BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $715.25

This week’s installment of “The Dark Day Files” is a wee bit different than usual. I posted a hint on my Twitter page (@AndrewChampagne) a few days ago, but by and large, everyone’s pretty much in the dark about what I’m doing. It’ll be online on AndrewChampagne.com and my social media pages Monday evening, and if you think I’m being cryptic about what I’ve got in store…well, you’re pretty much right.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Our late Pick Four went up in smoke in the eighth, when Magician’s Vanity looked like she couldn’t lose at the top of the stretch and then, somehow, did. After scratches, we dropped $36.

MONDAY’S PLAY: I’ll dive back into the late Pick Four, and because my ticket is on the skinnier side, I’ll play it for $1 instead of the usual 50-cent denomination. I’m singling #3 RUN AND GO in the sixth, using #2 VINTAGE MATTERS and #7 CONVERGE in the seventh, singling #5 DIVERSIFY in the eighth, and punching the “ALL” button in the ninth.

TOTAL WAGERED: $20

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Run and Go, Race 6
Longshot: This Bird Can Sing, Race 4

R1

The Berber
Michael Wonderful
Final Blessing

THE BERBER: Ran well when second in his debut earlier in the meet, and he did so for a barn whose horses often need a race to get going. Improvement is logical at second asking; MICHAEL WONDERFUL: Has a few strong works on his tab ahead of the debut. His dam is a half to several real runners, and this one could be ready to run; FINAL BLESSING: Is another first-time starter that could be prepared to win right away. The recent workouts are OK, and this doesn’t appear to be the strongest race for the level.

R2

She’sakittykat (MTO)
She Remembered
Grand Banks

SHE REMEMBERED: Has just missed in back-to-back starts at this level, and in doing so has beaten a number of rivals that show up in this spot. It may be graduation day following a few hard-luck losses; GRAND BANKS: Has finished behind my top pick in back-to-back races. This barn has quietly had a solid meet, and the presence of strong turf rider Joe Bravo is a plus; ITSTHEMONEY: Was protected last time out in her first start since December and ran fairly well. She could improve off of that, and doing so could get her a piece at a price. DIRT SELECTIONS: SHE’SAKITTYKAT, FROST DELAY, IRISH SWEETHEART.

R3

Madam Aamoura
Summer of Joy
Charis

MADAM AAMOURA: Has not won in a while, but exits a pretty tough race for the level. She bested the rest of the field by more than four lengths, and this one should be prominent early; SUMMER OF JOY: Drops down in class after an unsuccessful try against unrestricted, $25k company. Her race two back was pretty solid, and a repeat of that would make her a contender; CHARIS: Ships in from the Midwest for her local debut. On figures, she fits, but how she’ll take to the surface is an unknown.

R4

This Bird Can Sing
Song for the Soul
Tres Charmant

THIS BIRD CAN SING: Was claimed last time out by Brad Cox, who tries her on turf for the first time. Few are better than Cox at moving horses up, and I like when a trainer claims a horse and tries something completely different; SONG FOR THE SOUL: Comes back to the turf for Wesley Ward second off the layoff. She showed speed at this route last summer, and that day’s winner turned out to be a solid horse; TRES CHARMANT: Showed speed against maiden special weight foes on Independence Day and drops back in for a tag. Linda Rice’s barn is firing on all cylinders, but this one may not be alone on the lead early on. DIRT SELECTIONS: SAME.

R5

Cinderela El Crome (MTO)
Hembree
He’s Cheeky

HEMBREE: Was a strong second last time out against allowance company and drops in for a tag for the first time. He was bet in a Grade 3 two back, and note the presence of up-and-coming apprentice Katie Clawson; HE’S CHEEKY: Has a “good race, bad race” pattern going, and this would be the spot for a good one. His race two back against similar company was very strong, and he exits a swiftly-run starter allowance; BEN OF THE BRIDGE: Merits a look underneath at a big price. Neither of his last two races really set up for a closer, and if they go quickly early on, he figures to come running late. DIRT SELECTIONS: CINDERELA EL CROME, HEMBREE, BEN OF THE BRIDGE.

R6

Run and Go
Awestruck
Knarsdale

RUN AND GO: Looked like a big-time prospect when she won her debut by four widening lengths. She went to the sidelines shortly after, but she’s been training well for powerhouse connections ahead of her return; AWESTRUCK: Was fourth in a Grade 3 last time out and cuts back to a sprint distance. This route should be more to her liking, and she can’t be ignored; KNARSDALE: May have needed her last effort, which came off a three-month layoff. She gets Lasix for the first time, and note that she beat eventual Queen’s Plate winner Holy Helena back in April.

R7

Converge
Vintage Matters
Hidden Vow

CONVERSE: Comes back to the state-bred ranks after a try in open company. He ran into Hello Don Julio that day, and that one was an impressive winner against better horses Saturday; VINTAGE MATTERS: Was beaten less than a length last time out in a weirdly-run marathon race. There appears to be some speed signed on, and this one should be running well late; HIDDEN VOW: Is a threat if he draws in off the AE list. He generally runs the same race every time out, and the Jason Servis/Irad Ortiz duo has put up eye-popping numbers this meet.

R8

Diversify
Papa Shot
Good Luck Gus

DIVERSIFY: Is 4-for-5 against New York-breds, and that one loss came on a sloppy track. There doesn’t appear to be much other early speed in this race, and this one will be very tough to run down if he’s left alone; PAPA SHOT: Stretches back out in distance following a third-place finish against similar-level company earlier in the meet. He doesn’t have a bad race on the form, and his best effort would give him a big shot; GOOD LUCK GUS: Hasn’t won in a while, but came back running off a long layoff earlier in the meet. If my top two picks lock up early, this closer could be the chief beneficiary.

R9

Conquest Sandman
Tricked Up
Acoustic

CONQUEST SANDMAN: Wired the field two back against allowance company before running into much better in the optional ranks last time out. He seems like the main speed, and the rider switch to John Velazquez is significant; TRICKED UP: Beat allowance foes last time out at Monmouth and would benefit from a fast early pace. The post position isn’t ideal, but he may be talented enough to overcome it; ACOUSTIC: Has taken a significant step forward of late. He’s won two of three turf starts this year, and he’d also be formidable if this race was moved to the dirt. DIRT SELECTIONS: ACOUSTIC, BANKERS HOLIDAY, DEVINE DENTAL.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $751.25

For those who don’t know, I live in California, and to make life easier on the fine folks at The Saratogian, I try to work as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, one can get burned doing that, as I did when news came out that Going for Broke, who would have been my best bet of the day, would scratch from the Summer Colony to await the Personal Ensign.

I can’t reflect that in the picks I already sent in, but I can address it here. That is convenient for me, because that huge departure from the feature makes the late Pick Four very, very interesting.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: We had nothing around her in exactas or the late double, but Elate winning the Alabama at least meant a profit for the day (even if it was a marginal one). In total, our $40 investment returned $41.50.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: As I hinted, I’ll play the 50-cent late Pick Four (which begins in the seventh race), and my ticket does not include a single…well, single. To save space, I’ll only list numbers, not names: 1,10 with 8,9 with ALL with 4,6,7,14. Note that I’m not expecting #14 CONSUMERCONFIDENCE to run in the last given that he’s fourth on the AE list, but if he somehow draws in, I have to use him.

TOTAL WAGERED: $48

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Going for Broke, Race 9
Longshot: Closing Statement, Race 6

R1

Lightning Buzz
Caniform
Silver Assault

LIGHTNING BUZZ: Has run second in back-to-back tries at this level, including one such effort earlier this meet. He took a step forward that day and would be tough to beat with continued progression; CANIFORM: Hasn’t run a bad race on dirt and makes his first start for Steve Asmussen, who’s strong with new acquisitions. There appears to be plenty of early speed signed on, which should help his late kick; SILVER ASSAULT: Drops way down the class ladder, which is a shock given his 2-year-old campaign. A return to that form would make him an easy winner, but this drop by a very patient trainer is a big red flag.

R2

Kranji (MTO)
Air Vice Marshal
Kantune

AIR VICE MARSHAL: Gets two turns for the first time in his North American career and may want such a route. He was a solid second last time out at Belmont and should be flying late; KANTUNE: Was taken out of his element earlier this meet and should be much closer to the pace today. Joel Rosario rode this one to a win two back, and he returns in this spot; MAMBO AT THE GYM: Was never involved last time out, but that was a bizarre race with a runaway early leader. His effort two back at Belmont was solid. DIRT SELECTIONS: KRANJI, BATTLE MIDWAY, HOLLOW POINT.

R3

Tapella (MTO)
Complicit
Magical Sky

COMPLICIT: Stepped up to run a good second last time out in a race she may have needed. Of the few races a number of these come out of, that one seems to be the most impressive; MAGICAL SKY: Hasn’t done much wrong in two starts and ran well late to finish third earlier in the meet. The faster they go early on, the better this one will likely finish; SILVER SHAKER: Ran third in the race my top pick exits and stepped forward off a disappointing debut in the process. Javier Castellano signs on in this spot. DIRT SELECTIONS: TAPELLA, TIZ SUPER, BOGULATOR.

R4

Fortuitous Path
Noneedtoflatterme
Pirellone

FORTUITOUS PATH: Has spent most of his career running against substantially better horses and drops way down the class ladder for aggressive connections. This doesn’t appear to be a very imposing spot for the level, and I think he wakes up; NONEEDTOFLATTERME: Is 2-for-2 going short on dirt, albeit against weaker foes. He ran a nice race here earlier in the meet, and if that day’s runner-up runs well in today’s opener, it bodes well; PIRELLONE: Is wheeled back pretty quickly after a third-place finish at this level. He hasn’t won in a while, but he’s already run well twice at this meet.

R5

Indy Union (MTO)
Fools Gold
Wealth Effect

FOOLS GOLD: Fetched $425k at auction earlier this year and is bred to go long. None of the ones that have run before impress me much, so I’ll focus on first-time starters; WEALTH EFFECT: Hails from the same barn as my top pick and is also well-bred. The far outside post isn’t ideal, but these connections can never be ignored with a blue-blooded, first-time starter; PASS IT ON: Has worked pretty well of late here and is another bred to do her best running on the lawn. This barn’s horses sometimes need a race, but she can’t be ignored in the exotics. DIRT SELECTIONS: INDY UNION, WEALTH EFFECT, MAD DOG MATTERS.

R6

Purrfect Miss
Closing Statement
Coach Rocks

PURRFECT MISS: Was a close second at big odds in her debut, and that race seems far superior to anything any of the other ones with experience in here have run. Improvement is logical at second asking, and she’s worked well since her unveiling; CLOSING STATEMENT: Is bred to be a real runner. Her dam was a multiple Grade 1 winner, and this one’s work tab is consistent; COACH ROCKS: Fetched $95k at auction earlier this year and has worked pretty well since shipping here last month. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because she may want to go much longer.

R7

Heavy Meddle (MTO)
New York’s Finest
Wicked Macho

NEW YORK’S FINEST: Is 2-for-2 at this route, and both wins came by daylight. He does step up in class here, but he’s done nothing wrong going short at the Spa and could be good enough to beat these; WICKED MACHO: Did everything but win in his turf debut last time out. He showed a new dimension that day, and he’ll be a formidable foe; GEHRIG: Has not won since late-2015, but his last two races were pretty sharp. I hesitate to back horses like this on top, but he can’t be ignored if you’re playing vertical exotics. DIRT SELECTIONS: HEAVY MEDDLE, JEWEL CAN DISCO, MACHO MIAH.

R8

Lillie’s Answer
Magician’s Vanity
Cinder

LILLIE’S ANSWER: Drops down in class and has yet to run a bad race since being claimed by Mike Maker late last year. She beat similar company earlier this year at Gulfstream, and her usual race would make her tough; MAGICIAN’S VANITY: Was a good second at this level earlier in the meet behind a horse that got loose on the lead. She beat the rest of that field by daylight and could find this to be a softer spot; CINDER: Merits a look at a price if she draws in off the AE list. She had a lousy trip last time out, and she has prior races that show she can contend with this group. DIRT SELECTIONS: ROMANTIC MUSIC, BLUEGRASS HIP HOP, CINCY BELLE.

R9

Going for Broke
Verve’s Tale
Blue Prize

GOING FOR BROKE: Ran a huge race in her seasonal debut, which came going shorter than she wants to run. She was beaten just a neck by the ultra-classy Carina Mia that day, and she should step forward second off the bench and going her preferred distance; VERVE’S TALE: Doesn’t win much, but has been running against top-class competition this year. She could appreciate the shallower waters, although this is far from an easy spot; BLUE PRIZE: Adds blinkers following a pair of strange trips in both North American starts to date. She’s never been out of the exacta in six career starts and won a Group 1 event in her native Argentina.

R10

Consumerconfidence
Stormin Maclean
Outrageous Bet

CONSUMERCONFIDENCE: Needs a lot of luck to draw in from deep on the AE list, but will be tough to beat if he does. He aired at this route earlier in the meet, and it’s not like there’s much to be afraid of here in his first start against winners; STORMIN MACLEAN: Exits a key race where the top three finishers all came back to win at next asking. He was claimed by Linda Rice that day, and few are better than her at getting new acquisitions cranked at next asking; OUTRAGEOUS BET: Drops back into claiming company after finding the allowance ranks a bit too tough. His effort two back was very strong, and a repeat of that race would make him a contender here.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $769.75

The Woodward took a serious hit Thursday, when news broke that multiple Grade 1 winner Shaman Ghost would miss the race due to throat surgery. He upset Frosted to win last year’s renewal, and he would have been one of only a few horses in training that figured to make Gun Runner work in his quest for back-to-back Grade 1 victories at Saratoga.

Fun fact: Only one horse has won back-to-back renewals of the Woodward since 1997. That horse was Lido Palace, who did so in 2001 and 2002. After that one, the list of horses to win consecutive Woodwards reads as follows: Cigar, Slew o’ Gold, Forego (four times), Kelso (three times), and Sword Dancer. In an age where top-tier handicap horses are difficult to come by beyond Arrogate and Gun Runner, it’s a shame Shaman Ghost isn’t getting a crack at another Woodward victory.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: Clipthecouponannie got a strange trip and was well behind runaway winner Picco Uno. We dropped $20.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the fifth race, which features my best bet of the day. That’s #5 MISSIMPAZI, who debuts for Chris Englehart following a series of strong workouts. I’ll put $20 on her to win and key her in $5 doubles that end with #4 LUNAIRE and #6 LUCULLAN in the sixth.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Missimpazi, Race 5
Longshot: Alex the Terror, Race 8

R1

Jcs American Dream (MTO)
Pinchbeck
Table for Six

PINCHBECK: Has improved in every start to date and has a pedigree that suggests the added distance she gets today won’t be a problem. She’s got more tactical speed than she showed last time out; TABLE FOR SIX: Has not won in nearly two years, but has also never finished worse than third in eight starts for trainer Ralph Nicks. I can’t endorse her on top, but she can’t be ignored if you’re playing vertical exotics; BAREEQA: Flopped as the favorite last time out, but she’s tough when right and merits a look if she draws in off the AE list. DIRT SELECTIONS: JCS AMERICAN DREAM, KATE IS A TEN, MO PROMISE.

R2

Special Jo
Tug of War
Waco

SPECIAL JO: Seems like the main speed in here and goes out for a barn that’s been knocking at the door all meet long. The inside draw seems favorable given his running style; TUG OF WAR: Has not run a bad race since being claimed by Rudy Rodriguez. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because he may want a bit longer than the six furlongs he gets here; WACO: Is dropped substantially in class for his first start in more than a year. He’s run some exceptional races over this surface, but the drop and the long layoff are both big red flags.

R3

Taoiseach (MTO)
Boss Man
Spin Cycle

BOSS MAN: Drops in for a tag after running an OK third in his 2017 debut. Servis and Ortiz have done tremendous work together, and this gelding seems like the horse to beat; SPIN CYCLE: Drops down in class after setting the pace in his last start against optional claimers. There isn’t much early speed in here, and improvement could happen second off the brief layoff at a bit of a price; SPORTSCASTER: Has run well here in the past and has been extremely competitive at this level. He beat starter allowance foes two back at Churchill, and his best puts him right there. DIRT SELECTIONS: TAOISEACH, CONQUEST TWISTER, JACOBSON ENTRY.

R4

El Dulce
Mentality
Dial One

EL DULCE: Showed plenty of guts in his debut, when he went wire-to-wire at this route and repelled a strong challenge. These connections have won plenty of 2-year-old races here, and they merit respect once again; MENTALITY: Wired the field in her debut and faces the boys here. She’s certainly talented, but the post position is a concern; DIAL ONE: Broke his maiden by daylight on turf and was third in a stakes race on dirt last time out. There’s lots of speed signed on, so he could sit a nice trip.

R5

Missimpazi
Missbigtimes
Tayler’s the Boss

MISSIMPAZI: Has worked very well since shipping here for a barn that has success with 2-year-old runners. The Finger Lakes-based rider coming in for one mount could be a hint that she’s ready to run; MISSBIGTIMES: Was a well-beaten third behind possible division leader Pure Silver in her debut. She didn’t break well that day, and she could certainly improve with experience; TAYLER’S THE BOSS: Fetched $110k at auction last summer and has worked fairly well. This barn has done well of late and can win with debuting runners.

R6

Caviar Czar (MTO)
Lunaire
Lucullan

LUNAIRE: Has been running against some of the best 3-year-old turf horses around, and should appreciate the class relief he gets here. He was beaten just a length by eventual Grade 2 winner Bricks and Mortar two back; LUCULLAN: Rallied well to be third in a swiftly-run race earlier in the meet. The rider switch to Irad Ortiz is noteworthy, and he’d benefit from a faster-than-expected early pace; CONVIVIAL: Rallied from last to first in his debut, which came last month at Monmouth. He didn’t break well that day, so he could be more forwardly-placed out of the gate here. DIRT SELECTIONS: CAVIAR CZAR, LUNAIRE, PAINTER’S RAGS.

R7

Tommy T
Godolphin entry
Commandeering

TOMMY T: Was a sharp second in his debut behind a next-out winner, and he beat several of today’s foes in that race. This barn isn’t known for having horses fully cranked right away, so this colt could be a good one; GODOLPHIN ENTRY: I prefer FULLY VESTED, who was third earlier this meet in his first start since October. He may have needed the race and should step forward here; COMMANDEERING: Returns off a layoff and comes back to dirt. He ran into some nice horses as a 2-year-old, and if he channels that form, he’s a contender.

R8

Alex the Terror
Luna de Loco
Bluegrass Singer

ALEX THE TERROR: Is 2-for-3 with a second at this seven-furlong distance and won at this route earlier in the meet. He does take a slight step up in class, but that day’s rider returns in this spot, and that’s encouraging; LUNA DE LOCO: Was a good second against optional claimers downstate, and the horse he nosed for the place spot came back to win at next asking. This distance should suit him; BLUEGRASS SINGER: Tackled Grade 2 company last time out and ran over a wet surface he did not care for. He topped a very classy field three back going a one-turn mile, and his best race could win this.

R9

Play Unified (MTO)
Eila
Miss Katie Mae

EILA: Has top-end early speed and is a stakes-quality turf sprinter when she’s right. She was fifth in a stakes race last time out and should be the controlling pace presence in this spot; MISS KATIE MAE: Has not won in more than a year, but was a strong second at this level and route last month. She’d be the chief beneficiary if another horse went with my top pick early on; TRUE CHARM: Is at her best at this route. She won an allowance race earlier in the meet and merits a look at a big price given her local record. DIRT SELECTIONS: PLAY UNIFIED, SILVERTONI, APPEALING MAGGIE.

R10

Sanavi
Mister Hayes
Benny Big Boy

SANAVI: Drops way down in class for powerhouse connections and returns to dirt. He won on the main track in his debut and attracts Jose Ortiz in what appears to be a wide-open finale; MISTER HAYES: Graduated last time out at Belmont and was claimed out of that race by Michelle Nevin. She does solid work with new acquisitions; BENNY BIG BOY: Was midpack in a pretty tough race for this level last time out. He’s shown more tactical speed than that in the past and could improve off of that effort.