Selections

Saratoga July 28

Race 1

  • 4  Zubi Zubi Zu  2-1

  • 7  Bargaining Table  3-1

  • 5  Moon Medal  3-1

  • 1  Comet Sixty Two  4-1

Zubi Zubi Zu comes off a win at CD at the OC$60K level. Has a liking for the distance and tops the field with her last race figure. Bargaining Table has a second on the SAR turf and is coming off two good second place finishes. Seems to be able to spring them together. Moon Medal ships in from the Midwest for Mike Maker. This race lacks obvious speed, and since she’s been sprinting she may be part of the early pace which gives her much better outs today. Comet Sixty Two has a close up third at SAR and is coming off a win for $25K at BEL.

Race 2

  • 3  Not So Quiet Man  7/2

  • 6  House of Friends  4-1

  • 4  Irish Hope  4-1

  • 7  Colonel Andy  5-1

Not So Quiet Man comes off a good 5 1/2F race at MTH  at the MSW level. He looked good last time he was in with $40K state-breds but is one of a number of horses with a figure that can win. Tepid choice. House of Friends made a nice improvement when dropped to this level and the turf last time. Will probably go favorite and with some improvement could be a winner. Irish Hope was another that improved when dropped into this level. Seems to have taken to the turf sprint. Colonel Andy has a similar look to the horses mentioned above – improvement when dropped in price and moved to the turf. Frankly, this race could not have a surprise winner.

Race 3

  • 8  Benevolence  2-1

  • 9  Samadi Sky  5/2

  • 3  Only You  4-1

Benvolence ran well enough to win last out and has a field topping figure. Deserving favorite. Samadi Sky also ran well in his second start and has a figure just a little behind the top choice. Still, improvement is always a possibility with young horses. Only You nearly won at the mile distance on the dirt last out, but showed enough on the turf in his first start to get consideration.

Race 4

  • 4  Flash Trading  5/2

  • 6  Scout Leader  5/2

  • 3  Shadow Rider  7/2

Flash Trading ships in for the always worth considering Albert Stall. His last work was sharp and Stall is 37% with his new charges. Scout Leader is the likely favorite. In his last five races he hasn’t been worse than second, but he is unlikely to be value. Shadow Rider won impressively at a lower price last out and was grabbed by Contessa. Prior to that he was competitive at this level and should be at his best today.

Race 5

  • 6  Song for the Soul  7/2

  • 9  Hampton’s Holiday  4-1

  • 2  Giant Rocks  9/2

Song for the Soul showed a lot of speed last out, but may be up against it going against the boys today. Still, the angle should produce decent odds. Hampton’s Holiday goes for RuRod who has done well with his first timers. Giant Rocks goes third time for Mike Maker. This is probably a make or break start.

Race 6

  • 5  Verger  7/2

  • 3  St. Louie  4-1

  • 1/1A  Liberal Spin/Completely Bonkers  5-1

This race is wide open with no horse really sticking out. Verger didn’t get the easiest trip last out and still managed to turn in a decent race. St. Louie won last out and was snagged by Mike Maker. He’s jumping up in price but has the figures to compete. The Gary Contessa entry looks competitive in here with Liberal Spin having the best last race figure.

Race 7

  • 5  Proven Commodity  2-1

  • 3  Nubin Ridge  4-1

  • 8  Cerro  9/2

  • 1A  Fabulous Kid  5-1

Proven Commodity is one of the speed horses in a race full of speed horses. He looked good in his first out of 2016 and seems to have a lot of space for improvement. Nubin Ridge comes out of a a G3 sprint and takes a drop in price today. Not a high win percentage, but he’s with the right group today. Cerro has the highest recent figure and was claimed last out by high percentage trainer Jorge Navarro. Seems to have conquered some physical issues and has been looking  better in 2016. Fabulous Kid has had a good prep schedule for this and should be at the top of his game.

Race 8

  • 6  Swear by It  7/2

  • 4  Havana Moon  4-1

  • 1  Guilty Twelve  5-1

  • 8  Give Us A Reason  5-1

Swear By It puts the blinkers on and gets a jockey change to Carmouche. His two 2016 starts have been good, and he’s at a level that may get him to the winner’s circle. Havana Moon didn’t make an impact in the G2 New York but he seems to have adapted well to North America and I believe he’ll show well today. Guilty Twelve came from Europe to break his maiden at PID, ran well in his first race with winners and looks to take a big step forward today. Give Us A Reason has looked good since moving from the hurdles to the flat and looks competitive in this race.

Race 9

  • 3  Ostrolenka  7/2

  • 8  Drama King  4-1

  • 5  Weekend Hideaway  5-1

Ostrolenka finally broke through at the OC$20K at MTH last out and looks to string two in a row. Javier Castellano gets aboard and two in a row is within reach. Drama King has regularly been with state bred stakes horses this year and should be coming well in the stretch. Weekend Hideaway is riding a two race winning streak and other than the G3 Mr. Prospector has been consistently competitive.

Race 10

  • 1/1A  Papa’s Missile  3-1

  • 10  Reckless Humor  7/2

  • 9  Spun Copper  4-1

  • 6  Ragazza Piu’ Bella  5-1

The tenth is your typical low level, NW2L claimer, meaning about anything can happen. The Gary Sciacca entry looks toughest here, but Reckless Humor and Spun Copper both have positives to recommend.