SARATOGA

PRE-SCRATCHES

1st: ALW/N2L, 4+, 16.5f-National Fences (P3, DD)

Nice group of in form players including pair of flat/hop options in North Star Boy and Share Out. Young-ish and lightly raced 5yo All for Us has made transition to chasing winning first try over hurdles and then competing well here and at MTH. Can’t be left with too much to do..

Most Likely: #2 All for Us 4-1
Next Best: #7 North Star Boy 3-1
Best Value: #6 Share Out 15-1
Exotics Use: #8 Help From Heaven 7-2

2nd: MCLM/$20k, F&M-3+, 6.5f (P5, P3, DD)

Clunky assembly of droppers, turf/dirt movers and miscellaneous sluggish fillies. Not sure how you cross out any of them. Need at least 1-4-5-8-9 to start P5 which is a grueling sequence..

Best Value: #4 Chorus Line 5-1
Next Best: #8 Learning Curve 7-2
Exotics Use: #5 Double Dose 3-1
Super Add: #9 Phantom Phasr 9-2

3rd: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Another curiosity. Can Papa’s Missle wire after faltering late at 6.5f?

Most Likely: #6 Bee Noteworthy 3-1
Next Best: #1 (POE) Papa’s Missle 4-1
Best Value: #2 Staff Sgt Reckless 9-2
Exotics Use: #5 Ragazza Piu’ Bella 5-1

4th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P3, DD)

May need to take a stand here with pair of deep MSW’s to follow and Ron Winchell is giving away win shy colt Tapit Wicked here. Needs to be timed perfectly to be fooled into winning, but if it’s not him, there’s 5-6 eligible..

Most Likely: #3 Tapit Wicked 2-1
Best Value: #4 Bow Tie Affair 20-1
Next Best: #11 Big Air 6-1
Exotics Use: #1 Undercutter 8-1

5th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P3, DD)

Some nice NY bred pedigrees including Gemologist daughter Ingrid (half to Sean Avery for same connections) and Out of Trouble (Into Mischief), a half to win early Bird of Trey (Birdstone). Respect precocious speed of Bustin Stones babies too and Roddy Valente and Bruce Levine offer 6-1 Dr. Stone..Interesting group..

Most Likely: #3 Great Neck 4-1
Next Best: #2 Ingrid 9-2
Best Value: #8 Dr. Stone 6-1
Exotics Use: #7 Out of Trouble 4-1

6th: MSW, 2yo, 5.5f-T G/S, P3, DD)

P5/P4 end with 6 firsters and three 2nd time starters and narrow plays will lean on Chad Brown’s Forge moving to turf out of seemingly live 7/23 maiden affair..

Most Likely: #6 Forge 8-5
Best Value: #1 Mongo Nation 12-1
Next Best: #2 Let’s Get Loud 7-2
Exotics Use: #4 Hembree 8-1

P5 Grid:

2: 4-8 (A), 1-5-9 (B), – (C)
3: 1-6 (A), 2-3-5 (B), 4-7 (C)
4: 3 (A), – (B), 4-11 (C)
5: 3 (A), 2 (B), 5-7-8 (C)
6: 6 (A), – (B), 1-2-4 (C)

P4 Grid:

3: 1-6 (A), 2-3-5 (B), 4-7 (C)
4: 3 (A), 4-11 (B), 1-5-8 (C)
5: 3 (A), 2-8 (B), 5-7 (C)
6: 6 (A), 1 (B), 2-4 (C)

7th: CLM, F&M-3+, 1m-IT (P4, P3, DD)

With Magsamelia the only pace-setting speed, will take shot with Bissectrisa (8-1) who can overcome wide draw and gain adequate position under savvy Saez. Joe Sharp has very encouraging numbers raising claimers up in class adding to appeal in fun betting affair..

Best Value: #10 Bissectrisa 8-1
Next Best: #2 Emerald Pond 2-1
Exotics Use: #5 Greywalls 5-1
Super Add: #4 Littlemissperfect 6-1

8th: NY-OC/N2X, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD)

Intriguing group made more complex by Saratoga Heater wheeling back in 72 hours seeking 3rd win at the meet. DJ trainee prefers it wet. Not a great deal of pace here — Pop the Hood will be setting it..

Most Likely: #4 More Zen Tea 9-2
Best Value: #7 Candid Desire 20-1
Next Best: #5 Proper Freud 12-1
Exotics Use: #1 John’s Island 3-1

9th: 13th John’s Call-R, 3+, 13f-T (DD)

Excellent gathering for this three-turner and Chuck Lawrence may be clever in here with My Afleet who owns ’15 win over this turf and may end up inheriting control under Lezcano. Just one of many options though..

Best Value: #7 My Afleet 8-1
Next Best: #3 Mr Maybe 8-5
Exotics Use: #4 Set to Music 12-1
Super Add: #5 Procurement 15-1

10th: CLM/N2L, F&M-3+, 1m-IT

Top pair own significant edge. Frosty Lady next logical and offers value..

Most Likely: #4 Stella Street 8-5
Next Best: #10 Marnesia Big Girl 3-1
Best Value: #6 Frosty Lady 10-1
Exotics Use: #2 Silver Vixen 8-1

P4 Grid:

7: 2-10 (A), 4-5 (B), 1-8 (C)
8: 4-5-7 (A), – (B), 1-3-6 (C)
9: 3-7 (A), 4-5 (B), 1-2-8-10 (C)
10: 4-10 (A), 6 (B), 2-11 (C)

Good luck!
Steve