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.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,933

NYRA aired a feature on the Davis family as part of its Wednesday broadcast. It’s a bit older, but it’s one of my favorites. I grew up watching Robbie “On The Rail” ride across the New York circuit, and seeing his kids ride at a high level is pretty cool (especially since one of them, Dylan, has taken one of the biggest steps forward by a jockey in recent memory).

Back when I worked for HRTV (prior to its acquisition by the network now known as FanDuel TV), the ace production team put together an episode of “Inside Information” focusing on the family. This was quite a while ago, but it still holds up well. It’s on the Stronach Group’s Vimeo channel, and if you’ve got a half-hour, it’s well worth a watch.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Revalita didn’t start well in the eighth and had too much to do. One of my “underneath” horses won, but Revalita could only salvage third, and I dropped $30.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: Let’s go to the sixth, a 2-year-old race I find fascinating. I’ll key #6 CHELSEY’S CHOICE and #9 DR GLICK on top of $4 exactas that use those two, #4 COMPETITIVE MARKET, and #10 WONDERLAND underneath, and I’ll use my top picks in an additional $2 exacta box. Finally, I’ll kick off $3 doubles with those two and finish them with #1 EZ ROLL and #4 COURTLY BANKER in the seventh (the Rick Violette).

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Donegal Forever, Race 8
Longshot: Charles J, Race 9

R1

Keepinitreal
Vibrant Express
Man of Mischief

#9 KEEPINITREAL (4-1): Gets a tepid nod in a wide-open Thursday opener. This son of City of Light is out of a mare that was a 2-year-old stakes winner, and the steady string of workouts for Chad Brown hint that this colt could be ready to go; #8 VIBRANT EXPRESS (3-1): Is a son of Vekoma, whose first batch of offspring has been very, very impressive to this point. His bottom-side pedigree isn’t too shabby, either, as his stakes-winning dam has thrown no less than seven winners to date; #3 MAN OF MISCHIEF (5/2): Debuted earlier this summer and was a solid second, beating that day’s third-place finisher by nearly 10 lengths. This barn’s first-time starters sometimes need a race to get going, and improvement is logical at second asking (though this spot seems a bit tougher than the one he exits).

R2

Dubb entry
Chess Master
D’Angelo entry

DUBB ENTRY (7/5): Is a rare three-horse entry, and no horse in the trio would be a shock. I most prefer #2X HIGH FRONT, who takes a massive drop in class to run against $32,000 claimers and won a stakes race sprinting on turf last summer; #7 CHESS MASTER (3-1): Hasn’t run since October but is a major player if he’s ready to go. He contested last year’s Harvey Pack at this route of ground, which came after a win at this level last August; #3 RITHM NIC (5-1): Was claimed last time out after wiring a field of turf sprinters in his local debut. Jose D’Angelo does strong work with new acquisitions, and he sure looks like one of the main speeds in this spot (a stronger one, though, than the one he comes out of).

R3

Repole entry
Ignite the Light
Prairie Dunes

REPOLE ENTRY (2/5): Boasts two major players, though I prefer #1 PENTATHLON after the draw. That one gets a cushy inside draw coming out of the Wilson chute, exits a hard-luck second downstate, and was third two starts ago in what’s turned out to be a key race; #6 IGNITE THE LIGHT (10-1): Makes his first start in nearly six months but sports several flashy drills ahead of his return. This isn’t a barn that works its horses very fast, and the presence of Frankie Dettori doesn’t hurt, either; #4 PRAIRIE DUNES (8-1): Has had his share of issues, with just two starts since January of 2023. However, it can be argued his best race came here in his debut, when he was a fast-closing second behind a highly-regarded winner.

R4

Classic Mark
He’s Got This
Allaboutthemoney

#2 CLASSIC MARK (5/2): Was one of several horses eliminated at the start last time out (why the stewards didn’t take a look at that remains a mystery). He was claimed by Joe Sharp that day and gets a big switch to jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who will likely be gunning this one to the front from his inside post; #7 HE’S GOT THIS (3-1): Takes a big drop first off the claim for Mike Maker and may have been my top pick with a better post. His two-turn form is a plus given the quirky configuration of this route, and a repeat of his winning effort two starts ago would give him a big shot; #6 ALLABOUTTHEMONEY (4-1): Was second in the same race my top pick exits, though he undoubtedly got a bit lucky with several prime contenders being compromised at the start. He hasn’t won in a while, but would benefit from another rival going with my top selection early.

R5

Call Bob
Very Stormy
Concorde Spirit

#7 CALL BOB (7/2): Looked home and cooled out last time out, but was run down by a super-impressive first-time starter who closed against a bias. This sprint doesn’t seem heavy on early zip, and the outside draw means jockey Jaime Torres could have plenty of options out of the gate; #8 VERY STORMY (8-1): Was a close-up second last time out in a race where the third-place finisher was well back. This is a step up in class out of the maiden claiming ranks, but he seems to be going the right way, and the same can be said for jockey Luis Saez; #6 CONCORDE SPIRIT (5/2): Rallied a bit in his debut to be third for a barn whose first-time starters aren’t always fully-cranked. I’m expecting a step forward in his second career start, although such improvement might be needed in a reasonably strong race for the level.

R6

Dr Glick
Chelsey’s Choice
Wonderland

#9 DR GLICK (4-1): Is one of two debuting runners from the Chad Brown barn, and this is the filly I prefer. Flavien Prat lands here, both sides of her pedigree seem to indicate she’s got potential, and a few of her workouts hint that, too; #6 CHELSEY’S CHOICE (10-1): Merits a long look at a price given a world-class turf pedigree. This daughter of American Pharoah is out of a War Front mare, and her bottom-side breeding includes a third dam that threw two Group 1 winners overseas; #10 WONDERLAND (7/2): Draws a terrible post for her debut, but this barn has been winning a ton here and first-call rider Jose Ortiz has the mount. She sold for $385,000 at the OBS sale earlier this year, and if nothing else, it sure looks like two turns on turf is what she wants.

R7

Doc Sullivan (MTO)
Courtly Banker
Ez Roll

#4 COURTLY BANKER (4-1): Is a maiden in a stakes race, but he ran well to be second at this level last time out, and that day’s runaway winner skips this spot. John Velazquez rides back, and he’s got enough tactical speed to sit an ideal trip in the Rick Violette; #1 EZ ROLL (12-1): Has a record that looks much better if you draw a line through his last-out clunker. Forgive that effort, and you’ve got a horse that’s shown some talent, gets Luis Saez, and looks like an overlay at or near his morning line price; #3 INSTAMATIC (7/2): Stretches out to two turns after back-to-back scores downstate going much shorter. I don’t know if two turns is truly what he wants, but his two recent victories have been professional and he doesn’t have to move forward much to be a player.

R8

Donegal Forever
Cooke Creek
Classic Catch

#2 DONEGAL FOREVER (2-1): Has a record that looks much, much better if you toss his two efforts run without Lasix. Do that, and you have a horse with three wins in four starts (the lone defeat came when he chased eventual Whitney winner Arthur’s Ride). I think he sits an ideal trip and gets first run turning for home; #3 COOKE CREEK (9/5): Has won two in a row, including an impressive score first off the claim for new trainer Mike Maker. This is probably a stronger group, and the potential for a bounce off of a much-improved effort is there, but further improvement would make him a handful; #6 CLASSIC CATCH (4-1): Is a deep closer and would benefit from a pace meltdown. Such a scenario isn’t impossible here, in a race with several runners who appear to need the lead, and he may be the one they have to hold off late.

R9

Accidental Bid (MTO)
Charles J
New York Scrappy

#8 CHARLES J (8-1): Gets Lasix and Frankie Dettori in this spot, and I think he’s got plenty of potential to improve. He pressed a solid pace two back and should get a much friendlier trip in here. A step forward from that race gives him a chance at a square price; #7 NEW YORK SCRAPPY (9/2): Goes back to the turf after a disappointing effort last time out. He dueled through a very fast opening quarter-mile that day, and more distance plus a surface switch could put him in a much better position; #6 KID KREESA (6-1): Did everything but win last time out, when he led for all but the last stride at odds of 31-1. It was a painful defeat if you needed him (like me…), and he shows up here looking like a major pace factor.

R10

Majestic Return (MTO)
Strictly Taboo
Risk Threshold

#4 STRICTLY TABOO (6-1): Is certainly a “horse for the course,” with two wins in as many starts at this route since coming back off the bench. I loved her in a spot last week that was cancelled, and while this seems like a tougher group of opponents, it certainly seems like she’s thriving; #10 RISK THRESHOLD (7/2): Earned the diploma last time out and looks like a possible “speed of the speed” type. She’s run well in all three starts to date, and Joel Rosario landing here (instead of on my top pick) seems notable; #9 RILEY JEAN (8-1): Ran well a few weeks ago when she closed to finish second beaten less than a length. She’s turned a corner since coming up north, and while I think she’s a bit better on synthetic, she’d benefit from a battle up front and should be going the right way late.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,963

Today’s feature is the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard over fences. As you handicap, though, be very, very careful. If you have particular sets of past performances, you will not see running lines for several prominent horses.

Past performances from Brisnet and TwinSpires do not include races from Europe for both Zarak the Brave and Pickanumber. If you have a form from those providers, know that what you’re seeing is very much an incomplete picture. Past performances from other data providers, including the Daily Racing Form, have these races in their files.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Key horse Quickick finished third, so it wasn’t a great day. After scratches, I dropped $45.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: We’ll go to the eighth race, where I’ll try to extract value out of #4 REVALITA by keying her in the vertical exotics. I’m playing $6 exactas with her above #1 MISS SAN GABRIEL, #3 DESTINY STAR, and #10 CURLIN’S GIRL, and $2 “saver” exactas with those three on top of Revalita. Additionally, I’ll play $1 trifectas using Revalita on top, with those three horses in the second and third spots.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30.

Winners and Whiners is your home for the best sportsbook bonuses on the market. Check out expert handicapping picks for all major sports, including baseball, basketball, hockey, and football!

SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Midnight Mile, Race 3
Longshot: Typhoon Fury, Race 9

R1

Pickanumber
Zarak the Brave
Too Friendly

#6 PICKANUMBER (5/2): Did a lot of the dirty work in the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick, where he settled for second money. Here, he faces many horses that have audibled to run here after several postponements of the Jonathan Kiser, and him getting weight from the likely Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard favorite is another plus; #4 ZARAK THE BRAVE (9/5): Was going to be an overwhelming favorite in the Kiser after running against very strong company overseas. He’ll still take plenty of money here, but this race wasn’t the plan, and the 158-pound impost makes me a bit nervous; #1 TOO FRIENDLY (6-1): Comes over from Europe and makes his stateside debut for the same barn that saddles my top selection. He was fourth of 20 in a rich race at Newcastle last time out, and that race may have had a better group than the one he tackles here.

R2

Midtown Lights
Cinderella’s Cause
Saratoga Kisses

#3 MIDTOWN LIGHTS (9/5): Is clearly a much better horse with Lasix and gets to run with it here after a failed try against stakes foes last time out. That race came going two turns, and this one-mile route out of the Wilson chute against a weaker bunch could be exactly what she needs to record her third win in the last four starts; #1 CINDERELLA’S CAUSE (1-1): Was second in the mud last time out at this route and comes back in less than two weeks. The inside draw is certainly a plus, though I’m not quite sure she has the early speed necessary to truly utilize that going into the backstretch; #5 SARATOGA KISSES (6-1): Didn’t break well last time, when she was a distant third going two turns. She’s another that may be helped by a cutback in distance, and I’m expecting her to be a bit closer in the early going.

R3

Midnight Mile
Rice entry (MTO)
Blissful

#4 MIDNIGHT MILE (9/5): Has finished second in a pair of tries against stakes foes and looms large dropping down in class. She gets Lasix for the first time, and while she hasn’t won in a while, it’s not like she’s been running badly against horses that are much, much better than this group; #3 BLISSFUL (8-1): Is another coming back to the non-stakes ranks, and she was most recently third in an ungraded event at Colonial Downs. Her early-2024 form was quite good, and her versatility is a plus; #2 EDICT (6-1): Makes her U.S. debut and boasts a resume including a pair of Group 1 wins in her native Argentina. I have no idea what she beat in those races, nor if she’s ready to go off of an eight-month layoff, but some horses campaigned there have had success in the U.S., so it’s not totally illogical to include her.

R4

Lord I Wonder
Helcia
Islander

#1 LORD I WONDER (5/2): Didn’t break well in her debut but still managed to salvage second money. The stretchout to a mile makes sense given her pedigree, and logical improvement at second asking would make her the one to beat; #5 HELCIA (7/2): Is one of two Chad Brown trainees in here, and this one gets both Lasix and Flavien Prat. The long layoff is a concern, but she’s been working steadily for months and has a few solid efforts at this distance downstate; #7 ISLANDER (3-1): Ships in for Steve Asmussen and showed some potential at first asking. The far-outside post out of the chute is a killer, but she’s another whose pedigree says she’ll stretch out to this distance just fine.

R5

Landed (MTO)
Brocknardini
Awesome Czech

#1 BROCKNARDINI (8-1): Came off a long layoff against open stakes foes at Monmouth and got a peculiar trip in that event. Her 2-year-old form saw her win at first asking at this route and go on to win an open stakes at Laurel Park. I think she’ll relish running against New York-breds in the Suzie O’Cain, and that the morning line price is a considerable overlay; #6 AWESOME CZECH (5/2): Topped first-level allowance foes at this route a few weeks ago and isn’t a terrible morning line favorite. She was second in last year’s Tepin downstate, and it looks like she’s moved forward a bit as a 3-year-old; #2 SUMMER WHIRL (3-1): Earned the diploma last time out by rallying late beneath John Velazquez, who sees fit to ride back in her first try against winners. On paper, this is an ambitious spot, but she’s yet to run a bad race to date and may not have to be a whole lot to earn some black type here.

R6

Annascaul
Cara’s Dreamweaver
Young At Heart

#5 ANNASCAUL (3-1): Possesses one of the best turf pedigrees you’ll ever see in a New York-bred and debuts for Christophe Clement, who has enticed Frankie Dettori to ride. This filly is by American Pharoah and out of a stakes-placed turf sprinter. This dam, Epping Forest, has a massive turf pedigree that includes a third dam who threw the dam of Group 1 turf winner Astronomer Royal, among others; #1 CARA’S DREAMWEAVER (4-1): Has an experience edge over most of these and debuted with a solid second at this distance downstate. She passed plenty of rivals that day, which isn’t easy to do, and the rider switch to Manny Franco is a notable one; #7 YOUNG AT HEART (8-1): Debuts for a strong first-out barn and is bred to be a talented turf horse. She’s by The Factor and out of a mare that’s produced two winners from as many runners to date. That dam, Barrel of Dreams, was a six-time winner and a full sister to two stakes horses (and a half-sister to another).

R7

Willful Desire
Goldfarb entry
R Funny Bizness

#7 WILLFUL DESIRE (8-1): Looks like the speed of the speed in a race without many runners that seem to want to pass others. She’s set very fast fractions in several of her recent efforts and goes first off the claim for a barn that’s dropping her down a level after she ran third for a $20,000 tag last month; GOLDFARB ENTRY (4-1): Of these two, I prefer #1 AWESOME ANNMARIE, who goes first off the claim for Rick Dutrow. She lost all chance at the break last time out, and she’s a major player if she can find the two-back form that saw her win for a $16,000 tag in June; #6 R FUNNY BIZNESS (6-1): Chased a few of these last time out, but makes her first start for Linda Rice, who’s among the best in the business with new acquisitions. She’s shown she can close, and a step forward combined with the likely race shape makes her a player.

R8

Crushed Ice (MTO)
Revalita
Curlin’s Girl

#4 REVALITA (5/2): Had every right to need her last race, which came off of an 11-month layoff. She was a bit rusty on that occasion, but she sure looks more fit in her workouts ahead of this one, and I’m expecting a much-improved performance for powerhouse connections; #10 CURLIN’S GIRL (10-1): Has tried stakes company in three straight starts and should appreciate the class relief. She gets Lasix for the first time in quite a while, and while the post position isn’t ideal, Jose Ortiz is talented enough to be able to work out a trip, and this price seems too big; #3 DESTINY STAR (10-1): Didn’t have a great trip here last month, when she was third despite a bad break and ran in spurts throughout the race. Luis Saez seems to be getting going after a slow start to the summer, and I think this aggressive rider will be hustling her from the start here.

R9

Hilarious Affair
Typhoon Fury
Final Verdict

#8 HILARIOUS AFFAIR (9/2): Is a tepid top pick in a race that hits me as an absolute mess. This gelding, though makes his first start for Mike Maker, who excels with newer acquisitions and has plenty to work with here. If his synthetic form carries over to the turf, he should be a formidable foe; #6 TYPHOON FURY (15-1): Hasn’t run well in many two-turn outings, but his turf sprints look much, much better. He’s sprinted on the grass twice and hit the wire in front both times (one event saw him disqualified after winning by a nose). I think he’s doing what he wants to do here, and that he’s a major player at a big price; #9 FINAL VERDICT (6-1): Has shown speed many times of late and has hit the board in 10 of 12 lifetime starts. He was third at this route last month, and I think he could sit a picture-perfect stalking trip beneath Tyler Gaffalione in the Wednesday nightcap.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $2,008

We may (I stress, may) be back on the turf for most of Sunday’s card, and that’s great to see. As others have noted, the past two years have been some of the worst summers on record for races rained off the turf. Nobody benefits from that; not bettors, not horsepeople, and certainly not NYRA, which offers a less appealing wagering product on those days.

In his excitement over the change in weather, however, Matthew DeSantis of NYRA Bets committed a cardinal sin. He posted a screenshot of the 10-day weather forecast that showed nothing but gorgeous conditions. In other words, when Saratoga monsoons inevitably pop up, you all know EXACTLY who to blame (in case my sarcasm isn’t clear, Matthew’s a friend and I can’t resist the chance to bust his chops!).

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: Aviator Gui didn’t run badly in his debut, but he flattened out late to run third. As a result, I dropped $40.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I thought today was fairly chalky, but the sixth race may offer some value with #6 QUICKICK, who may be a bit of a price and has been working very, very well. I’ll have a $20 win ticket on that one, as well as $5 exactas using her above and below #4 TRADING STRATEGY and #8 TRANGO TOWER. Furthermore, I’ll have $5 doubles singling her to start and finishing with #3 NOTTOWAY and #4 RIDER’S SPECIAL.

TOTAL WAGERED: $50.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Ottoman Fleet, Race 10
Longshot: Nottoway, Race 7

R1

She’s Always Rosie
She’s Cool
Oh My Mia

#4 SHE’S ALWAYS ROSIE (4/5): Offers next to no value in the Sunday opener, but sure seems the most likely winner. She’s taken a major step forward since being claimed by Linda Rice in April, and a repeat of her last-out effort almost certainly wins this; #2 SHE’S COOL (9/2): Is the other half of a powerful Rice 1-2 punch and may be the lone closer in this spot. That hasn’t been a great running style in local sprints, but her third-place finish last time out at Churchill was a solid effort; #1 OH MY MIA (4-1): Broke through on the drop in class last time out, which was also her first start with jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons. He sees fit to ride back for Tom Amoss, who’s very good at keeping horses on the right track.

R2

Proprietary Trade
Apollo Code
Squints

#2 PROPRIETARY TRADE (6/5): Chased much, much better horses last time out in the Jersey Shore at Monmouth, which was won by Book Em Danno (the likely favorite in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens). He gets Lasix back on the drop in class, and that’s enabled him to run some very big races in the past; #1 APOLLO CODE (4-1): Won two in a row against older claimers earlier this year and comes back to the claiming ranks for this event against fellow 3-year-olds. He’s shown plenty of early zip in the past and could be in position to utilize that with the rail draw; #4 SQUINTS (8-1): Goes first off the claim for Tom Morley in here and exits a narrow win against slightly weaker competition. He had an eventful trip that day, and he showed enough talent to win a restricted stakes race late last year at Gulfstream.

R3

Icy Reply
Rachel’s Rock
Willow Bend

#2 ICY REPLY (5-1): Lost all chance at the start last time out, when his jockey lost the irons. That rider sees fit to get back abaord here on a drop in class, and a repeat of her winning effort two back would give her a big shot in what looks like a wide-open event; #3 RACHEL’S ROCK (2-1): Takes a significant class drop and has prior races that would crush this group. However, she hasn’t run since February, and that effort is her lone start since December. She could win, but I think her likely price is a bit of an underlay; #5 WILLOW BEND (7/2): Was claimed two back and returns to what’s probably the right level after a failed try against much better last time out. This barn has won just once at this stand as of this writing, but has hit the board with seven of 13 runners.

R4

Save Us Melania
Yingle Bells
Thedreamcontinues

#9 SAVE US MELANIA (3-1): Ran fairly well in her dirt debut in May and sports several flashy local drills for a high-percentage outfit. This is far from the strongest field you’ll see at this level, and the cushy outside draw is another big plus; #3 YINGLE BELLS (6-1): Showed some speed in her debut for a barn whose first-time starters often need a race to get going. She drops in class and adds Lasix here, and I’m expecting a considerable step forward at second asking; #8 THEDREAMCONTINUES (10-1): Debuted in an off-the-turf race out of the Wilson chute, which isn’t an easy route for a first-time starter. Irad Ortiz, Jr., hops aboard, and this is another second-time starter that has room to improve.

R5

Big Ego (MTO)
Cattani
Mazzei

#8 CATTANI (2-1): Is protected in his first start since October, and while the layoff is a concern, this is far from a tough spot, and anything close to his lone turf race to date makes him the one to beat. The steady stream of five-furlong drills downstate hint that he’s ready, and Flavien Prat’s presence is a plus; #10 MAZZEI (5-1): Stretches out from turf sprints and may very well make the early lead by default. The outside post is tricky, but he could also get comfortable on the front end against many horses that haven’t show much interest in passing others; #2 JUDGE RULES (9/2): Was pretty wide last time out and may have been compromised by that unlucky trip. His two-back effort at this level was a solid second, and while he’s been at this level for quite a while, I can’t totally ignore him.

R6

Quickick
Trango Tower
Trading Strategy

#6 QUICKICK (6-1): Sold for $550,000 as a yearling and has several very strong works on her tab ahead of her unveiling. Her dam was a classy, Grade 3-winning sprinter, and she may be an even better broodmare, with nine winners to her credit (including three who have won stakes races); #8 TRANGO TOWER (9/2): Is one of two Chad Brown trainees in here that are bred to be runners. This daughter of Curlin is out of multiple graded stakes winner Lewis Bay, and while seven furlongs is a tough first-out distance, her pedigree says this absolutely won’t be too far; #4 TRADING STRATEGY (5/2): Hammered for $500,000 last year at Keeneland and has been working steadily for Brown. Flavien Prat lands here, which is notable, and her bottom-side pedigree includes third dam Phone Chatter, a runner that earned Champion 2-Year-Old Filly honors after a season with multiple Grade 1 wins.

R7

Rider’s Special
Nottoway
Beach Boy Al

#4 RIDER’S SPECIAL (7/5): Gets wheeled back very quickly after a dud as an 8/5 favorite against higher-level competition. Linda Rice does this more than other trainers and has had some success with that move. Add in that this is a significant class drop, and I think this is a formidable favorite; #3 NOTTOWAY (12-1): Comes in from Finger Lakes, which is always a notable trip in these lower-level claiming races, and if you draw a line through a three-back dud where the running line says he was “in distress,” he doesn’t have a bad race on his sheet. This 15-time winner may not get much respect at the windows, but his best race could win this if the chalk misfires; #6 BEACH BOY AL (7/2): Never threatened a much-the-best winner last time out in what hits me as a much tougher spot than this event. He’s a closer in a race with some speed signed on, and the likely race shape could give him a chance to pick up the pieces.

R8

Baraye (MTO)
Mansa Musa
Yellow Card

#7 MANSA MUSA (5/2): Threw everything but the kitchen sink at Star of Mystery last time out in the Grade 3 Quick Call, and there’s no shame in running second to a very talented horse. He’s got two very strong races at this route, one some horses truly thrive at, and he seems like the one to beat in the Mahoney; #3 YELLOW CARD (6-1): Was very impressive last time out in his turf debut, and while he takes a step up in class here, I think he’s found what he wants to do. Irad Ortiz, Jr., hops aboard for a trainer that means business when he ships, and this is one that seems like he’s going the right way; #1 FANDOM (7/2): May have been too far back in the Quick Call, when he was sixth of seven in the early going and was probably left with too much to do. He’s got some ground to make up on my top pick, but he did beat that rival two back in the Palisades at Keeneland.

R9

That’s Money
Anthracite
Street Swagg

#10 THAT’S MONEY (9/5): Takes a monstrous class drop after tiring in the Mike Lee last time out. He may not have liked the sloppy track that day, and having to run without Lasix might’ve hurt him, too. Here, he gets Lasix, as well as an ideal draw against restricted claiming company; #5 ANTHRACITE (8-1): Hasn’t won in a while, but was claimed by Linda Rice last time out and is certainly eligible to improve. That was his first start in three months, and Rice is one of the best in the game with new acquisitions; #2 STREET SWAGG (8-1): Ran well last time out, when he made the lead in a race out of the Wilson chute and held on for second at odds of 11-1. Flavien Prat rides back, and while he may need to work a bit harder out of the gate, it’s also possible he’s found the right rider for what he wants to do.

R10

Ottoman Fleet
Major Dude
Carl Spackler

#6 OTTOMAN FLEET (8/5): Exits back-to-back graded stakes scores and looms large for powerhouse connections in the Grade 1 Fourstardave. He’s got plenty of versatility, with enough speed to make the lead and enough of a kick to stalk and pounce, and that gives Flavien Prat an abundance of options; #3 MAJOR DUDE (8-1): Won a pair of graded stakes races a season ago and goes third off the bench for Todd Pletcher in here. His last-out win here was a very good one, and while he takes a step up in class, his 2023 form tells me he can handle it, and the morning line price hits me as an overlay; #4 CARL SPACKLER (9/5): Will take plenty of money after his win in the Grade 3 Kelso last month, but I have some reservations. His best effort puts him right there, but I don’t think he beat much in the Kelso, where he got a picture-perfect ride from Tyler Gaffalione. He may need to fire a career-best shot to get the money, and given his likely short price, I can’t be too enthusiastic.

R11

Carson’s Run
Deterministic
Legend of Time

#4 CARSON’S RUN (8-1): Is an example of one of my favorite angles, the “toss two” play. Toss the races directly before and after a long layoff, and all of a sudden, you have a horse with three impressive wins in four starts. There’s some speed signed on in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby, and I think this one’s live; #6 DETERMINISTIC (9/2): Took to turf well last out, when he ran second in the Grade 3 Manila downstate. That day’s winner came back to win another graded stakes race, and there’s every chance this one keeps moving forward in his second start on the grass; #1 LEGEND OF TIME (5/2): Will almost certainly be a pretty heavy favorite given a few defections, but I’ve never been crazy about him. He couldn’t capitalize on an ideal trip last time out in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, and while these connections merit respect, it’s not like his form towers over his competition.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $2,048

Having to handicap for weather is a fact of life at Saratoga. I’ve joked that, at times, one needs to handicap turf races at least three different ways (for firm turf, wet turf, and the main track). This year’s meet, though, has been as draining as any I can remember.

A pair of turf races will be moved to Sunday’s card. To be honest, I can’t see a scenario where they run on the grass at all on Saturday, which affects two other stakes races (the Troy and the Galway). With that in mind, most of my handicapping assumes turf races will be run on the main track. I can’t go against Cogburn or Star of Mystery if they run, but given the weather and likely track conditions, I don’t think those scenarios are likely.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: My action was cancelled for a second straight day when races were moved off the turf in the middle of the card.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: My action comes very, very early, and focuses on my best bet of the day. That’s #4 AVIATOR GUI in the opener. I’ll have a $20 win ticket on that one, to go along with $5 exactas keying him on top of #1 INNOVATOR and #6 NANTZ. Finally, I’ll play a cold $10 double using Aviator Gui with #1 HURRICANE NELSON in the second.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

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SELECTIONS/ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Aviator Gui, Race 1
Longshot: Showcase, Race 8

R1

Aviator Gui
Innovator
Nantz

#4 AVIATOR GUI (3-1): Is bred to be any kind and debuts after a series of strong workouts. This son of Uncle Mo has a dam who’s kin to Hall of Famer Gun Runner, and while seven furlongs is a tough distance to debut at, a lot says he’s talented enough to do it; #1 INNOVATOR (2-1): Stepped up at second asking to run a strong second going a bit shorter. He’s got an experience edge over his opponents here, and of the ones that have run before, he’s clearly got the best prior effort; #6 NANTZ (5-1): Makes his first start for Todd Pletcher and is another with a world-class pedigree. His dam was a very classy sprinter, and he hammered for $600,000 at Keeneland last year (likely after whinnying, “hello, friends,” as he entered the sales ring).

R2

Hurricane Nelson
Banned for Life
Wajda

#1 HURRICANE NELSON (1-1): Has hit the board in all four prior tries, including two efforts over this track. One of them was a strong last-out effort, which came off a very long layoff, and any sort of a step forward would make him very, very tough to beat; #4 BANNED FOR LIFE (9/2): Responded to the cutback in distance with a solid third last time out, and he’s got plenty of experience over wet tracks. Luis Saez hops aboard, and he’s beginning to heat up after a very slow start to the summer; #3 WAJDA (6-1): Hasn’t run since November, but gets Lasix, the ultimate equipment change (being gelded), and Flavien Prat for his return. They saw fit to pay $425,000 for him at last year’s OBS sale, and these are aggressive connections that wouldn’t hesitate to drop him in for a tag if he wasn’t doing well.

R3

The Bullion Bomber
Secret Rules
Disco Deano

#3 THE BULLION BOMBER (7/2): Is protected from being claimed in his first try off the bench, which is enough for me to give him a tepid nod in a wide-open event. Protection often indicates connections are high on a horse and don’t want to lose it He’s shown plenty of early zip in the past and Irad Ortiz, Jr., hops aboard; #4 SECRET RULES (9/5): Is one of two in here for Linda Rice and has run some of his better races in the mud. His best form could win this, but Rice’s class-droppers are often overbet, and if he’s so well-meant, why is #2 ZEEBEAR also running for this barn?; #5 DISCO DEANO (5-1): Pulled off a 35-1 shocker here last time out and comes back at a slightly higher level. He’s won two of six starts over wet tracks and showed last time that he could stalk a hot pace, which may materialize in here.

R4

Miss Fashionista
Magic Eight Ball
Mim

This is the first carded turf race, and my usual method of analysis doesn’t work for races that are probably being moved to the main track. Of the ones in here, #9 MISS FASHIONISTA (6-1) has the most dirt form. I’m not crazy about the possible post coming out of the Wilson chute, but she takes a big drop in class and her winter form at Aqueduct would be enough to get the money.

R5

Spiritual Lady
Devil Blue Dress
Grab the Glory

#7 SPIRITUAL LADY (5/2): Takes a big class drop to run here and is one of only a few that’s shown any interest in passing others late. Her lone career win to date was over a sloppy track at Keeneland, and Tyler Gaffalione (her pilot that day) sees fit to hop back aboard; #5 DEVIL BLUE DRESS (2-1): Is another going way down the class ladder. She’s shown speed and faded against higher-quality groups, and she’s bred to love a wet track (being by Into Mischief and out of a Distorted Humor mare); #6 GRAB THE GLORY (5-1): Freaked in her lone start over a wet track, when she won by seven lengths in March at Aqueduct. She’s yet to duplicate that effort in two subsequent starts, but perhaps the deluge that’s hit Saratoga will move her forward.

R6: POSTPONED

R7

The Boondocker (MTO)
Royal Presence
Clock Tower (AE)

If this comes off the turf, I’m intrigued by main-track-only runner #12 THE BOONDOCKER (8-1). He sold for $325,000 at the OBS sale despite a pretty underwhelming pedigree, which meant his “breeze” (I can’t call it that without some sarcasm considering how much horses are asked for in these works) must’ve been impressive.

R8

Showcase
First Resort
Touchy

#2 SHOWCASE (6-1): Did a lot right in his debut, when he drew away powerfully to win by nearly eight lengths. He’s been working consistently since then, and the tag team of Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz, Jr., looks like it holds a strong hand in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special; #4 FIRST RESORT (7/2): Splashed home to win his debut at Ellis Park over a muddy track for a barn whose horses often need some time to get going. Flavien Prat’s been enlisted to ride, and while I’m not sure what he beat in his debut, this one sure seems to merit respect; #5 TOUCHY (5/2): Debuted in the Tremont back in June and did a lot of the dirty work up front before being passed late. He could win if he moves forward, but this isn’t a bad group, and given the way he ran last time out, I’m not sure if the extra furlong helps him.

R9

Cogburn
Witty
Disarmed (MTO)

If #4 COGBURN (1/2) runs, I can’t bet against him, regardless of the surface. If he doesn’t, I’ll go with #1 WITTY (12-1), who’s finished in the top two in nine of 13 career dirt starts. I wish I could expound more, but there’s simply not much I can say given the weather providing so many unknowns here.

R10: POSTPONED

R11

Printrack
Poppy’s Pride
Dot’s Dollar

#6 PRINTRACK (2-1): Went way too fast early on last time in a race that wound up falling apart late. I think this field is a bit weaker than the one he beat last time, and he’s shown an off track won’t hurt him, either; #1 POPPY’S PRIDE (5-1): Gets a big rider switch to Dylan Davis, who’s taken a massive step forward at this stand. He’s got the speed to be able to use the inside draw to his advantage, and this is another that’s got some very fast early fractions on his sheet; #4 DOT’S DOLLAR (9/2): Ran too poorly to be true last time out, where it seems like he wasn’t persevered with by jockey Flavien Prat. Prat rides back, which is a good sign, and like last time, it certainly seems as though he’ll have plenty of pace to chase.

R12

Star of Mystery
Halina’s Forte (MTO)
Value Area (MTO)

Similar to Cogburn, if #5 STAR OF MYSTERY (2/5) runs, she’ll be very imposing, but it’s highly likely this race moves to the dirt. If so, the first two main-track-only horses, #10 HALINA’S FORTE (2-1) and #11 VALUE AREA (9/2), look tough. Hopefully we’ll be back on the turf Sunday!