7/31 (SAR): Diana H. (G1), Jim Dandy S. (G2)

[hockey2315]

I'm not sure what to do with Steinbeck. You have to like the fact that he's a fresh face facing a weak crop, but his pedigree is just SO turfy.

Afleet Express might be too good for them, but I'm a little worried about the distance.

Does anyone else find it extremely annoying that the last race on this card - and most of the other cards so far - is a cheap claimer? I'd like to play this PK4, but have no desire to handicap this race. I know a lot of people don't like a race with firsters to be after the first leg of a major sequence, but I preferred Saturday's closing race strongly to these $25k's.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I'm not sure what to do with Steinbeck. You have to like the fact that he's a fresh face facing a weak crop, but his pedigree is just SO turfy.

Afleet Express might be too good for them, but I'm a little worried about the distance.

Does anyone else find it extremely annoying that the last race on this card - and most of the other cards so far - is a cheap claimer? I'd like to play this PK4, but have no desire to handicap this race. I know a lot of people don't like a race with firsters to be after the first leg of a major sequence, but I preferred Saturday's closing race strongly to these $25k's.

Don't worry, Gales has your back and says Eddie K's horse can't lose the nightcap.

NT

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Does anyone else find it extremely annoying that the last race on this card - and most of the other cards so far - is a cheap claimer? I'd like to play this PK4, but have no desire to handicap this race. I know a lot of people don't like a race with firsters to be after the first leg of a major sequence, but I preferred Saturday's closing race strongly to these $25k's.

I don't really understand the complaint. These are solid, consistent turf horses who run 75-85 Beyers. It's far from a piss poor field. I'd sure as hell prefer this to the standard $25,000-$22,500 maiden claimer that closes out SoCal cards. It's a two-horse race on paper, anyway.

[SniperSB23]

Can anyone find a horse other than Discovery in the Whitney to win a major stakes race at Saratoga three years in a row? Forever Together has the chance in the Diana.

[SniperSB23]

Anyone know the logic behind putting a stakes that drew a solid 9 horses as the 1st race instead of in the late P4? With the three races here in the P4 it would be a must play for me, as it is I will probably skip it.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Anyone know the logic behind putting a stakes that drew a solid 9 horses as the 1st race instead of in the late P4? With the three races here in the P4 it would be a must play for me, as it is I will probably skip it.

There are two MTOs, so it's only a field of seven to start, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a scratch from one of the Badgetts or a horse like Don't Forget Gil if the race stays on turf.

That being said, I'm surprised that the 7th race, a pretty good NW1X isn't in the pic-4 instead of the NY-bred turf maidens.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

There are two MTOs, so it's only a field of seven to start, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a scratch from one of the Badgetts or a horse like Don't Forget Gil if the race stays on turf.

That being said, I'm surprised that the 7th race, a pretty good NW1X isn't in the pic-4 instead of the NY-bred turf maidens.

Thanks, that makes more sense although personally I'd still play a 7 horse stakes race over maidens or claimers in a P4. Not sure the point in the MTOs, aside from scattered T'storms tonight it is looking like no rain until Tuesday or Wednesday.

[lemoncrush]

Wasn't Wasted Tears originally pointing for the Diana?
I've been a little out of the loop lately, but figured she would go in this one.