Another wild Saturday across the country and it gives rise to a Sunday that receives added boost from American Pharoah’s return to action in the Haskell. Saratoga provided more ups and downs and is continuing to prove difficult to negotiate from a multi-race vantage. Have had some moments including a very good pop from the maiden 4th Saturday, but P4’s are proving tricky having been beaten in the last leg for a 3rd time in the first 8 days of the meet. Del Mar has been very productive and Saturday’s late P4 was a nice way to end the day. $151k two day C/O will be irresistible later. Hope everyone did well Saturday and are ready for another incredible day of racing. Untapable at Saratoga.. Haskell on NBC.. Free NTRA NHC Qualifier too..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: NY-MSW, 2yo, 5.5f-T (P5, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Too Discreet 3-1 WON ($4.10)
Best Value: #3 There Goes Ben 20-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Call the Lord 10-1 7th
Exotics Use: #2 Fakeittilumakeit 20-1 6th

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

Best Value: #1 Big World 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Rachel’s Valentina 6-5 WON ($4.10)
Exotics Use: #2 Nickname 6-1 4th
Super Add: #8 Tale for Ruby 6-1 5th

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

Best Value: #2 Old Harbor 10-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Thieves Guild 7-2 WON ($5.50)
Exotics Use: #3 Free as a Bird 7-5 2nd

4th: ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Lucknow 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #4 Achnaha 8-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Samba Sunset 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #7 Tide Is High 8-1 5th

5th: CLM/N3L, 3+, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Flag on the Play 2-1 WON ($7.30)
Next Best: #5 Be a Hero 8-5 4th
Best Value: #3 Towering Moon 10-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Borseggiatore 8-1 5th

P5 Grid:

1: 6 (A), 3 (B), 1-2-4-5-7-8-9-10 (C)
2: 1-3 (A), 2 (B), 7-8 (C)
3: 2-5 (A), 1-3 (B), 2 (C)
4: 1 (A), 4 (B), 5-7 (C)
5: 4-5 (A), 3 (B), 7 (C)

Full (A+B): 2x3x4x2x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Simple (A/B/C):

P4 Grid:

2: 1-3 (A), 2 (B), 7-8 (C)
3: 2-5 (A), 1-3 (B), 2 (C)
4: 1-4 (A), 5-7 (B), 6-8-9 (C)
5: 4-5 (A), 3 (B), 7 (C)

Full (A+B): 3x4x4x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Simple (A/B/C): $0.50 Pick-4 (3/5/6/4) Paid $64.62

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

Most Likely: #9 Ian Smith 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #6 Brass Compass 10-1 6th
Next Best: #3 Its All Relevant 6-1 9th
Exotics Use: #4 Don’t Be So Salty 8-1 WON ($20.20)
Super Add: #7 War Order 4-1 3rd

7th: NY-MSW, 3+, 1m-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

Best Value: #3 Heavenly Sun 20-1 11th
Next Best: #5 River of Magic 5-1 7th
Exotics Use: #2 Space Oddity 3-1 WON ($6.10)
Super Add: #10 Talladega 6-1 3rd

8th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 6.5f (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #10 Giantinthemoonlite 6-1
Next Best: #8 Hunt’s Road 2-1
Exotics Use: #6 So Noted 6-1
Super Add: #2 Horsens 20-1

9th: CLM, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Saturday’s Charm 4-1
Best Value: #1a One More Night 12-1
Next Best: #2 Bad Hombre 5-1
Exotics Use: #11 Congenial 5-2

10th: 39th Shuvee H. (G3), F&M-3+, 9f (DD)

Most Likely: #4 Untapable 7-5
Next Best: #5 Stopchargingmaria 2-1
Best Value: #3 House Rules 5-1
Exotics Use: #6 Tiz Windy 8-1

11th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-IT

Most Likely: #2 Holy Invader 5-1
Next Best: #7 Sinatra 3-1
Best Value: #6 Exclusive Strike 8-1
Exotics Use: #3 Neoclassic 12-1
Super Add: #10 Heat Flash 4-1

P4 Grid:

8: 10 (A), 6-8 (B), 2-11 (C)
9: 1-7 (A), 2-11 (B), 4-8 (C)
10: 4 (A), 3-5 (B), 6 (C)
11: 2-7 (A), 3-6 (B), 10 (C)

Full (A+B): 3x4x3x4 = 144 x .50 = $72
Simple (A/B/C):

DEL MAR

POST-SCRATCHES

4th: MCLM/$20k, 3+, 1m (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #7 Gunslinger 5-1
Best Value: #9 Warren My Boy 8-1
Next Best: #8 Shanty Irish 5-2
Exotics Use: #4 Pyrotechnics 8-1

5th: Real Good Deal-Cal, 3yo, 7f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Gimme Da Lute 4-5
Next Best: #4 Grazen Sky 4-1
Exotics Use: #3 Neveradoubt 8-1

6th: S/ALW, 3+, 8.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #4 All Run 6-1
Next Best: #9 I’ll Wrap It Up 5-2
Exotics Use: #10 Follow Me Crev 6-1
Super Add: #11 Commander King 6-1

7th: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #9 Who’s Out 3-1
Next Best: #3 Blameitonthelaw 5-2
Best Value: #5 South Detroit 8-1
Exotics Use: #8 Semper Fortis 4-1

8th: OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (DD)

Most Likely: #1 Artistic Charm 5-2
Next Best: #4 Royal Temptress 3-1
Exotics Use: #8 Sayes So 4-1
Super Add: #6 Mangita 12-1

9th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #5 Flat Gone 5-2
Best Value: #3 With the Breeze 6-1
Next Best: #12 Go First 5-1
Exotics Use: #4 Big Hat Charlie 8-1
Hi-5 Play: #11 Superboot 15-1

P6 Grid:

4: 7 (A), 8-9 (B), 4-5 (C)
5: 6 (A), – (B), 2-3-4 (C)
6: 4 (A), 9-10 (B), 6-11 (C)
7: 9 (A), 3 (B), 5-8 (C)
8: 1-4 (A), – (B), – (C)
9: 5 (A), 3-12 (B), 4-11 (C)

Simple: 3x1x3x2x2x3 = 108 x $2 = $216

P4 Grid:

6: 4-9 (A), 6-10-11 (B), 1-2-5 (C)
7: 3-9 (A), 5-7-8 (B), – (C)
8: 1-4 (A), – (B), – (C)
9: 5 (A), 3-12 (B), 4-11 (C)

Simple: 5x5x2x3 = 150 x .50 = $75

Good luck!
Steve

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: CLM, 3+, 12f-IT (P5, P3, DD)

Best Value: #7 Midnight Notes 5-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Coturnix 3-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Cozy Kitten 5-2 3rd
Super Add: #8 Dreams Cut Short 8-1 2nd

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

Top pair earn marks for experience; Value player Tricky Citizen a full brother of Trickmeister for Samantha Seigel..

Most Likely: #5 Sticksstatelydude 2-1 WON ($4.10)
Next Best: #3 Remarkable Tale 6-1 7th
Best Value: #1 Tricky Citizen 12-1 10th
Exotics Use: #6 Conquest Nitro 10-1 3rd

3rd: ALW/N1X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Excellent group. Loose On the Town and Delta Outlaw tough to exclude..

Best Value: #6 First Down 5-1 6th
Next Best: #3 Knuckle Curve 5-2 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Roll Tide Roll 3-1 5th
Super Add: #7 Political Justice 8-1 7th

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

Very tricky set of MDN 3yo fillies..

Most Likely: #4 Strong Incentive 3-1 5th
Best Value: #1 Nothingbutthetruth 8-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Future Show 5-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #6 Coming Attraction 6-1 WON ($13.60)

5th: 23rd Amsterdam (G2), 3yo, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Favored Holy Boss has been brilliantly handled by the Asmussen team and comes to to the Amsterdam/King’s Bishop opportunity fresh from 11 weeks off. Working sharp for spot and can press or stalk Victory is Sweet the same way he did in the Chic Lang. Requite is the new face with upside and value. Barbados or March figure to close into a paycheck..

Most Likely: #7 Holy Boss 5-2 WON ($6.90)
Best Value: #1 Requite 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Victory Is Sweet 5-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Barbados 7-2 3rd

P5 Grid:

1: 5-7 (A), 6 (B), 3-8 (C)
2: 3 (A), 5 (B), 1-4-6-7-10 (C)
3: 3-6 (A), 7-8 (B), 2-4 (C)
4: 4 (A), 1 (B), 3-6 (C)
5: 7 (A), 1-4 (B), 3-5 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x2x4x2x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Full (A/B/C):

P4 Grid:

2: 3-5 (A), 1-4-6-7 (B), 10 (C)
3: 3-6 (A), 7-8 (B), 2-4 (C)
4: 4 (A), 1 (B), 3-6 (C)
5: 7 (A), 1-4 (B), 3-5 (C)

Simple (A+B): 6x4x2x3 = 144 x .50 = $72
Full (A/B/C):

6th: ALW/N1X, 3yo, 1m-IT (P6, P3, DD)

$309,844 3-day P6 C/O starts here..

Deep, difficult set of ALW sophs with variety of surface moves, cut backs and stretchouts complicating assessments. Pace looks solid to fast opening it up to all styles of runner..

Most Likely: #4 Overcontrol 6-1 10th
Next Best: #9 Lone Trader 8-1 8th
Best Value: #6 Johnson City Kid 10-1 6th
Super Add: #7 Dreaming of Gold 3-1 4th

7th: ALW/N1X, 3+, 9.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD)

Extended turf route assembles layers of well bred ‘slowish’ types. The Mott pair (#3/#5) both look imposing and Macagone (Nihei) could take them all the way around. But Jimmy Jerkens gets opportunity and look with ‘first North America’ Team Colors (By Street Cry out of Teammate) for Joe Allen and there’s a lot here that intrigues. Teammate, a half sister of War Front, was trained by The Chief of course and amassed an enviable record that featured graded stakes wins at 3 (Bonnie Miss) and 4 (Shuvee), as well as 5 placings in G1’s including an epic Alabama effort in 2006 which saw Pine Island overhaul her late. Fresh face among a solid but unspectacular group that feels vulnerable to an outsider..

Most Likely: #5 Go Around 9-2 WON ($10.40)
Best Value: #10 Team Colors 10-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Orange Grove 6-1 9th
Exotics Use: #12 Macagone 12-1 4th

8th: 31st Vanderbilt (G1), 3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Superb Vandy with great variety of pace players figuring to give best on the day fair chance.

Most Likely: #3 Rock Fall 2-1 WON ($4.00)
Next Best: #6 The Big Beast 4-1 2nd
Best Value: #4 Clearly Now 8-1 6th
Exotics Use: #2 Salutos Amigos 5-2 4th

9th: 57th Bowling Green (G2), 4+, 11f-IT (P3, DD)

The Bowling Green will now have been run at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. And as a reminder about historical aspects, Al Khali won this.. in 2010! The 4 ML faves (#’s 1-2-3-7) are the obvious likelies, with 15-1 Iron Power the one potential interloper out in front for a good long way in his graded stakes debut..

Most Likely: #2 War Dancer 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #3 Imagining 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Innovation Economy 5-2 DNF-Pulled Up
Super Add: #1 Red Rifle 5-1 WON ($15.40)

10th: 52nd Jim Dandy (G2), 3yo, 9f (DD)

Obviously not an ideal scenario retaining 4 for this with Upstart & Competitive Edge in NJ and Tekton running Friday (2nd, Curlin), but credentialed Frosted, rebuilding Texas Red, emerging Japan and plucky Frammento still comprise a nice group. Desormeaux will have to keep Texas Red closer to the pace (Japan) or that one will get away..

Most Likely: #3 Texas Red WON ($5.70)
Next Best: #2 Japan 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Frosted 2nd

11th: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 5.5f-T

Best Value: #2 Rico Capote 8-1 5th
Next Best: #8 Tax Package 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #1e R. Cash entry 5-1 2nd/6th
Super Add: #11 Bajan Summer 15-1 8th

P6 Grid:

6: 4 (A), 9 (B), 6-7 (C)
7: 5 (A), 3-10 (B), 12 (C)
8: 3 (A), – (B), 2-4-6-7 (C)
9: 2-3 (A), 1-7 (B), 4 (C)
10: 3 (A), 2-7 (B), – (C)
11: 2 (A), 8 (B), 1 (C)

Simple (A+B): 2x3x1x4x3x2 = 144 x $2 = $288
Full (A/B/C):

P4 Grid:

8: 3-6 (A), 2-4-7 (B), 1-5 (C)
9: 2-3 (A), 1-7 (B), 4 (C)
10: 3 (A), 2-7 (B), – (C)
11: 2 (A), 1-8 (B), 4-9 (C)

Simple (A+B): 5x4x3x3 = 180 x .50 = $90
Full (A/B/C):

Thursday a classic Saratoga wash-out afternoon with races taken off turf late in the morning, the hopper event scuttled completely, and sloppy main track racing. Back to beautiful weather Friday (and through Monday too), and turf should be much more fair as a result of the soaking it received. Double carryover of $91k for the 5th-10th..

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

5th: MSW, 3yo, 9f (P6, P3, DD)

$91k DBL P6 C/O starts here..

A remarkable maiden affair considering that 5 of the 9 have run races that could have won minor stakes..

Most Likely: #8 Indian Trail 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #4 All Rise 8-1 4th
Next Best: #1e Albertrani entry 6-1 5th/7th
Exotics Use: #5 Arbitrator 6-1 6th

6th: OC/N2X, 3+, 11f-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

Based on worktab, will deduct Clement has O’Prado Ole prepared for return to his good races..

Best Value: #4 O’Prado Ole 6-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Global Strike 3-1 3rd-DQ’D from WIN
Exotics Use: #8 Heyaarat 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #1e Hill entry 5-1 6th/8th

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

Another group of older maidens and only one gets to graduate..

Most Likely: #2 Kabang 7-2 4th
Next Best: #10 Tennessee 3-1 WON ($6.50)
Best Value: #6 Choir Director 6-1 9th
Exotics Use: #1 Street Jersey 8-1 3rd

8th: OC/N2X, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #9 Pure Sensation 5-2 WON ($7.20)
Best Value: #11 Night Officer 20-1 3rd
Next Best: #1 Tripski Late SCR
Exotics Use: #13 Two Notch Road 10-1 6th

9th: Opt CLM/C, 3+, 9f (DD)

Stakes quality ALW group that’s nearly impossible to separate. Matterhorn appears to be on improve as 4yo (not unusual for a Tapit) and is asked to stretch his speed back out to 9f. Doesn’t need lead and when in doubt, put it in the hands of Castellano to move at the right time..

Best Value: #2 Matterhorn 5-1 WON ($11.60)
Next Best: #5 Catholic Cowboy 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #4 Our Caravan 8-1 3rd
Super Add: #1 Cousin Stephen 4-1 6th

10th: MSW, F&M-3+, 5.5f-T

Most Likely: #4 Hardcore 5-2 3rd
Best Value: #2 Sudestada 15-1 5th
Next Best: #7 May Flowers 4-1 4th
Exotics Use: #11 Nimble Foot 8-1 7th

P6 Grid:

5: 4-8 (A), 1-5 (B), 3-6 (C)
6: 4 (A), 5 (B), 1-8-9 (C)
7: 2 (A), 6-10 (B), 1 (C)
8: 9 (A), – (B), 1-5-11-13 (C)
9: 2 (A), 4-5 (B), 1-6-7 (C)
10: 4 (A), 2 (B), 7-11 (C)

P4 Grid:

7: 2 (A), 6-10 (B), 1 (C)
8: 9-11 (A), 1-13 (B), 5 (C)
9: 2-5 (A), 4 (B), 1-6-7 (C)
10: 2-4 (A), 7-11 (B), 1-6-12 (C)

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: Kiser

CANCELLED

2nd: CLM/N2L

Most Likely: #1 Harlans Belle 4-5
Best Value: #6 Pudhme Pullyou 12-1
Next Best: #2 Kitten’s Top Cat 7-2

3rd: NY-MSW

Most Likely: #3 Fish Trappe Road 3-1
Next Best: #8 Inside Straight 4-1
Best Value: #9 Linkappleyard 10-1
Exotics Use: #6 Stormin Stephen 7-2

4th: Morrissey-NY

Most Likely: #4 Palace 6-5
Next Best: #7 Moonlight Song 5-1
Best Value: #6 Smooth Bert 8-1
Exotics Use: #8 Noble Cornerstone 4-1

5th: MSW

OFF THE TURF

6th: CLM

OFF THE TURF

7th: CLM

OFF THE TURF

8th: MSW

Most Likely: #2 Regia Marina 9-5
Next Best: #5 Il Mulino 2-1
Best Value: #8 Say Cin Cin 10-1
Exotics Use: #4 Killer Bird 12-1
Super Add: #7 Miss Hollywood 5-1

9th: OC/N2X

OFF THE TURF

10th: NY-MCLM

Most Likely: #10 Winter Wish 7-2
Best Value: #4 Miss Rickles 12-1
Next Best: #3 Shotgun Love 5-2
Exotics Use: #11 Offlee Good 20-1

SARATOGA

POST-SCRATCHES

1st: ALW/N2L, 4+, 16.5f-Nat’l Fences (P3, DD)

Best Value: #8 Kwacha 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #6 Overwhelming 5-1 WON ($6.40)
Exotics Use: #3 Perfect Union 5-1 2nd
Super Add: #5 Street Fight 10-1 4th

2nd: CLM, 3+, 6f (P5, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Bet the Power 9-5 WON ($4.60)
Best Value: #1 Hannibel Lechter 8-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 American Progress 5-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #6 Bellemy Brew 7-2 5th

3rd: MCLM/$40k, 3+, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #6 Magical Connection 10-1 5th
Next Best: #1 Ackerman Road 2-1 7th
Exotics Use: #9 Tuneintobow 8-1 WON ($9.40)
Super Add: #5 Tax Deduction 8-1 3rd

4th: 24th Honorable Miss (G2), F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 La Verdad 8-5 WON ($4.60)
Next Best: #4 Judy the Beauty 1-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Street Story 6-1 2nd

5th: S/ALW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T P6, P3, DD)

Best Value: #8 Autumn Squall 30-1 8th
Next Best: #9 Gotachancetodance 3-1 WON ($9.00)
Exotics Use: #10 Morethanawarning 12-1 2nd
Super Add: #11 Winner’s Legacy 10-1 9th

6th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6.5f (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Successful Runner 7-2 2nd
Next Best: #7 Wynhurst 5-2 4th
Best Value: #2 Rich ‘n’ Tuck 5-1 6th
Exotics Use: #6 Sidearm 10-1 3rd

P5 Grid:

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

P4 Grid:

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

DEL MAR

POST-SCRATCHES

3rd: OC/N2X, 3+, 5f-T (P6, P3, DD)

$562k P6 C/O starts here..

Best Value: #3 Well Maybe 6-1 7th
Next Best: #1 Serbian Scyclone 5-2 6th
Exotics Use: #2 Jimmy Bouncer 3-1 WON ($8.60)
Super Add: #6 Horse Laugh 4-1 5th

4th: MCLM/$30k, 2yo-F, 5f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #3 Tequila Mary 6-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Tumbleweedprincess 9-2 WON ($8.00)
Exotics Use: #1 Gusto’s Gal 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #6 Rich Girl 7-2 6th

5th: MSW, 2yo-F, 1m-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Land Over Sea 2-1 WON ($3.40)
Best Value: #2 Tanager 15-1 6th
Next Best: #5 Good Looking 6-1 3rd

6th: Cal-OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Awesome Luck 7-2 7th
Best Value: #8 Anita Marie 5-1 8th
Next Best: #3 Bonus Spin 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #9 Tatum’s Gold 8-1 WON ($13.60)

7th: CLM, 3yo-F, 1m-T (DD)

Best Value: #3 Kyankes 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #5 Lookin for Money 9-2 WON ($10.80)
Exotics Use: #8 Belle Et Bete 7-2 5th
Super Add: #2 Sound City 5-1 4th

8th: CLM/N3L, 3+, 6.5f (Super Hi-5)

Most Likely: #10 Jimmy’s Date 3-1 7th
Best Value: #5 Saint Adalbert 8-1 WON ($25.40)
Next Best: #1 Shakahari 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #4 Test Ride 12-1 9th
Hi-5 Play: #2 George’s Main Man 6-1 5th

P6 Grid:

3: 3 (A), 1-2 (B), 6 (C)
4: 3 (A), 9 (B), 1-6 (C)
5: 3 (A), – (B), 2-5 (C)
6: 5-8 (A), 3-9 (B), – (C)
7: 3-5 (A), 2-8 (B), – (C)
8: 10 (A), – (B), 1-2-4-5 (C)

$2 Pick-6 (2/9/3,7/9/5/5) Paid $423.40 (5 of 6)

Simple (A+B): 3x2x1x4x4x1 = 96 x $2 = $192
Full (A/B/C): $192

P4 Grid:

5: 3 (A), 2 (B), 5 (C)
6: 5-8 (A), 3-9 (B), – (C)
7: 3-5 (A), 2-8 (B), – (C)
8: 5-10 (A), 1-2-4 (B), 8-9 (C)

$0.50 Pick-4 (3,7/9/5/5) Paid $767.40

Simple (A+B): 2x4x4x5 = 160 x $.50 = $80
Full (A/B/C): $64 (With $1 All A’s Play)