“Uncle Joe” Lostritto wondered into the winner’s circle Thursday with the cleverly named Olive Eye, one of those not-impossible-but-tough-to-use horses that derail multi-race wagers like the P4. Was able to string the 7th-9th together in response at least, and the P3 returned a remarkably overlaid $109.75 ($1). At Churchill, a pair of big prices in the late quad including Wally Dollase’s 70-1 nightcap winner Exhilerating, tripped a $17,750 P4 ($1) and $1,990 P3 ($1) as well as $19k P6 and $35k Hi-5 carryovers into the final Friday night Downs after Dark card. And at Hollywood, a $100k carryover greets intrepid night owls… Hope you did OK s we dive headlong into the 4th of July Weekend action!

CHURCHILL DOWNS

PRE-SCRATCHES

6th: ALW/N2X, 3+, 8.5f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

$19k P6 Carryover..

Best Value: #7 Headache 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #5 Flying Private 5-2 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Omniscient 3-1 WON ($8.80)
Super Add: #1 Sunday Sunrise 8-1 3rd

7th: MDN CLM, 3+, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Amazing Saint 4-1 7th
Next Best: #8 Why Us 2-1 WON ($4.40)
Best Value: #3 Electra Palace 5-1 9th
Super Add: #7 SCR

8th: CLM/N3L, 3+, 8.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Oak Bar 3-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Grand Stage 5-2 WON ($5.80)
Exotics Use: #8 Tap N Point 3-1 9th
Super Add: #3 Streak of Thunder 5-1 6th

9th: ALW/N1X, 3yo-F, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Ice Mist 4-1 WON ($9.00)
Best Value: #6 Toy Indian 8-1 7th
Next Best: #1 Sparky’s Dream 5-2 2nd
Super Add: #4 Strong Willed Lady 6-1 4th

10th: Roxelana, F&M-3+, 7f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Tiger’s Song 4-1 7th
Next Best: #1 Be Fair 7-2 3rd
Best Value: #8 Vertical Vision 8-1 2nd
Super Add: #9 Step Out Smartly 6-1 5th

11th: MSW, 3+, 6.5f (Super, Super Hi-5)

$35k Hi-5 Carryover..

There are some pedigrees of note in this set, starting with Dale Romans’ #2 Grand Gift, who is out of the outstanding Secret Status. That Lane’s End daughter by A.P. Indy won the 2000 Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose, and was 2nd in the Alabama, 3rd in the CCA Oaks behind Jostle. Grand Gift is also a half to Dunkirk, but be aware that Ghostzapper has yet to sire a first out winner among his initial 53 runners.. Margolis unveils #4 Pistols at Dawn, a half to Anak Nakal; #13 (AE) Jaguar Paw (Jose Fernandez) is out of MGSW Molto Vita; and though unlikely to get into the race, Jinks Fires’ #15 (AE) Empire Shoes is half to Prom Shoes..

Most Likely: #3 Perfect Relection 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #4 Pistols at Dawn 10-1 WON ($10.60)
Next Best: #10 Summer Upcountry 9-2 5th
Exotics Use: #12 Advantage Menifee 4-1 12th
High 5 Play: #2 Grand Gift 6-1 9th

<$200 P6 Play:

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

2x2x2x3x1x4 = 96 x $2 = $192

<$50 P4 Play:

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

2x4x2x6 = 96 x .50 = $48

HOLLYWOOD PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

$100k P6 Carryover..

3rd: MDN CLM, 2yo-F, 6f (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Table for One 2-1 5th
Best Value: #6 Negra Tomasa 6-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Leslie Rules 5-2 3rd
Super Add: #3 Desperate Measures 6-1 2nd

4th: MSW, 3+, 6f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Sammartino 2-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Baccara 4-1 7th
Best Value: #1 Sarbonne 8-1 3rd
Super Add: #3 Sulution 5-2 WON ($6.80)

5th: OC/N1X, 3+, 8.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #6 Isle of Giant’s 5-2 WON ($4.40)
Best Value: #3 Tribal Justice 5-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Lease of Life 3-1 6th

6th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 5.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #8 Faith Colleen 3-1 4th
Best Value: #10 Chobe Chika 12-1 9th
Next Best: #1 Sipnzin 5-2 8th
Super Add: #4 Sweet Patricia 7-2 WON ($9.80)

7th: Culver City, F&M-4+, 6f-T (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Minute Limit 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Bonifacio 5-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Enumclaw Girl 4-1 4th
Super Add: #7 Dotsy Jean 5-2 WON ($6.80)

8th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 5.5f (Super, Super High 5)

Most Likely: #2 Joint Adventure 5-2 4th
Next Best: #6 Make It Mine 2-1 5th
Best Value: #8 Commander’s Charm 10-1 6th
Exotics Use: #5 Misty Miss Joanna 3-1 WON ($6.80)
High 5 Play: #10 Scent of Crism 30-1 7th

<$200 P6 Play:

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

2x2x1x2x2x4 = 64 x $2 = $128

<$75 P4 Play:

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

2x3x3x4 = $72

Running ridiculously late after travel day yesterday, so quick and dirty selections only. Good results from Belmont Wednesday and nice cards around the country approaching the big weekend and at Woodbine for Canada Day today…

BELMONT PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

6th: 4-2-7-5

7th: 6-2

8th: 1-3-4-5

9th: 1-6-5-4

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x2x3x3 = $72

CHURCHILL DOWNS

PRE-SCRATCHES

6th: 4-5-7-1

7th: 7-5-1-4

8th: 2-5-6-1

9th: 1-4-7-3

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x3x4x2 = 96 x .50 = $48

Good luck!
Steve

Thought I was on the way to a P6 hit Sunday live 3×2 in the late pair, only to settle for 3 consos when Gold d’Oro wired the 10f turf test feature. Was a very good afternoon though and capped a fun weekend. Hope you did well!

The new Morning ATR is off to a rousing start, and thanks to everyone who has already found their way to the 9a-12p ET/6a-9a PT version. Wednesday is a travel day for me as I booked a morning flight well in advance of the schedule change of the show, and will be in the air during the new hours. The “Best Of 2009” episode that will be featured includes Tim Ice and Kent Desormeaux after Summer Bird’s Belmont win; Andy Beyer with me live at Saratoga in advance of Rachel Alexandra’s Woodward; and a visit with John Shirreffs, Mike Smith and Steve Haskin after Zenyatta’s historic Breeders’ Cup Classic.

I hope you’ll enjoy it and will join me live in the Florida studio for the next couple of weeks starting Thursday… Below the very good Wednesday Belmont card that Andy Serling and I previewed Tuesday.

BELMONT PARK

PRE-SCRATCHES

1st: NYB-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #7 Who is Lady 5-2 WON ($6.80)
Best Value: #4 In Your Dreams 5-1 3rd
Next Best: #2 Justify 9-5 2nd
Super Add: #8 Sunny 8-1 6th

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

Most Likely: #6 Zermett 4-5 WON
Best Value: #4 Bashoosha 4-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Sotique 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #1 SCR

3rd: NYB-OC/N2X, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

A couple of clearly unhealthy and short-priced favorites to deal with here in #4 Giant Ryan and #6 Trinity Magic. Chances are one or the other runs OK, so you’re in a bit of a quandry here about how to approach this, and I’m inclined to protect with them in the multis. Preference is however that either of the in form candidates below runs down the chalky cripples..

Most Likely: #1a (POE) Executive Search 3-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Goodandacceptable 5-1 2nd

4th: NYB-OC/N2X, F&M-3+, 6f-IT (P6, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Acquired Cat 5-2 WON ($6.90)
Best Value: #3 Princess Maura 8-1 4th
Next Best: #5 Chorus Music 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #7 SCR

5th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD)

Very quirky set of dime claimers..

Most Likely: #4 Renewed Hope 3-1 3rd
Next Best: #9 Show Trial 9-2 WON ($10.60)
Best Value: #5 Five Boroughs 10-1 7th
Exotics Use: #7 Full Tilt Noogie 12-1 6th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

1x4x6x3 = $72

6th: NYB-ALW/N1X, F&M-3+, 1m (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #10 Wicked Diva 2-1 WON ($4.40)
Best Value: #6 Team Plan 10-1 9th
Next Best: #8 Vicarious 5-1 7th
Super Add: #7 Fiddlers Zephyr 12-1 10th

7th: S/ALW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

As NYRA’s Andy Serling laid out on Tuesday ATR, #8 Settling Seas is a horse that can win, but should do so without your investment with so many better-priced options at your disposal..

Best Value: #1 Star Orchid 8-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Smart Woman 3-1 WON ($7.70)
Exotics Use: #3 Ambidaxtrous 4-1 2nd
Super Add: #7 Chick in Slacks 9-2 5th

8th: OC/N1X, 3+, 6f-IT (DD)

Most Likely: #1a (POE) I’ve Got Speed 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #3 Southern Exchange 6-1 5th
Next Best: #9 Academy Run 3-1 6th

9th: CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-T (Super)

Terrific nightcap with several well-priced players eligible for laurels and none better tabbed than Ortiz’ Unique Citizen with able turf pilot Espinoza..

Best Value: #10 Unique Citizen 12-1 WON ($21.80)
Next Best: #3 Centrina 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Tutti Va Bene 7-2 2nd
Super Add: #5 Queen of Protocol 10-1 6th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

3x3x2x4 = $72

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

NOTE MAJOR SCR’S IN 8th (#1a Executive Search) and 10th (#1a Tropical Jetset)…

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

Some notable progeny and siblings featured in this set. Codetta, Dream Supreme’s 3yo, debuts here for Mott-Kinsman. By Giant’s Causeway, she’s a half to Majestic Warrior. Shug-Phipps player Deceive is by Tiznow, and a half to Gone Astray, while Angel Penna unviels Prize Catch who is out of the mare that produced the nice Steven Miles MGSW Lead Story (Editor’s Note) who won several Churchill stakes in the early 00’s. Trying again to gain a diploma are Memories of Silver daughter La Clouche, and the Cindy’s Hero daughter Fantasma.

Most Likely: #8 Fantasma 4-1 6th
Best Value: #6 La Clouche 8-1 WON ($23.00)
Next Best: #4 Far Isle 3-1 5th
Exotics Use: #1e Penna entry 6-1 4th/8th

5th: NYB-MSW, F&M-3+, 6f-IT (P6, P3, DD, Super)

$60k P6 Carryover

Most Likely: #4 Strategic Missle 8-5 WON ($3.50)
Next Best: #8 Rennina 4-1 3rd
Best Value: #5 Electra’s Ego 6-1 2nd
Super Add: #1 New York Kitten 5-1 6th

6th: S/ALW, F&M-3+, 6f (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 Kissa Melissa 8-5 2nd
Next Best: #6 Verse Choir 3-1 WON ($7.60)
Best Value: #1 Suzee Sunrise 6-1 6th

7th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 6f-T (P4, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #7 Hey Babe 6-1 WON ($8.50)
Next Best: #1 Halcyon Days 7-2 8th
Exotics Use: #9 Valuable Lady 2-1 2nd
Super Add: #2 Loyal Shadow 12-1 3rd

8th: NYB-OC/N2X, 3+, 1m (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #4 Success Fee 8-1 4th
Next Best: #8 Slevin 3-1 WON ($6.90)
Exotics Use: #6 Stopbluffing 6-1 6th
Super Add: #3 Rodeo Hand 20-1 7th

9th: OC/N1X, F&M-3+, 10f-IT (DD, Super)

Terrific turf test with well-matched set of fillies and mares at the classic distance..

Best Value: #3 Upper Gulch 10-1 7th
Next Best: #8 Senada 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Dance Pass 5-2 2nd
Super Add: #1 Sonic Sound 6-1 5th

10th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-T (Super)

Best Value: #9 Blazing Honor 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #3 Lion Cub 3-1 WON ($6.50)
Exotics Use: #4 Siwanoy Lisa 7-2 6th
Super Add: #8 Kiss of Fire 5-1 2nd

<$150 P6 Play:

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

1x2x2x3x3x2 = 72 x $2 = $144 $2 Pick 6 (4-6-7-8-2-3) 5 Correct Paid $60.00 x 3 = $180.00

<$75 P4 Play:

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

2x3x3x4 = $72

Clarity reigned at Churchill Friday night as mostly top players won in the P6 sequence producing modest $4,100 returns on double carryover plays. Harlan’s Princess ($18.40) was the lone tough-to-find horse in the skein as no other winner paid above $8.40. Meanwhile, at Prairie Meadows Friday, Satish Sanan’s Majesticperfection ran a hole in the Iowa night setting a 6f track record of 1:07.1 demolishing a good group in the IA Sprint Handicap under Shaun Bridgmohan (115#).

The Iowa Festival continues today with the graded Oaks, Derby and Cornhusker. Nice sprint events at Arlington (turf) and Philadelphia (main) today as well, along with sophomore gals cavorting at Belmont in the Gr. I Mother Goose (main) and at Monmouth in the Gr. III Boiling Springs (turf). Belmont late P4, Monmouth P5 and all-stakes Prairie Meadows P3 looks are below. Enjoy the nice Saturday of racing! And remember, At the Races “new” morning edition kicks off Monday at 9am on Sirius 126!

BELMONT PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

7th: MDN CLM, 3+, 1m-T (P4, P3, DD)

Yikes.. Very contentious..

Most Likely: #4 Mystic Fever 4-1 4th (3rd for wagering)
Best Value: #6 Unique Tune 8-1 5th
Next Best: #1e Levine entry 3-1 2nd/3rd
Exotics Use: #2 Make It Special 12-1 8th

8th: MDN CLM, F&M-3+, 6f-IT (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #5 Hear Her Roar 3-1 8th
Best Value: #11 Dreamnote 20-1 5th
Next Best: #4 Officer Flirt 5-2 2nd
Super Add: #8 Lucky Flight 6-1 9th

9th: 54th Mother Goose (G1), 3yo-F, 8.5f (DD)

Most Likely: #3 Devil May Care 6-5 WON
Best Value: #5 Katy Now 8-1 4th
Next Best: #1 Biofuel 5-1 3rd

10th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-T (Super)

Most Likely: #2 Seattle Mission 5-2 2nd
Next Best: #8 Cops Fever 6-1 9th
Best Value: #4 Sir Dunstan 12-1 4th
Super Add: #5 Monastir 8-1 5th

<$75 P4 Play:

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

4x6x3x1 = $72

MONMOUTH PARK

POST-SCRATCHES

<$100 P5 Play:

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

2x4x3x2x4 = 192 x .50 = $96

PRAIRIE MEADOWS

PRE-SCRATCHES

6th: Iowa Oaks (G3), 3yo-F, 8.5f (P3)

Best Value: #6 Harissa 4-1 2nd
Most Likely: #2 Quiet Temper 3-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 All Due Respect 7-2 3rd

7th: Iowa Derby (G3), 3yo, 8.5f (P3)

Most Likely: #3 Thiskyhasnolimit 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Winslow Homer 2-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Vow to Wager 5-1 5th

8th: Cornhusker H. (G2), 3+, 9f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #3 Mythical Power 3-1 4th
Best Value: #4 Racing Bran 9-2 2nd
Next Best: #9 Shadowbdancing 5-1 WON
Super Add: #8 Brass Hat 7-2 8th