BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,092.90

Thursday’s sixth included the type of antics that sometimes happen in races with full fields of inexperienced 2-year-olds. The stretch run featured plenty of weaving and bumping, and as a result, a lengthy inquiry took place before the result was declared official.

I give NYRA plenty of flack when it’s warranted, but in my opinion, the stewards made the right call by not making a change, both with winner Dufresne and the underneath horses. 2-year-olds are going to do things older horses won’t, and I’ve always felt that leeway should be given in those races with regard to calls that could go either direction. In this instance, unfortunately, a DQ of the winner would’ve benefited me immensely (I had 10-1 runner-up Cricket West, both in the pick box and in the wallet!), but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: In the words of my friend Laffit Pincay III, who hosted the second half of Thursday’s NYRA/Fox broadcast, “what just happened?” Hey It’s Tati was spun wide and ran out of gas in the seventh, while 38-1 shot Take It Off led from gate to wire. I dropped $30.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: I’ll attempt to extract some value out of likely sixth-race favorite #7 DOC DOC ROCK with both vertical and horizontal exotics. I’ll key her on top of $5 exactas that use #2 HOWDYOUMAKEURMONEY, #5 SUE ELLEN MISHKIN, #9 ACE UP HER SLEEVE, and #13 MAKIN MY MOVE underneath. I’ll also single her in $5 doubles starting in that race and ending with #1 PURE BODE and #2 MORE GLITTER in the seventh.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Klaravich entry, Race 3
Longshot: More Glitter, Race 7

R1

Arms an Armor
Big Little Risk
Bielefeld

#1 ARMS AN ARMOR: Flashed some speed last time for a higher claiming tag and adds blinkers for the Friday opener. Saratoga’s main track has been playing very kindly to early zip of late, and the Santana/Asmussen tag team merits plenty of respect; #7 BIG LITTLE RISK: Has been gelded since his last outing and goes turf to dirt in this spot. They’ve certainly found a soft one for him, and the presence of Luis Saez is noteworthy, but his one dirt start to date wasn’t overly impressive and I can’t put him on top at his likely price; #8 BIELEFELD: Has certainly had plenty of chances but goes back to the dirt, which I feel is his preferred surface. He ran a few respectable races over the main track here last summer, and perhaps the change in footing will wake him up at a price.

R2

Liveyourbeastlife (MTO)
Summer to Remember
Price Talk

#5 SUMMER TO REMEMBER: Has shown plenty of back class and has been competitive in several tries against stakes competition. He’s also got some tactical speed, which should be used as a weapon in a turf race that seems light on early zip; #2 PRICE TALK: Ran several strong races a season ago and may well go off favored in this spot. However, while he hasn’t disgraced himself in a pair of 2021 outings, he’s also burned plenty of money, and while this is a class drop on paper, it came up pretty salty for the level; #7 HYPERFOCUS: Almost certainly didn’t care for the dirt last time out and goes back to the grass in his first start off the claim by Linda Rice. His prior connections ran him in three stakes races earlier in his career, and he’d stand to benefit if the early pace is sharper than expected.

R3

Klaravich entry
Evvie Jets
Satch

KLARAVICH ENTRY: Both #1 COALITION BUILDING and #1A INFINITE POTENTIAL could win this, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the two-horse entry took enough money to go off odds-on. They should both move forward with class relief, and this will be a popular multi-race exotics single; #10 EVVIE JETS: Goes back to the turf after running a decent third in an off-the-turf event at this level last month. She made a big middle move two back at Belmont and has some back form from 2020, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see her run well here despite the outside draw; #4 SATCH: May need a race but has enough pedigree to suggest she could be a runner. She’s a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Unchained Melody, her dam was a Grade 3 winner on the lawn, and Hall of Famer John Velazquez sees fit to ride.

R4

Air Show
Six Pack
Likeable

#4 AIR SHOW: Has not run a bad race since being claimed by Tom Amoss in April. He was most recently second in an allowance event at Indiana Grand, and those races have gotten far more competitive over the past few years; #3 SIX PACK: Makes his first start off the claim for George Weaver, who’s been a bit unlucky this meet. The barn’s won just once, but has six seconds, so it’s not like horses aren’t running well. This is his first try against winners, but there are no monsters here; #5 LIKEABLE: Takes a concerning drop for these connections after appearing in a few graded stakes races. Yes, this owner/trainer combination can be aggressive, and his best race would probably win, but why has a $350,000 purchase that ran in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile been gelded and dropped in for a $40,000 tag?

R5

A Mo Reay (MTO)
Halo of Fire
More Than Vows

#12 HALO OF FIRE: Needs some luck to draw in off the AE list but must be respected if she runs. She sports several strong turf drills here, and her dam is a half-sister to seven winners. The presence of Joel Rosario is also a positive; #1 MORE THAN VOWS: Debuts for Brian Lynch, whose runners sometimes need a race to get going, but she boasts a series of eye-catching drills that imply she’s got significant potential. Her pedigree says she’ll take to the turf, and she may be talented enough to overcome the rail draw; #5 LIA MARINA: Is bred up and down for the turf and merits respect, although the pedigree also says she may want two turns, not one. Her dam won multiple stakes races on the lawn, and her second dam also threw Avenge, a two-time Grade 1 winner that ran third in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

R6

Doc Doc Rock
Makin My Move
Howdyoumakeurmoney

#7 DOC DOC ROCK: Ticks plenty of boxes and is a logical favorite in what seems like a stacked 2-year-old maiden race. The Pletcher/Velazquez tag team appears with this daughter of Into Mischief that doubles as a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Daring Duchess; #13 MAKIN MY MOVE: Will need at least three scratches to run but can’t be ignored if she gets in. She put forth a strong bullet drill on July 26th over the training track, and this isn’t a barn with many 2-year-olds that work like that. If she runs, she’s worthy of inclusion; #2 HOWDYOUMAKEURMONEY: Sold for $105,000 earlier this year despite sire Freud commanding only a modest $5,000 fee. That may be a clue this filly can run, and she’s been working steadily ahead of her unveiling for a very capable outfit.

R7

More Glitter
Pure Bode
My Lips Are Sealed

#2 MORE GLITTER: Merits respect solely because this is her first start for Mike Maker, who’s won plenty of races to this point in the meet. She stretches back out to a mile in this wide-open allowance race for New York-breds, and some of her best efforts have come going long; #1 PURE BODE: May have needed the race last time out, and it didn’t help that she hooked an extremely well-meant Bill Mott trainee that day. She was fifth that day but finished less than two lengths behind the runner-up, and I’m expecting a step forward here; #11 MY LIPS ARE SEALED: Showed the way early last time out as an even-money favorite before dropping anchor and finishing eighth of 12. She’s certainly better than she showed that day, and the presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr., is noteworthy, but she may have her work cut out for her clearing the field from that far outside post.

R8

Ragtime Blues (MTO)
Noble Emotion
Shekky Shebaz

#3 NOBLE EMOTION: Has emerged as a serious turf sprinter with two impressive wins in as many starts. Two of his four wins have come at this route of ground, he draws well, and while this is certainly a class test, I see no reason to expect a step backwards; #1 SHEKKY SHEBAZ: Is winless since Jason Servis received a visit from the FBI, but he ran well here last time out when second in a similar spot. He may not be the horse he was when he ran third in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but he’s still pretty fast and merits plenty of respect; #9 COMPETITIVE SAINT: Made his 2021 debut last month and was third in the same race Shekky Shebaz exits. He’s never been worse than third in three tries at this route, and it helps that he’s shown an ability to pass others late, which could help if another runner confronts Shekky Shebaz in the early going.

R9

Foolish Ghost
Bon Raison
Wondrwherecraigis

#6 FOOLISH GHOST: Exorcized some demons (see what I did there?) with a winning performance in a classy renewal of the John Morrissey earlier in the meet. Something seems to have clicked with him this year judging by his speed figures, and he gets a cushy outside draw in the Tale of the Cat; #3 BON RAISON: Didn’t do much running last time out in his 2021 debut, which came off a layoff of more than seven months. However, he’s a stone closer in a race that seems to boast plenty of speed, and trainer Jack Sisterson has done plenty of damage with big prices this summer (thanks again, Lexitonian!); #5 WONDRWHERECRAIGIS: Ships up after posting a 102 Beyer Speed Figure against weaker competition at Pimlico. Stakes competition, though, isn’t new to him, as he was fourth in last year’s Grade 2 Amsterdam behind Yaupon when that one was going very well.

R10

Well Done West
Joey Loose Lips
Profusion

#9 WELL DONE WEST: Is one of two logical favorites that seem to loom large in the Friday finale. He’s never finished off the board in four starts, and if the back-to-back bullet drills are any indication, he’s been thriving in upstate New York for a very sharp outfit; #1 JOEY LOOSE LIPS: Was sent to the front a bit early last week, and that move nearly paid off as he ran a tough-luck second. He cuts back to a seven-furlong trip here, and while the sudden class drop is an eyebrow-raiser, it’s encouraging to see Irad land here when he probably had a few options; #6 PROFUSION: Has run one poor race since coming off a long layoff, and that was in a turf route downstate. Going one turn on dirt sure seems like what this gelding wants to do, and he was a clear second last time out at this level.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,122.90

There are some things I genuinely miss being 3,000 miles from upstate New York, and an event coming up later this month is one I’m gutted I can’t get to. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is collaborating with ThoroFan to host a trivia night on Monday, August 23rd. Tom Durkin (the greatest horse racing announcer of my lifetime and, as hard as this is to believe, an even better human being) will be the master of ceremonies, and tickets can be purchased online.

This is a convergence of many things I love. I’m a trivia nerd that single-handedly killed a weekly sports trivia night at the dearly-departed Tompkins Square Bar and Grill in Los Angeles by winning every week for a month straight, and being a Hall of Fame voter is one of the great honors of my career. It hurts I can’t be there, and if you’re in the area, I urge you to head across the street and enjoy the fun.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: My early Pick Five fizzled in the opener, and Miss Delicious dropped anchor in the stretch of the seventh. I dropped $32.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: This one’s as straightforward as it gets, because I really like #11 HEY IT’S TATI in the seventh. I’ll have a $30 win bet on her, as I think she’s in line to take a big step forward beneath new jockey Jose Ortiz for new trainer Orlando Noda.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Hey It’s Tati, Race 7
Longshot: Daufuskie Island, Race 1

R1

Convertible Freese
Daufuskie Island
Gimmedamoney

#8 CONVERTIBLE FREEZE: Looks well-meant in his unveiling and is a tepid top pick in the Thursday lid-lifter. His works from the gate look very sharp, the outside draw is a plus, and this barn is hitting at nearly 40% this summer as of this writing; #3 DAUFUSKIE ISLAND: Sports a very strong worktab for Jeremiah Englehart and boasts a strong bottom-side pedigree. His dam was a stakes-winning sprinter, and she’s already thrown five winners. Watch the board early in the wagering, as that may provide clues; #2 GIMMEDAMONEY: Flashed speed when second in his debut, which came over a muddy track here last month. I’m not sure what he ran against that day, but a step forward is logical at second asking for a barn that’s won a bunch of races already at this stand.

R2

Daria’s Angel (MTO)
Candy Flower
Five Alarm Robin

#4 CANDY FLOWER: Takes a significant class drop in her first start for a very aggressive outfit. She’s shown plenty of early zip against better groups, and a return to form could see her wire this group; #2 FIVE ALARM ROBIN: Has done her best running in upstate New York and pulled off an 11-1 upset last time out in her 2021 debut. That day’s runner-up has since come back to win, and she figures to do her best running late; #7 WHIMSICAL MUSE: Thumped a lower-level group at Churchill Downs last time out and has been working well ahead of this event. She’s won four of nine career turf starts, attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr., and completes a powerful 1-2 punch for Maker, who also trains my top pick.

R3

Mrs. Orb
Simply Ravishing
Espresso Shot

#5 MRS. ORB: Has not run a poor race in more than year and rallied from way back to top open company in a stakes race at Pimlico. She’s back against New York-breds in the Saratoga Dew, and it sure looks like there’s plenty of pace in here to set up for her late kick; #2 SIMPLY RAVISHING: Was retired earlier this year after dropping anchor in the Grade 1 Ashland, but she’s back here after a failed breeding attempt. She’s been working well enough, and this is certainly a spot that provides some class relief, but there are logical questions about if she’ll be ready for this race; #4 ESPRESSO SHOT: Has shown she doesn’t particularly care for Belmont, so she may benefit from a change in scenery. She was second behind a sharp horse in a start at this route last summer, and she’s run well at this level in the past.

R4

Spungie
Chocolate Cookie
Light in the Sky

#5 SPUNGIE: Has gotten better with every start since coming north from Gulfstream and cruised to a runaway score in a first-level allowance race last month. When Bill Mott gets horses on the right track, they tend to stay there, and further improvement would make her a real handful; #1 CHOCOLATE COOKIE: Had a nightmarish trip in her 2021 debut here last month, when she didn’t break well and was forced to rate behind a very slow pace. A cleaner journey, plus some added sharpness second off the bench, would give her a big shot; #4 LIGHT IN THE SKY: Has never finished worse than second in five starts over this turf course and was a close-up second last time out at this level. She’s very consistent and always seems to fire, so she can’t be ignored.

R5

Key Point
Cozzy’s Attitude
Pepe’s Pride

#9 KEY POINT: Is by top sire Into Mischief and has a terrific bottom-side pedigree. His dam is a half-sister to multiple Grade 2-winning sprinter American Anthem, his second dam is kin to champion Banshee Breeze, and he’s been working well for Chad Brown; #7 COZZY’S ATTITUDE: Probably needed his debut last month, as he comes from a barn whose first-time starters usually aren’t ready to roll. He’ll add blinkers and retain Joel Rosario, and I think both of those are positives; #2 PEPE’S PRIDE: Makes his first start for Rudy Rodriguez and boasts a very atypical work tab. Many of his drills are on the slower side, but his four-furlong move on August 7th jumps off the page and hints that he may have some talent.

R6

Let Her Inspire U (MTO)
Cricket West
Pimenova

#6 CRICKET WEST: Debuts for a barn that has quietly done stellar work with first-time starters and has a sneaky pedigree. Her second dam won multiple graded events, and her dam is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Charm the Giant and Grade 2-placed runner Charming Legacy; #7 PIMENOVA: Hammered for $200,000 last year at Keeneland and has several flashy drills on the tab. If she runs to those works, she’ll have a big chance, but this barn’s numbers with firsters (especially on turf) hint that she may need a race to get going; #10 SKYWARD PRINCESS: Will take money simply because she’s a Chad Brown trainee, but I have doubts. She spent a lot of time at Monmouth Park, which is often a red flag, and I’m far from crazy about the post position, which may ensure a wide trip given the short run into the turn.

R7

Hey It’s Tati
Flying P entry
Thief of Hearts

#11 HEY IT’S TATI: Has been competitive in a few starts at this level and gets a big trainer switch to Orlando Noda, who does strong work with new acquisitions. In addition, Jose Ortiz has been enlisted to ride. I’m expecting improvement, and she may not need to move forward much at all to beat this bunch anyway; FLYING P ENTRY: I prefer #1 HOLLYWOOD GINA, who drops back in for a tag after not doing much running against starter allowance foes. Her two-back victory was pretty good, and I certainly think she’s better than she showed back in June; #2 THIEF OF HEARTS: Chased a fast pace against a better group in a race won by exciting prospect Kaely’s Sister. I liked her a bit that day, I’m not willing to completely give up on her, and she’s got enough speed to not be compromised by the inside draw.

R8

Letmeno
Briefcase Bully
Mihos

#4 LETMENO: Has run several very good races around one turn, and a repeat of any of those races could get him home here. He’s got tactical speed, but he doesn’t necessarily need the lead in order to run well, so Junior Alvarado should have plenty of options out of the gate; #3 BRIEFCASE BULLY: Has two wins and a runner-up finish in three dirt starts and was second behind my top pick last time out at Ellis Park. He’ll likely do his best running late, and this barn has had several horses ready to run already this meet; #2 MIHOS: Was third in a similar race at this level and route earlier in the meet and is logical, but he hits me as an underlay at his likely price. 

R9

Beautiful Karen (MTO)
Fractorzation
Uncle’s Gem

#6 FRACTORZATION: Has had some adventurous trips in her career but looks like the most probable early leader in a race light on gate speed. Jose Ortiz should be able to get her comfortable and in a prime position, and that sort of trip should move her forward; #1 UNCLE’S GEM: Tries winners for the first time after topping maidens at this route earlier in the meet. She could be a prospect to watch, but that day’s runner-up and third-place finisher came back to run 1-2, but that was in a maiden claiming event, so I’m not exactly sure she beat much; #10 SNICKET: Can’t be left off of vertical exotics tickets given her six top-two finishes in seven turf starts. However, her lone win came in a dirt race at Aqueduct, and she has a habit of finding trouble. Perhaps blinkers will cure that ill, but I can’t use her on top given her clear affinity for earning minor awards. 

R10

Abaan
Incitatus
Group Hug

#12 ABAAN: Draws a terrible post, but is bred like a turf horse and should improve in his first start on the lawn. His recent half-mile turf drill earned a fast clocking, and it helps that he’s shown he can go two turns; #6 INCITATUS: Makes his first start for a tag and has also been gelded since his last effort, which came in May at Churchill Downs. He’s shown speed against better groups, and if he’s able to get comfortable, he could lead this bunch a long way; #4 GROUP HUG: Goes back to the turf after finishing a distant third in a race rained off the grass last month. His lone turf try in February at Gulfstream wasn’t bad, as he was a solid second against maiden special weight foes. A similar effort would give him a puncher’s chance in the Thursday nightcap.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,154.90

Wednesday’s card is the 20th of 40 at Saratoga, and like every year, the meet seems to go by incredibly fast. At the same time, it’s both a whirlwind and an endurance test, which is something any handicapper looking at every race, every day can attest to.

One thing I’ll emphasize is the importance of trip handicapping. If you’re watching along, chances are you’re starting to see horses run for the second time this meet. Watch replays on your ADW of choice, take detailed notes, and act accordingly if they return in appropriate spots.

This may only make a true difference for a few horses, but that attention to detail can lead to big scores if you play your cards right. Don’t be afraid to put in the extra work. Your ADW balance will thank you.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Fabulous Fanny ran third and Mainstay ran fourth. Both ran better than it may look on paper, but I still dropped $24.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: I’m going to focus on the early Pick Five, as I’ve got a pretty budget-friendly ticket (which isn’t always the case and why I tend to focus more on Pick Four sequences). My 50-cent ticket starting in the opener reads like this: 5,7 with 1,2,7 with 2 with 1,4,7 with 1,2,3. Also, remember that trip handicapping note? #1 MISS DELICIOUS never had a chance with the trip she got last time out and may be a bit of a price in the seventh. I’ll have a $5 win ticket on her.

TOTAL WAGERED: $32.

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Mr. Buff, Race 3
Longshot: Fauci, Race 9

R1

Wild Appeal (MTO)
Castle Leoch
Admiral Halsey

#5 CASTLE LEOCH: Ran well when second in his debut back in May at Gulfstream. He’s been outworking his stablemate that also shows up here, and I’m expecting improvement in his second career start; #7 ADMIRAL HALSEY: Has a world-class pedigree and sold for $230,000 last year at Keeneland. His dam was a Group 3 winner overseas, his second dam was a Group 1 winner, and he shares some of his female family with multiple Group 1 hero and sire Churchill, whose dam is a half-sister to his dam; #2 JAVA BUZZ: Debuts for Linda Rice and sold for $210,000 despite sire Mshawish commanding a modest $7,500 stud fee. He’s bred to want the turf, but I think he may be at his best going two turns, not one.

R2

Extra Effort
Bustin Bay
Addilyn

#1 EXTRA EFFORT: Gets a huge trainer switch in his first start off the claim for Rob Atras, whose barn is hitting at nearly 30% here this summer. In addition, this field sure seems weaker than the ones she’s been tackling, and she has the speed to make the rail draw an asset; #7 BUSTIN BAY: Cruised home at this distance downstate against a weaker group in her first start off the claim by Rudy Rodriguez. Both of her career victories have come going seven furlongs, and she’s certainly shown an ability to rate and pass others late; #2 ADDILYN: Found optional claiming foes a bit too tough last month at Gulfstream. Not only does she drop back down to an appropriate level, she goes back to a distance she’s had success at in the past, with four in-the-money finishes in as many seven-furlong efforts.

R3

Mr. Buff
Danny California
Winston’s Chance

#2 MR. BUFF: Has danced a lot of dances over his career and looms large in the Evan Shipman. He’s proven his class and early speed time and time again, and if he’s able to get comfortable going into the first turn, I think he’ll be very tough to run down; #1 DANNY CALIFORNIA: Won at this route just a few days ago and gets wheeled right back by Rudy Rodriguez. It’s easy to see why given his 4-for-5 lifetime record at Saratoga, but that wasn’t an easy race over the weekend and it’s fair to wonder if he’s got enough gas in the tank; #5 WINSTON’S CHANCE: Didn’t do much running earlier in the meet but comes back to state-bred competition and may benefit from the likely race shape. He looks like the lone true closer, and that could help him clunk up for a piece of it.

R4

Gotta Go Mo
Richies Great Girl
Tiple

#4 GOTTA GO MO: Has chased multiple stakes-winning turf distaffer Caravel twice in a row and should appreciate the class relief here. She’s got plenty of early zip and could scoot clear early, which would make her the one to catch turning for home; #1 RICHIES GREAT GIRL: Ships in for Larry Rivelli, who must always be respected when he sends a horse east during the summer. This filly’s won four in a row and seven of 12 overall, so it wouldn’t be surprising if her best race was enough to get the money here; #7 TIPLE: Hasn’t run in nearly 11 months but returns to race at a route that’s been very kind to her. She’s 2-for-2 in turf sprints at Saratoga, she got pretty good last summer before going to the sidelines, and she could have a chance at a price if she’s ready to run.

R5

Kaden
Tivoli Twirl
Anejo

#3 KADEN: Gets a reluctant nod in a race without much dirt route form apparent in the program. It’s not easy to debut going two turns, but he sold for $120,000 despite a modest pedigree, has been working well, and has plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of the pedigree; #1 TIVOLI TWIRL: Tries two turns for the first time and has enough pedigree to suggest he’ll take to such a route. His dam has thrown a pair of stakes-winning routers, and plenty of offspring of sire Twirling Candy have done well going long; #2 ANEJO: Has shown very little in two turf starts, but he adds both Lasix and blinkers and sports a very flashy four-furlong drill on dirt. It’s possible he’s just wanted dirt all along, and at his likely price, I need to include him.

R6

Starship Dreams
Ms Penelopepitstop
Shining Colors

#4 STARSHIP DREAMS: Had an adventurous journey in her unveiling last month at Finger Lakes, when she broke last, made a middle move, and tired to finish third. She adds Lasix and blinkers here, and recent drills indicate she’s sitting on a move forward; #3 MS PENELOPEPITSTOP: Dueled early in her debut at Monmouth, but tired to finish fourth. She’s logical, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s favored, but I’m just not sure what she ran against last time, and at her likely price, I’ll try to beat her; #2 SHINING COLORS: Has run second three consecutive times at this level, including once earlier in the meet. Her lone drill since that effort was a bullet drill downstate, and her experience may prove to be a plus.

R7

Misty Veil (MTO)
Miss Delicious
Town Avenger

#1 MISS DELICIOUS: Got caught wide in her most recent start and never had a chance because of it. However, she draws far more favorably in this spot. Inside speed can be very tough on the inner turf, and I’m expecting significant improvement at a square price; #11 TOWN AVENGER: Draws terribly but ran well when fourth against stakes foes at Churchill back in June. There was no early pace that day, but she still rallied to run fourth, and it’s clear she’s got plenty of ability; #7 ELLE EST FORTE: Came home exceptionally fast to break her maiden at Churchill, and that day’s runner-up has since come back to win. This isn’t an easy place to make one’s first start against winners, but Irad Ortiz, Jr., sees fit to ride and she should be moving the right way late.

R8

Betsy Blue
Diva Banker
Honey Money

#2 BETSY BLUE: Hasn’t finished worse than second in six lifetime outings and merits respect in a wide-open event. She beat several of these rivals when second earlier in the meet, and her usual race would put her right there once again; #3 DIVA BANKER: Steps up in class after two consecutive wins. Most recently, she rallied to top first-level allowance foes downstate, and that wasn’t a dimension she had shown to that point in her career; #6 HONEY MONEY: Has won four of five, including a race here just a few weeks ago. In fact, this will already be her third start of the meet, and her lone recent misfire came over a muddy track she clearly did not care for.

R9

Fire Sword (MTO)
Arrest Me Red
Fauci

#8 ARREST ME RED: Is 2-for-2 in turf sprints and makes his first start for trainer Wesley Ward. He’s been working up a storm recently and could sit an ideal stalking trip from his outside post, one that would give him first run turning for home in the Mahony; #2 FAUCI: Ran too poorly to be true last time out in a stakes race at Monmouth. If you toss that race, he’s never run a bad one going short on turf, and the faster they go early, the better his chances figure to be; #4 JAXON TRAVELER: Chased Golden Pal last time out in the Grade 3 Quick Call, and this is a softer spot solely because that world-class turf sprinter isn’t in the field. However, after recent repelled bids on turf and synthetic, I think it’s fair to wonder if he’s simply better on dirt.

R10

Clever Fellow
Viking Zim
Ghostmon

#4 CLEVER FELLOW: Drops in for a tag for the first time and is probably in a “now or never” situation. He’s flopped as the favorite in four straight outings against maiden special weight foes, but he does have some early speed and should be forwardly placed in the Wednesday finale; #10 VIKING ZIM: Was a fast-closing fourth in the same race my top pick exits and is another trying maiden claimers for the first time. If there were more pace, he’d probably be my top pick, but given the likely race shape and the outside post, I can only pick him second; #8 GHOSTMON: Just missed against similar last time out at Belmont and stretches back out to two turns. He ran second at a similar route at Aqueduct back in April, and he has enough tactical speed to work out a trip beneath Ricardo Santana, Jr.