4 Assured Victory 6-1 5th

9th: OC/N2X, 3+, 5.5f-T (DD)

Always a pleasure to see the venerable Ravalo (53/17-11-10; $1.3MM) in the PP’s..

Most Likely: #7 Console 2-1 WON ($5.50)
Best Value: #1 SCR
Exotics Use: #6 Palace 6-1 4th
Super Add: #3 Ravalo 10-1 3rd

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

Oy. Grab bag finale..

Most Likely: #8 Won’tualwayswonder 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #10 Solo Approach 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Shortcoming 4-1 7th
Exotics Use: #5 Professor Chaos 12-1 WON ($10.20)

<$50 P4 Play:

7: 1-9
8: 2-4-5-6
9: 1/SCR–7
10: 1-2-3-5-8-10

2x4x2x6 = 96 x .50 = $48

DEL MAR

POST-SCRATCHES

3rd: CLM, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P6, P3, DD)

$256k C/O starts here..

Best Value: #3 Queen of the Hill 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Ghost N Your Heart 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Addendum 5-2 5th
Super Add: #6 Spring Breeze 4-1 WON ($8.60)

4th: MSW, 2yo-F, 1m-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Clenor 5-2 WON ($3.80)
Best Value: #5 Quick Navigator 15-1 4th
Next Best: #3 Sierra Electrica 3-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Exotic Behavior 4-1 3rd

5th: MCLM/$30k, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Bad feeling set..

Most Likely: #3 Tribal Tattoo 4-1 4th
Next Best: #11 Slewthatflew 3-1 6th
Best Value: #5 Wickedly Sassy Late SCR
Exotics Use: #8 Pining Play 7-2 7th

6th: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Ismene 5-2 8th
Next Best: #9 Minds Eyes 3-1 6th
Best Value: #6 Conkate 10-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #3 Charm the Maker 6-1 5th

7th: Sorrento (G2), 2yo-F, 6.5f (DD)

This is a nicely matched group..

Most Likely: #5 Stop Smiling 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #2 Conkave 3-1 WON ($8.60)
Best Value: #1 Side Letter 6-1 7th
Exotics Use: #4 She’s a Tiger 5-2 2nd

8th: Cal-MSW, F&M-3+, 6.5f (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #10 Sri’s Red 9-2 10th
Next Best: #8 Suances Pride 7-2 WON ($11.00)
Best Value: #4 That’s a Bingo 15-1 9th
Exotics Use: #5 Lakeside Bride 5-1 4th
Hi-5 Play: #11 Warren’s Dixi Bell 15-1 7th

<$150 P6 Play:

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

4x1x1x2x3x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$75/$50 P4 Plays:

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

2x3x3x5 = 90 x .50 = $45
2x3x5x5 = 150 x .50 = $75