8/10: Saratoga ($53k C/O; Hall of Fame)
 

Had an OK day overall Thursday but was frustrated from shot at big P4 by gate scratch of I Bet Toni Knows out of the featured 9th. Anchor leg include Warrior Up scored in the nightcap at 30-1 under hot bug Wilmer Garcia to trip a $2,550 quad behind $8 Statue of Liberty winner My Jopia, $6 Pearl of Wisdom and $8 draw-in Stormy Beauty. Access to the payoff was further blocked by getting Why Take a Chance as the post favorite by a slight margin in the wagering over winner My Jopia. Other than the early double and finale, the afternoon was chalky overall and a number of mundane P3's and whatnot made the day more than passable. 13-1 Papa Tom's second behind Pearl of Wisdom in the 8th was a nice spur to the day actually when the tri came back $131 ($2). Hope everyone did well!

Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this morning ahead of terrific namesake stake this afternoon. $53k C/O today thanks to Warrior Up. Forecasts are calling for thunderstorms throughout the day ( Weather Underground for 12866 ), so keep tabs on the Scratches/Changes/Course Conditions at the NYRA website.


SARATOGA RACE COURSE


POST-SCRATCHES


1st: CLM, 3+, 5.5f-T (P3, DD)

Here is an appropriate snapshot of how difficult this meet has been. Totally inscrutable group with absolutely 7 of the 9 possible as winner..

Best Value: #2 Everyday Dave 6-1 8th
Next Best: #5 Decisive Move 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #7 Shotinthefog 6-1 3rd
Super Add: #4 Taproot 10-1 2nd


NOW ALL RACES ARE OFF THE TURF; WHOLESALE CHANGES TO COME


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

Most Likely: #6 Effie Trinket 5-2 WON ($5.20)
Best Value: #8 True Fortune 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #7 Sharon Spagetti 3-1 7th
Exotics Use: #5 Westerday 5-1 4th


3rd: CLM, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Super cancelled..

Most Likely: #5 Temecula Creek 3-1 4th
Best Value: #1 For All Who Conga 6-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Regal Strike 5-2 WON ($4.60)


4th: NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 7f (P3, DD)

As a full to Giant Moon, Al Fried's homebred The Giant's Beauty is cut out to be a nice horse. Cuts back, retains Lezcano and could move up on wet if applicable..

Most Likely: #4 Islarama 5-2 2nd
Best Value: #2 The Giant's Beauty 8-1 6th
Next Best: #7 Typhoon Teri 4-1 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Haldane 5-1 WON ($16.20)


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

Most Likely: #14 SCR
Best Value: #13 Cindy Says 5-1 7th
Next Best: #7 Insolvent 4-1 WON ($9.10)
Exotics Use: #1 Worthwhilepursuit 5-2 6th


<$75 P4 Play:

2: 6-8
3: 1-5-7
4: 2-3-4-7
5: 1-4/SCR-5-7-13-14/SCR

2x3x4x6 = 144 x .50 = $72

$0.50 Pick 4 (6,9/3,4,7/3/7) Paid $152.75


6th: NY-MSW, F&M-3+, 7f-OFF THE TURF (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #4 Mela Dramatically 3rd
Best Value: #3 Ampa's Girl 2nd
Next Best: #1 Nobody Cares 4th
Exotics Use: #6 Royal Suspicion WON ($10.20)


7th: NY-MSW, 2yo, 5f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Tweet Me 5-2 4th
Best Value: #4 Weekend Hideaway 4-1 (*) WON ($5.70)
Next Best: #7 Horatio 3-1 8th
Exotics Use: #8 Shot Rock 8-1 2nd


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

Most Likely: #9 Saratoga Snacks 5-2 WON ($4.10)
Next Best: #3 Wee Freudian 5-1 3rd
Best Value: #2 Southbeachsandy 15-1 5th
Super Add: #6 Law Enforcement 12-1 4th


9th: 28th Hall of Fame (G2), 3yo, 9f-OFF THE TURF (DD)

Most Likely: #4 Csaba 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #7 Daddy Nose Best 2-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 (POE) Skyring 3-1 6th/5th
Super Add: #6 Quick Wit 8-1 WON ($23.80)


10th: CLM, F&M-3+, 5.5f-OFF THE TURF

Confusing bunch and having it come off turf won't clear anything up either..

Most Likely: #1 Miss Woods 8th
Best Value: #12 Natalie Victoria 2nd
Next Best: #8 Elusive Jozi WON ($6.50)
Exotics Use: #5 Blondecat 3rd


<$150 P6 Play:

5: 1-7-13
6: 4
7: 4-6
8: 9
9: 1-4-6-7
10: 1-8-12

3x1x2x1x4x3 = 72 x $2 = $144

$2 Pick 6 (7/6/5,9/4,5,7,9/6/2,3,6,8,9,11) Paid $324.00 (5OF6)


<$50 P4 Play:

7: 1-4-5-6-7-8
8: 9
9: 1-4-6-7-8
10: 1-8-12

6x1x5x3 = 90 x .50 = $45

$0.50 Pick 4 (5,9/4,5,7,9/6/2,3,6,8,9,11) Paid $278.25


Good luck!
Steve

Best of luck today!

That was just brutal yesterday, but today's another day.

Please check Race 4, I think Haldane is the #3, not #5 as listed and also in your P4.

Let's get the Byk train back on track.

Thx Larry! BOL today and this wknd..

Steve,
if you didn't hear, Andy said if Yari wins the HOF that he would shave his beard off and show up on Talking Horses tomorrow bare-faced :D

Looked up her dam after seeing she has 8 winners from 8 starters, True Fortune is a half to Musket Man, a favorite of mine after I saw him win the IL Derby. Ron The Greek is also out of a full sister to her dam. Nice Best Value play :tro:

BOL today!

this decision should have been made at 10 am. what did they say "oh it's not gonna rain." what's your take on this Steve ?

Its' weird here. Many, many times storms appear ticketed for Saratoga and they stall or push south and miss us. We looked certain to be washed out at one point Thursday and the band missed us almost completely. It's prudent to try and hold off the decision as long as possible. Horsemen/owners deserve every chance to get their race(s) run as planned. If you make the call and the rains DON'T come, you really shot yourself in the foot...

FYI.. Durkin just announced the salient point that only 8 two year olds can run at a time and currently 9 are still entered for the upcoming 5th. MTO #14 Endless Chatter is essentially an AE right now unless someone else comes out in the next little while...

Pretty shitty that the 4 scratched after the P4 started ad the 14 didn't draw in.

Strange situation. Grening says that off turf 2yo maiden races are allowed to run 10 so it may have been Chad Brown's call unless that info was misconveyed. And Durkin's announcement apparently was wrong.

Nice job bringing home the early P4 with all this chaos!:tro::$:

Thx Larry but forget the P4.. Ampa's Girl just help clean up several days of frustration juicing the exotics..

Great Job today Steve :tro: glad I hopped on board fo the Late P4. Thanks for sharing your opinions and choices. :tro:

Brought home both.... Nice

Great job Steve:$:

Congrats and thanks as always!!

Nice to get the Byk train back up and rollin!!

Great job, and well deserved.:$::tro:

Great job today Steve - keep it going!

Very nice Steve on hitting both P4s