8/27: Saratoga (Day 34; $72k C/O)
 

In a day of mixed emotions thanks to Spondulix getting injured in a strange gate mishap, was able to enjoy a big snapback Sunday after taking a beating Saturday. Maylan Studart, of all people, helped make Sunday a major success with a determined ride on 32-1 Recharged in the 8th. While top tab Screenplay was a clear winner up front under Wilmer Garcia, Studart gave Recharged a patient, ground-saving, midpack stalking trip and then rode hard to the wire to just get past Sr. Henry. The resulting $249.50 exacta cleaned up all of the Travers Day spillage and then some.

Mike Welsch's Workout Notes in the DRF helped get the day going, producing the $141.50 2nd race exacta on the strength of his endorsements of Sign and Honor Bright. Sign's $22.00 win tote helped drive a good $252.00 early P4 as well. The surprise in the Personal Ensign really hadn't settled in when my own attention turned to Dee Tee's Spondulix debuting in the 11th. With everything seemingly perfect and the grey gelding in the gate, Irad Ortiz off his back and sudden commotion around Spondulix indicated a problem. He had kicked back with his right leg and somehow got it caught through the stall doors. He suffered lacerations around the hock and was immediately scratched. While I didn't expect thefirst timer to win, it was certainly not the way I envisioned the fun afternoon ending. He's only bruised up a little however and will be ready to get hois career underway pretty quick.

Lots to discuss from Del Mar's Pacific Classic Day and the carryover sequence as well, but I'll have to save it for ATR as the Monday Spa slate -- with a $72k carryover -- needs to be produced... Hope everyone had a great Sunday and super weekend!


SARATOGA RACE COURSE


POST-SCRATCHES


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

Most Likely: #2 Spinit to Winit 3-1 4th
Next Best: #7 Polan 7-2 2nd
Best Value: #1 SCR
Exotics Use: #5 True Fortune 7-2 WON


2nd: OC/N3X, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IR (P4, P3, DD)

Best Value: #3 Prize Catch 4-1 2nd
Next Best: #2 Federation 7-2 WON ($3.60)
Exotics Use: #1 Counterparty 8-5 6th
Super Add: #6 Arch Support 12-1 5th


3rd: Aristie-NY, 2yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 Effie Trinket 2-1 WON ($6.50)
Next Best: #6 Agilion 8-5 2nd
Best Value: #1 Golden Fire 12-1 6th
Exotics Use: #4 Zekes Surprise 5-2 3rd


4th: CLM, F&M-3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #6 Wildcat Aly 3-1 WON ($5.50)
Best Value: #5 Magnificent Mia 5-1 2nd
Next Best: #3 Victoria Lynn 5-2 4th
Exotics Use: #2 Henny's Hurricane 4-1 3rd


5th: MDN CLM, 2yo, 6f (P6, P3, DD)

Best Value: #2 Gladhander 8-1 5th
Next Best: #5 Let Us Have One 5-2 2nd
Exotics Use: #8 One More Cat 5-1 3rd
Super Add: #7 Candy Raider 12-1 4th


<$50 P4 Play:

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

3x2x3x3 = $54


6th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 9f-IT (G/S, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #5 English Major 6-5 5th
Best Value: #2 Myhorseofcourse 10-1 2nd
Next Best: #4 Parachute Coney 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #1 Imperial Robyn 8-1 4th


7th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f-T (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #9 Indian Splendor 5-2 8th
Next Best: #7 Brief Reign 7-2 7th
Exotics Use: #2 Neon Moon 4-1 3rd
Super Add: #3 Judy G 8-1 6th


8th: NY-MSW, 2yo, 6f (P3, DD)

Best Value: #5 Leap 5-1 WON ($9.00)
Next Best: #7 Shot Rock 3-1 5th
Exotics Use: #8 Western Grit 6-1 3rd
Super Add; #1 Can't Catch Me Now 5-1 4th


9th: 9th Saratoga Dew-NY, F&M-3+, 9f (DD)

Most Likely: #4 Great Gracie Dane 7-2 4th
Next Best: #1 Opus A 2-1 2nd
Best Value: #3 Ginger Snapit 12-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Harbor Mist 5-2 5th


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

Most Likely: #9 Loud Pipes 3-1 2nd
Best Value: #1 Chief Gaga 12-1 4th
Next Best: #4 Stellabymoonlight 7-2 5th
Exotics Use: #3 Gallant Breeze 8-1 6th


<$250 P6 Play:

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

2x2x5x1x2x3 = 120 x $2 = $240


<$75 P4 Play:

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

5x4x2x4 = 160 x .50 = $80


Good luck!
Steve

The Pletcher chalk in the 6th is the key to the double carryover. Not convinced but obviously the horse was better with John R. in the saddle.

Either you single the horse or pass the pick 6. Haven't decided.

I hear you Coach, but I think Myhorse deserves shot/inclusion. Race at SA before coming east is good enough to win this... I think I'm going to try standing with the Kimmel 2nd timer Leap in the 8th.

G/L!

I know everyone is all ga-ga over Wilmer Garcia, but the ride in the 6th was embarrassing.

Incredibly embarrassing. It is really frustrating watching some of these clown rides. These are supposed to be the best riders in the country?

Uggh. Stinking it up. Completely missed O' Frederica. Can't get Myhorseofcourse up in the 6th. Take Sensational Appeal out of the P4.

Interesting how the #9 is not covered in the P6 but is fav in P3 and P4. Did the tickets alive cover with P3's or is there going to be skewed odds as they make cover bets in 10th?

There are probably 1 or 2 tickets still alive here. I will guess that whoever is still alive didn't like the 9, a horse that Serling is willing to shave his beard if he wins.

I cut him some slack because he's a bug boy and they really went after him...but still.

I'm just frustrated in general and I'm tired of betting the best horse in the race and ripping up my ticket afterwards because of a poor trip or ride, stumble out of gate, etc...

That was not good. That horse clearly should have won that race.