Andrew Champagne

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,274.20

There are so many things I would’ve rather written about than this, but here goes: Twice during Wednesday’s Pick Six sequence, horses scratched with roughly 10 minutes to post. Bettors who did not mark alternates on paper tickets (mostly everyone, since ADW’s do not have spots for alternates) were transitioned to the post-time favorites, who did not win. In a sequence with a $2 million pool, many people and groups who invested lots of that money got the short end of the stick.

Simply put, there has to be a better way to do this. It’s 2018, and protecting the betting public must be among the top priorities of any racing establishment. There are certainly better options that are technologically possible, and it’s up to the racing world to put them into place. Whether that’s reconfiguring data to allow ADW players to mark alternates, refunding invalid combinations, or implementing some other solution, people in power have a duty to protect those that keep the game going. It’s my hope that those people live up to it and bring about positive change.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Somelikeithotbrown ran well in the With Anticipation, but was second behind Opry, who I did not use in exactas. After scratches, we dropped $24.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: My wagers come in the third, where I think #5 RADIANT BEAUTY could sit a dream trip on or near a very slow early pace. I’ll keep it simple and play a $30 win ticket in hopes that she goes off at or near her 9/2 morning line price.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Mintd, Race 9
Longshot: Risp, Race 7

R1

Satin Sheets
My Won Love
Sciacca entry

#3 SATIN SHEETS: Is a consistent sort that ran a good second in her first start after being claimed by Gary Gullo. That race came at this level and seems like a fairly strong one; #6 MY WON LOVE: Was third in the same race my top pick exits and would benefit from an early speed duel. She’s hit the board in all but one of her seven outings this season; SCIACCA ENTRY: I prefer #1A SCRIPTED, who drops back down in class and has run a few OK races on dirt in the past. She may not need to improve much off of that form to be competitive here.

R2

Illudere (MTO)
Brown entry
End of Spirits

BROWN ENTRY: #1 FRONTIER MARKET could win, but #1A STRATEGIC OUTLOOK intrigues me most. He was a good second in his debut downstate, and it’s tough to make a first start going long like he did; #10 END OF SPIRITS: May have gone a bit too short last time out and stretches back out in distance in this spot. He was second in his lone two-turn effort to date and has shown a solid amount of tactical speed; #11 ARGONNE: Was DQ’d after crossing the wire first going longer at Belmont. He’ll likely take money today, but that race hasn’t come back the strongest and he’ll need to work out a trip from the far outside post. DIRT SELECTIONS: ILLUDERE, RAISING THE FLAG, RUCKSACK.

R3

Radiant Beauty
Fast Track Kathern
Bramble Queen

#5 RADIANT BEAUTY: Led every step of the way earlier in the meet and could very well get an easy lead once again in this spot. There isn’t a lot of other early speed in this race, and she could be tough to run down; #3 FAST TRACK KATHERN: Has won two of her last three starts and was much the best here earlier in the meet. That came against much weaker opposition, but when she wins, she wins big; #4 BRAMBLE QUEEN: Ships in from Arlington Park after defeating state-breds there earlier this month. She’s beaten open company many times before, and she’s tried stakes foes on several occasions.

R4

Stoney Bennett
Devine Entry
What a Catch

#6 STONEY BENNETT: Draws a cushy outside post and figures to be the main speed in this spot. He romped in the slop last month and will be dangerous if left alone on the front end; #5 DEVINE ENTRY: May have needed his last-out effort at Laurel Park, where he tired a bit late. He could take a step forward second off the bench for a barn that’s gotten rolling late in the meet; #1 WHAT A CATCH: Hasn’t won in a while, but ran a decent second a few weeks ago after missing the break. The rail draw isn’t ideal, but these connections merit respect.

R5

Quietly Quick
Andretta
Truly Courageous

#13 QUIETLY QUICK: Comes back to turf, drops in class and cuts back in distance to a route she may have wanted all along given her pedigree. She needs a scratch to draw in, but I think she’ll be tough if she does; #14 ANDRETTA: Just missed downstate in her first start at this level, and like my top selection, needs some luck to run here. Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride back, and the versatility she’s shown is a big help; #9 TRULY COURAGEOUS: Seems like the main speed in this race and was second at this level and route last time out. This isn’t the strongest race for the level (especially if the AE’s don’t draw in), and she could be tough to run down if she gets away early.

R6

Bad Student (MTO)
Sycamore Lane
Neoclassic

#7 SYCAMORE LANE: Takes a big drop in class to run here after knocking heads with some top turf runners earlier this season. The winners of each of his last two races are both Grade 1 winners, and these are much shallower waters; #12 NEOCLASSIC: Has won two of his last three starts and was claimed after the most recent victory by a barn that doesn’t fill out many claim slips. The post position is a problem, but he’s certainly a contender on his best day; #9 HIEROGLYPHICS: Was claimed by Linda Rice following a disappointing performance against much better foes. Rice can win with droppers first off the claim, but take note: Per DRF Formulator, while she’s 6 for 13 over the past five years with similar stock, all six winners were sent off at odds of even-money or lower. DIRT SELECTIONS: BAD STUDENT, HARDLY A SECRET, POSHSKY.

R7

True Gold
Risp
Quick Charge

#3 TRUE GOLD: Has been working steadily ahead of his debut, and he’s bred to be a good one. He’s a half-brother to Gold for the King, a very sharp sprinter, and Charlton Baker means business when he enlists Joel Rosario; #9 RISP: Fetched $275,000 at auction and has an impressive series of works ahead of her debut. It’s been a long summer for this barn, one that doesn’t usually win with first-time starters, but this one may be well-meant at a price; #12 QUICK CHARGE: Needs a few scratches to draw in, but must be used in some capacity if he does. He’s a half to seven winners, including a few that won first time out, and the work tab looks sharp.

R8

Stonefactor
Hannah’s Smile
Generazio entry

#12 STONEFACTOR: Returns to turf after a strong second in a race rained off the lawn earlier this month. Aggressive rider Kendrick Carmouche will likely send from the gate, and she seems to be the one they’ll have to catch; #13 HANNAH’S SMILE: Will almost certainly be favored if she draws in off the AE list. She’s shown a strong closing kick, and a repeat of her last-out effort (a second at this level at Belmont Park) would make her formidable; GENERAZIO ENTRY: I prefer #1 LULU’S POM POM, who graduated two back and comes back to the turf. She’s run well at this route in the past and could show some zip out of the gate.

R9

Mintd
Guacamole (MTO)
Miss Technicality

#7 MINTD: Gets Lasix in her first start since coming to America and certainly merits respect. She was second in a stakes race before coming overseas, and her pedigree suggests that two turns won’t be a problem; #4 MISS TECHNICALITY: Won at first asking and did so while rating off of a slow early pace. The third-place finisher has since come back to win, and Rosario riding back is a plus; #9 VARENKA: Almost certainly needed her debut, when she was a one-paced third at Laurel Park. She’s bred up and down to go long, and these connections spot her ambitiously when she’s still eligible for maiden races.

R10

Suas
Dark Ops
Baker entry

#7 SUAS: Adds blinkers after veering out at the start of his most recent race. His two races at Belmont were solid, and he seems like the horse to beat, especially if he gets a cleaner trip this time around; #2 DARK OPS: Makes his first start since November and is working like he’s ready to run. The inside draw isn’t the best, but he could be sitting on a strong effort at a bit of a price; BAKER ENTRY: #1A READY TO ESCAPE seems like the more well-meant part of the entry. He’s been gelded since running second at this level in April, and he may not need to improve much off of that race to win here.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,298.20

This week’s edition of “The Dark Day Files” went live late Monday night and chronicled what I took away from a day trip to Lake Tahoe. I’d never been, but a trip there gave me a sense of perspective I didn’t really have before, in a number of different ways.

The write-up is online here, and a link’s also available on my Twitter page (@AndrewChampagne). As a reminder, I read everything that comes in through my site’s “contact” function. If you’ve got something to get off your chest, now’s the time to do so, since we’re less than a week from closing day!

MONDAY’S RESULTS: As I expected, Dr. Shane was prominent early on in the sixth, but he couldn’t hold off the closers in the race. We dropped $28. Sorry, Dan!

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: It’s tough for 2-year-olds to go two turns. It’s even tougher when the track running the race gets the distance of said race wrong and adds a sixteenth of a mile to the journey. That said, #7 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN was incredibly impressive in his last-out victory, and I think he’s the one to beat in the Grade 3 With Anticipation. I’ll play $6 exactas that use him above #1 HENLEY’S JOY, #5 SEANOW, and #9 SWAMP RAT, and $3 saver exactas that use him below that trio. Finally, I’ll play $2 doubles starting in that race that single Somelikeithotbrown and end with longshots #5 JIMMY JAZZ, #10 WHISKEY RUN, and #11 MILARDO in the finale, a race where anything could happen.

TOTAL WAGERED: $33

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Brown entry, Race 4
Longshot: Milardo, Race 10

R1

Dark Gemini
Dancin in the Rain
Last Shani

#3 DARK GEMINI: Always seems to fire and looms large in here following a second-place finish against similar earlier in the meet. He may benefit from the added distance he gets in this spot; #6 DANCIN IN THE RAIN: Put forth a career-best effort in graduating last time out at Monmouth. He was loose on the lead that day and seems like the main speed in here; #4 LAST SHANI: Goes out for Jonathan Sheppard, who must always be respected in these spots. He won two back and could sit a stalking trip.

R2

Brooklyn Gerty
Salt Pond
Jordy’s Ready

#3 BROOKLYN GERTY: Showed speed last time out in her first start since May of 2017, but faded to fourth as the 6/5 favorite. She may have needed that race, though, and this certainly seems like a softer spot; #6 SALT POND: Took a step forward last time out when second at this level over a muddy track. Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride back; #5 JORDY’S READY: Has run reasonably well in three dirt tries at this level and gets a big rider switch to Luis Saez. Phil Serpe has sent out several horses that have won at prices at this meet, and he can’t be ignored.

R3

A Bit of Mischief
Paddydunalot
No Deal

#5 A BIT OF MISCHIEF: Gets my top selection partially based on being a first-time starter in a race without much proven form. In addition, she’s bred to be a solid turf sprinter, and this barn has had plenty of success with similar stock; #11 PADDYDUNALOT: May have needed the last-out effort, which doubled as her first race in more than two months. She gets back to a sprint distance and drops further down the ladder for a barn whose horses are firing at a solid clip; #3 NO DEAL: Came from way back in her first start at this level and route to be beaten just a length. The 0 for 11 career mark isn’t ideal, but a repeat of the most recent effort could get the job done.

R4

Brown entry
Shortlist
Slewacandy

BROWN ENTRY: Both #1 PROGNOSTICATION and #1A FINANCIAL SYSTEM could win this race. The former has won two in a row and came back running off a long layoff, while the latter is 2 for 2 and has worked his way up the class ladder; #6 SHORTLIST: Stepped forward in his first start for a new barn with a close-up second earlier this month. Luis Saez rides back, and he’d benefit from an early speed duel given his late-running style; #9 SLEWACANDY: Was left alone on the front end last time out and made his rivals pay, winning by more than nine lengths. This is a significant step up, but Velazquez rides back, and a similar trip isn’t impossible.

R5

More Mischief
Chillinwithfriends
Midnitesalright

#3 MORE MISCHIEF: Dueled early in her debut, which came over a sloppy track she may not have appreciated. Her two works since that race have been sharp, and of the ones that have run before, she seems like the one with the most zip out of the gate; #6 CHILLINWITHFRIENDS: Had an adventurous trip in her debut, but still salvaged a third-place finish. That day’s runner-up has since come back to win, and she may have gotten a lot out of that race; #10 MIDNITESALRIGHT: Ran third in a stakes race last time out and draws a cushy outside post here. A repeat of that race puts her in the mix, although she may have been aided by the wet track she caught.

R6

Sensible Myth
Englehart entry
Tres Charmant

#8 SENSIBLE MYTH: Drops in for a tag for the first time after trying stakes foes at Laurel Park. She may not have liked the Laurel turf course, and a repeat of her efforts two or three back would make her very tough; ENGLEHART ENTRY: #1A JAZZY JUDER almost certainly needed her last race, which came off a 10-month layoff. That day’s winner has since won again, and this one’s worked well of late on the training track; #4 TRES CHARMANT: Returns to the grass and to this route of ground, which brought this filly her lone win to date last summer. Some horses simply relish this trip, and this barn has done great work with turf sprinters of late.

R7

Fair Regis
Y’all Wicked
Out of Orbit

#4 FAIR REGIS: Was a solid second against similar foes earlier in the meet and always seems to fire. She’s yet to run a bad race this year, and her usual effort would put her right there; #2 Y’ALL WICKED: Took a huge step forward with a wire-to-wire score last time out at Finger Lakes that doubled as her second win in a row. This is certainly a class test, but when this barn gets sprinters on the right track, they tend to stay there; #3 OUT OF ORBIT: Has run well twice at this level this meet and comes back for another try. The last-out winner ran well in a stakes race last week, and she could improve cutting back in distance.

R8

Aveenu Malcainu
Summer Bourbon
The Caretaker

#9 AVEENU MALCAINU: Won twice at last year’s Saratoga meet and has flashed potential at times during his career. The blinkers come off after a failed experiment last time out, and he draws well in this large field; #6 SUMMER BOURBON: Hasn’t won in a while but figures to benefit from this race’s likely pace scenario. The faster they go early, the better this one’s chances figure to be; #4 THE CARETAKER: Has won two in a row after a long drought and could be figuring things out. His victory earlier in the meet was sharp, and it helps that he doesn’t need the lead in order to run well.

R9

Somelikeithotbrown
Seanow
Swamp Rat

#7 SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN: Won the infamous race contested at the wrong distance earlier in the meet and did so looking like a serious, serious turf runner. A repeat of that effort could make him formidable in an intriguing renewal of the Grade 3 With Anticipation; #5 SEANOW: Wired the field last time out at this route and is bred to be a strong router. He may not get a similar trip, but there’s also a chance he’s improving and doesn’t need a perfect journey in order to contend; #9 SWAMP RAT: Is wheeled back fairly quickly after finishing second going shorter in the Skidmore. He’s shown a big closing kick, but there are serious distance questions on the stretch-out to two turns.

R10

Milardo
Jimmy Jazz
Whiskey Run

#11 MILARDO: Is a reluctant top pick in a race where I would advise using as many runners as you can afford. He makes his first start for this barn after missing the break in his debut at Arlington, and I’m gambling he wants this distance; #5 JIMMY JAZZ: Has been one-paced in two career starts to date, but is a recent gelding and gets a rider switch to Joe Bravo. Two turns could be right up his alley given the distance-heavy pedigree; #10 WHISKEY RUN: Has shown some speed going shorter, and while the pedigree doesn’t say distance, there’s a chance Luis Saez boots him to an easy lead and plays “catch me if you can.” In a confusing race without much proven form, that trip may be enough.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,326.20

It’s hard to believe, but after the conclusion of Monday’s card, we’ll only have six days of racing left at Saratoga before everyone packs up and heads back to Belmont. Part of the joy of Saratoga is its nature as a boutique meet, and it’s why serious racing fans are not at all crazy about the prospect of extending the Spa schedule even further. Having said that, it’s tough to see the meet wind down, especially given the weather that battered upstate New York for most of it.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: I had the right idea going against Parauari, but picked the wrong middle-priced horse. Zorzor never fired, so we dropped $30.

MONDAY’S PLAY: My action focuses on the sixth race. With speed as good as it’s been on turf lately, I need to key #4 DR. SHANE, who’s owned by fellow Pink Sheet handicapper Dan Feiss (though I like Dan, my feelings about the horse are based on his early zip, not his owner!). I’ll put $5 on him to win and place, and also key him in $3 exactas above and below #1 NEW YORK SONG, #3 STOLEN PISTOL, and #6 BAM BAM BLU.

TOTAL WAGERED: $28

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Klaravich entry, Race 3
Longshot: Rose’s Vision, Race 8

R1

Woodbury
Just Right
Red Zinger

#5 WOODBURY: Was second behind a next-out stakes winner in the slop last month. I’m taking a stance that the race he comes out of is stronger than the one the other top contenders in here exit; #1 JUST RIGHT: Took a step forward when second last time out after pressing a fast pace. He’s got enough speed to establish inside position for formidable connections; #3 RED ZINGER: Was a nose behind my second selection last time out and was a bit one-paced that day. He ran like a horse that wants more ground, and he gets an extra furlong in this event.

R2

Alkhaatam (MTO)
Sargeant Drive
Midnight Tea Time

#5 SARGEANT DRIVE: Was beaten just a length going a mile and a quarter last time out and is bred up and down for the even-longer journey he’ll travel here. He’s by Tapit and out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, and he looms large; #9 MIDNIGHT TEA TIME: Has run a few OK races going longer and runs for new trainer Joe Sharp, who’s enjoyed a solid meet. He may need some pace, but his best effort could win this; #4 WINTER UNION: Has improved since going to the turf and has a pedigree that implies he’ll get this distance. DIRT SELECTIONS: ALKHAATAM, CHATEAU, SARGEANT DRIVE.

R3

Klaravich entry
Mambo Dancer
Big Mischief

KLARAVICH ENTRY: #1 SUPERCOMMITTEE and #1A MERGER ARBITRAGE could both win this. The former ran well in a similar race earlier in the meet, while the latter drops down coming off the bench for Chad Brown; #4 MAMBO DANCER: Was rated far off the pace last time out but made up some ground before running out of gas. She could improve if she’s a bit more forwardly-placed; #2 BIG MISCHIEF: Debuted running third at Monmouth Park on dirt, but has a pedigree that hints she could be a turf horse. She could improve at second asking for the top trainer and jockey at the meet.

R4

Weekend Hideaway
Eye Luv Lulu
Celtic Chaos

#1 WEEKEND HIDEAWAY: Loves Saratoga and won a state-bred stakes race earlier in the meet over several of these foes. He’s got plenty of speed and boasts a big recent workout over this strip; #2 EYE LUV LULU: Has plenty of early speed and figures to be the main threat to my top pick. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because of his 0 for 5 record in upstate New York; #4 CELTIC CHAOS: Would certainly benefit from a speed duel should one arise, but he seems to have regressed from his 2017 form. Still, given the pace scenario, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him run on late for a piece of it.

R5

Mobridge
Vincento
DiPrima entry

#2 MOBRIDGE: Has had lots of success at this level and makes his first start for new trainer Danny Gargan. He’s never finished off the board in three local starts and is reunited with Jose Lezcano, who piloted him to his two scores last year; #3 VINCENTO: Was run down in an off-the-turf event two weeks ago and returns to his preferred surface. He beat my top pick two back at Belmont and could conceivably do so again in what hit me as a two-horse race; DIPRIMA ENTRY: I prefer #1A PECULIAR SENSATION, who has plenty of early speed and topped allowance foes two back at Belmont. The inner turf can be very kind to horses with zip, and he’ll be a price.

R6

Dr. Shane
Bam Bam Blu
New York Song

#4 DR. SHANE: Comes back to his preferred surface and should put his early speed on display. This isn’t an easy spot, but aggressive rider Carmouche should get him involved early (good luck to owner/fellow Pink Sheet handicapper Dan Feiss!); #6 BAM BAM BLU: Made it two in a row in his turf debut last time out for a very strong barn. He has tactical speed but doesn’t necessarily need the lead to run well, which is a plus; #1 NEW YORK SONG: Was second in a tough event at this route last month. The rail isn’t ideal for his running style, but it’s not impossible for him to work out a trip and come running late.

R7

Riff Raff
Sal the Turtle
Summer Bourbon

#5 RIFF RAFF: Was an impressive winner last time out and was claimed out of that event by George Weaver, who doesn’t claim many runners. This is a tough race for the level, but he could be sitting on a big effort; #3 SAL THE TURTLE: Took a big leap forward last time out, when he romped over much weaker foes and earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. He had a perfect trip that day, but there’s also a chance he’s returned to his early-2017 form; #1 SUMMER BOURBON: Hasn’t won in a while but has a big recent work and adds blinkers today. It’s odd that he’s never run with them before, and they could get him more involved early on.

R8

Rose’s Vision
Prioritize
Combatant

#5 ROSE’S VISION: Is 2 for 2 going two turns on turf, and that’s the route he gets here. He could sit a stalking trip off of several horses that need the lead, and that seems like exactly what he wants; #10 PRIORITIZE: Rallied to beat optional claiming foes earlier in the meet and will get plenty of speed in front of him. I’m not crazy about the post, but he could still be getting better given his relative lack of experience; #3 COMBATANT: Has been running against stakes foes to this point in the season and should relish the class relief. His plodding style may not be ideal for the inner turf, but with a fast pace almost certainly assured, he could clunk up for a piece of it.

R9

Corey Scores
Surge of Pride
Short Pour

#12 COREY SCORES: Needs some luck to draw in off the AE list, but will be tough if she gets to run. She debuted with a third-place finish in a live race that’s already produced a next-out winner; #4 SURGE OF PRIDE: Debuts for Linda Rice, who can certainly win with turf sprinters. She’s a daughter of Kantharos, whose offspring often have an affinity for the grass; #6 SHORT POUR: Is bred up and down for turf and debuts for a trainer that’s had a lot of success with firsters this year. Most of it has been with dirt horses, but this one seems well-meant.