We have a late post at the Spa this afternoon, post time for the opening race at 2:30 ET.
I have been nervously watching Hurricane Earl, and it appears as if it will stay far enough off the coast that it will not affect racing at Saratoga on Friday, although we will see some winds on Saturday afternoon.
Let’s hope it stays far enough off the coast it won’t slam into Cape Cod and everyone is safe.
I rode out Hurricane Ivan and Katrina in Florida, and let me tell you, it isn’t much fun.
The feature on Friday’s card at the Spa is the $100,000 With Anticipation (G3), a 1 1/6 mile turf event for two-year-olds.
The race drew a field of ten, and is one of the trickiest races on the ten race card.
Only four of the ten runners have won on turf, and five of the two-year-olds will be making their first start on turf.
The race is going to make hitting the Late Pick 4 tough, and I am likely to go four deep on my ticket, using Lou Brissie, Silver Mountain, Powhatan County, and Sensational Slam.
I made Lou Brissie my top pick even though the colt has not been on turf or gone around two turns.
My second choice Silver Medallion was all out to break his maiden in his debut by a nose, but it does not hurt to have trainer Chad Brown in our corner. The barn has hit at a 34% clip at the meet.
We have a good betting card on tap for Saturday, which features the $250,000 Forego (G1) and $750,000 Woodward (G1).
The Forego drew a competitive field of eleven including Vineyard Haven, Bribon, and Big Drama.
The Woodward drew a field of seven with Quality Road likely to go off as the heavy favorite against a field that includes 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who has lost seven races in a row since taking the Run for the Roses.
More on the Woodward tomorrow after I get a chance to see if I can find someone to beat the heavy chalk.
To purchase my full card report for Saratoga that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is the opening race from Saratoga to get our day off to a good start:
SAR Race 1 Clm $10,000N2L (2:30 ET)
#1 Money Sweet / #1a Scale 6/5
#9 Scibelli 6/1
#7 Zone Breaker 7/2
#5 Idol Image 4/1
Analysis: The Rice entry looks tough, but the price is going to be puny. #1 Money's Sweet was a game second last out in her first go against winners after a troubled trip in her first go off a three month break. The filly was bumped from both sides coming out of the gate, had to steady, and finished up well. A clean trip makes her the one to beat. Her entrymate #1a Scale failed to fire in two tries on turf versus tougher, but really is not bred for grass. She earned a solid number three back breaking her maiden on the main track for a $50K tag.
#9 Scibelli ships in from Suffolk and exits a couple of highly graded races. Two came out of her last start to win next out and two back three came out of the race to win next out. In fact, the gelding has run into repeat winners in four straight starts. It is hard to get past those 12 runner up finishes and it could be more of the same here.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 7/5 or better.
EX: 1,9 / 1,5,7,9
TRI: 1,9 / 1,5,7,9 / 1,5,6,7,9
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:
SAR Race 8 The With Anticipation G3 (6:22 ET)
#5 Lou Brissie 6/1
#7 Silver Medallion 8/1
#2 Powhatan County 3/1
#10 Sensational Slam 4/1
Analysis: #5 Lou Brissie goes two turns and tries turf for the first time here for the Howard barn. The colt was in the mix in a couple of graded stakes sprinting on the main track including a second to Kantharos two back, who came back to win the Saratoga Special (G2) in his next start before an injury sent him to the sidelines. The colt has a couple of sibs that are stakes winners on dirt but no turf winners. Ramon takes the call and I'll lean toward thinking this guy may handle the switch to the turf.
#7 Silver Medallion was a game winner in his debut for the Brown barn that has been live with his younger runners at the meeting. The runner up in the race was Forum, who came back to graduate in his next outing on Aug. 28. The colt has a couple of sibs that have also won on grass including $1 million earner Sweet Talker.
Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 4/1 or better.
EX: 5,7 / 2,5,7,10
TRI: 5,7 / 2,5,7,10 / 1,2,5,7,10
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Saratoga
R4: #7 Tom Kitten 8/1
R4: #10 Shekomeko Son 8/1
R5: #7 Palooza 12/1
R6: #4 Winter Memories 8/1
R6: #7 Classy Touch 8/1
R8: #7 Silver Medallion 8/1
R9: #6 Alcomatch 8/1
Good luck today!
