BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,141.50

I never thought the 2013 Saratoga meet would be approached in terms of weirdness. I was going through a time of great stress personally and professionally while watching Saratoga awkwardly celebrate its 150th anniversary. Chris Kay had just taken the reins at NYRA, and it was clear from the start that the emperor had no clothes. A press box colleague, Paul Moran, was fading away. My own job situation would change not long after that (but not before receiving some of the most tone-deaf emails I’ve ever gotten from a co-worker).

However, 10 years later, the 2023 meet has made that one look positively tame by comparison. The less said about what happened this past weekend (on any number of fronts), the better. NYRA’s job is to fix the plethora of issues that have sprung up, and I sincerely hope they do that.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Best bet Gypsy Tales ran a clunker. We dropped $50 after scratches.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: Before moving forward, one note: I’m assuming everything’s off the turf, both in this section and in my analysis/selections. We’ll focus on the early Pick Five, and my 50-cent ticket starting in the second (technically the first…) goes as follows: 9 with 2,3,5,7,9 with 8 with 6,8,9,10 with 4,7,13,14,16.

TOTAL WAGERED: $50.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Sunday: 3-for-9
Meet: 22-for-86

Best Bet: Betsy Blue, Race 9
Longshot: Fancy Azteca, Race 8

R1: CANCELLED.

R2

Pillbox
Kantarmaci entry
Harlan’s Bond

#9 PILLBOX (6/5): Takes a gigantic class drop for extremely aggressive connections and looms large from a cushy outside post in the Wednesday quasi-opener. He has a series of dirt works at Gulfstream that jump off the page, and this barn is off to a hot start at this stand; KANTARMACI ENTRY (7/2): I prefer #1A CARBON, who takes a significant drop and has run well over off tracks in the past. She hasn’t won since March of 2022, but she’s also been going against starter allowance types that would crush most of these; #6 HARLAN’S BOND (5-1): Goes out for a barn that’s yet to get going here, but she’s bred to like a wet track and goes down the class ladder. Her record also looks better if you toss the two turf clunkers.

R3

Tricky Temper
Miss d’Or Cherie (MTO)
Play Free Bird

#3 TRICKY TEMPER (2-1): Isn’t an MTO, but I think she’s shown far too much precocity in the mornings to ignore if they keep her in the field. This daughter of Into Mischief is working very fast for a barn that doesn’t often have young horses fully cranked, and I think there’s a lot to like; #9 MISS D’OR CHERIE (3-1): Debuts for Christophe Clement and has been working steadily downstate. She may want a bit longer, but if this field gets ravaged by scratches, it might not matter too much; #2 PLAY FREE BIRD (6-1): Has an experience edge over most of this field and runs for a barn that tends to race its horses into shape. Luis Saez sees fit to ride back when he probably had some options, and damsire Stormy Atlantic is an excellent off-track influence.

R4

Ouster (MTO)
Costa Terra (MTO)
Classic Catch

#8 OUSTER (7/5): Ran very well in the slop earlier this season going a distance of ground and figures to get a very similar setup here should this race be moved to the main track. Two of his better races have come over wet going, and we now know that the 10-furlong trip shouldn’t be an issue; #9 COSTA TERRA (3-1): Ran in some big races earlier in his career and found the winner’s circle again in an off-the-turf race earlier this season. He’s bred to want to run all day, and he’d benefit from some speed in front of him; #4 CLASSIC CATCH (4-1): Ran in a pair of graded stakes races earlier this season and didn’t do terribly. Recent works hint these connections want the turf, but he also stands a chance if they choose to run him on the main track, too.

R5

Crazy Cami
Echo Lake
Althena

#9 CRAZY CAMI (7/2): Was one-paced in her debut for a barn that doesn’t do great with first-time starters. The recent bullet drill shows she may be moving forward, and the presence of damsire Pulpit is a big, big plus given the likely going; #8 ECHO LAKE (5-1): Debuts for Chad Brown, and those last two works are good enough to make me think she’s ready to fire. There’s some class and precocity in the bottom side of her pedigree, and the 5-1 price hits me as an overlay; #6 ALTHENA (20-1): Has a very strong two-back gate drill and is bred to handle the slop. I’m not sure she’s quite as fast as a few others in here, but the skies opening up would align with her pedigree and what she wants to do.

R6

Jody’s Pride
Honey Dijon
Solve the Puzzle (MTO)

#7 JODY’S PRIDE (5/2): Is another bred to love the lawn, but one I can’t ignore if she runs on the main track given her workouts. Specifically, that July 22nd gate drill looks excellent and signifies she may have talent on both turf and dirt; #13 HONEY DIJON (8-1): Showed some speed in her debut on Opening Day and seems to have bounced out of that effort in fine form. Improvement is logical at second asking, and she’s bred to get better with experience, too; #16 SOLVE THE PUZZLE (2-1): Will likely go off favored solely because of the connections provided this race gets moved to the dirt. It’s not like she doesn’t fit, but she’s bred to want much more distance, and if either of the top two stay in the field, I think it’s worth playing against her in the win pool.

R7

Asymmetric
Morning Cup
Clubhouse

#4 ASYMMETRIC (2-1): Scratched out of an allowance he would’ve likely been competitive in and instead runs in a non-winners of two claimer. That’s a bit curious, but these are aggressive connections that may be gearing up for runs at owner and trainer titles, so I don’t think it’s too big a red flag; #8 MORNING CUP (6-1): Comes back to dirt after a failed turf experiment against better horses first off the claim. He boasts a recent bullet drill over a sloppy track, along with a pedigree that hints he likes that type of surface; #10 CLUBHOUSE (3-1): Ran well enough to be second in a minor stakes race earlier this year at Aqueduct and takes a massive class drop. However, they tried him on turf last time to no avail, and there’s only one workout since that clunker, which provokes some pause.

R8

Fancy Azteca
Coppa Girl
Raging Sea

#4 FANCY AZTECA (12-1): Was claimed by Rick Dutrow last time out, when she drew off impressively downstate. Her prior connections thought enough of her to run her in the Cicada this past March, she’s won going a mile before, and I think there’s a fair bit to like at a big price; #7 COPPA GIRL (9/2): Woke up in a big way last time out, when she romped by nearly eight lengths in the slop at Ellis Park. Ellis form sometimes doesn’t come to Saratoga, but the off-track form sure might, and she’s got enough speed to be prominent from the jump; #3 RAGING SEA (8/5): Hasn’t run since November, when she was third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. It’s entirely possible she’s moved forward since then, but in hindsight, that wasn’t the best group, and her workouts are just-OK. Her likely price seems like an underlay.

R9

Betsy Blue
Timeless Journey
Venti Valentine

#5 BETSY BLUE (3-1): Stretches out to a mile and has enough back form to indicate she can do that without too much of a problem. She likes wet tracks and should also get plenty of pace to chase, so her best effort would make her tough; #6 TIMELESS JOURNEY (9/2): Does her best running over wet going, having won three times in four such starts. She won a similar-level stakes race earlier this year at Aqueduct at this distance over good going and attracts Joel Rosario; #1 VENTI VALENTINE (3-1): Has danced plenty of big dances, including last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, and is another that relishes rainy days. Her three-back win in the mud at Aqueduct was very sharp, and she’s a contender provided she can negotiate a trip from her inside post.

R10

Chulligan
Morethanafeeling
Squid Gamer (MTO)

#12 CHULLIGAN (6-1): Ran the best race of his career first time out in the slop, when he rallied from way back and ran out of racetrack. This sure looks like a similar type of scenario, and unlike many of his rivals, he’s at least shown he can pass others late; #1 MORETHANAFEELING (8-1): Has improved in his last several outings and has plenty of back form on both turf and dirt. A return to NY-bred competition could bring out the best in him, and he’s a contender regardless of the surface at a bit of a price; #15 SQUID GAMER (3-1): Has been one-paced in most of his prior dirt efforts but is bred to like the mud and could catch a weak field marred by defections if it comes off the turf. That could move him up and make him a contender in the Wednesday nightcap.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,191.50

I like having fun with my Saratoga content. I enjoy knowing that some people get joy out of reading my stuff, and it’s why I’ve brought it back, as a passion project, after a weird situation last month. Unfortunately, anything of that sort would be a facade at this point.

I’m writing this moments after the Grade 1 Test. Maple Leaf Mel, a phenomenal story in a sport desperate for phenomenal stories, looked home free in mid-stretch and on her way to a sixth win in as many starts. However, to the horror of the thousands in attendance and those watching a nationwide broadcast on FOX, she broke down a few strides before the wire and was euthanized on the track, per David Grening of The Daily Racing Form.

Situations like that are why I’ll never judge anyone for not being a fan of horse racing. At its best, it’s the greatest gambling game on the planet, one that’s capable of bringing large crowds to thundering crescendos in ways not a lot of things can do. At its lowest points, though, stuff happens that makes being a fan incredibly hard.

I wrote the rest of this section out before the Test. I’m not sure I could have done so after seeing that. My condolences go out to the horse’s connections and fans.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: I scratched down to two $10 win bets. Be the Boss got nailed at the wire, Speaking Scout had too much to do late, and I dropped $20.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I’ll try to extract some value from my best bet of the day, #4 GYPSY TALES in the sixth. In addition to a $28 win bet on that one, I’ll single her in $4 doubles starting in the fifth, with #1 GRUMPS LITTLE TOTS/#1A DURKIN’S CALL and #3 HIGHER QUALITY, and ending in the seventh, with #2 POSITIVE MESSAGE, #9 IT WASN’T ME, and #12 FANCY STAX. Finally, I’ll play a $2 Pick Three starting in the fifth using all of those horses.

TOTAL WAGERED: $60.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Saturday: 3-for-12
Meet: 19-for-77

Best Bet: Gypsy Tales, Race 6
Longshot: Higher Quality, Race 5

R1

Weigh the Risks
Later Darling
Dubb entry

#8 WEIGH THE RISKS (7/2): Is bred up and down for turf and has every right to be ready to run on debut. This daughter of Mendelssohn and a Candy Ride mare goes out for powerhouse connections after fetching $205,000 at auction last fall; #3 LATER DARLING (9/2): Boasts a few strong turf workouts ahead of her debut for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Offspring of More Than Ready tend to like the lawn, and she’ll be a contender if she can run to her drills; #1 IT’S HOT IN HERE (5-1): Has European, turf-heavy pedigree and comprises half of Chad Brown’s 1-2 punch in this field. Flavien Prat sees fit to ride, and she’s got as good a chance as most of them in this wide-open lid-lifter.

R2

Ways and Means
Calle Amada
Managing Mischief

#5 WAYS AND MEANS (5/2): Has been training very well ahead of her unveiling, and that includes a very strong five-furlong gate drill here on July 23rd. In a field of several well-meant firsters, that workout jumps off the page, and judging by the rest of her tab, that’s not an outlier; #2 CALLE AMADA (5-1): Debuts for Pletcher, attracts John Velazquez, and brought a hefty $410,000 price tag at auction last summer. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because offspring of sire Street Sense may want a bit more ground than this six-furlong distance; #8 MANAGING MISCHIEF (8-1): Sold for $160,000 despite a pretty modest pedigree, and the last two works hint that she’s coming into form ahead of her unveiling. If you’re looking for value in a race with some of the biggest names on the circuit, this may be the one you want to use.

R3

Shinfull
U Should B Dancing
Crowding Out

#7 SHINFULL (3-1): Drops into the straight claiming ranks in her first start for Linda Rice, who’s as good as anyone with new acquisitions. First-call rider Jose Ortiz hops aboard, and she should be going the right direction late; #3 U SHOULD B DANCING (4-1): Makes a similar class move, with a similar running style, and attracts Flavien Prat. She ran in some pretty fast races downstate earlier this year, and this drop may be what she needs to bounce back; #1 CROWDING OUT (6-1): Loves this turf course and has shown plenty of early zip, which should be an asset from the rail. Her last-out effort is an easy throw-out given the trouble she had at the start, and she should be prominent from the jump.

R4

Whatlovelookslike
Myriskyaffair
Federalist Papers

#3 WHATLOVELOOKSLIKE (9/2): Comes in after winning two in a row downstate and stretches out to a marathon distance. However, she’s bred to love such a route, and Prat sees fit to ride back. She also looks like one of the main speed horses in here, and that doesn’t hurt; #5 MYRISKYAFFAIR (9/2): Has suffered a few hard-luck losses of late, but seems to run the same sort of speed figure every time out and has shown she can go very long. It also helps that her lone wet-track race was a good one, so if it rains and they move this to the main track, look out; #6 FEDERALIST PAPERS (6-1): Was a close-up third at this distance last time out, and she didn’t get much pace to run at that day. She’s won over this turf course before, and she’d benefit from a faster-than-expected early pace.

R5

Higher Quality
Baker entry
Hammerin Aamer

#3 HIGHER QUALITY (8-1): Flopped in a Grade 3 at Monmouth, where he clearly had no business running. He returns to this claiming level, where he ran three strong races in a row prior to that ambitiously-spotted endeavor, and I think he could sit an ideal stalking trip; BAKER ENTRY (3-1): I prefer #1 GRUMPS LITTLE TOTS, who does his best work at this distance and could have plenty of pace to rally into. Of his six career wins, four have come at this one-mile trip; #7 HAMMERIN AAMER (7/2): Has been around forever and will make his 65th career start in this spot. His 0-for-9 local record isn’t ideal, but most of those races have come against much better horses, and this barn does very well with horses first off the claim.

R6

Gypsy Tales
Before You Go Go
Helcia

#4 GYPSY TALES (5/2): Did everything but win last time out, when she was second beaten a nose at Ellis Park and beat the third-place finisher by nine lengths. I’m expecting improvement at second asking, especially given the exceptional two-back work, which is something I love seeing in Steve Asmussen trainees; #9 BEFORE YOU GO GO (3-1): Draws a cushy outside post for her unveiling and boasts an improving work tab for Pletcher. This daughter of champion sprinter Mitole appears to have inherited some of her sire’s speed; #6 HELCIA (8-1): Turned in an impressive “breeze” at this year’s OBS sale and sold for $600,000. She’s not necessarily bred to be a sprinter, but the two-back gate drill looks great and Chad Brown can certainly win with first-time starters.

R7

It Wasn’t Me
Fancy Stax
Positive Message

#9 IT WASN’T ME (9/2): Drops into the maiden claiming ranks for aggressive connections and may have needed her last-out run at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Even so, she made a big middle move that day before flattening out, and I’m expecting improvement here; #12 FANCY STAX (6-1): Ran well when third in her debut downstate despite some trouble. The far outside post isn’t ideal, to be sure, but her pedigree says this two-turn trip won’t be an issue, and at least we know she can pass other horses; #2 POSITIVE MESSAGE (15-1): Merits a long look at a big price in her second start off a layoff, one in which she drops in for a tag for the first time. She’s shown early speed against better horses, several of whom have turned into stakes winners, and there’s every chance she gets comfortable and hangs on for a piece of it.

R8

Becky’s Joker
Saratoga Secret
Here U Come Again

#10 BECKY’S JOKER (7/2): Much of the way you’ll handicap the Grade 2 Adirondack hinges on your view of the Grade 3 Schuylerville. I think that race was legitimate, and the 21-1 winner has since turned in two strong workouts ahead of her second career start; #6 SARATOGA SECRET (8-1): Didn’t run poorly when second in that race and has since turned in two solid works of her own. The rider change to Flavien Prat is a notable one, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see a career-best performance; #3 HERE U COME AGAIN (5/2): Never looked like a loser in her debut at Ellis Park and tries tougher competition here. If there’s any hesitation, it’s because the two local works sure seem significantly slower than the ones she had prior to her unveiling. At her likely price, I’ll try to beat her.

R9

April Antics (MTO)
Strand of Gold
Dontmesswithtess

I’m going to be honest: Other than thinking #7 STRAND OF GOLD (6-1) is bred to like this marathon distance and could be on an upswing, I don’t have a clue. If you’re playing in the multi-race exotics, go as deep as you can.

R10

Forward Move
Prix de West
Stow On the Wold

#3 FORWARD MOVE (5/2): Faltered as an 8/5 favorite last time out, but I think he’s got plenty of room to move forward here. This is a softer field, he’s got a start under his belt, and this barn is starting to heat up; #9 PRIX DE WEST (8-1): Didn’t do much running in his debut back in April, but switches to turf and drops down into the maiden claiming ranks. His pedigree was impressive enough to merit a $150,000 price tag at auction in 2021, and I’m willing to give him another shot; #2 STOW ON THE WOLD (7/2): Has run well against maiden special weight foes and is yet another runner dropping in for a tag for the first time. This barn is a bit chilly right now, but his usual race gives him a shot in the Sunday finale.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,211.50

If you have a used book store wherever you happen to live or travel, be a regular. You truly never know what you’ll find.

My fiancee and I were in Orange County last weekend to see some friends. We stopped at a place in Tustin, just outside Anaheim, and I found a copy of “The Shoe: Willie Shoemaker’s Illustrated Book of Racing.” Released in the 1970’s, this copy had not just newspaper clippings someone left inside the book, but autographs personalized to someone named Ray from co-author Dan Smith and Shoemaker himself.

The actual retail price was the best $10 and change I’ve spent in a long time. If the Ray this was personalized for happens to see this, your book’s in good hands.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: It wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but we did turn a profit. Scratches reduced plays to $5 exactas in the opener, one of which connected. In all, we turned $20 into $48.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: I’ve got a few mid-priced leans scattered throughout the card. I’ll have $10 win bets on the following horses: #6 DRILLING FOR GOLD (race 1), #7 BE THE BOSS (race 5), #5 SPEAKING SCOUT (race 7), and #5 INTERPOLATE (race 8).

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Friday: 3-for-7
Meet: 16-for-65

Best Bet: Victorious Wave, Race 3
Longshot: Interpolate, Race 8

R1

Trade Imbalance (MTO)
Drilling for Gold
Agate Road

#6 DRILLING FOR GOLD (6-1): Is bred up and down for turf and comes in off a steady string of workouts for Graham Motion. Dam Danceforthecause has been exceptionally strong, and this one’s kin to two stakes winners and another runner that won at first asking; #4 AGATE ROAD (12-1): Is out of a Grade 1-winning 2-year-old mare and has worked steadily ahead of his unveiling. He hammered for $650,000 at last year’s Keeneland sale and has every right to be a good one; #7 WALLEY WORLD (6-1): Sold for $220,000 as a yearling and debuts on turf for Chad Brown, which automatically makes him worth a second look. It’s worth noting, though, that it’s Manny Franco aboard and not one of this barn’s first-call riders.

R2

Be You
Uno Mas Bourbon
Domestic Product

#1 BE YOU (2-1): Has been working very well leading up to his unveiling for powerhouse connections that have won a lot of 2-year-old races here. This son of Curlin has to negotiate a trip from the rail, but if he breaks sharply, I don’t think they catch him; #10 UNO MAS BOURBON (8-1): Has an experience edge over most of this group and at least did some running to salvage fifth after a slow start. The blinkers go on at second asking, and I’m expecting a step forward at a bit of a price; #5 DOMESTIC PRODUCT (3-1): Debuts for Brown after a steady, strong string of local drills. There’s some class on the bottom side of his pedigree (her second dam is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Cherokee Moon), and it wouldn’t be surprising if he could run.

R3

Victorious Wave
No More Talk
Glory Road

#8 VICTORIOUS WAVE (2-1): Won first off the claim for this outfit last time out and comes back to the NYRA circuit for this one. He draws favorably, doesn’t run into the strongest group for the level, and would be a major player if he runs his usual race; #5 NO MORE TALK (9/2): Was pretty sharp this past spring, but faltered as a 6/5 favorite in his local debut last time out. The new barn is ice cold, but anything close to his performances downstate would give him a big shot; #6 GLORY ROAD (3-1): Wants to sit back and make one run, and has done so to great effect at this level over the past few seasons. The faster they go early, the better his chances figure to be, and this barn does very well with new acquisitions.

R4

Zeebear (MTO)
Ortus
Born Dancer

#9 ORTUS (5/2): Stretches out to two turns for the first time, but his lone win came going a mile downstate, so this distance shouldn’t be a problem. He’d benefit from a duel up front, and there does at least appear to be some zip elsewhere in the field; #8 BORN DANCER (6-1): Wired a field of maidens last time out in his 2023 debut and goes second off the bench in this spot. He was third behind the classy Dakota Gold here a season ago, and his tactical speed is a plus; #4 SELL SOMETHING (15-1): Does his best running going two turns and stretches back out to such a route here. His lone start over this turf course was a win, and his only other win came going two turns on turf at Aqueduct this past April.

R5

Be the Boss
Asymmetric
Golden Arm

#7 BE THE BOSS (8-1): Comes back to dirt after tiring in a pair of turf sprints downstate. It’s pretty clear he just isn’t a turf horse, and his three-back dirt effort at Belmont was a strong win. He’s 2-for-3 with a second at this distance and hits me as a value play at or near that morning line price; #2 ASYMMETRIC (7/2): Has clearly had his issues, with just one start since last June. He had every right to need the last-out clunker, though, and the rider switch to Castellano is a notable one; #4 GOLDEN ARM (6-1): Returns to the main track after a clunker on turf last month. His first-out win was a strong effort, his two-back effort wasn’t bad, and I’m expecting him to be prominent early on.

R6

Caravel
Remuda
Nobals

#4 CARAVEL (3/5): Has reeled off five wins in a row and established herself as the country’s top female turf sprinter. She’ll once again take on the boys in the Grade 3 Troy, and anything close to her last-out effort in the Grade 1 Jaipur would make her a very formidable favorite; #8 REMUDA (10-1): Gets a major class test, but I was impressed with his last-out score at Laurel Park. He earned a very fast clocking that day and stands to benefit from swift early fractions; #7 NOBALS (7/2): Has found his form in the last few starts, one of which was a 38-1 shocker in a Grade 2 at Churchill Downs. The aptly-named gelding has one way of going and will likely be the one they’re chasing into the turn.

R7

Speaking Scout
Dakota Gold
Smokin’ T

#5 SPEAKING SCOUT (9/2): Has tackled some tough customers and came away with a Grade 1 win in last year’s Hollywood Derby at Del Mar (my goodness, that’ll always sound wrong). His last two tries against Grade 3 company were solid, and Flavien Prat sees fit to ride in the Lure; #3 DAKOTA GOLD (5/2): Cruised home against overmatched NY-breds in the Hudson Valley last time out and steps up into open company here. He’s been competitive in similar spots before, his versatility is a plus, and he’s not an illogical favorite; #2 SMOKIN’ T (7/2): Is an ultra-consistent turf runner who generally runs the same race every time out. That was good for a second-place finish in a similar spot at Monmouth Park back in May, and he has the speed to potentially sit a perfect stalking trip just off the speed.

R8

Interpolate
Maple Leaf Mel
Pretty Mischievous

#5 INTERPOLATE (15-1): OK, let’s get crazy. This one had a genuine excuse in the Grade 3 Victory Ride, when she conceded tons of ground early and never got involved. I think she’s the lone true closer in a race full of early zip, and that gives her a big chance in the Grade 1 Test at a gigantic price; #8 MAPLE LEAF MEL (2-1): Has never been headed in five career starts and comes in off of back-to-back graded stakes scores. She draws very well and figures to be the one they’ll have to catch; #1 PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS (9/5): Has won back-to-back Grade 1 races, and I’d love her if the race was a little longer. However, I’m not sure going this short is what she truly wants, and the rail draw is a legitimate concern. She can win on her best day, but she might need that type of effort against this bunch.

R9

Far Bridge
Program Trading
Webslinger

#5 FAR BRIDGE (2-1): Has never been worse than second in five career tries and exits an impressive win in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, which didn’t set up for his late kick at all. Still, he mowed down the pace-setters that day, and he’ll look to do so again in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby; #2 PROGRAM TRADING (7/2): Has done nothing wrong to this point, with two wins in as many starts. I loved the new dimension he showed last time out, when he pressed the pace and won going away, and he may luck into a similar trip in this spot; #6 WEBSLINGER (4-1): Was compromised by the slow Belmont Derby pace and could only salvage fourth money that day. However, he nosed my top pick earlier this year at Churchill Downs and has more tactical speed than he showed last time out.

R10

Cody’s Wish
Last Samurai
Charge It

#6 CODY’S WISH (1/2): Combines “best story in racing” with “most talent in racing” in ways we haven’t seen in quite a long time and looms large in the Grade 1 Whitney. I don’t think two turns will be an issue for him, and anything close to his electric score in the Grade 1 Met Mile will leave everyone else running for second; #4 LAST SAMURAI (15-1): Is a plodding type that needs a lot to go right, but there’s plenty of speed signed on in here and he’s capable of putting forth an effort that would fit here. Those Oaklawn races weren’t that long ago, Prat sees fit to ride, and should he REALLY be the fifth choice in here?; #2 CHARGE IT (5-1): Romped over the weakest Grade 2 Suburban field in some time last time out, but did at least earn a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. Two turns is a legitimate question, as is his desire to race anywhere but Belmont Park, but it’s not like he’s totally illogical.

R11

Caramel Chip
Frat Pack
Brew Pub

#10 CARAMEL CHIP (7/2): Hasn’t run a bad race since moving to his current barn earlier this year and was a close-up third at this route last time out. This will already be his 11th start of the year, but he’s shown plenty, gets a fantastic draw, and attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #5 FRAT PACK (9/2): Tries winners for the first time after an easy, maiden-breaking score downstate. He’s been working at Monmouth, which is sometimes a red flag for the Chad Brown barn, but a step forward second off the bench would put him right there; #3 BREW PUB (8-1): Cuts back in distance after finishing second going a mile at Belmont. He ran in spurts that day, and given how well this barn is going, I think he’s got a chance to improve at a bit of a price.

R12

Whittington Park (MTO)
Beuys
My Sea Cottage

#12 BEUYS (7/2): Doesn’t draw terribly well in the Saturday finale, but seems like the lone closer in a race with lots of early speed, and Oisin Murphy sees fit to stick around. I think they’ll go pretty fast early, and that would set things up for this one to come pick up the pieces; #4 MY SEA COTTAGE (8-1): Wired a field earlier in the meet and steps up in class for this allowance event. While he probably wants the lead, he’s at least shown some ability to sit back if he has to, and that may give Jose Ortiz a few options early on; #2 DANZIGWITHTHESTARS (10-1): Absolutely loves Saratoga and cannot be ignored, especially given his running style. He wants to sit back and make one run, and while he probably needs to improve on figures in order to win this, leaving him off of vertical exotics tickets seems dangerous.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,183.50

Friday is Hall of Fame Day. Having a ballot for that institution is one of the great honors of my career, and it’s going to be awesome to see Arrogate, California Chrome, Songbird, and Corey Nakatani get enshrined.

If you haven’t had a chance to venture to the museum, you absolutely should. They renovated the place a few years ago, it’s gotten rave reviews, and it makes for a fantastic way to spend a few hours before an afternoon at the races.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: My top picks went a modest 3-for-10, but a lot of underneath horses ran huge. More importantly (for this section, at least), I saw the ball really clearly when it mattered. Gala Brand rallied from last to first to win the sixth at a bit of a price. In total, a win bet and a double into the next race turned $30 worth of bets into $253.50 (in hindsight, I should’ve avoided a double that underpaid a bit, but it’s still a really good score).

FRIDAY’S PLAY: We’re going to focus on the Friday opener. I’m excited to bet #3 LUDWIG, a first-time gelding with a stellar local work tab, several different ways. I’ll have $5 exactas keying him above and below #1 OPPORTUNITY SET/#1A INDEX FUND and #4 WICKED AGAIN, as well as $5 doubles that single him and end with #2 BETTER LUCK, #3 GLACIAL POWER, and #4 STUCK ON YOU in the second.

TOTAL WAGERED: $35.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Thursday: 3-for-10
Meet: 13-for-58

Best Bet: Ludwig, Race 1
Longshot: Aspen Grove, Race 7

R1

Ludwig
Wicked Again
Brown entry

#3 LUDWIG (4-1): Has been working very well ahead of his first start since May. He’s been gelded since that last-out effort, too, and it certainly seems like he’s responded well to the ultimate equipment change; #4 WICKED AGAIN (7/5): Ran in a few strong maiden races earlier this year where he came up against several next-out winners. He’s shown plenty of early speed and should be prominent from the jump; BROWN ENTRY (6/5): #1A INDEX FUND is probably the better-meant half of the entry. He was second in his lone start to date, which came last November, and while his morning line price hits me as an underlay, he’s a contender if he’s ready to go.

R2

Crown That Saint (MTO)
Three Diamonds entry
Glacial Power

#2 BETTER LUCK (5-1): Is bred up and down for the turf and attracts Luis Saez, who hits at a strong clip when riding for this outfit. I don’t see a lot of turf pedigree in this field, and that means this son of Twirling Candy and an Artie Schiller mare might have found a great spot for the unveiling; #3 GLACIAL POWER (4-1): Had an excuse first time out, when he didn’t break well and spotted the field several lengths. He showed some late interest to rally for fourth, and improvement is logical at second asking; #4 STUCK ON YOU (8-1): Goes to the grass for Wesley Ward after running a one-paced third in her debut. She’s out of a Street Cry mare, so there’s some turf breeding here, and few barns are better with turf sprinters than this one.

R3

Bourbon’s Hope
Risk Profile
Printrack

#4 BOURBON’S HOPE (7/2): Has won two in a row since going back to Linda Rice’s barn, and the last-out win has aged well. That day’s runner-up came back to win at next asking, and Jose Ortiz lands on this one rather than his stablemate, who we’ll get to…right now; #1 RISK PROFILE (4-1): Hasn’t won since early-2022, but goes first off the claim for Rice and takes a significant drop in class. He’s hit the board in all three local tries, and perhaps the shallower waters are what he needs; #5 PRINTRACK (10-1): Has shown plenty of early zip lately and could find himself dictating terms from the jump. How long he’ll stay there is anyone’s guess, but he could get comfortable and hang on for a piece of it at a price.

R4

Lem Me Drink
Sperss
Jayla

#3 LEM ME DRINK (4-1): Is probably in a “now or never” spot given the 0-for-11 record, but her recent races include a bunch of next-out winners and she’s been very competitive. Against a field of other horses that haven’t been particularly impressive, that might well be enough; #6 SPERSS (5-1): Gets a big rider switch to Luis Saez and ran fairly well in her lone two-turn turf start to date. She was a respectable fourth that day and has plenty of room to move forward given her relative inexperience; #8 JAYLA (5-1): Takes a significant drop into the state-bred maiden claiming ranks after wintering at Fair Grounds. She has some solid turf races on her sheet and may respond to the class relief.

R5

Joking Way
Baltasar
Major Blue

#8 JOKING WAY (5-1): Goes first off the claim for Linda Rice and has run up against some very fast horses to this point in his career. The race he exits saw the winner repeat next time out, and Rice has moved up too many horses for me to ignore; #3 BALTASAR (5-1): Made his 2023 debut a winning one at Belmont, and it certainly helps his cause that his best races have come at this seven-furlong route. He could be able to sit just off the pace and have first run turning for home; #2 MAJOR BLUE (12-1): Takes a significant drop in class for this one, and while he’s been distanced in his pst several starts, he’s also shown plenty against lesser-quality horses. The class relief could wake him up at a big price.

R6

Happy Bob
Run Diem Z
Creation of Adam

#4 HAPPY BOB (1-1): Cuts back in distance after finishing third going a mile earlier in the meet. He runs for half the claiming price, too, and this field certainly features no world-beaters. Any sort of step forward off of his last-out effort would make him a formidable favorite; #6 RUN DIEM Z (10-1): Showed speed in his debut downstate and comes in off of a strong four-furlong work over this track. The runner-up in that race came right back to win, which helps, and I’m expecting a move forward; #8 CREATION OF ADAM (8-1): Draws a cushy outside post in his unveiling and has been working reasonably well for a barn that’s been firing at this stand. He might not need to be much to be a factor in his first lifetime start, and the price figures to be right.

R7

Aspen Grove
Elusive Princess
Xigera

#10 ASPEN GROVE (8-1): Came over from Europe to win the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and looks live again in the Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks. She does seem to like firmer ground, so rain would be a negative, but if the course is on the drier side, I think she’ll be tough; #3 ELUSIVE PRINCESS (7/2): Has faced some of the best fillies in her native France and exits a fifth-place finish in the prestigious Group 1 Prix de Diane. The distance shouldn’t be any sort of a problem, and the presence of Flavien Prat is a plus; #4 XIGERA (6-1): Has a record that looks far, far better if you toss her Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies clunker. She comes in off of two wins in a row, has plenty of tactical speed, and has shown she can handle this turf course.

R8

Nagirroc
General Jim
More Than Looks

#7 NAGIRROC (7/2): May have been compromised by being too close to a scorching pace last time out in the Grade 3 Manila at Belmont. He set a track record at Pimlico two starts ago, and while Prat going elsewhere is a bit of a problem, this one’s best race wins the Grade 2 Hall of Fame; #6 GENERAL JIM (6-1): Bounced off a fantastic two-back effort last time out in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens and comes back to the grass here. I think this mile distance suits him better, and he should get plenty of pace to run at in this spot; #1 MORE THAN LOOKS (4-1): Benefited from a pace meltdown to win the Manila, but could also be coming into his own in the back half of his 3-year-old season. The faster they go early, the better his chances figure to be.

R9

Timely Conquest
Missing Fortune
Chasing Daylight

#7 TIMELY CONQUEST (4-1): Overcame a slow start to win her debut for a barn that often doesn’t have first-time starters fully cranked (and was ice cold at that point in time, too). She faces winners for the first time, but I think she’s got every right to be a nice horse; #5 MISSING FORTUNE (6-1): Romped at Finger Lakes last time out, and the local rider sees fit to ship in with the horse. That’s often a sign that a central New York shipper is well-meant, and she fits off of the last-out speed figures she earned; #6 CHASING DAYLIGHT (8-1): Was second behind a much-the-best winner last time out going a bit longer and could appreciate the slight cutback in distance. That last-out winner has since won again, so we know she’s legitimate, and even though that was a claimer and this is an allowance, it can be argued this is a softer spot.

R10

One Giant Leap (MTO)
Deep Cover
Athenry

#6 DEEP COVER (4-1): May have moved a bit too early last time out when he finished third against similar company downstate. The rider switch to Javier Castellano is a notable one, and he ran a good second at this route last year against allowance foes; #9 ATHENRY (6-1): Hasn’t won in a while but could break through in what hits me as a wide-open event. He’s a stone closer in a turf sprint with plenty of speed, and the last-out dud is excusable because seven furlongs may be just a touch further than he wants; #11 IGNITED (6-1): Comes in off of two solid efforts at Laurel, which has a similar configuration to Saratoga (if slightly weaker competition). John Velazquez sees fit to ride, and he should be able to work out his preferred trip from that outside post.

R11

South Street (MTO)
Unleash the Power
Jarreau

#9 UNLEASH THE POWER (3-1): Ran well earlier in the meet when second behind a pretty nice horse. He stretches out to a marathon distance he’s bred to handle, and his early speed means he should be prominent right from the jump; #10 JARREAU (4-1): Hasn’t won in quite a while but has plenty of marathon experience and has been competitive in those races. Irad Ortiz, Jr., sees fit to ride when he likely had several options; #6 SHINSUN (9/2): Has shown a powerful closing kick going shorter and boasts a stamina-heavy pedigree that indicates this 11-furlong journey might not be a problem. The question is, will he get enough pace to run at in a race that might favor grinding-types versus one-run closers?

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $960

I’m engaged to the hardest-working person I’ll ever know. My fiancee is a fifth-grade teacher at a public school outside Oakland. Every day, she has to deal with 30 10-year-olds, then deal with an overgrown kid in her personal life (I tell people this all the time, but skip all of the steps and make her a saint straight away).

She’s preparing for the start of the school year, and in doing so has started a Donors Choose project to fund an initiative that will allow her kids to enjoy a diverse range of books this coming year. If you’ve had a good day at the track and are looking for a cause to support, I can guarantee you that this is a worthy one.

If you’d like to learn more and donate, click here.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Chuck Willis ran his eyeballs out in the third but finished second behind the favorite, who got a picture-perfect trip. As such, I dropped $30.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the sixth race and hope I get the 8-1 morning line price on #3 GALA BRAND. I’ll make a $20 win bet on that one and single her in $5 doubles that end in the seventh with #4 I’MHAVINGAMOMENT and #6 SECURITY CODE.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Wednesday: 1-for-10
Meet: 10-for-48

Best Bet: Its Cold in Dehere, Race 4
Longshot: Gala Brand, Race 6

R1

B D Saints
Get Spooled
Cold Plunge

#1 B D SAINTS (5/2): Debuted with a fourth-place finish at Ellis Park where he made a middle move and flattened out. It’s a tough ask to debut going two turns, and I think he’s got the potential to improve significantly in the Thursday lid-lifter; #2 GET SPOOLED (8-1): Hammered for $230,000 last year and has plenty of turf pedigree. His dam is kin to a stakes-winning turf sprinter named Spycraft, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s ready to run right away; #3 COLD PLUNGE (7/2): Debuts for a high-percentage outfit and attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr., who likely had a few options in here. This barn’s record with debuting turfers isn’t great, and it’s tough to debut going two turns, but his pedigree is loaded with stamina, so perhaps he’s doing what he wants.

R2

Invisible War
Cumberland Blues
Union Lights

#4 INVISIBLE WAR (5/2): Merits a reluctant top choice in a race where I have no strong opinion. He adds blinkers on a substantial class drop, and both of those tweaks could be enough to move him forward; #5 CUMBERLAND BLUES (7/2): Has run third twice for a higher claiming tag and tries two turns for the first time. He’s shown a bit of tactical speed in the past, and that could give him first run when the real running starts; #6 UNION LIGHTS (3-1): Sure seems like the main speed in here and ran second behind a much-the-best winner last time out. I’m unsure if he really wants this trip, but he could easily get comfortable up front and be tough to catch.

R3

Implementation
Playingwithmatches
Jester’s Song

#6 IMPLEMENTATION (6/5): Has been away since a sharp score at Keeneland in April, but has also been working consistently for Saffie Joseph and catches a field that doesn’t seem to include any world-beaters. There’s plenty of speed in here, and that should set up for his late kick; #5 PLAYINGWITHMATCHES (5-1): Takes a big jump after running second in a $25,000 claimer last time out, but runs for Linda Rice for the first time and has contested some pretty fast races. He has some tactical speed, but doesn’t necessarily need the lead, which I find attractive at this distance; #2 JESTER’S SONG (8-1): Comes back to dirt after a failed turf experiment last time out against much better horses. He’s got dirt form that would make him a player in here if he can work out a trip from a tricky inside post.

R4

Its Cold in Dehere
Suspended Campaign
Run Devil

#8 ITS COLD IN DEHERE (5/2): Goes first off the claim for Linda Rice, which, as you can tell, is a move I simply cannot ignore. She had a bonafide excuse last time out, when she didn’t break well, and her two-back victory against higher-level competition was solid; #1 SUSPENDED CAMPAIGN (6/5): Merits respect thanks to a gigantic class drop, but while her best race beats these, I have some doubts. She hasn’t won over a fast dirt track in quite some time, and closers breaking from the rail sometimes don’t get the trips they need; #5 RUN DEVIL (6-1): Comes back to what’s probably the right level after being in over her head for a $40,000 tag in June. She got pretty sharp over the winter at Aqueduct and is a contender if she can get back to that form.

R5

One Headlight
Gem Mint Ten
Timbuktu

#9 ONE HEADLIGHT (2-1): Tries winners for the first time, but it’s tough to not be impressed by how fast he came home last time out. He may have to navigate another closer-unfriendly race shape, but I think he’s talented enough to do so; #5 GEM MINT TEN (6-1): Was one-paced against stakes competition last time and returns to the allowance ranks. With that, he gets Lasix again, and he has enough early speed to work out a very favorable trip; #1 TIMBUKTU (5/2): Rallied from last to first last time out at Belmont and seems to have found his best form since going to Rick Dutrow’s barn. Two turns is a question mark, but he certainly seems well-meant and has some flexibility in his running style.

R6

Lady Prospect (MTO)
Gala Brand
Destiny Star

#3 GALA BRAND (8-1): Has a ton of turf pedigree on her dam’s side, as that mare, Olorda, was a very classy grass horse that won multiple graded stakes races. Bill Mott doesn’t work his young horses very quickly all that often, so that recent three-furlong bullet jumps off the page; #4 DESTINY STAR (4-1): Is another firster bred to love the lawn. This daughter of Catholic Boy is out of a Declaration of War mare, one whose dam was a 2-year-old stakes-winner on grass; #7 SHORESY (8-1): Has an experience edge over most of these and did at least do some running late after a poor start. This barn isn’t a big one, but it wins races at a solid clip and it’s interesting they ship this filly here when she almost certainly could’ve found a spot in the mid-Atlantic circuit.

R7

Security Code
I’mhavingamoment
Tempermental

#6 SECURITY CODE (7/2): Ran well here twice a season ago and has tangled with stakes foes multiple times since then. She was left with too much to do last time after a poor break, and I’m expecting her to sit a better trip in this spot over a surface she’s shown she likes; #4 I’MHAVINGAMOMENT (5/2): Put forth a career-best effort last time out in victory, when she cruised home clear by three lengths downstate. The possibility of a bounce off of that performance is there, but the recent bullet drill over Belmont’s training track is a big plus; #7 TEMPERMENTAL (6-1): Comes back to dirt first off the claim for Chris Englehart, who knows how to win with new acquisitions. She’d benefit from a pace meltdown, and it sure seems like there’s some zip elsewhere in this field.

R8

Pipeline
Guntown
Galt

#2 PIPELINE (3/5): Hasn’t run since a clunker in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, where it’s abundantly clear something went wrong. He’s been working consistently for Chad Brown and seems to have found a fairly soft spot for his 2023 debut; #1 GUNTOWN (5-1): Goes first off the claim for Linda Rice (I’m saying that A LOT…) and ran fairly well when second behind a next-out winner in his most recent outing. Stretching out to a mile shouldn’t be too much of a problem, and he seems like the most probable winner if the heavy favorite falters; #4 GALT (7/2): Ran third behind the talented Tonal Impact last time out and has plenty of back class. Songbird’s little brother clearly isn’t as brilliant as she was, but he’s a consistent, hard-trying horse that can’t be ignored.

R9

War Like Goddess
Virginia Joy
McKulick

#1 WAR LIKE GODDESS (3/5): Is one of the country’s top turf females when she’s at her best, and this seems like an ideal race shape in the making. Unlike her effort last time out in the Grade 1 New York, there’s some early speed signed on for the Grade 2 Glens Falls, and that should open the door for the late kick we’ve come to expect; #2 VIRGINIA JOY (8-1): Beat my top pick here last year in the Grade 2 Flower Bowl, so we know she’s capable of big efforts. She hasn’t won since, but she was probably too far back last time out and gets a big rider switch to Flavien Prat; #4 MCKULICK (7/2): Has more tactical speed than she showed last time out, when she rated in sixth early on in the New York and couldn’t catch the top two. She’s run well here several times and could get first run turning for home.

R10

Ripe for Mischief
P Money
Academy Choice

#9 RIPE FOR MISCHIEF (3-1): Gets a monstrous rider switch to Luis Saez and cuts back in distance for the Thursday finale. Both of those changes, plus a cushy outside draw, could help him break through in a race where he may find himself alone up front early on; #8 P MONEY (12-1): Hasn’t raced since January, but I think there’s reason to believe he’s sitting on a strong effort. His female family includes a third dam that threw champion turfer Better Talk Now, and he makes his first start as a gelding in here; #3 ACADEMY CHOICE (10-1): Ran well to be third in his first effort going short on turf last time out, and it helps his cause that the runner-up came right back to graduate. He may be on the upswing, and he probably doesn’t have to move forward too much to be a player in here.