P6 and P4 tries were in vain Friday as part of a humdrum performance overall. $136 triple ($1) in the Honorable Miss kept losses in the modest range. Big weekend of inviting action looms!

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Feel obligated to try and beat Stopshoppingmaria. Yes it’s an $82k pot, but if she was right, wouldn’t there be a stakes opportunity for her somewhere?

Best Value: #5 Powhattan Princess 15-1 8th
Next Best: #2 Stopshoppingmaria 1-1 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Buleria 12-1 4th
Super Add: #7 Vuitton 5-1 2nd

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

This is a very treacherous P4 sequence featuring 3 maiden affairs and one of those NYB ALW’s I love as price producers. There are some vulnerable favorites in each race, so the potential is high for big returns..

Most Likely: #4 Tritap 3-1 WON ($6.90)
Best Value: #10 In Speght Ofitall 6-1 5th
Next Best: #5 D’Tiger 6-1 4th
Exotics Use: #9 Cape Glory 7-2 2nd

3rd: MSW, 2yo, 6.5f (P3, DD)

#9 Unlikely Scenario DOES draw in..

Best Value: #5 Horse Feldhaus 6-1 6th
Next Best: #6 El Duro 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #9 Unlikely Scenario 6-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 Boss Man Rocket 4-1 8th

4th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

Lots of prices to like. #11 (AE) Gossip Column (7-2) is a danger if drawing in (And DOES get in).. #12 (AE) Toy Cannon will SCR for a 9f-T ALW next Saturday..

Most Likely: #11 Gossip Column 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #2 Tapitdar 8-1 9th
Next Best: #3 Windaful 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #8 Kharafa 8-1 5th

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

Most Likely: #9 Balance the Books 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #10 Fredricksburg 8-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Winning Cause 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #1 Summer Shiner 12-1 3rd

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

6th: NY-MSW, 3+, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

Best Value: #1 Lord of Love 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Polizotto 2-1 WON ($3.90)
Exotics Use: #5 Riverdance Rock 7-2 DNF (Saddle slip)
Super Add: #3 Northern Tripp 8-1 8th

7th: MSW, 2yo, 6.5f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #8 Palace Malice 1-1 WON ($2.70)
Best Value: #1 Coolusive 8-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Thane 4-1 4th
Super Add: #4 Hightail 12-1 3rd

8th: 9th De La Rose, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

This could be an explosive spot or an event where the ML choices dominate and perform to expectation and since it isn’t in a P4 sequence, it’s a spot where you should be swinging for the fences. While #1 La Cloche (7-2), #5 Julie’s Love (3-1) and #10 Dealbata (5-2) are all worthy of respect and capable in this spot, #4 Dancing to Town (20-1), #7 Dancinginherdreams (12-1), #8 Eye Candy Annie (20-1) and/or #9 Trix in the City (12-1) have potential to turn this great little stake into a meet-maker..

Best Value: #4 Dancing to Town 20-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Julie’s Love 3-1 WON ($10.20)
Exotics Use: #7 Dancinginherdreams 12-1 9th
Super Add: #8 Late SCR

9th: 10th Prioress (G1), 3yo-F, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Have gone round & round on this group and feel like it’s a spot to reach out for something different. Unless Agave Kiss is back to her pre-Victory Ride fiasco best, it’s an open affair. Jazzy Idea’s dirt tries at LRL last year in the MD Juvy and at CT last time were good enough to tinker with here. She’s especially intriguing given the potential for this to melt down..

NOTE: The SCR of Jamaican Smoke now leaves Agave Kiss pretty well alone on the lead..

Most Likely: #6 Agave Kiss 8-5 3rd
Best Value: #7 Jazzy Idea 12-1 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Tu Endie Wei 6-1 6th
Super Add: #5 Judy the Beauty 5-1 2nd

10th: 85th Whitney H. (G1), 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

To pull a line from Altman’s ‘The Player’ — one of the best movies ever made about movie-making — this year’s Whitney has “No stars.. just talent”. As discussed the last three days on ATR, I can not resist the 20-1 number on Hunters Bay despite Reade Baker’s 0 for 7 mark this strip. He has the right style for this and if the pace is average, he should have first run on the closers. Given that Baker (who saddles Tu Endie Wei in the Prioress) has hit the board in 3 of those 7 Spa visits, he may be more appropriate for keys 2nd/3rd, but you’re going to getting your run and a price in a group that isn’t far apart from each other on paper..

Best Value: #2 Hunters Bay 20-1 7th
Next Best: #6 Ron the Greek 3-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #9 Fort Larned 7-2 WON ($16.40)
Super Add: #3 Caixa Electronica 15-1 8th

11th:OC/N3L, 3+, 7f (DD)

If Dominus is ready off the lengthy break, he wins. It’s actually too bad Dominus is in here because he’s hard to bet against and the race would be wildly open without him..

Most Likely: #6 Dominus 8-5 WON ($3.70)
Best Value: #3 Ya Gotta Have Soul 15-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Star Harbour 5-1 9th
Exotics Use: #8 Bernie the Maestro 5-1 8th

12th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 8.5f-T

Most Likely: #1 Balance the Budget 2-1 WON ($4.90)
Best Value: #4 Out of Your Mind 15-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Love Man 5-1 5th
Exotics Use: #10 Not Today 3-1 2nd

<$75 P4 Play:

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

2x6x2x6 = 144 x .50 = $72

Thought I was on the way to an enormous afternoon when the jumpers provided a boost via the $315 early double. Alas, leaving Zito’s Tuvia Force out of the initial P3 anchor leg left $3,500+ on the table. Uggh. Still, the Chase results helped ensure a decent day when Danielle Hodgson booted home 25-1 Spy in the Sky for famed Canadian Olympic Equestrian Jim Day. I used Spy in the Sky strictly because of Hodgson who has long been associated with Jonathon Sheppard and the fact that she turned up on Day’s veteran hopper made him worthy of inclusion. One would think the G1’s thrilling finish made Steeplechase fans out of many indifferent observers.

The rest of the day’s action was hit or miss with an OK triple bingo in the 4th with Slumber-Kindergarten Kid-Barocci ($63) and there were a couple of mundane P3’s. My man Sciacca lit up the tote and helped trip Friday’s $77k carryover when The Silver Machine wired the 8th as the longest shot on the board (33-1). The nice grey filly had been within 2 lengths of a win last time versus similar when stretched out in her 2nd career grass try and Irad Ortiz Jr. had told Sciacca after that race that the daughter of Drewman would be better on the lead. The good young rider who should have been the 2011 Apprentice Eclipse winner essentially authored the big score.

Hope everyone did OK Thursday. C/O Friday ahead of Whitney-Vanderbilt Weekend..

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Good thing this race wasn’t run yesterday on ‘St. Patrick’s Day in the August’.. My Irish Girl and Celtic Chant would have vied for favoritism. Joonbi goes first off claim for Pletcher-Repole and is OK, but needs to improve to beat several of these on their best. Playing against..

Most Likely: #1e Dubb ownership entry 3-1 2nd/5th
Next Best: #5 Emily Allstar 5-2 4th
Best Value: #7 Alaska Miss 10-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Joonbi 2-1 WON ($7.40)

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

Most Likely: #4 With Honorandgrace 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #5 Ariadna 15-1 8th
Next Best: #8 Neck of the Moon 3-1 WON ($4.10)
Exotics Use: #1 Carameaway 5-1 7th

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

Most Likely: #1 Greed and Fear 1-1 2nd
Best Value: #4 Mrs. Calabash 12-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Bronze Beauty 3-1 5th
Exotics Use: #5 Darnley Bay 10-1 6th

4th: OC/S-ALW, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

No shortage of lick here..

Best Value: #8 Iron Lou 6-1 7th
Next Best: #6 Coaltown Legend 5-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #10 Off the Jak 7-2 4th
Super Add: #1 Harbor Breeze 3-1 8th

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

Most Likely: #7 Sky Commander 3-1 4th
Next Best: #9 Jocosity 2-1 WON ($3.60)
Exotics Use: #1 Central Banker 4-1 3rd
Super Add: #6 Midnight Taboo 5-2 2nd

<$75 P4 Play:

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

5x3x5x2 = 150 x .50 = $75

6th: NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

It’s Your Dime a half to the OK Don’t Fooli Houli and Azasecret’s dam has dropped a couple of very good turf runners. Competitive race..

Best Value: #7 It’s Your Dime 5-1 8th
Next Best: #9 A. P. Hutchy 9-5 3rd
Exotics Use: #4 Azasecret 7-2 8th
Super Add: #10 Bella Silver 15-1 5th

.10 SUPER: 7-9 with 2-3-4-7-9-10 with 2-3-4-7-9-10 with 2-3-4-7-9-10 (2x5x4x3 = 120 = $12.00)

7th: MDN CLM, 3yo, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Tricky start to the late P4 and no relief to P6 players. Will use FTS #9 Daunting (12-1) from the always-dangerous Goldberg defensively..

Most Likely: #4 Native Wave 5-1 2nd
Best Value: #6 Zajal 10-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Barrymore 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Suns Out Guns Out 4-1 4th

8th: 9th John’s Call, 3+, 13f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Tahoe Lake 9-5 2nd
Best Value: #4 Ballet Boy 5-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Hailstone 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Harrods Creek 3-1 WON ($6.00)

9th: 21st Honorable Miss (G2), F&M-3+, 6f (DD)

Nice set for this including the tough It’s Me Mom making her Spa debut. Tough assignment as she’ll get lots of company today. Sure feels like CC’s Pal gets a dream stalking trip..

Most Likely: #3 C C’s Pal 5-2 WON ($8.50)
Best Value: #1 Island Bound 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 It’s Me Mom 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #5 Beat the Blues 8-1 3rd

10th: CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Obviously, favored Glory in Motion and Ultimate Class anchor your tickets here, but this is a competitive group with a few prices having reasons to believe including Aptphilly (12-1), Who Is Lady (12-1) and Viv’s Tiara (15-1)..

Most Likely: #5 Glory in Motion 5-2 5th
Next Best: #9 Ultimate Class 3-1 WON ($5.90)
Best Value: #6 Who Is Lady 12-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Viv’s Tiara 15-1 9th

<$200 P6 Play:

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

2x2x4x1x3x2 = 96 x $2 = $192

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

Double carry pool approached $1.3MM Wednesday and sequence proved as tricky as advertised with only two easy to use winners coming through in 2yo Corail and veteran Saginaw. Unbridled Command & Beautiful But Blue ($15.00 each), $19.40 Giant Sleep and $28.00 Sinorce were enough to clear out all plays but two that brought back a deserving $470k each. The lucrative 5 of 6 return of $2,180 also proved out how the demands of the sextet. The overall tone of the outcomes continues to vex the punting community in general, but I’ll continue to beat the drum that says your winners will come and they’ll balance the scales when they do…

11 races today with the hoppers setting the stage with a N2L opener and the G1 Smithwick. Speaking of the jump set, how about Tom Voss and Arch Kingsley Jr. winning races on the flat Wednesday? Voss drew in from the AE’s with Pyro City and the City Zip gelding proce4eded to wire the 4th. In the 7th, Kingsley sent out 6yo mare Giant Sleep to a second career start and second win. The clever South Carolina horseman had only broken the Giant’s Causeway daughter in January of this year before getting her ready to win at first asking July 6 aty Colonial. She was claimed out of the race by Mike Maker for Ken Ramsey who likely sees her as an ideal broodmare prospect for covers by Kitten’s Joy.

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

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

Best Value: #8 Trippo 6-1 9th
Next Best: #5 Alajmal 5-1 WON ($18.40)
Exotics Use: #4 Mabou 3-1 5th
Super Add: #3 Memorial Maniac 15-1 3rd

2nd: A.P. Smithwick Mem. (G1), 4+, 16.5f-National Fences (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1e Naylor-Delozier entry 2-1 4th/7th/8th/9th
Next Best: #2b Divine Fortune  9-5 5th
Exotics Use: #4 Country Cousin 4-1 6th
Super Add: #7 Spy in the Sky 20-1 WON ($52.00)

3rd: CLOM, 3+, 9f (P4, P3, DD)

Like Wednesday’s nightcap, some fire sale droppers show up here. Dan and Shiela — taken by Juan Carlos Guerrero — was OK yesterday while Big Creek — swiped by Randi Persaud — stunk. May as well take a bit of shot against ’11 Illinois Derby winner Joe Vann. (Come to think of it, I wonder if Joe Vann is singlehandedly the reason Churchill left the Hawthorne standard off the Kentucky Derby playdown schedule)..

Most Likely: #1 Dreaming Blue 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #6 Joe Vann 1-1 5th
Best Value: #8 Tap Attack 20-1 4th
Exotics Use: #9 Alvito 10-1 3rd

4th: OC/N2X, 3+, 9.5f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Slumber 3-1 WON ($6.20)
Best Value: #7 Kindergarten Kid 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Slow Pace 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #10 Barocci 7-2 3rd

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

Out of the cleverly named Kristy Beethoven (Kris S.-Ellisa Beethoven), Krissy Kat should like the move to grass.. and the stretchout.. and the drop. Decent reach in tough group..

Best Value: #9 Krissy Kat 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #4 Picture Book 5-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Irish Wedding 9-2 8th
Super Add: #3 Caution Sign 3-1 WON ($11.80)

6th: Birdstone, 3+, 9f (P6, P3, DD)

Pretty quirky little stake here. Pleasant Prince and Gallant Fields are prices ‘first off the claim’ for savvy barns while Pletcher sends consistant trio of graded stakes runners receiving class relief. 2nd Dutrow runner turns around on short rest, a barn specialty and Butch Reid appears with a steady MD bred 6yo. Tough call all around..

Most Likely: #7 San Pablo 2-1 WON ($4.70)
Next Best: #5 Isn’t He Perfect 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Pleasant Prince 15-1 5th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x4x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

7th: OC/N3X, 3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD)

Taut set. Be happy this isn’t in the P4..

Best Value: #3 Catalan 12-1 4th
Next Best: #1 Tahitian Warrior 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 R King of the Road 8-5 WON ($3.00)
Super Add: #4 Little Drama 6-1 2nd

8th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Sheerflakesofgold 5-2 5th
Best Value: #7 Forever Vow 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #1 Proud Dame 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #5 Silent Joy 15-1 9th

9th: OC/S-ALW, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Potentially explosive event. Will start with consistent Smokin’ Alice but fan out to prices thereafter..

Most Likely: #10 Smokin Alice 4-1 4th
Best Value: #7 Bid a Moon 15-1 7th
Next Best: #5 Garnet Street 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #11 Royal Sighting 8-1 5th

10th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (DD)

Ooof.. Another well-matched group. Even though speed held like velcro Wednesday, feels like there are too many pace players here for the race not to set up for someone..

Best Value: #4 Miss Ruud 12-1 6th
Next Best: #10 Inaugurate 3-1 WON ($5.10)
Exotics Use: #7 Julep Tulip 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #2 La Billos 15-1 9th

11th: NY-MSW, 2yo-F, 8.5f-T

Most Likely: #4 Holy Endeavor 6-1 3rd
Best Value: #1 Sir Leslie 15-1 10th
Next Best: #5 Archer Hill 3-1 WON ($7.20)
Exotics Use: #3 Julesco 5-1 5th

<$75 P4 Play:

This is an exceedingly tough sequence..

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

4x4x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

Difficult sequences continue to confound P6 players at the Spa and a double carryover of $239k starts Week 3. First quarter of the meet closed out on a decided uptick after a big Sunday was followed by a strong late rally Monday that hooked $12.00 Notmyfirstime and $48.60 Countknickerbocker. The 23-1 on Carl Domino’s nightcap winner was gleefully welcome having identified the 15-1 ML gelding as a player that was utilizing a sneaky $25k open MCLM to NY-MSW ruse. The move from bug Ortiz to Leparoux was pretty telling of Domino’s intent as well and the win tote and $247.50 double ($2) pushed the bankroll into the black for the first time.

Notmyfirstime, Zollars-Asmussen winner in the 9th, was an interesting study too being a horse that looked like he was on the improve in against some that had been treading NY-ALW water and others running for the tag. Monday demonstrated that you can not let lack of success in stretches deter your confidence or inhibit your play. I missed everything I tried in the 5th-7th and though I didn’t hit the monstrous $560 triple that was within in the picks in the 8th, the fact that I had Rosa Salvaje included in the tabs gave me confidence to play on into the late pair. When top choice Notmyfirstime won the 9th, I was in good spirits live to 6 horses in the double and pressed on Domino with a nice win plunge at the bonus overlay tote of 23-1Hope everyone did well and are set for another set of big opportunities as Whitney Week kicks off with a challenging sextet that should blow by the $1,000,000 mark. It’s a challenging meet with big, competitive fields. Don’t get frustrated. Your hits will come!

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N1X, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Rare Empire invader Ben Feliciano Jr. shows up with CNL claim Quite a Dude (6-1) and sports a 5/0-3-0 record in NY the last 5 years. (3/0-3-0 in non-stakes)..

Most Likely: #4 One Note Samba 2-1 DNF
Best Value: #8 Count Catamount 10-1 WON ($27.60)
Next Best: #9 Quite a Dude 6-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Glacier Bay 12-1 2nd

2nd: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 7f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Lucky My Way 7-5 6th
Next Best: #2 Cypress Isle 7-2 WON ($8.20)
Exotics Use: #7 Flashy in Pink 5-2 3rd
Super Add: #1 Shiela’s Gold 20-1 5th

3rd: NY-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

If you single Lucky My Way, you may need 6 or 7 here to get through..

Best Value: #3 Flip the Switch 8-1 8th
Next Best: #11 Scat’s Lassie 8-5 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Akira 9-2 2nd-DH
Super Add: #2 Sparks Will Fly 15-1 9th

4th: MDN CLM, 3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Gnostic 3-1 4th
Next Best: #10 Bundestag 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Back Room Deal 5-2 5th
Super Add: #9 Mr Algebra 12-1 2nd

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

$239k P6 C/O starts here..

Average budgets will likely try to get by with Pletcher’s first Corail and Goldberg 2nd timer Girluphigh. If you have a deeper pocket, Liquid Lunch adds Lasix for her 2nd start and was on the rail in her debut..

Most Likely: #3 Corail 9-5 WON ($3.90)
Next Best: #4 Girluphigh 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #7 Liquid Lunch 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #5 Dixiluna 10-1 6th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

Main (#5 in 2nd): 1x4x4x3 = $48
Backup (#2 in 2nd): 1x4x4x3 = 48 x .50 = $24

6th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 1m-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

As always, these state bred turf routes are fertive soil for big exotics. Ambersand is solid, consistant and well drawn, but as discussed on ATR Tuesday, there are at least a half dozen poised to upset. Terrific race and there is virtually no combination that isn’t viable..

Most Likely: #3 Ambersand 2-1 4th
Best Value: #9 So Scott 6-1 7th
Next Best: #1 Gimme Credit 5-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 Modern Child 5-1 6th

7th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

These can be very slippery. Remember back to the May 18 carryover at Belmont and the suggestion that 0/42 City Vice may have found an interesting spot to break her maiden? Look who’s involved in a big pool opp again. Takes the kind of drop that produces hop..

Most Likely: #5 Simple Exchange 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Red Code 3-1 4th
Best Value: #6 Princess Malia 6-1 7th
Exotics Use: #4 City Vice 12-1 6th

.10 SUPER: 3-5 with 3-4-5-6 with 3-4-5-6-10 with ALL (2x3x3x6 = 108 x .10 = $10.80)

8th: Fleet Indian-NY, F&M-3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Risky Rachel 8-5 2nd
Next Best: #3 Opus A 3-1 4th
Best Value: #8 Miss Valentine 8-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Lady On the Run 6-1 6th

9th: 9th John Morrissey-NY, 3+, 6.5f (DD)

Obviously Saginaw’s best is tough to top here, but is he ready for his best after ill-advised Met try? Worktab certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. Bandbox should sit a nice stalking trip..

Most Likely: #3 Bandbox 3-1 5th
Best Value: #4 Dr Disco 15-1 7th
Next Best: #5 Fiddlers Afleet 4-1 6th
Exotics Use: #1 Saginaw 8-5 WON ($7.30)

10th: CLM, 3+, 9f

Difficult end to the sequence. Lots of droppers to decipher..

Most Likely: #6 Money in Motion 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #10 Dan and Shiela 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #3 Spielberg 10-1 5th
Exotics Use: #7 Prince Arion 4-1 8th

<$150 P6 Play:

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

3x2x2x1x3x2 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x3x4x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

With a return to better conditions, caught a big wave Sunday that did wonders for the spirit and leveled the bankroll. The sustained boost came mid-card on the strength of McPeek’s Flashy American and Aquilino’s Majestic Raffy and ran through Alaura Michelle’s upset in the Nani Rose and Currency Swap’s Amsterdam score. Flashy American ($20.20) tripped a $128 triple and helped set the table for big multi-race returns when Joe Aquilino’s Majestic Raffy came back on 6 days rest to take the the 7th at 17-1. The $36.00 tote tipped a $116 double on the shoulders of 7# bug Wilmer Garcia who delivered an ultra-professional ride on the NY-bred who is an easy horse for which to root.

Parbhoo’s West Rim came through as the favorite in the 8th for a $433 P3 that erased the losses of Saturday and Alaura Michele’s $15.60 surprise in the Sweepstakes landed a tremendous $862 troika that brought the wallet all the way back and more from a sluggish start to the meet’s first 8 days. Favored Currency Swap fought doggedly past Doctor Chit in the Amsterdam for Klaravich and Pompey and ended the burst with a $142.50 P3. Weaver upset the nightcap with $30.60 MTO Junior Officer and though I wasn’t happy that a sizeable P4 had slipped away, it was still a terrific and welcome day. Hope everybody got something and did well. $66k carryover on the Monday card!

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

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

$66k P6 carryover starts here..

Best Value: #4 Jane of All Trades 6-1: Half to Mamma Kimbo bred to like lawn.. 3rd
Next Best: #5 Apple Cider 5-2: 2nd timer from Clement deserving fave.. 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Priscilla Mare 3-1 6th
Super Add: #6 Smittenwithkitten 8-1 2nd

6th: MDN CLM, 3+, 7f (G/S, P3, DD)

Best Value: #5 Original Art 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #4 Smart Farda 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #2 Backdown 10-1 6th
Super Add: #14 Flagsup 8-1 7th

7th: OC/N3X, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Federation is clear horse to beat, but the 2-4-7-9 are all within striking distance..

Most Likely: #1 Federation 9-5 4th
Best Value: #2 Prize Catch 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Vivo Per Lei 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #4 Sure Route 15-1 7th

8th: 1st Shakespeare Caress, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Plenty of speed and faves are fittingly stalkers. If Kid Kate can stand up on the grass at all, (she’s 0 for 1 on it), then she’s interesting at a decent price..

Most Likely: #6 Well Deserved 3-1 6th
Best Value: #2 Zermatt 4-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Holiday for Kitten 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #10 Rosa Salvaje 10-1 WON ($41.40)

9th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (DD)

Fly in the ointment of the P6 sequence with seemingly 8 of the 12 betting interests (there’s a Flying Zee entry involved) eligible for laurels. Pick and pray..

Best Value: #6 Notmyfirstime 5-1 WON ($12.00)
Next Best: #9 Readytodefer 4-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #1e Flying Zee entry 7-2 7th/9th
Super Add: #10 Overextended 12-1 6th

10th: NY-MSW, 3+, 5.5f-T

You’ll need to employ some guesswork here with 3-4-5-8-9-10 the half of the field to focus on and 2-6 co-starring as potential pricey interlopers. I’m inclined to think pace runner Big Guy stays on, but Rice’s Lakota Freud should get a stalking comfort zone. Weaver is firing on all cylinders and has drilled Sunshawn 6 times since June debut. Dreamsgonewild and Verde Mont are in form cycle and crafty Domino returns Countknickerbocker to MSW company while reaching for Leparoux. Tough, tough calls..

Most Likely: #4 Big Guy 5-1 4th
Best Value: #9 Sunshawn 6-1 –
Next Best: #10 Lakota Freud 7-2 –
Exotics Use: #6 Countknickerbocker 15-1 WON ($48.60)

<$150 P6 Play:

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

3x2x1x2x2x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

@$50 P4 Play:

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

1x3x6x6 = 108 x .50 = $54