BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,326.20

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

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

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

TOTAL WAGERED: $28

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

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

R1

Woodbury
Just Right
Red Zinger

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

R2

Alkhaatam (MTO)
Sargeant Drive
Midnight Tea Time

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

R3

Klaravich entry
Mambo Dancer
Big Mischief

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

R4

Weekend Hideaway
Eye Luv Lulu
Celtic Chaos

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

R5

Mobridge
Vincento
DiPrima entry

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

R6

Dr. Shane
Bam Bam Blu
New York Song

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

R7

Riff Raff
Sal the Turtle
Summer Bourbon

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

R8

Rose’s Vision
Prioritize
Combatant

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

R9

Corey Scores
Surge of Pride
Short Pour

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

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,252.45

Several representatives of the Copake Country Club will be in attendance at Saratoga Race Course this afternoon. I was at the gathering they held on Travers Eve last year, and even without the Scots that were in attendance a season ago, this year’s trip promises to be a fun one.

One note to those people: If your reigning, defending, undisputed club champion even so much as thinks about running a tournament again, immediately revoke his bar privileges and/or whack him in the knee with a 6-iron repeatedly until he reconsiders. His son worries about him and is tired of pointing out that such a responsibility is a reminder of the old axiom, “no good deed goes unpunished.”

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: It only takes one score to make up for 29 days of horrible wagers. Fixed Point wired the field in the finale and brought home a Pick Four that returned $856.25 for our $40 investment.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: This is a program fit for the Grand Slam, as there’s a heavy favorite in the payoff leg and sizable fields in the earlier legs. My $2 ticket starts in the seventh and looks like this: 1,4,6 with 2,7 with 2,3 with 6. On its own, one $2 combination may not pay much, but if I hit it multiple times, I can extract some value out of #6 OFFERING PLAN, who may be odds-on in the West Point.

TOTAL WAGERED: $24

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Offering Plan, Race 10
Longshot: Speightful Kitten, Race 6

R1

Mister Muy Bien (MTO)
Rice entry
Pipes

RICE ENTRY: Either #1 BEACHSIDE or #1A SOUNDS GOOD could win, but I slightly prefer the latter. Both are bred for turf success, but Sounds Good is probably bred to be more of a sprinter, while his stablemate may want a bit more ground; #3 PIPES: Debuted running third in an off-the-turf event last month and is bred to like the lawn. He may have gotten something out of the debut, and Rosario rides back for Contessa (whose barn has heated up a bit of late); #7 ANALYZETHISANDTHAT: Goes back to the turf and faces state-breds for the first time after two OK runs against open company at Monmouth Park. It’s worth noting that Garcia comes up from the shore for the mount. DIRT SELECTIONS: MISTER MUY BIEN, PIPES, ANALYZETHISANDTHAT.

R2

H Man
Candy Zip
Freud’s Affair

#4 H MAN: Broke a long winless drought with a victory last time out and was claimed by Rudy Rodriguez. There’s a ton of early speed signed on, which could set things up for his late kick; #5 CANDY ZIP: Improved last time out off a dud two back and could take another step forward here. He cuts back in distance and doesn’t necessarily need the lead to run well; #3 FREUD’S AFFAIR: Didn’t fire here earlier in the meet but may have been compromised by the sloppy track. His fast track form is fine, and if he channels that, he could hit the board at a price.

R3

Evaluator
Sea Foam
Speke

#1 EVALUATOR: Ran a big race here last month when he closed to be second on a track that was tilted towards speed. The rail draw isn’t ideal, but there’s a lot of speed signed on, which should set things up for his late kick; #7 SEA FOAM: Beat a number of these runners last time out at Finger Lakes in a race that doubled as his two-turn debut. A repeat effort gives him a shot, but it’s unlikely that he gets an easy lead here; #4 SPEKE: Didn’t break well at all last time out and adds blinkers today. The race shape doesn’t favor his front-running style, but he’s certainly eligible to improve off of his most recent effort.

R4

Shak’s Hidden Gem
Shady Shady Shady
Mensa Member

#3 SHAK’S HIDDEN GEM: Was fourth at 32-1 in her debut going shorter earlier in the meet. She’s by Shackleford and out of a Tiznow mare, so she’s bred to go long; #10 SHADY SHADY SHADY: Was second in her unveiling last month and is another that may want more distance. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s due to the far outside post; #7 MENSA MEMBER: Fetched $200,000 last summer and debuts for powerhouse connections. She could be a runner, but the lack of a turf work is pretty puzzling.

R5

Bankit
La Fuerza
Bustin to Be Loved

#5 BANKIT: Was impressive in victory earlier in the meet, when he toyed with state-bred maidens following a second-place finish in open company. A repeat performance would likely make him the one to beat; #7 LA FUERZA: Is 2 for 2, and both of his wins have come by daylight. He hasn’t faced the strongest fields, but the last two works look sharp and it wouldn’t be shocking if he was still improving: #4 BUSTIN TO BE LOVED: Wired a field of maidens at 19-1 earlier in the meet. He’ll likely go early once again, and Irad Ortiz, Jr., sees fit to ride him back.

R6

Stoney Bennett (MTO)
Banana Thief
Speightful Kitten

#9 BANANA THIEF: Picked up the pieces last time out when winning a photo finish in a turf sprint that fell apart late. This race should have a similar shape to it, and a repeat effort could get him another win; #4 SPEIGHTFUL KITTEN: Broke dead last in his first start since November, and that meant he lost all chance given his preferred running style. He’s run well at this route in the past, and the 15-1 morning line odds hit me as an overlay; #6 FRISKY MAGICIAN: Was beaten by my top pick last time out, but is another that could be passing plenty of tired ones late. His best race could win, but he’s had plenty of chances lately and has just one win in his last 12 starts. DIRT SELECTIONS: STONEY BENNETT, THE CARETAKER, ETHAN HUNT.

R7

Collegeville Girl
Time Warp
Party Like Grandma

#4 COLLEGEVILLE GIRL: Graduated at first asking in a live race that has already produced a few next-out winners. She’s worked well since that effort, and she certainly seems like the one with the most early zip; #6 TIME WARP: Exited that very race to win going away in a seven-furlong event. That was a solid victory, and even though she might want more distance, she figures to be a major player; #1 PARTY LIKE GRANDMA: Boasts both one of the best names on the grounds and a runaway first-out win at Finger Lakes. Andre Worrie comes in to ride, and she should show speed from the rail.

R8

Fifty Five
La Moneda
Lady Joan

#7 FIFTY FIVE: Has significant back class and figures to be running well late in a race with lots of early speed. The tandem of Chad Brown and Javier Castellano is always tough to ignore, and she’ll likely be a short price; #2 LA MONEDA: Has won three races in a row and certainly seems to be in career form. She’s got enough tactical speed to sit a stalking trip, although Castellano hopping off isn’t ideal; #8 LADY JOAN: Went wire-to-wire going much longer earlier in the meet. She’s won at distances ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 3/8 miles, and she’s shown an affinity for this turf course.

R9

Split Time
Take Charge Aubrey
English Soul

#3 SPLIT TIME: Overcame a troubled trip to best a number of these foes last time out at Finger Lakes. She’s won five of her last six starts and has shown that she can go two turns; #2 TAKE CHARGE AUBREY: Bounced back from a loss to my top pick with a romp last time out going seven furlongs. Jose Ortiz rides back for Bruce Levine, who’s enjoyed a strong meet to this point; #11 ENGLISH SOUL: Seems like the main speed and will be reunited with Manuel Franco, who has piloted her to two of her three wins. She’ll almost certainly need to go from the outside post, but she may have enough zip to clear most of the field going into the first turn.

R10

Offering Plan
J J’s Dreaming (MTO)
Rapt

#6 OFFERING PLAN: Looms large on class, ability, and running style. He’s beaten many of these rivals in the past, and seems like the lone closer in a race full of early speed; #11 RAPT: Is another that will drop back and make one big run. He hasn’t won in more than a year, but the faster they go early, the more he figures to like it; #10 KHARAFA: Makes his 50th career start here and is easy to root for given his longevity. He may be past his peak, but his late-running style could prove helpful in this event.

R11

Causforcelebration
Brockmoninoff
Cross Multiply

#9 CAUSFORCELEBRATION: Was second in a similar spot earlier in the meet, and he was wide most of the way that day. This isn’t a great post, but he’s a bit closer to the rail, and his primary competition draws an even worse spot; #12 BROCKMONINOFF: Was beaten less than a length by my top pick last time out, but got no help with the post position. His best chance may be to clear the field from the get-go, and that’s not easy to do from the far outside; #5 CROSS MULTIPLY: Comes back to the turf after running second on the main track earlier this month. He gets a decent post position, which isn’t a luxury he’s had in many of his prior outings.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $436.20

Saturday’s card has been drawn, and there’s a lot to take in. First, the good stuff: The Travers has every top-tier 3-year-old not named Justify (except for Hofburg). The Sword Dancer drew a 10-horse field with cases to be made for most of the runners, and multiple Grade 1 winner City of Light will ship east from California for the Forego. On the whole, it’s an excellent card, one that NYRA should be proud of.

There’s one disappointing race, though, and that’s the Grade 1 Personal Ensign. Yes, it has Abel Tasman and Elate. However, they’ll face just four challengers in a race that reflects the staggering lack of depth at the top of the older mare division. With how much Grade 1-placed mares are worth at auction, it’s a bummer that the Personal Ensign (which was shortened to a mile and an eighth just a few years ago to make it more attractive to runners not bred to go a mile and a quarter) couldn’t attract a bigger group.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Cause I’m Alex got the trip I wanted and ran okay at a bit of a price, but had to settle for third. That foiled $20 worth of win-place tickets.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: Assuming races carded for the turf stay there, I really like the late Pick Four sequence. The last two races seem wide-open, which could lead to a nice score. My 50-cent ticket starts in the seventh and is as follows: 1,6 with 4,8 with 4,5,6,9 with 2,4,5,7,8.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40

ANALYSIS/SELECTIONS

Best Bet: Our Honor, Race 6
Longshot: Early Retirement, Race 5

R1

Iranistan
Clarcam
Show Court

#3 IRANISTAN: Ran a winning race in defeat last time out when second in the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick. The winner had the benefit of a perfect trip, while this one didn’t make the lead for the first time in his steeplechase career. It shouldn’t take much to turn the tables; #9 CLARCAM: Exits a romping win in a rich stakes race overseas just a few weeks ago. It’s a quick turnaround, but he’s shown an ability to handle it in the past, and the addition of Lasix could move him up; #4 SHOW COURT: Pulled off a 14-1 upset in the Smithwick, but got the benefit of a hole opening for him turning for home while my top pick raced three-wide. He could be in career-best form, but his past races at this distance aren’t anything to write home about.

R2

Miss Mimosa
Tigalalu
War Value

#1 MISS MIMOSA: Stretches back out in distance after pressing a fast pace going shorter. Her race two back was quite sharp, and this trip should be much more to her liking (especially given the short field); #2 TIGALALU: May have bounced last time out when third in the slop last month. Her debut win at Belmont was sharp, and a return to that form could make her a major player; #3 WAR VALUE: Won for fun in her first dirt start, but sat a dream trip on a speed-favoring surface that day. There’s plenty of zip to her inside, so the likelihood of her sitting a similar trip here is low.

R3

Cadillac Frankie
The Sicarii
Not That Brady

#3 CADILLAC FRANKIE: Debuts for Rudy Rodriguez following a steady diet of local workouts. Some of those drills were quick, which is notable given the barn’s tendency to work horses slowly; #2 THE SICARII: Adds blinkers after having trouble at the gate in each of his first two outings. His debut effort was fine, and a clean start could result in a career-best race; #6 NOT THAT BRADY: Debuts for George Weaver and may get some play due to the backstory of his dam, Lisa’s Booby Trap (look it up, it’s a good one). The dirt workouts are solid, but the barn’s been in a bit of a rut lately and we’re not likely to get much of a price.

R4

Salty Smile (MTO)
Rosebud’s Hope
Sheputaspellonme

#2 ROSEBUD’S HOPE: Has yet to run a bad race on turf and exits a win at Monmouth Park. This is a jump up in class, but it sure seems like a weak race for the level; #1 SHEPUTASPELLONME: Responded to the stretchout last time out with a third-place finish against similar-level opposition. Manuel Franco rides back, and she could show some speed from the rail; #3 THEODOSIA: Drops back to the appropriate level following a trip against optional claimers last month. A repeat of the race two back makes her a contender, but she hasn’t won in more than 10 months and won’t be any sort of a price. DIRT SELECTIONS: SALTY SMILE, OVERBOOK, SOLITARY GEM.

R5

Woodbury (MTO)
Graded On a Curve
Early Retirement

#1 GRADED ON A CURVE: Is bred up and down for turf and shouldn’t have much of a problem with two turns in his debut. His dam is a half to multiple graded stakes winner J’Ray, who did her best running at this sort of route; #9 EARLY RETIREMENT: Showed speed going longer in a race run at the wrong distance earlier in the meet and could improve on the cutback. Shenanigans aside, he may have gotten a lot out of that race, and Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride; #8 SCOTTY BROWN: Has a pedigree that looks modest on paper but gets better if you do some digging. He and his dam are both kin to five winners, and John Terranova can pop at a price with first-time starters. DIRT SELECTIONS: WOODBURY, PIPES, SCOTTY BROWN.

R6

Our Honor
Won’t Burn
Expert

#8 OUR HONOR: Drops in for a tag for the first time after a near-miss at Parx and looms large for powerhouse connections. It’s not ideal to see a $435,000 purchase run for $30,000, but anything close to her two prior efforts would make him tough; #6 WON’T BURN: Came off the bench running last time out at Finger Lakes when beaten just a half-length. Finger Lakes shippers can win here, and this barn has enjoyed its share of success this summer; #5 EXPERT: Tries dirt first off the claim by Patrick Reynolds and has worked well enough over it to suggest he’ll be a factor.

R7

Maho Bay (MTO)
Dubb entry
Dream Passage

DUBB ENTRY: #1A HOPONTHEBUSGUS can win, but I prefer #1 SAMARA, who was claimed last time out by Jason Servis and comes back to the grass. Her efforts three and four back are probably the best races run by any entrant in this field; #6 DREAM PASSAGE: Was third in an off-the-turf race last week and is wheeled back quickly by Brad Cox. Her win two back over maiden claimers was good, and she should be moving the right direction late; #7 AWESOME QUICK: Was headed at the wire last time out at Belmont and has a habit of settling for minor awards but ran reasonably well at this route last summer. Carmouche rides back, and she should show speed once again. DIRT SELECTIONS: MAHO BAY, LEAH’S DREAM, DUBB ENTRY.

R8

Bronze Age
Shanghai Schwartz
Go Big Or Go Home

#4 BRONZE AGE: Was disqualified out of a win last time out and runs here for a barn that’s gotten hot of late. His versatility is a plus, and he’s reunited with the pilot from a sharp three-back effort; #8 SHANGHAI SCHWARTZ: Graduated in a photo finish last time out and makes his first start against winners. Castellano rides back for Brown, and he should show speed from his outside post; #6 GO BIG OR GO HOME: Was second to a runaway winner last time out at this level and route. He dueled between horses that day, which isn’t easy to do, and he’ll likely be prominent out of the gate once again.

R9

Cash Out (MTO)
Goodthingstaketime
Tapit Today

#9 GOODTHINGSTAKETIME: Has spent most of this year running against graded stakes-caliber foes and could appreciate the slight class drop. She was third in the Grade 3 Lake George last time out, and trainer Jorge Abreu has done well this summer; #4 TAPIT TODAY: Has won two in a row at Monmouth and gets a class test here. This is certainly a step up, but this barn must be respected and there’s a chance she simply took two starts to figure things out; #6 FERDINANDA: Will likely drop back and make one big late run, which means she’s the likely beneficiary of a speed duel going into the first turn. Luis Saez rides back off a second-place finish last month. DIRT SELECTIONS: CASH OUT, GOING OUT, TAPIT TODAY.

R10

Siena Magic
Identity Politics
Measure Twice

#7 SIENA MAGIC: Gets a tepid nod in a contentious finale. He’s by all-world sire Candy Ride, out of a mare that doubles as a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Boston Harbor, and has a work tab that suggests he could be a real runner; #5 IDENTITY POLITICS: Was second in his debut downstate, where he pressed a slow pace and hung late. He could relish the cutback in distance, and improvement is always likely at second asking; #4 MEASURE TWICE: Debuts for first-out maestro Wesley Ward and sports several flashy drills, including an August 16th bullet. He fetched $525,000 at auction two years ago and is bred to be any sort of turf horse.