Thoroughly arduous day Saturday as heavy, gloppy track early gave way to slopfest that dashed every attempt I made to rally. I had trouble even including a winner as every short price I went against won ($5.10 Raison d’Etat, $5.40 Charmin Kitten, $11.60 El Cuadro, $6.20) and one clever notion with 20-1 Prince Silver proved futile, beaten a length by 37-1 Our Edge. Wire to wire winners in the goo and on yielding grass become common in the conditions we saw Saturday, as fields string out and it becomes difficult to rally. In the 7th for example, Assateague ($28.40) led Kitty Wine and Pianist around the inner turf in a merry-go-round affair and there was no catching Sublte in the turf dash 8th. Starlight’s 2yo winner Lawn Man blitzed the MSW 3rd gate to wire as well to boost Pletcher-Castellano through a double after Charming Kitten won the 2nd from up close.

Winter Memories made the Diana special with an outstanding effort, in fact a career best. Closer to the action than usual early, the popular grey miss avoided any trouble before taking control and holding sway under Castellano who needed to keep her to task once in front. Gawking at the Spa grandstand and swishing her tale about goofily, Castellano gave her a swat as Leparoux and Dream Peace started to come calling. The race lifted the spirits of the soggy crowd and certainly pleased Jimmy Toner who literally had forgotton his way to the Trustee’s Room for champagne after the race.

Alpha gave Godolphin and Kiaran McLaughlin their second Saturday stake score in 2 weeks as Ramon Dominguez took control early with the Bernardini bay and was truly never threatened. Neck ‘n Neck tried the winner at the eighth pole but could only chase thereafter to be a good second while Liaison overcame a torpid break to rally for third. Depending on the Haskell outcome and along with Street Life out of Friday’s Curlin, the Travers should see a contentious and good-sized group of sophs in 4 weeks.

6th and 11th are OFF The turf today at the Spa, leaving the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th on a likely yielding lawn. Main track should be muddy to start and could improve as the afternoon progresses. Here’s hoping we get back to to fast and firm Monday as the off going Friday and Saturday has made already challenging events even more difficult or chaotic.

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Nothing clever here..

Most Likely: #2 Zivo 3-1 WON ($4.90)
Next Best: #1 Piscesbymoonlight 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #6 Dehere of the Cat 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #5 Live for Today 5-2 2nd

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

Best Value: #2 Can’t Catch Me Now 8-1: Like Now sib; Gullo plus 2nd start.. 3rd
Next Best: #8 Awesome Weekend 8-5: Deserving fave, but 8-5? WON ($3.80)
Exotics Use: #5 Comandante 3-1: Dam was fast sprint stake winner.. 2nd
Super Add: #4 Thingamajigger 5-1 4th

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

Most Likely: #4 Primal Baby 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #5 Smarty Bull 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #1 Landing My Way 7-2 3rd

4th: MSW, F&M-3+, 9.5f-T (P3, DD)

Fun group of damsels going quite long on the lawn. Plenty of pedigree and connection interest including Fipke’s Perfect Forever (Perfect Soul) out of Lemons Forever; Why Not More (Indian Charlie) from Sheppard, a full to Why Tonto; Opalite (Quiet American) from Donk, a half to Kid Grindstone. All but Dixie Rocks appear capable..

Most Likely: #3 Riolama 3-1 WON ($4.50)
Next Best: #4 Vacationing 4-1 4th
Best Value: #11 Dixie in Pink 12-1 10th
Exotics Use: #8 Let the Kitten Run 4-1 8th

5th: NY-MSN CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Anchovy 2-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Simple Rules 5-2 8th
Best Value: #9 Sim Sala Bim 15-1 9th
Exotics Use: #2 Fruttidimare 4-1 6th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x6x2 = 144 x .50 = $72

6th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 7f-OFF THE TURF (P6, P3, DD)

You will need to re-examine this group after SCR’s. More than a few turfers that stay in could be fine on a wet track..

Most Likely: #4 Raquel 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #9 Flashy American 10-1 WON ($20.20)
Next Best: #1 Bluegrass Rumor 6-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #12 She Gets It 12-1 11th

7th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 9f-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

The ML faves are solid, but you know I have to work the over-achieving Majestic Raffy in a bit. Aquillino doesn’t run back like this too too often, but has a positive ROI ($2.39) doing so..

Most Likely: #2 Unbridled Fire 7-2 6th
Best Value: #3 Majestic Raffy 20-1 WON ($36.00)
Next Best: #6 Arc Above 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Kanagaro 4-1 3rd

.10 SUPER: 2-3-6 with 2-3-6 with 1-2-3-4-6-9 with 1-2-3-4-6-7-8-9-12 (3x2x4x6 = 144 x .10 = $14.40)

8th: CLM, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Kittylicious hasn’t come back to her top 3yo form after having a chip taken out, but she is coming around toward her best effort in the recent past and the 11/25/11 try at AQU would fit in here nicely at a big price..

Most Likely: #7 Proudroad to Glory 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #10 Kittylicious 20-1 6th
Next Best: #4 The West Rim 4-1 WON ($5.60)
Exotics Use: #8 Blue Grass Music 5-1 5th

9th: Nani Rose, 3yo-F, 1m-IT (P3, DD)

As I said to Rusty Arnold, it looked like this event was written for Karlovy Vary, but Peace Preserver’s last at MTH was terrific. If she runs here — she is cross-entered in the Matchmaker at Oceanport — she has an upset chance at a nice number (8-1)..

Most Likely: #7 Karlovy Vary 1-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Alaura Michele 12-1 WON ($15.60)
Next Best: #1 Dame Marie 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #9 Angel Terrace 15-1 4th

10th: 20th Amsterdam (G2), 3yo, 6.5f (DD)

Interesting group for this King’s Bishop prep. Gun Boat and Fort Loudon both come off big efforts 22 days ago. Currency Swap and Laurie’s Rocket (now with DWL) both broke their MDN’s here a year ago at this trip. Politicallycorrect liked turning back to 7f out of the Gulfstream Derby back in February. Doctor Chit has done little wrong and Unbridled’s Note came back after a 90 day freshening and ran big..

Most Likely: #1 Gun Boat 4-1 6th
Next Best: #4 Currency Swap 5-2 WON ($5.60)
Best Value: #6 Politicallycorrect 10-1 7th
Exotics Use: #2 Fort Loudon 7-2 5th

11th: CLM, 3+, 7f-OFF THE TURF

Most Likely: #4 Police Chatter 4-1 6th
Best Value: #10 Vee One Rotate 6-1 5th
Next Best: #15 Minescape 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #9 Myhorseofcourse 12-1 9th

<$75 P4 Play:

8: 4-7-10
9: 2-7
10: 1-2-4-5-6-7
11: 4-9-10-15

3x2x6x4 = 144 x .50 = $72

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N1X, 3+. 9f (P3, DD)

As discussed with Nick Tammaro Friday on ATR, even though his win two back may be slop-aided, I find This Hard Land (15-1) an irresistible alternative to the three logicals..

Best Value: #8 This Hard Land 15-1 6th
Next Best: #2 Big Screen 5-1 4th Exotics Use: #1 Westshore 3-1 7th
Super Add: #9 Raison d’Etat 5-2 WON ($5.10)

2nd: MSW, 2yo, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Secret Soul is a full to a good grasser in Perfect Cherokee; Town Hall’s sire Indygo Shiner has 3 of his first 14 runners winning grass races with alacrity and the Mott firster’s dam Susan’s Angel was a multiple SW around 2 turns for Lukas; Newfound Zapper and Bernie the Jet should take to the their stretch outs in respective 2nd starts..

Most Likely: #7 Secret Soul 6-1 8th
Best Value: #6 Town Hall 15-1 7th
Next Best: #2 Newfound Zapper 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Bernie the Jet 4-1 [color=”Red”]6th[/COdLOR]

3rd: MSW, 2yo, 6f (P3, DD)

ML fave Gulfport (7-5) will reportedly SCR. If not, becomes Most Likely..

Most Likely: #2 Pass the Pico 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Simon Eyes 6-1 8th
Exotics Use: #3 New Line 15-1 5th
Super Add: #6 North Slope 6-1 7th

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

Very contentious..

Most Likely: #1 Crown the Chief 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #4 Runwayeightyfour 6-1 9th
Next Best: #9 Coffee Boy 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #12 Star Dance M D 12-1 10th

5th: OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

With an $85k purse, this could have a name on it as an overnight stake. Associate was 3rd in the Malibu to end ’11. His best wins clear..

Most Likely: #5 Associate 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Gallant Fields 6-1 8th
Best Value: #3 Prince Silver 15-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 Flat Bold 7-2 10th

$100 P4 Play:

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

5x4x3x3 = 180 x .50 = $90

6th:NY-MDN CLM, 3+, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

14 horse field of better than average state-bred $20k claimers, so be thankful this isn’t in a P4. If playing tris/supers, add #14 Cameron Canyon (10-1)..

Most Likely: #3 Late SCR
Best Value: #9 New York New York 15-1 12th
Next Best: #5 Rockheaded 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #4 Why Argue 10-1 7th

7th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

Pianist may in the midst of fulfilling the big promise advertised around this time last year..

Most Likely: #8 Pianist 7-5 3rd
Next Best: #2 Kitty Wine 5-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Town Flirt 15-1 8th
Exotics Use: #5 Dreaming of Cara 12-1 6th

8th: NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Favored Thescreenisred is the horse to beat but has has disappointed at short odds twice already. Positive rider switch on Desert Bliss who ran her best last yet last time. Note that AE’s #13 & #15 are worthwhile should either or both somehow get in..

Best Value: #7 Desert Bliss 6-1 5th
Next Best: #10 Thescreenisred 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #2 Princess Jenny 4-1 3rd
Super Add: #1 Pegasus Diamond 15-1 6th

9th: 74th Diana (G1), F&M-3+, 9f-IT (P3, DD)

Question here is whether Tapitsfly has matured to a point where the mile and an eigth is manageable. Rosario will have little pressure to deal with and will be unable to lose ground from the #1. Remember too that softish/yielding turf generally aisa front runners as well. On that topic, Hungry Island buzzsawed the Lake Placid here a year ago on soggy loam and is the best price of the most viable players..

Best Value: #6 Hungry Island 5-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Tapitsfly 7-2 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Winter Memories 9-5 WON ($5.50)
Super Add: #3 Zagora 5-2 3rd

10th: 49th Jim Dandy (G2), 3yo, 9f (DD)

Since Bernardini’s big Jim Dandy (114 Beyer), Street Sense, Macho Again, Kensei, A Little Warm and Stay Thirsty have won this race with an average fig of 104. Liason, Neck ‘n Neck and Alpha are the horses that are projectable to run a mid-100’s today. Your winner should come from that trio. The best upset candidates are Atigun (8-1) and 3x GSW Prospective (12-1)..

Most Likely: #7 Liason 7-2 3rd
Next Best: #1 Alpha 5-2 WON ($5.60)
Exotics Use: #4 Neck ‘n Neck 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #3 Atigun 8-1 6th

11th: CLM/N2X, 3yo, 5.5f-T

OFF THE TURF: 15/WON ($5.80)–6/4th–1/3rd–11/2nd

<$75 P4 Play:

8: 7-10
9: 1-3-4-5-6
10: 1-4-7
11: Came off the turf; No play..

Anticipated weather armageddon never materialized Thursday and every notion in anticipation of it was wrong. Uggh. Upsets by Shug’s Sea Island ($33.60) and Matt Peebles’ The Party’s Here ($50.00) triggered another monster P4 ($7k for .50) early on and attempts to get big prices in the number during late turf action fizzled. All in all an irksome day that proves you’re best served capping for a fast track and adjusting when it comes up mud and off/turf… not the other way around. Sorry for the bad direction.
Twilight action Friday and am awaiting turf decisions (2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th) as of 8a..

OFF THE TURF except for the stake (6th)..

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: OC/N3X, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Twice the Lady 3-1 3rd
Next Best:: #3 My Sunshine Gal 5-2 5th
Best Value: #1 Bessie M 8-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #4 Strike the Moon 7-2 WON ($10.80)

2nd: CLM, F&M-3+, 5.5f-OFF THE TURF (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #11 Jolienne 5th
Next Best: #10 Lea the Punisher 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Scott’s Aly Cat 2nd
Super Add: #8 Vinda 7th

3rd: MSW, F&M-3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 (POE) Centring 4-5 WON ($3.10)/3rd
Best Value: #2 Lady Kierkegaard 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Joya Real 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #4 Zayanna 6-1 7th

4th: MSW, 2yo, 5f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Stage Street 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #5 Titletown Five 2-1 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Coach A. J. 4-1 3rd
Super Add: #6 Park City 3-1 WON ($15.60)

5th: OC/S-ALW, 3+, 9f-OFF THE TURF (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #14 Bluember 2nd
Next Best: #15 Majestic Hope 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Runflatout 6th
Super Add: #10 Citizen Wells WON ($11.40)

<$50 P4 Play:

2: 2-8-10-11-13–15/Late SCR
3: 1
4: 1-4-5-6
5: 14-15

6x1x4x2 = $48 ($24 for .50)

6th: Irish Linnet-NY, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Hessonite 1-1 WON ($3.30)
Next Best: #4 Inimitable Romanee 6-1 2nd
Best Value: #8 Mystic City 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #7 Great Gracie Dane 7-2 7th

7th: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 9f-OFF THE TURF (P3, DD)

Best Value: #5 Newbie 9th
Next Best: #14 Full of Intent 6th
Exotics Use: #8 Hot Splash 3rd
Super Add: #1 Shesabronxbomber 2nd

8th: 4th Curlin, 3yo, 9f (DD)

Like the James Marvin which was run as a G3 for the first time last week, this event may be on the verge of status as well with Blame, Winslow Homer and Turbo Compressor its’ winners in the first three runnings. Good assembly here and seemingly open to anyone..

Most Likely: #5 Easter Gift 7-2 4th
Next Best: #3 Street Life 5-2 WON ($6.30)
Exotics Use: #2 Ever So Lucky 3-1 3rd
Super Add: #7 Love to Run 12-1 6th

9th: MDN CLM, 3+, 7f-OFF THE TURF

Most Likely: #7 Jim Jamm 3rd
Next Best: #13 Exciter 6th
Exotics Use: #16 Thunderous G WON ($8.80)
Super Add: #6 Cytherean 2nd

<$50 P4 Play:

6: 2
7: 1-5-8-14
8: 2-3-4-5-7
9: 6-7-13-14-16

1x4x5x5 = 100 x .50 = $50

Dominos fell into place Wednesday with many multis coming in proving that there are few vagaries in sports betting more curious than race results. After walking through the meet’s first 4 days feeling blind without a cane, winners suddenly appeared everywhere I looked for them. What was different about the approach Wednesday? Nothing. The nets were cast the same way they were Friday-Monday but most of the fish swam into them on this day. The P4’s brought back $348 and $141 and the P3’s provided excellent returns including 4 troikas between the 2nd-4th and 5th-7th averaging over $160.

The generous $25k P6 was a miss and it turned out to be a sextet where you needed to be aggressive and invest to catch what looked like a difficult sequence. But I was timid having incurred $1,000 in losses the first 4 days and didn’t think I was in position in terms of confidence to punt a bigger money play than my average $144. The good news overall was a healthy influx of returns that stopped the bleeding and cut the early losses almost in half. Hope everybody did well!

Looking unlikely that we’ll avoid thunderstorms all through Thursday and that would demolish the second half of the card (6th-10th) which is scheduled for all turf. I will wait to write those races up until after decisions are made about surface and runners. Will denote main track runners that should appreciate moisture with an old fashioned ‘mud mark’ (*) and rework the selections after 12p if there are wholesale changes.

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: Jonathan Kiser Novice, 4+, 16.5f-National Fences (P3, DD)

First jump race of the meet and a good one..

Best Value: #6 En Fuego 8-1 4th
Next Best: #1e Delozier entry 7-2 6th/9th
Exotics Use: #3 Wanganui 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #9 Segeant Karakorum 4-1 10th

2nd: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 9f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 St. John’s River 4-5 (*) 2nd
Best Value: #7 Imperial Pippin 8-1 (*) 5th
Next Best: #2 North Freeway 4-1 6th
Exotics Use: #1 Acting Happy 5-1 3rd

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

Dynamic Star is horse to beat but I’d be remiss if I didn’t follow my own long-standing advice and key off Still Shea to Me who has the famed ‘triple whammy’ going: Dropping down, cutting back, turf to dirt. Adds blinkers to boot and though unsuccessful in muddy Belmont career debut, is bred to love the slop..

Best Value: #3 Still Shea to Me 6-1 (*) 8th
Next Best: #6 Dynamic Star 5-2 WON ($4.10)
Exotics Use: #8 Knight of Thunder 8-1 4th
Super Add: #4 Perimele 3-1 2nd

4th: MDN CLM, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1a Nodebtdanny 5-2 (*) 2nd
Next Best: #3 Queen Nine 9-5 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Shrinking Violet 2-1 3rd
Super Add: #5 Reckless Mama 10-1 5th

5th: CLM, 3+, 7f (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 (POE) Star of New York 9-5 (*) 5th
Best Value: #7 Jet Set Vinny 5-1 (*) 4th
Next Best: #3 Bernie the Maestro 2-1 (*) WON ($6.60)
Exotics Use: #5 Meridian Magic 10-1 6th

<$50 P4 Play:

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

1x5x3x3 = $45 ($22.50 for .50)

6th: CLM, 3+, 5.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Precious Metal 9-5 WON ($5.50)
Best Value: #7 Coronation Day 15-1 6th
Next Best: #8 Postpone 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Key Victory 12-1 5th

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

What a fun group! If they’re giving us 12-1 on another route-going debuter from Clement, we should take it. (Remember we got Da Mi Basia Mille paying $19.80 Monday). Regal Citizen, also 12-1, is a half to the very good grasser Hyper. He Loves Me More ran well first turf and should stretch out fine. Geisha Gal is by the Agnes Tachyon, the late son of Sunday Silence who was a top quality stallion. Despite Her Form is half to SW Dyna Slam..

Most Likely: #7 Flower Mart 12-1 4th
Next Best: #10 Regal Citizen 12-1 5th
Best Value: #5 He Loves Me More 20-1 10th
Exotics Use: #4 Geisha Gal 12-1 7th

8th: Quick Call, 3yo, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Crazy and well-matched bunch..

Most Likely: #4 Love Those Boots 6-1 8th
Best Value: #10 Drago’s Best 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Manly 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #7 Gentleman’s Code 4-1 3rd

9th: OC/S-ALW, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (DD)

Most Likely: #1 Downtown Hottie 4-1 4th
Best Value: #8 Princess Mara 10-1 7th
Next Best: #10 Ginny’s Classic 7-2 9th
Exotics Use: #5 Sheza Heartbreaker 20-1 3rd

10th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T

Best Value: #2 Screenplay 5-1 7th
Next Best: #4 Lighthouse Sound 4-1 WON ($6.40)
Exotics Use: #5 Bell by the Ridge 12-1 4th
Super Add: #3 King Ting 6-1 3rd

<$75 P4 Play:

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

8x2x3x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

SARATOGA RACE COURSE

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, 3yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

Barn changes, droppers, in/out form makes this a curious assembly..

Most Likely: #6 Annelle 3-1 4th
Best Value: #8 World Premier 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Grand Entry 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Mess in a Dress 8-1 WON ($14.40)

2nd: S/HCP, 3+, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Itsagoodtendollars 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Hillswick 2-1 WON ($5.00)
Exotics Use: #1 Maui Mark 5-2 5th

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

Group is a mish mash of non-winners and it appears likely that it will be someones like Dendrite’s or Superstrella’s turn for a photograph though Succinct and and Street Ballad are making just their 2nd turf route starts. Wagon Train (Gone West) is a Weaver-Dogwood firster out of the nice Schosberg stakes mare Mossflower who won the ’98 Hempstead when it was a G1 and placed behind Heritage of Gold in the Diana and Soaring Softly in the Flower Bowl. Unfortunately, she has been completely unproductive and unlucky as a broodmare..

Best Value: #8 Street Ballad 12-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Superstrella 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #6 Dendrite 7-2 6th
Super Add: #4 Knock Rock 20-1 WON ($13.80)

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

7 of 10 move from dirt to turf and A Time to Love goes Tapeta (PID) to turf. She’s Gosphel, Double the Energy, Leading Citizen and Union Boss all try lawn for first time with Double the Energy a notable first for tag. Wide open..

Best Value: #5 Leading Citizen 15-1 5th
Next Best: #4 Double the Energy 6-1 WON ($8.60)
Exotics Use: #1 A Time to Love 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #9 Union Boss 5-1 7th

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

$54k C/O starts here..

As Andy Serling suggested on ATR, watch the board for possible hints in this group of babies with rather modest pedigrees. The connections types — Asmussen, Pletcher, Violette — seem imperative, with Rudy Rod FTS on rail intriguing. Johnny Velazquez returns to the oval today taking calls on Lucky Friend for Pletcher and Stefanie’s Kitten later in the Lake George for Catalano..

Most Likely: #7 Lucky Friend 2-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Teen Pauline 3-1 WON ($6.80)
Best Value: #9 High Inflation 5-1 8th
Exotics Use: #10 Late SCR (11:38a)

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x4x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (3,5/4/4/8) Paid $348.25

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

Best Value: #2 Key to Power 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Magical Season 3-1 4th-DH
Exotics Use: #10 Hobbs 8-1 WON ($13.00)
Super Add: #5 Hear the Word 8-1 8th

.10 SUPER: 2 with 5-6-7-9-10 with 5-6-7-9-10 with ALL (1x5x4x7) = 140 . 10 = $14.00

7th: MDN CLM, 3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Droppers, debuters, first off claimers, et al, make this a scramble..

Most Likely: #4 Redemption Road 7-2 WON ($8.50)
Best Value: #14 Seminole County 10-1 4th
Next Best: #6 Revere 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #1 Love in the Rain 5-1 9th

8th: OC/N3X, 3+, 9f (P3, DD)

Strong group. Not sure why Ruler On Ice deserves 8-5 status..

Best Value: #5 Schoolyard Dreams 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Cease 5-2 WON ($5.60)
Exotics Use: #3 Ruler On Ice 8-5 6th
Super Add: #7 Golden Gulch 8-1 2nd

9th: 18th Lake George (G2), 3yo-F, 8.5f-T (DD)

Fun, interesting edition of this. Stefanie’s Kitten is solid despite little improvement from her best 2yo form. Centre Court has been advancing steadily since her switch to turf. Schwartz brings yet another Euro filly to N. America in Samitar. Pletcher has undefeated — and largely unknown — Wertheimer homebred Medolina lurking. Is today the day to play with Somali Lemonade? She will finally be an acceptable price at 12-1 and there’s a chance with a lot of pace pressers that things heat up on the backstretch to give her a chance to rally. You sense that Rosario will lose ground on her though and that is the last thing she needs..

Most Likely: #2 Stefanie’s Kitten 5-2 4th
Next Best: #3 Centre Court 4-1 WON ($7.50)
Best Value: #7 Somali Lemonade 12-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Samitar 3-1 3rd

10th: CLM, 3+, 1m-IT

Best Value: #3 Fisherman’s Wharf 6-1 WON ($8.50)
Next Best: #1 Beckham Bend 5-2 5th
Exotics Use: #6 Annawon 7-2 3rd
Super Add: #5 Kutais 30-1 7th

<$200 P6 Play:

5: 7
6: 2-7
7: 4-6-14
8: 5-6
9: 2-3
10: 1-3

1x2x3x2x2x2 = 72 x $2 = $144

<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-3-4-6-12-14
8: 5-6
9: 2-3-6-7
10: 1-3-6

6x2x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (4,9,10,11/6/3/3) Paid $141.00