BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,867

One of my adopted home tracks, Golden Gate Fields, closed its doors earlier this year. They’ve announced a sale of items on the property, which will happen at an online auction next month.

Looking through the 2,000-plus auction listings is a trip, and some of the items listed are incredibly random. For instance, they’re selling a case of DVD’s that had been located in the jockey’s room. Judging by the contents of the case, at some point, at least one rider on the circuit was a big, big fan of the two-season TV show “Joan of Arcadia.”

The auction begins on Tuesday, Sept. 10, and goes through Thursday, Sept. 12. If you want any sort of on-track memorabilia or collector’s items, this is a great place to find that stuff.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Runnin’ Ray didn’t offer much value after being bet down to 8/5, but he got the job done to salvage a slight profit in this space. In total, $40 in bets returned $55.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: My best bet comes in the seventh, where I’ll try to extract some value out of #7 HEADLINE NUMBERS in multi-race exotics. She’s a single in $5 doubles starting in the sixth with #2 ANNIE GOODBODY, #7 BOSSY DISH, and #10 SOMEONE, as well as $5 doubles ending in the eighth with #1 DISCO BALL/#1A DURANTE, #4 LITTLE VIC, and #5 KAVOD. I’ll also play these horses in a $1 Pick Three, too.

TOTAL WAGERED: $39.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Headline Numbers, Race 7
Longshot: Commerce Comet, Race 4

R1

With the Angels
Five G
Willful Mama

#8 WITH THE ANGELS (6-1): Gets a tepid nod in a wide-open Thursday opener with a plethora of first-time starters. This daughter of Omaha Beach fetched $350,000 at the OBS sale in April, and her string of strong workouts jumps off the page; #7 FIVE G (6-1): Debuts for George Weaver and is another that has every right to be a runner. She’s by red-hot first crop sire Vekoma and flashed precociousness in a four-furlong gate drill on August 11th that was the fastest of nearly 200 works at the distance; #3 WILLFUL MAMA (10-1): Is out of one of the top broodmares in the state, one that’s already thrown graded stakes winner My Mane Squeeze and multiple stakes winner Rotknee. This barn’s young horses sometimes need a race to get going, but the works are solid and the price should be right.

R2

Hoosier Philly (MTO)
Beaute Cachee
Gina Romantica

#4 BEAUTE CACHEE (5/2): Looks like the lone speed in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa, and that could be a very, very dangerous trip. She’s gone wire-to-wire twice already this season, including in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland, and the presence of Frankie Dettori is a plus; #5 GINA ROMANTICA (9/5): Was a close-up third in the Grade 1 Diana last time out behind a pair of very classy mares. I’m not sure she’s quite the same horse she was last fall, when she won the Grade 1 First Lady and was beaten just a length in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, but she’s probably the one they have to hold off late; #2 COPPICE (5/2): Chased Chili Flag twice before a traffic-filled trip in the Diana. Still, she wasn’t beaten by a lot last time out, and Irad Ortiz, Jr., lands here.

R3

Broughty Ferry (MTO)
Sy B
In Time

#3 SY B (2-1): Ran too poorly to be true in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and drops in to face first-level allowance foes here. Her two-back effort in the Grade 2 Wonder Again was quite good, and anything close to that makes this filly strictly the one to beat; #1 IN TIME (3-1): Hasn’t won since her overseas days but was a solid second in a similar spot last month. She’s got some early speed in a race light on that, and I’m expecting Dylan Davis to have her forwardly-placed out of the gate; #7 JUSTDENY (4-1): Graduated at this distance two starts ago before making a big middle move last time out. This barn has been cold at this stand, but she’s clearly shown an affinity for this three-turn trip, which could be a big help.

R4

Master of Arms
Commerce Comet
Saffa’s Day

#6 MASTER OF ARMS (9/5): Drops in for a tag after spending most of his campaign going against starter allowance foes. Most recently, he set the pace and tired to fourth going a bit longer. The cutback in distance and drop in class could both be enough to wake him up; #8 COMMERCE COMET (10-1): Is protected from being claimed in his first start since February, which is a move I absolutely love. He’s also got several back races that fit reasonably well in here, plus a work tab that hints he’s ready to go and may be live at a price; #5 SAFFA’S DAY (8-1): Gets wheeled back for his third start of the meet after running second in a similar spot less than two weeks ago. He was close to a solid pace that day and may not need to go quite as quickly early to sit his preferred trip.

R5

Fortune’s Nephew
Improbable Journey
Upside Potential

#4 FORTUNE’S NEPHEW (3-1): Gets a massive jockey switch to Luis Saez, one of the top gate riders on the circuit, and has shown speed against allowance and optional claiming foes in the past. His two and three-back efforts were both solid, and if he sits his preferred trip (unlike last time), I think he’s got a big shot; #2 IMPROBABLE JOURNEY (9/5): Makes his first start off the claim for Mike Maker and will look to break a long losing streak here. The class drop is significant, and it’s not like his last race was bad, but the likely price is pretty tough to swallow, so I’ll try to beat him; #1 UPSIDE POTENTIAL (5-1): Hasn’t done anything wrong to this point, with two wins in as many starts. The drop into the claiming ranks is a bit odd, but he’s got plenty of early speed and may have more, dare I say it, upside potential than most of this bunch.

R6

Someone
Bossy Dish
Annie Goodbody

#10 SOMEONE (5-1): May have needed her debut, and her pedigree says this two-turn turf route is exactly what she wants. The bottom side of her pedigree is all-stamina and all-turf, and while the post isn’t ideal, the presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr., riding for a fairly small outfit is a big plus; #7 BOSSY DISH (3-1): Is another trying turf for the first time, and she’s bred to love it, too. Her dam was a champion in her native New Zealand and did plenty of damage on the lawn, and she’s shown speed in a pair of dirt starts to date; #2 ANNIE GOODBODY (8-1): Didn’t do much running in her debut, but that was against a much tougher group going shorter than her pedigree says she wants to run. This distance should be more to her liking, and I’m expecting a move forward at a bit of a price.

R7

Headline Numbers
Standout Sensation
Camera

#7 HEADLINE NUMBERS (8/5): Is my one single on a card with a bunch of competitive races. This filly’s debut was sensational, as she ran off the screen going a mile at Aqueduct. Her pedigree says two turns won’t be a problem, and she may not have to improve off of her unveiling to win this; #5 STANDOUTSENSATION (4-1): Was a non-starter last time out and hasn’t won in a while, but is a contender for a piece of it if she runs back to her two-back near-miss at Churchill. The two-back work was sharp, and Tom Amoss has enlisted Jose Ortiz to ride; #1 CAMERA (10-1): Exits an ultra-classy turf race that’s produced several next-out winners. She also chased a stakes-caliber filly two starts ago and has enough speed to take advantage of the inside draw. She seems like the one they’ll have to catch, and I think she hangs on for a slice at a price.

R8

Jacobson entry
Little Vic
Kavod

JACOBSON ENTRY (7/2): I prefer #1A DURANTE. While #1 DISCO BALL isn’t badly-meant, his stablemate is a Grade 3 winner who got a very strange ride last time out at Laurel. His desired trip would give him a big shot in an optional claimer that looks much more like an ungraded stakes race; #4 LITTLE VIC (6-1): Has chased stakes foes a bunch over the last few seasons, and his one recent start with Lasix was an easy score in March. He gets Lasix back here, and he’ll also get the riding services of Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #5 KAVOD (5-1): Responded to a drop in class with a win last time out at Churchill. He was claimed out of that race by Joe Sharp, he sports a strong series of out-of-town drills, and he’s yet another alternative to #3 GULFPORT (8/5), who hits me as a vulnerable favorite.

R9

The Shoe Lady (MTO)
Can’t Fool Me
Overacting

#3 CAN’T FOOL ME (7/2): Was second in a race many runners in here exit, and she didn’t have it easy that day. She rated well behind a pretty slow pace, but still managed to salvage second behind a stakes-caliber winner that’s going on to tougher races; #4 OVERACTING (5/2): Sat a strange trip in that event and (not coincidentally, I think) gets a new rider in Flavien Prat here. Some of her 2023 turf efforts were very sharp, and I think she may sit a bit closer here given the likely race shape; #1 BERNT AGAIN (15-1): Almost certainly needed the last-out clunker, which was her first start in almost six months. She got pretty good last year, when she hit the board in a pair of stakes races, and this price seems like an overlay on a horse that can win if she channels that form.

R10

Precisely
Unhidden Gem
Arrasou

#2 PRECISELY (8-1): Comes off a very long layoff, but her one race to date was solid. She was third behind a pair of next-out winners that day, and the recent works indicate that trainer Wesley Ward has her fully-cranked for her first start since June of 2023; #1 UNHIDDEN GEM (6-1): Debuts for Al Stall and is bred up and down to be a precocious turf horse. This daughter of No Nay Never is out of a classy mare that’s thrown full sibling Mystery Power, a Group 2 winner overseas; #3 ARRASOU (7/2): Came back running with a third-place finish in a similar spot. That was her first try in more than 11 months, and this barn has a history of getting horses ready to go second off the layoff.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,852

If you’re a fan of racing at Saratoga, you owe plenty to the Whitney family. As prominent as they’ve been over the years, much of their best work has been behind the scenes, supporting backstretch workers and providing valuable resources to the backbone of the racing industry.

John Hendrickson, Marylou Whitney’s husband, passed away suddenly earlier this week. He was just 59 years old. In addition to his other contributions to the industry, he was the chairman of the board of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, an organization where I proudly serve as an annual voter.

This industry has plenty of people who have probably sprained their shoulders patting themselves on the back. I should know, given that I’ve gotten a year-plus of clout out of picking Lord Miles in the Wood. On a serious note, though, John and Marylou gave back selflessly when they didn’t have to, and racing’s much, much better for it.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: My action was cancelled when the Bolton Landing was moved off the turf.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: I have two strong opinions pretty close to one another, and I’ll lean on them both. I’ll have $20 win tickets on #3 ICE ROAD in the fifth and #2 RUNNIN’ RAY in the seventh, and I’ll have a $2 Pick Three singling both that uses #1 BRYANT AND COOPER, #4 PLAYFUL LASS, #6 NATIONAL ARCHIVE, #8 MARVELOUS MADISON, and #9 LOOKIN TO ROCK.

TOTAL WAGERED: $50.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Runnin’ Ray, Race 7
Longshot: Street Rod, Race 8

R1

Vintage Vino
Protective
Brown entry

#5 VINTAGE VINO (7/2): Closed with a rush to be second beaten less than a length last time out in a race several rivals also exit. That race’s pace was far from fast, and he was one of only a few doing any real running late. If this stays on turf, I think he’s the one to beat; #4 PROTECTIVE (8/5): May have been entered here in the event this race comes off the turf. He ran in a few big spots earlier this season, but had no excuses when back against maidens last time out and is approaching “now or never” territory; BROWN ENTRY (5/2): Some may prefer #1 FACTOR ANALYSIS, but I like #1A TAKE YOUR SEATS more. He had no shot last time out given the glacially-slow pace in front of him. He gets both blinkers and Flavien Prat here, and I think he could move forward (although the likely price still hits me as a bit too short).

R2

Sacrosanct
Bold Fortune
Joker On Fire

#9 SACROSANCT (7/2): Debuts for Brad Cox after hammering for $260,000 at a 2-year-old sale this past spring. Thats a big number considering sire Honest Mischief’s modest $6,500 stud fee, and the steady stream of solid workouts indicates he’s ready to run; #7 BOLD FORTUNE (4-1): Makes his first start for George Weaver and is a full brother to Walk With Me, a first-out winner that added a stakes placing later in her campaign. He’s another with a few good works, and Dylan Davis is riding as well as anyone in the jockey’s room; #8 JOKER ON FIRE (5-1): Has an experience edge over most of this field and showed a bit of speed in his unveiling. He’s worked well twice since then and has every right to step forward at second asking.

R3

Kuchar (MTO)
Foreign Relations
Cathkin Peak

#3 FOREIGN RELATIONS (5/2): Sure looks like the lone early speed in the John’s Call, and given the way that usually works in turf marathons, that’s a very powerful asset. He’s got plenty of back class, having won last year’s Grade 3 Louisville at Churchill Downs, and I think he’s a legitimate wire-to-wire threat; #6 CATHKIN PEAK (2-1): Was claimed by Mike Maker last time out, and this barn has a record of turning around older horses whose careers have sputtered a bit. He has races from 2022 and 2023 that would absolutely make him a major player in here, provided he finds that form; #5 WINNING SPIRIT (12-1): May have needed his U.S. debut given the layoff of almost 10 months that preceded it. Form in Italy and Germany isn’t quite as impressive as races run elsewhere in Europe, but he’s shown he can go long on the turf and he’s certainly better than what he showed last time out.

R4

Jacobson entry
Accidental Hero
Roman Empire

JACOBSON ENTRY (2-1): I’m high on #1 SIX PERCENT, who clearly detested the Wilson chute last time out (many handicappers can relate). He comes back to a route where he thumped $32,000 claimers two back, and there sure seems to be plenty of speed signed on to set things up for his late kick; #5 ACCIDENTAL HERO (8/5): Didn’t have a great start last time out and was one-paced behind a winner that went early and never came back to the field. He adds blinkers and has enough early speed to sit close and get first run turning for home; #7 ROMAN EMPIRE (10-1): Ships up from Parx, which gives me some pause because Parx form doesn’t always travel to NYRA tracks. However, this is a sharp barn that doesn’t ship for the sake of shipping, and former Parx stalwart Kendrick Carmouche being in the irons is noteworthy.

R5

Ice Road
More Vino
Midnight Express

#3 ICE ROAD (6-1): Hasn’t won in quite a while, and I usually hate betting horses like this unless I have a very good reason. That good reason, however, comes in the form of a switch to Luis Saez and a favorable draw coming out of the Wilson chute against what hits me as an underwhelming favorite; #5 MORE VINO (9/5): Will likely be a very heavy chalk, and it’s possible he steamrolls this group, but I’ve got some doubts. His two races to date aren’t THAT fast, he’s a 3-year-old going against older horses, and while these are aggressive connections, a $400,000 auction purchase running for a $16,000 tag in his third career start doesn’t exactly exude confidence at a very short price; #8 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (8-1): Does not draw well in this event but is one of only a few horses that’s shown any interest in passing others late. His second last time out at this level was fine, and if there’s a pace meltdown, he’s the one who stands to benefit.

R6

Cha Cha Wren (MTO)
Playful Lass
Marvelous Madison

#4 PLAYFUL LASS (10-1): Made a big middle move in her debut, which came in an off-the-turf race last month, and I think she’ll be a factor here at a price. Her dam was stakes-placed going long on the turf, we know she’s got some dirt form, and Luis Saez rides back for Mike Maker; #8 MARVELOUS MADISON (4-1): Is one of two Chad Brown debutantes in here, and despite being a bigger price, this is the one I prefer. Her workouts are a bit quicker, and her stakes-placed dam has thrown five winners to date, including a few stakes runners; #1 BRYANT AND COOPER (3-1): Is the Brown runner that will likely attract attention. She’s a full sister to stakes winner Marvelous Maude and Flavien Prat sees fit to ride, but the rail draw makes me a bit nervous and she hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire in the mornings.

R7

Runnin’ Ray
Complete Agenda
St Andrews

#2 RUNNIN’ RAY (7/2): Has clearly had his issues over the years given all the layoff lines, but his usual race would make him very tough in here. His effort two back at Churchill was very good, as he ran second behind a stakes-caliber winner. The class drop should help him, and the 7/2 morning line hits me as an overlay on a horse I’m singling in multi-race exotics; #8 COMPLETE AGENDA (5-1): Was put up after a lengthy inquiry last time out, and while he did check, I don’t think he was the best horse that day. He’s got enough back form that tells me he can run well here, but I’m curious about the drop in class off of a win over starter allowance foes. These connections probably could’ve found a similar starter allowance spot, so why risk losing the horse?; #6 ST ANDREWS (6-1): Probably went a bit too far last time, and the slight cutback in distance should help him. There’s some speed in this race, and his best chance is probably laying back and making one big late run.

R8

On the Hill (MTO)
Street Rod
Twisted Filigree

#3 STREET ROD (12-1): Has run just twice to date and has been on the shelf since January, but his last-out effort saw him beat maidens in an open race at Gulfstream Park’s championship meet. He goes against winners for the first time, but this is a state-bred race, which means the waters aren’t quite as deep, and the price is certainly right; #4 TWISTED FILIGREE (5-1): Ran very well to be a close-up second last time out in his first start since June of 2023. He gets Lasix for the first time in this spot, he’ll likely be prominent from the jump, and he’ll have every chance to improve second off the bench; #9 BIG PRANKSTER (7/2): Is the morning line favorite and isn’t completely illogical, but he may need to step up here. His best races have come on dirt, not turf, and if this stays on its intended surface, the morning line price hits me as an underlay.

R9

Tapwrits Temper (MTO)
Shoot the Waves
Salvation

#2 SHOOT THE WAVES (8-1): Lost all chance at the start in his debut and has a major chance to improve at second asking going two turns. He’s bred to want every bit of this distance, and he adds both blinkers and Luis Saez, which may signal an intent to be on or near the lead from the jump; #8 SALVATION (10-1): Debuts for Linda Rice, whose first-time starters often need a race. However, he’s bred to love the turf, as his female family includes a third dam that threw Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner New Money Honey; #7 VAMONOS VAMONOS (8-1): Was a distant fourth in an off-the-turf race last time and may get his desired surface here. Frankie Dettori rides back, and this colt ran a bit wide out of the Wilson chute, which is rarely a winning trip.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,852

It, unfortunately, happened again: Sunday’s 11-race Saratoga card does not include a single two-turn dirt route. It does, however, contain two races out of the Wilson chute, and there may be more at that route if a weather forecast calling for rain proves to be accurate.

For decades, Saratoga’s two-turn dirt races have taken advantage of one of the best atmospheres in a sport fast losing good ones. This weekend, however, will feature only two scheduled two-turn dirt routes, as opposed to four carded for the Wilson chute.

I understand why the Wilson chute exists. I have no problem with a few races out of that chute every week for one-mile distance specialists. The current schedule, however, calls for far too many, even before races are moved off the turf due to weather.

There’s a lot more I could say here, but to make a long story short: NYRA, please stop doing this.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: Macaw never once looked comfortable and was eased out of the fifth. I lost $50.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I’m looking forward to seeing how #4 VIGGIEDAL takes to the turf in the Bolton Landing (race 7). In addition to a $22 win bet, I’ll play $4 exactas using her above #2 MIGHTY ERIU, #5 ME GOVERNOR, and #8 ABIENTOT, as well as $2 “saver” exactas with Viggiedal below those runners.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Squire Creek, Race 5
Longshot: Claire’s Charm, Race 1

R1

Claire’s Charm
Pletcher entry
Briland

#3 CLAIRE’S CHARM (6-1): Debuts in what looks like a loaded race but is bred to be a good one. She’s a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Muth, and the five-furlong gate drill on July 27th hints that she’s got plenty of potential; PLETCHER ENTRY (7/5): I prefer #1 ICE CREAM BOAT, who’s a half-sister to 2-year-old Grade 1 winner Chocolate Gelato. She’s been working well for her Hall of Fame trainer, who’s won plenty of races with John Velazquez riding for him; #5 BRILAND (5/2): Hammered for $675,000 at the OBS sale earlier this year and boasts a very good drill on August 4th, when she went four furlongs from the gate in :47 flat. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because I think she may want a bit longer than this six-furlong distance given her pedigree.

R2

The Taco Lady (MTO)
Jitterbug
Past Tense

#2 JITTERBUG (2-1): Ran well to be second in a similar spot last month and looms large given her experience in turf marathons. Another near-miss, however, would be alarming, and this hits me as a possible “now or never” spot; #9 PAST TENSE (9/2): Set the pace last time out going a mile and a half before fading to third. The slight cutback in distance should help her, and the rider switch to Flavien Prat is a big one; #7 QUITE CONTINENTAL (12-1): Stretches out to a marathon distance she’s bred to love in her first start off the claim for Saffie Joseph. She definitely needs to improve off of her three prior efforts, but I think a step forward is likely and that she’s worth considering underneath at a price.

R3

Bank Frenzy
Donegal Surges
Maker’s Candy

#3 BANK FRENZY (7/2): Sure seems like the main early speed in the Evan Shipman, draws favorably for this Wilson chute event, and gets a few pounds from the highweights in here. He’s got one way of going, and I think he’s got a big chance to wire this group; #5 DONEGAL SURGES (9/5): Ran second in the Commentator back in June and retains the riding services of Irad Ortiz, Jr. The post isn’t ideal, and he doesn’t have the early speed to be close up early on, but there’s plenty of back class here and he’d benefit from a meltdown; #4 MAKER’S CANDY (3-1): Got very good late last year, but was last seen finishing a non-threatening third in an off-the-turf race at this route. Luis Saez being in the irons hints that he’ll be a factor early, and I think his best chance is sitting close to my top selection.

R4

Tommy Two Socks (MTO)
Inflation Nation
Playground Legend

#10 INFLATION NATION (5/2): Drops in for a tag after chasing an allowance group that seemed very tough for the level. That day’s winner has run a few very good races at this route, and anything close to this one’s 2023 efforts would make him strictly the one to beat; #2 PLAYGROUND LEGEND (6-1): Gets Flavien Prat after a wide trip in his local debut last time out. He’s another taking a class drop to run here, and the ability he’s shown to pass others late is a definite plus; #9 KREESA (8-1): Was a distant second at this level last time out, but has run some of the best races of his career at this route. The rider switch to Jose Ortiz is a big one, and while his price won’t be as big as it was a few weeks ago, he still offers some value.

R5

Squire Creek
I Got No Munny
Didinger

#5 SQUIRE CREEK (7/2): Went wire-to-wire at this route last time out and looks like the main speed in here once again. He’s shown he’s very tough to catch if he gets loose on the lead, and that’s a trip I think he gets in this spot; #4 I GOT NO MUNNY (5/2): Just missed last time out in his first start since March of 2023 and is certainly eligible to improve. He’s in search of his first win since August of 2021, but most of his races over the years have come against much tougher competition; #7 DIDINGER (10-1): Was way too far back last time out and was left with too much to do as a result. A repeat of his two-back effort at Parx, though, could give him a chance at a piece of this at a price.

R6

Lucky and Gorgeous
Dubawi Wowie
Lady Laoban

#11 LUCKY AND GORGEOUS (6-1): Was never going to win last time out after a terrible start forced him to sit well behind a very slow pace. Her two-back effort wasn’t bad, and the last-out clunker may mean we get an inflated price in a wide-open event; #6 DUBAWI WOWIE (6-1): Is eligible to improve given her relative inexperience and wasn’t beaten much by my top pick in her last outing. She’s another that would benefit from some pace in front of her, and I think she’ll get it; #2 LADY LAOBAN (7/2): Takes a drop in class and will run for a tag for the first time. That’s not as big a drop at the state-bred level, and I think she may be a tad overbet as a result, but there are certainly no monsters in here and Flavien Prat sees fit to ride back.

R7

Viggiedal
Abientot
Mighty Eriu

#4 VIGGIEDAL (9/2): Was very sharp in her debut, but flopped as the 2-1 favorite in the Schuylerville. Her two recent turf works indicate she likes the lawn. Anything close to her debut effort would give her a chance, and a move up (which is very possible) makes her a big overlay at that morning line price; #8 ABIENTOT (4-1): Earned her diploma at this route last time out and beat what I thought was a decent group. This trainer and jockey have both enjoyed plenty of success at this stand, and she’s shown she can pass others late, which isn’t common among 2-year-old sprinters; #2 MIGHTY ERIU (5/2): Comes over from Europe and will get bet based on that, but I have my doubts. She’s been running against better horses, but her last-out effort at Newmarket was underwhelming. It’s possible she’s just plain better than this Bolton Landing group, but her likely price doesn’t offer much value.

R8

Neptune Beach
Berning Beauty
Senegal

#2 NEPTUNE BEACH (6-1): Comes back to dirt after getting the ultimate equipment change, and both of those factors seem like plusses. Add in that he draws well, gets a strong gate rider, and faces horses that don’t seem interested in passing others, and he’s very logical; #6 BERNING BEAUTY (5/2): Drops in for a tag for the first time and is another that’s recently been gelded. These connections certainly merit respect, and in a field with many horses that have struggled for quite a while, at least this one has several reasons to move forward; #4 SENEGAL (8-1): Probably needed his last-out effort, which came off a layoff of nearly a year. He’s bred to want the additional ground he gets, he adds Lasix for the first time, and honestly, SOME horse in here has to run third in a race that doesn’t exactly inspire much enthusiasm.

R9

Super Chief
Blue Plate Special
Magia Nera

#8 SUPER CHIEF (7/2): Takes a massive class drop after chasing Squire Creek last time out. He ran for a $50,000 tag that day, and his claiming price is less than a third of that here. That can be seen as a red flag, but it’s not like he was awful last time and there’s enough back form that suggests he’s the one to beat; #2 BLUE PLATE SPECIAL (8-1): Is a deep closer going first off the claim for Joe Sharp. He probably lost all chance at the start last time out, and there certainly seems to be some speed signed on that he can rate off of and close into; #4 MAGIA NERA (4-1): Has a last start that’s too bad to be true, so I don’t have an issue drawing a line through it. Brad Cox claimed him out of that race, and he’s among the best in the game when it comes to new acquisitions.

R10

Enfuega
A Maize Zing Dotie
Foxy Cara

#2 ENFUEGA (4-1): Comes in off of a failed turf experiment that I’m completely discarding. Her two-back effort was a sharp performance where she showed some fight after dueling early, and she figures to be prominent from the jump once again; #6 A MAIZE ZING DOTIE (7/2): Has made her living at Finger Lakes, where she’s recorded eight wins in 20 starts. She ships in on a three-race win streak and merits respect, even though this certainly seems like a significant jump in class; #8 FOXY CARA (4-1): Hasn’t won in quite a while but generally runs the same race every time out. Many of this race’s top contenders want to go early. She seems like one of the few closers, which means she could be the one they have to hold off late.

R11

Rocco Strong (MTO)
Bourbon Day
Ever Dangerous

#10 BOURBON DAY (5/2): Made up some ground late to be second in his local debut and takes a slight class drop in the Sunday finale. Flavien Prat rides back for Brad Cox, and I think he’s the most likely winner despite the outside draw; #5 EVER DANGEROUS (8-1): Hasn’t run in more than a year and hasn’t won in several campaigns, but he comes back protected from being claimed, which is an angle I love seeing. That hints the connections don’t want to lose the horse, and that confidence from an astute outfit means I need to use him; #2 MARWAD (6-1): Takes a significant drop in class, as it wasn’t long ago he was one of the better turf horses at Gulfstream Park. He contested a pair of graded stakes races over the winter, and while his best races may be behind him, he may not have to get all the way back to that form to be a factor here.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,901

Saturday is Alabama Day at Saratoga, and it’s one of my favorite cards of the year. I’m a sucker for races contested at the classic 1 1/4-mile distance. We don’t breed horses that go that far anymore, so seeing the cream of the crop do that in front of tens of thousands of people excites me.

Thorpedo Anna running in the Travers hurts this race’s star power, but it also does a big, big favor. That filly would be 1/5 in the Alabama, and justifiably so. Because she’s running elsewhere, it’s a much better race for handicapping and betting, especially if you don’t love 7/5 morning line favorite Candied (and I don’t).

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: I was able to write this up early because my two key plays both scratched.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: This comes with a note that, if deadline times weren’t an issue, I’d be playing the Alabama (specifically #3 POWER SQUEEZE). However, to make things easier on the folks working to put The Pink Sheet together, my play comes in the fifth. 5/2 isn’t an exciting price on #7 MACAW, but I think that one is far and away the most likely winner. I’ll have a $30 win ticket on that one, plus $4 exactas using him on top of #4 SALACIOUS and #9 RAMESSES. In addition, I’ll single Macaw in $4 doubles that start in the fifth and end with #6 BETTRLUCKYTHANGOOD, #7 LET’S GO BIG BLUE, and #8 AGENT CREED.

TOTAL WAGERED: $50.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Macaw, Race 5
Longshot: Spaliday, Race 9

R1

Jonathan’s Way
West Point entry
McHale

#6 JONATHAN’S WAY (4-1): Debuts for Phil Bauer, whose horses have been very live to this point in the meet. This son of Vekoma is out of a mare who won first time out and added a stakes win later in her 2-year-old campaign. If he runs to a few of his workouts, he’ll be dangerous; WEST POINT ENTRY (7/5): The money will likely go to #1 SANSONE, a son of blue hen mare Diva Delite. That makes him a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Midnight Bisou, as well as stakes winners Verifying and Stage Left. My only hesitation here is that this looks like a fantastic two-turn prospect, not necessarily like a horse that has to win first time out; #4 MCHALE (6-1): Sold for $220,000 earlier this year, and while this barn’s first-time starters usually need a race, there are some solid drills on his tab. John Velazquez sees fit to ride, and that might be a clue.

R2

Brown entry
Royal’s Pride
Concord Green

#1 ASBURY PARK (5-1): Comes stateside after being purchased in the UK last year and has every right to be a turf monster. He’s by Frankel, out of a Street Cry mare, and attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr., in his unveiling for top trainer Chad Brown; #7 ROYAL’S PRIDE (8-1): Boasts one of the best pedigrees you’ll ever see. This son of Dubawi is out of a daughter of Hall of Famer Royal Delta, who herself is a daughter of Delta Princess, a stakes-winning turfer that threw two Grade 1 winners on the grass; #5 CONCORD GREEN (8-1): Debuts for Shug McGaughey and is another that has a right to be a very strong turf horse. He’s a son of War Front and kin to Grade 3 winner Scarlett Sky, and red-hot rider Dylan Davis will be in the irons.

R3

Nic’s Style
Bandita
Benedetta

#4 NIC’S STYLE (9/5): Hasn’t run in eight months but has done nothing wrong to this point, with two runaway wins in as many starts. She’s been working steadily for Bill Mott ahead of her return, and a few of her drills are very, very strong; #2 BANDITA (6/5): Has run just once, and it was in January of 2023. It was an electric performance, to be sure, and if she’s ready to run, she could easily win, but these are too many “ifs” to take given her likely price; #1 BENEDETTA (10-1): Had every right to need her last-out effort given that it was her first start since September. Her prior connections ran her in some tough spots a season ago, and she was second behind the classy Dreamfyre in the Grade 3 Sorrento at Del Mar.

R4

Hue
Turf Rocket
Beach Cruiser

#5 HUE (3-1): Has run in two off-the-turf races to date and has a pedigree saying grass is absolutely what she wants. Her last-out win was a sharp effort, and while she faces fellow winners for the first time, it’s not like there are any monsters here; #7 TURF ROCKET (5-1): Stayed in an off-the-turf race less than two weeks ago and ran reasonably well to be third that day. She gets back on turf and cuts back to a sprint, both of which should help her as she searches for her first win since March; #1 BEACH CRUISER (10-1): Runs for a tag for the first time, and that could be the class drop she wants. The field she ran against last time out was a very tough one, and I’m expecting a step forward at a bit of a price.

R5

Macaw
Salacious
Ramesses

#7 MACAW (5/2): Takes a monstrous class drop in his first start for Linda Rice. His last-out effort was a clunker, but that came for a claiming tag five times higher than the one he runs for today. There also isn’t much other early speed in here, and I think this one will be very tough to run down; #4 SALACIOUS (4-1): Was stuck wide in a race out of the Wilson chute last time out, and that’s not a recipe for success. He’s another that takes a significant drop, and the better draw second off the bench could yield a better result; #9 RAMESSES (5-1): Ships up for Saffie Joseph, who has done very, very well at the Spa so far this summer. The outside draw is far from ideal, but the recent uptick in his workouts shows he could be sitting on a big effort.

R6

Mighty Atlas (MTO)
Let’s Go Big Blue
Agent Creed

#7 LET’S GO BIG BLUE (4-1): Has never run a bad race here and exits a decent second in a race several of these runners come out of. That day’s winner was much the best and isn’t in this spot. Given his consistency here, I think this gelding owned by former Giants head coach Bill Parcells is the one to beat; #8 AGENT CREED (5-1): Runs against state-breds for the first time since last year, and he did fairly well in those races. This is his second start off a brief freshening, and he has enough tactical speed to sit an ideal stalking trip just off the pace; #6 BETTRLUCKYTHANGOOD (9/2): May have been compromised by some trouble last time out, when he was fourth after back-to-back wins downstate. He’d benefit from a battle up front, and he might be good enough to win this with the clean trip he didn’t get a few weeks ago.

R7

Final Turn entry (MTO)
Dripping Gold
Freedom Trail

#7 DRIPPING GOLD (6-1): Hasn’t won in a while but gets Frankie Dettori and has shown ample tactical speed in the past. This race seems light on that elsewhere, and he ran well to be fourth at this distance two starts ago over Aqueduct’s similarly-configured turf course; #4 FREEDOM TRAIL (7/2): Makes his first start since November and ran in some big races a season ago. He chased the likes of Integration and Mo Stash, and he’s a major player in here provided he’s ready to run; #8 MONDEGO (5-1): May prefer the turf course at Belmont, as he hasn’t won since his last outing there more than a year ago. However, he also looks like the main speed in here and exits a stakes-quality optional claiming event going a bit longer several weeks ago.

R8

Donegal Surges
Bank Frenzy
Timeout

#9 DONEGAL SURGES (3-1): Was a best-of-the-rest second in the Commentator last time out and drops into first-level allowance company here. He’s allowed to run on Lasix, which is another plus, and Irad Ortiz, Jr., hops aboard for Hall of Fame conditioner Todd Pletcher; #4 BANK FRENZY (6-1): Has a lot of early speed and runs for a barn that’s definitely heated up over the last week or two. His lone two-turn start saw him race well clear throughout and win by five lengths. I don’t think he’ll get that type of trip here, but he does hit me as the one they’ll have to catch; #10 TIMEOUT (5/2): Ran third in the Curlin last month and comes back into the allowance ranks here. He’s certainly got potential to improve, but I haven’t been overly impressed, figures-wise, and he’ll likely need to fire a career-best shot against a field that came up pretty tough for the level.

R9

Manama Gold (MTO)
She Feels Pretty
Spaliday

#7 SHE FEELS PRETTY (2-1): Didn’t kick on in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks, but that distance was probably a bit too far. She hits me as a miler, and the distance of the Grade 2 Lake Placid should be far more suitable. A return to the form we saw as a 2-year-old would make her a formidable favorite; #5 SPALIDAY (12-1): Won an ungraded stakes race last time out and gets Frankie Dettori in this spot. She’s yet to run a truly bad race, and there seems to be enough pace signed on to give this one-run closer a chance at a big piece of this; #9 PROCTOR STREET (8-1): Is another deep closer, and she’s making just her third career start here. Most recently, she rallied from last to take her first try against winners, and I think there’s a chance she’s still got more room to improve given her relative inexperience.

R10

Power Squeeze
Candied
Chatalas

#3 POWER SQUEEZE (9/2): Is a filly I’ve respected for quite a while, and her form looks much better if you draw a line through the Kentucky Oaks. That was contested over a muddy track she clearly hated. Her pedigree says the 10-furlong distance of the Grade 1 Alabama hits her right between the eyes, and her likely price provides some value; #7 CANDIED (7/5): Is a logical favorite after her second-place finish in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks behind Thorpedo Anna. I’m not 100% sure this distance is quite what she wants, but she’s got enough tactical speed to sit close to the pace and get first run turning for home; #2 CHATALAS (8-1): Ships in after a score in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks and hits me as the main speed. Her pedigree says she should be able to stretch out, and there’s always a chance a frontrunner gets comfortable up top and forgets to stop.

R11

Yo Daddy
Who’s the King
Smile Mon

#3 YO DADDY (3-1): Has run second a lot lately, but one of those efforts was at this route and saw him earn some big figures. Blinkers go on this Linda Rice trainee, which hint that he’ll be up a bit closer in this spot, and he’s got the ability to break through; #4 WHO’S THE KING (6-1): Disappointed as the 9/5 favorite last time out, but he didn’t have a great trip that day and the final margin of defeat may be inflated as a result. Cutting back to a mile makes a lot of sense, and we may get some value here thanks to an excusable last-out clunker; #1 SMILE MON (12-1): Has legitimate stamina questions, but we know inside speed is very, very good out of the Wilson chute. He’s shown plenty of zip in his prior outings, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he holds on for a share at a price.

R12

Beautiful Thief
Heart of the Night
Naughty Destiny

#5 BEAUTIFUL THIEF (8/5): Hit the front in her unveiling back in June, which came in a race several runners in here exit, but faded to finish fourth. She contested a fast pace that day, and I’m anticipating her being much sharper at second asking for a barn that’s due to start turning second-place finishes into wins; #3 HEART OF THE NIGHT (2-1): Has hit the board twice at this route, including a third-place finish last month. She’s got the ability to win, but I’m concerned that she’s never once passed a horse in a race’s late stages. Given the 0-for-6 record, this seems like a “now or never” spot; #6 NAUGHTY DESTINY (6-1): Tried stakes company last time out and returns to the maiden ranks, which means she can run with Lasix. Her two-back effort saw her run a decent third downstate, and she may not need to move forward much to have a say in the outcome.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,901

It’s no secret I’m not a huge fan of the Wilson chute. I acknowledge why it’s there, and as a quirky alternative, it’s fine (although it’s nowhere near as fun as Santa Anita’s downhill turf course as far as “quirky alternatives” go).

However, over the past two summers, we’ve seen far, far, far too much of the chute. Dozens of turf races have been moved to the main track, and the chute is also being used in spots where two-turn dirt races would have been run. At Saratoga, two-turn dirt races start and finish in front of the grandstand, and I’m against any idea or concept that causes those races to be run fewer times.

Friday’s card, unfortunately, has a prime example of this. The early Pick Five has two Wilson chute races, and there are no two-turn dirt races on an 11-race card. This isn’t a positive, and the racing office would be wise to minimize the frequency of this moving forward.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: My two key horses in the sixth both came up short, hosing both exactas and doubles. After scratches, I dropped $32.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: I have two strong opinions in reasonably close proximity to one another. I’ll have $15 win bets on #5 BROWN EYED CAT (race 3) and #4 SIZZLE (race 5), and I’ll single both of them as bookends in the Pick Three starting in the third. My $3 ticket uses #1 DUNE ROAD/#1A CHALKY CAT, #3 ANDY CANT, and #5 WHISKEY N SODA in the fourth.

TOTAL WAGERED: $39.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Sizzle, Race 5
Longshot: April Antics, Race 1

R1

April Antics
Halo City
Pretti Xtreme

#2 APRIL ANTICS (10-1): Merits a long look at a price in the Friday opener. She stretches back out to a mile after a win going seven furlongs downstate, and she sports a win at this route from her time here last summer. This price hits me as too large, even given the wide-open nature of this event; #1 HALO CITY (7/2): Drops in class after running fourth at this route in the mud two weeks ago. That day’s runner-up was a close-up second at a higher level Wednesday, and the inside draw is certainly a plus; #7 PRETTI XTREME (2-1): Is another going down the class ladder, and she has back races that would obliterate this group. However, Linda Rice dropping horses this far is sometimes a red flag, and the far-outside post is a legitimate liability.

R2

Governor Sam
Spiralizer
Jet Sweep Joe

#3 GOVERNOR SAM (7/5): Has already run three times this season and exits a score in the Tyro at Monmouth. His two-back win at this route was an emphatic wire-to-wire victory, and I think he’ll once again be the one to catch here in the Skidmore; #5 SPIRALIZER (8-1): Ships in from Churchill after a clunker in the Bashford Manor on dirt. His pedigree, however, says turf is what he wants, and several strong local turf workouts across the street back that up. Flavien Prat sees fit to ride, and running back to his first-out effort would give him a chance; #1 JET SWEEP JOE (5-1): Put up a heck of a fight in the Tyro, when he was a close-up second behind my top pick at odds of 30-1. That was a career-best effort, and a repeat of it puts him right there, but it’s also possible he bounces after such a huge improvement.

R3

Brown Eyed Cat
Toscano
Broman entry

#5 BROWN EYED CAT (4-1): Overcame a speed-biased track with a sweeping rally that carried him to the winner’s circle in his debut. They did go pretty fast early on that day, but that’s not the sort of rally one sees often in first-out runners, and I think he could be a very, very talented horse; #4 TOSCANO (3-1): Found two turns to be too far last time out and should appreciate the cutback to 6 1/2 furlongs. His two-back effort here going seven furlongs was fine, and that day’s third-place finisher came right back to win; BROMAN ENTRY (2-1): Neither #1 LAND D’ORO nor #1A WINE RESPONSIBLY would be overly shocking, but I have some doubts with both. The former is a closer that drew a tricky inside post after a troubled trip last time out, while the latter makes his first start in nearly nine months and may very well need a race.

R4

Andy Cant
Whiskey N Soda
Rice entry

#3 ANDY CANT (5-1): Ran too poorly to be true last time out, when he trailed throughout against a higher-level group. Some of his best efforts have come at this one-mile distance, and he’s got enough early speed to dictate terms coming out of the chute; #5 WHISKEY N SODA (2-1): Was second going two turns last time out and cuts back a bit in his first start for Orlando Noda. I’m not sold on the quality of the field he ran against last time, but there aren’t any world-beaters in here, either, and with only three starts under his belt, he may have room to improve; RICE ENTRY (7/2): I prefer #1A CHALKY CAT, who found his form downstate before going to the sidelines and is protected in his return off the bench. This is his first start for the Linda Rice outfit, which is one of the best in the game with new acquisitions.

R5

Sizzle
Sacred Image
From Hello

#4 SIZZLE (6-1): Has yet to run a bad race to this point in her career and has proven two turns isn’t a problem. Tyler Gaffalione sees fit to ride for Lisa Lewis, who doesn’t have a big barn but has a long record of spotting horses well at the Spa; #10 SACRED IMAGE (5/2): Takes a big drop for Chad Brown after spinning her wheels a bit against allowance foes. She’s a formidable foe on speed figures, but the post is far from ideal and her one win to date came against a suspect group at Tampa Bay Downs; #7 FROM HELLO (8-1): Hasn’t won in a while but has shown ability against similar-level company and made a big move to be third last time out. Dylan Davis stays aboard, and he’s ridden as well as any jockey at the meet to this point.

R6

Braca
Irie Man
Dunedin Causeway

#6 BRACA (4-1): Didn’t have a great trip in an off-the-turf race last time out, but has shown some back form and may be worth another shot. Blinkers come off for this one, and a return to his two or three-back form would give him a shot in what appears to be a puzzling maiden claimer; #5 IRIE MAN (7/2): Probably lost all chance at the post position draw last time and had to negotiate a trip out of the Wilson chute from a far outside post. This seems like a friendlier trip, and his two-back effort at a similar distance downstate was much, much better; #3 DUNEDIN CAUSEWAY (8-1): Has had plenty of chances, but several of those runs came on turf, and he’s not a turf horse at all whatsoever. His last-out effort saw him run second in an off-the-turf event, and he should be going the right direction late.

R7

Bold Fortune (MTO)
Pay the Juice
Army Proud

#7 PAY THE JUICE (9/5): Debuted with a solid third at this route last month and was flying late. He simply ran out of racetrack that day, and he should be much sharper at second asking for a trainer whose horses often get better with experience; #3 ARMY PROUD (5-1): Was one-paced in that race, where he was fifth after a wide trip. His bottom-side pedigree hints he’ll get better with a start under his belt, and Tyler Gaffalione will ride back for trainer Joe Sharp; #5 SON OF HONOR (8-1): Makes his debut and has a right to love the lawn. This son of More Than Ready is out of a Dominus mare, one that was a stakes-winning turf horse during a very solid career.

R8

Brown entry
Caroline Street
Swoop to Finish

#1 TAX IMPLICATIONS (6/5): Was last seen winning the Grade 3 Eatontown at Monmouth and gets to run in this optional claimer via some creative spotting by trainer Chad Brown. Her price won’t be attractive to those seeking value, but she’s one of the most likely winners on the card and will be bet accordingly; #8 CAROLINE STREET (8-1): Ships in from Churchill Downs, and plenty of horses that didn’t love the turf there have thrived in upstate New York. She made a middle move last time out before settling for fourth, and she’s flashed plenty of talent at several points in her career; #4 SWOOP TO FINISH (12-1): Sat a strange trip last time out, when she found herself dueling for the lead. That’s not her desired trip. She wants to sit back and, well, swoop late, and a return to that positioning would give her a chance at a big piece of this.

R9

Leeloo
Cousin Kristi
Tricky Temper

#7 LEELOO (6/5): Is a closer in a race full of early speed and looms large in the Union Avenue. She was last seen running second in a similar spot at Aqueduct, and she made up lots of ground in the stretch that day. The faster they go early on, the better her chances figure to be; #5 COUSIN KRISTI (6-1): Ships to New York after spending lots of time in Florida, and running against state-breds could do her plenty of good. Her last two efforts at Gulfstream were solid, and jockey Luis Saez has heated up in fine fashion over the last week or two; #4 TRICKY TEMPER (4-1): Topped optional claiming foes last time out, though it took a fantastic trip and a picture-perfect ride to do that. Two of her three wins have come over this main track, and while she’s a 3-year-old going against older, it sure seems like her form is going the right way.

R10

Camera (MTO)
Goa
Mixologist

#2 GOA (7/2): Makes her U.S. debut for trainer Chad Brown after running well several times in France earlier this year. She gets Lasix for the first time here, and this doesn’t seem like the strongest race for the level. I expect the morning line price to come down as a result; #10 MIXOLOGIST (5-1): Was an impressive debut winner two back before sitting a pretty strange trip here last month. Perhaps she bounced, or maybe she just got a less-than-ideal ride. However, I’m expecting a return to form here beneath Joel Rosario; #7 PROGENY (15-1): Was a decent fourth in a stakes race last time out and showed some speed that day. I’m expecting her to be prominent from the jump once again here, and she could have enough talent to hang on for a slice at a big price.

R11

Not Guilty (MTO)
Shakrevenge
Z Train

#9 SHAKREVENGE (6-1): Was clear in the stretch last time out, but got reeled in and settled for third. She has several prior sharp races on her sheet, and Jose Ortiz should be able to get her to relax, which has been an issue. If that happens, I think she’ll be tough in the Friday finale; #12 Z TRAIN (5-1): Draws terribly but responded to the drop in class a few weeks ago, when she was third in a three-horse photo and was beaten just a head. Frankie Dettori rides back for a barn that’s had some rotten luck at this stand; #10 OUR FINEST HOUR (4-1): Takes another drop for high-percentage connections after running third for a $75,000 tag here last month. She’d benefit from a pace meltdown, and her back class could make her a prime contender.