Yesterday didn’t start out so good, but in the 5th race one of my prime contenders, Zero Zee, was 19-1 on the board which merited a win bet. The $40 mutuel kicked off a good stretch. In the late P4, I wound up moving #5 Adulator to the primary contender category when he took some action and I noticed that Johnny V opted to ride this horse rather than one of the two Pletcher horses that were in the race. With the favorites running out and that horse paying a decent $10, it was a good start to the P4. In the 8th the heavy favorite Morandi ran out but my other prime contender, #4 Bigger Picture came in at $8.70. With that favorite out the P4 was primed for a nice payoff. In the 9th the top two picks Stallwalking Dude and Chief Lion triggered a $104 exacta, a $538 P3  and a lot of promise for the P4 pay. When 7/2 shot Know Your Customer won the last, the final P3 paid $466 and the P4 paid $2,590. If you followed me, you could have had a big day at the Spa. Even betting minimums you would have caught $1,150 worth of P3/P4 bets. I actually want to give a shout out to those who thanked me for giving them the opportunity to grab a quick grand in the last four races yesterday. Makes the extra work feel better.

Today may or may not turn out well from a weather standpoint. The forecast promised heavy rain during the day, but we’ll see what we can come up with.

In Race 1 even though Frosti Agosti is only 5/2 on the ML, the trainer change from Ray Handel to Chris Englehart is a huge positive, and the jockey change to Manny Franco from Emmanuel Esquivel is also in his favor. Call Me Stoney and Baby Bear’s Soup will probably garner most of the action, and they certainly look competitive, but I like the angle on the #2.

Race 2 is a mile and a 16th on the turf, with an overflow field. Ticonderoga goes first time for Chad Brown and that is almost a must use. Kiss the Toad tries the turf for the first time after sprinting on the main at BEL, and trainer Thomas Morley has brought his horses to SAR in condition. Formula One was a $1.7million purchase  by Lanes End Racing and trainer Shug McGaughey, although for some reason he’s only listed at 6-1 on the program. I like the workout pattern, and if this horse lives up to the potential they saw, you have to put him in. Harlan’s Hunch has a sprint on the turf where he just missed. Harlan’s Holiday horses have been running well as two year olds on the turf and given the experience and a good race I would think he has to be part of the horizontals.

Race 3 is another two year old maiden race, and I’m inclined to stay with the obvious horses. Everybodylovesrudy goes for RuRod, who has been good with young horses. He looked a little disinterested early, but in the stretch rushed furiously to almost nip the winner. Leviathan is the Pletcher/Velasquez runner and he is always dangerous in baby sprints at the Spa. If he takes a lot of action you can be sure he’s in to run.  Pretty Boy Flash has two starts for Steve Asmussen and looks to stretch out a bit. The other horse coming out of the One Liner race is Lookin At Blessing. He didn’t show much speed last time but really looks like he’ll prefer the longer distance. He’ll certainly be the long odds in the group.

In Race 4 there are a lot of prospects, although none of them really stick out. McIlroy has been close in his last two, but at 4-1 hardly creates excitement. Sportscaster is making a big drop in price and is coming off a good run at GP in March. Last race was the first of 2016 and came off a four month layoff, so perhaps he’ll be ready to roll today. Midnight Notes is always competitive, but has a miserable win record the last two years. Off his June 30 race he is a contender here. Sinatra is another that looks good in here, or at least as good as anything else. Finally, Dendrite has a win at SAR last year. The 3 for 30 lifetime win record is nothing special, but you’ll get huge odds.

Race 5 is another 2YO crapshoot, with the usual Pletcher/Velasquez runner.

Race 6 brings together a lot of horses with similar talent. Captain Gaughen, Coalport, Adirondack Dancer, Final Chapter and Changewilldoyagood all merit consideration. I’m especially looking at With Exultation. He ran a big race at SAR three weeks ago, and he’s been with graded horses before that. I think he’s in a good spot to win here.

No real insight in Race 7. Fifth and Madison looks strong for Pletcher/Velasquez. I think the primary threat comes from Steve Asmussen’s Inheritance, a $1.9million purchase that looked like a monster breaking her maiden at BEL. I like the way Asmussen’s brought her up to the race. Malibu Stacy can be given a lot of credit for her run in the Victory Ride right after breaking her maiden. I like the SAR works in prep for this.

My late P4 numbers:

Race 8.  8 primary , 4, 5, 9, 10 secondary

Race 9.  5,6 primary, 2, 3 secondary

Race 10.  The Fourstardave. I have to tell this story because it involves one of the runners in this race, Blacktype. A couple of weeks ago I was at the Haskell with my friend trainer Doug O’Neill to watch Nyquist run. There was a pretty good sized group gathered in one of the boxes to root the horse on, and when the Oceanport came up I mentioned to Tom Knust, Mario Guttierez’s agent how I could never seem to get on the right side of Blacktype, a horse I actually like. If I’m on him to win, he’s out of the money, and if I pass on him he’s a winner. So I was determined to get on the right side of him today. The horse in my way of betting Blacktype was Kharafa, a really good NY bred who was 9-1 on the board, vs. Blacktype’s 5/2. So I wound up betting Kharafa heavy to win, but used Blacktype and Kharafa in a pretty good size exacta box since I didn’t have other contenders. In the stretch Kharafa has the lead with Blacktype bearing down. Kharafa looks like he’s got the strength to hold him off, and for no good reason I thought I was in a good spot and said, hang on two. I might as well as said, slow down two, because at that exact moment  Blacktype inched by. Now the exacta was $47, so it wasn’t a loss by any stretch, but once again, I found myself on the wrong end of Blacktype – sort of. In any case, the numbers in the Fourstardave are 4, 5, 6 primary, 3,7, 9, 10 secondary.

Race 11  6 primary, 1, 2, 4, 9 secondary.  

I got lucky yesterday when even though 2/5 shot Call Provision won the 8th race, I managed to hook him up with some better priced horses in the P3 and P4 . Sky Chaparral paid $11.40 in the 7th, Free N Clear pulled a mild upset in the 9th at $19.60, and Light the Night came back at $15.80 in the 10th. I’m not sure it was a brilliant bet, but given how tough it was finding value, and two days of looking to make some sort of a move, plus deciding Call Provision was all but a lock, using some of the better priced contenders in the P3 and P4 at least satisfied the itch. The P3’s around the 5 paid $52.50, $144.50 and a healthy $346.50, while the P4 paid $1,654.

Today has a similar feel to it, with a number of races having similar looking contenders, and not many races having a stickout value horse. Here are some thoughts on the day.

Race 1 starts off with four of the horses looking like legitimate contenders. Undertherain has been knocking around at this level for a while. Her last race was probably the most impressive in a while, but I’m not impressed about her going favorite in this spot. Stormin Saratoga might wind up being the value horse in here. Javier Castellano is back in the saddle looking to duplicate his win from two months ago, and she puts the blinkers on for this trip. She might be my value horse today. Sweet Ella just broke her maiden for Pletcher, and if there is a strategic angle it is that Johnny V took the mount on this one when he may have had his choice between her and the horses above. The other horse that interests me is Eqho. Linda Rice just claimed the horse and wheels him back at the same price. Perhaps we have some  wishful thinking on her part, but I have a suspicion with a clean trip she’s a main contender.

Race 2 looks like Nuffsaid Nuffsaid will be the horse that gets the majority of the betting money. However, there are a lot of prospects for beating the horse, including Silver Slience, Valkimqua, Two Step Flor and Chickaletta. From my perspective it might be worth going deep.

Race 3 is another competitive affair. I’m looking at Lyrical Moment will get plenty of support because he is Pletcher/Velasquez. Same concept for My Fair Lily who goes for Brown and Castellano. The interesting horse may be Joannie who has one start for Bill Mott. Mott does not often bring horses to the track ready to give their best effort first out, but this one didn’t look bad in a decent maiden field. A couple of good works since make her my likely choice. Fired Up Sensation looked good dropping down to MCL, and bounces back up today.  Finally, Athena’s Aegis fits well in this group and Tom Morley is having a pretty good meet early on. She gets first Lasix after a couple of nice starts.

Not much insight in Races 4 and 5. Sophia’s Song will get a lot of action in the fourth and does look good. In the 5th, Jumby Bay goes for Pletcher/Velasquez, Victory to Victory is the good looking Mark Casse entrant, and Zero Zee goes for the solid George Weaver. For a longshot I’m looking at Irish Fix. 

The last four races are a bounty of contenders, and as I get closer to post time I’ll look at cutting down the possibilities, but these are the contenders as I see them. My late Pick 4 currently looks like this.

Race 7  –  3, 7 primary, 1, 2, 5, 8 secondary

Race 8  –  4, 8 primary, 5 secondary

Race 9  –  2, 7, 10, 11 primary

Race 10  –  2, 3, 11 primary, 7, 10 secondary

Whirlwind day yesterday. I spent most of the day talking with old and new friends – Andy Serling from NYRA, Eric Hammelback from the national HBPA, and trainer Gary Contessa to name a few. By the time the eighth race came around I hadn’t made a bet and couldn’t leave without spending a little money. Today is just as busy – some time on the backside and a few other interviews. But, I’ll find more time to invest today for sure.

The track stayed soupy yesterday, but two of the four races on the turf stayed. Today, the track is listed as good early but it looked pretty normal during morning workouts. I don’t like many races today, but here’s a few thoughts.

Race 2 has a small field of cheap horses. Ultra Arumba is dropping to half his last race price, but he hasn’t shown much since breaking his maiden on a sloppy CD track. The track today may still have some moisture, but won’t be soupy at all. At 7/2 ML she doesn’t much excite me. Megan’s Rose has 15 starts with one win, but a few in the money finishes. Another that could be used in the verticals but isn’t really bettable at the ML odds. Egyptian Rose is the favorite on the ML off a MC$20K win in her eighth lifetime start. If she wins, I won’t be collecting. Just Be Steppin actually has some positives, prepping in a series of turf races, then a sloppy track and short sprint on the synthetic at PID. The figures look positive but,  one big negative – a trainer who is 1 for 23 lifetime. Perhaps the value will be Lady Chocolatta. She showed a lot of speed early in her career, has clearly been over her head in her last four races,  If she can recapture prior form she’s got a real chance.

Race 3 is a bit of a crap shoot. Ventry Bay looks best of the first timers, and Caribou Club looks best of the horses who have started. I’d throw Gemologist in the mix because he’s had a start over the track. The connections are pretty light, but that race over the track is usually a powerful angle.

I’ve got no real insight in Races 4, 5, and 6. In Race 7 I’m leaning toward Playthatfunnymusic based on the troubled trip he had first time out and the fact that Irad Ortiz replaces J A Davis in the saddle. He also moves from the turf to the dirt, and his breeding really says dirt. In a race where the likely favorites are pretty obvious, he’s one of the few that you can speculate positively on.

Race 9 could be very formful, but I’m looking at 20-1 ML horse Sneaky Fudge Face. This 3YO filly was a little rank last race, but has a couple of positives. A race over the track and an ability to get the distance count in her favor. The downside? She’s a maiden racing against winners. She won’t be a prime bet or anything, but I might find a way to use her.  Highway Star, Frosty Margarita, Free N Clear, Louisville First, and Ametrine all have positives and should share the action enough that if you settle on one, you should get decent odds.

In Race 10 the horses likely to get bet look best on paper, but these last race maiden events can go to anyone. You can make a case for Consumer Confidence, Light the Night, Rate for Me, Virga, and Seize. One horse I will look at closely is Silent Mission who showed some ability to hold her speed longer in a 5F sprint and is listed at 12-1 on the ML.

I’m at Saratoga for the week, so if you are around drop me a message on Twitter (@rich_halvey) and we can make a plan to say hello.

It’s been pouring here in SaratogaSprings this morning, and I expect we’ll see some scratches and off the turf. As of 10:00, the Steeplechase race (first) is cancelled and races 3 and 10 are already off a turf that is labeled GOOD.

Here are a few horses I’m looking at today.

Race 2.  2 You Lie is likely to go favorite off the big drop in price. She’s got a decent wet track rating and has a win on a wet track, although her last sloppy track race she told the lead and faded badly. I’m more interested in 3 Sweetrayofsunshine going for David Jacobson. He has quietly had a decent meet upstate winning at 26%. The horse is another one taking a tumble in price off her last two, but she’s shown she likes the slop and has dominated at the lower price. For a price I’m throwing in 6 Miss Amalita who also has speed and a liking for the off going. She’s the price on the ML.

Race 5. 10 Wild Zambezi is taking a drop in price and has a win on a sloppy MTH track. Todd Pletcher often uses Saez so no issue with the rider. Pletcher often drops horses he’s looking to move out of his barn and you’ll be lucky to get the 7-2 ML. 2 Skill Not Luck drops in for Chad Brown, and while he is deadly with turf fillies, he’s a lot more ordinary with dirt colts. He should take to the wet track though. Still, at the likely price I’m not thinking he’s more than a part of a vertical. 5 Humboldt N Frost dominated a field at $16K two back, and Jose Ortiz who rode him in that race gets a return engagement . He’s been working well since his last and should take well to the slop.

Race 6. 1 Tizza Temper is the horse I’m interested in here. Tiznow progeny are usually good on the off going and at 8-1 I’ll be giving this horse a long look. The works are adequate and Jeremiah Englehart is  better with first timers than he is given credit for.

Race 8. The two horses I’m interested in here are 6 Wake Up in Malibu and 8 Three Alarm Fire. Both horses have wins on wet tracks and fit the race conditions very well. In the case of the 8, it appears he has complete disdain for GP where he has four starts and one second place finish. Otherwise his lifetime record would be a little more impressive. One big plus – he has a win at the distance at SAR on a slightly off track. The 6 comes off a win in a state-bred stakes. He’s shown plenty of early foot and is four for four in the money in the wet track.

Race 1

• 5  Conquest Lucknlove  6/5

• 3  Tailoredforsuccess  9/5

• 1  French Dressing  5-1

Race 2

• 7  Finding Candy  3-1

• 1  You Know I know  3-1

• 6  Box Office  4-1

Race 3

• 3  Magsamelia  2-1

• 1/1A  Miss Amalita/Katie O.  5/2

• 4  Saluda  5-1

Race 4

• 5  Midnight Champagne  5/2

• 4  First Service  3-1

• 3  Lady Luciano  5-1

Race 5

• 10  Barrel of Dreams  5/2

• 2  Indygita  7/2

• 6  Wild Chatter  4-1

Race 6

• 4  Cherry Lodge  3-1

• 5  In It for the Gold  4-1

• 1  Tickety Boo  9/2

• 10  Go Glam  5-1

Race 7

• 5  Kerjillion  2-1

• 2  Coco is Loco  3-1

• 8  Cliffs of Dover  4-1

Race 8

• 10  Mighty Souper  5/2

• 9  Fourstar Crook  3-1

• 6  Kathy’s Humor  4-1

• 2  Dreaming as Always  5-1

Race 9

• 2  Far From Over  2-1

• 1  Royal Posse  2-1

• 4  Touchofstarquality  4-1

• 5  Baccelo  9/2

Race 10

• 2  Awesome Boss  3-1

• 3  Dream Dancing  7/2

• 6  Joust 4-1

• 7  So Fancy  5-1

Race 1

• 2  Panama Papers  4-1

• 7  Giant Brownie  9/2

• 1  Brooklyn Bobby  5-1

As usual these 2YO affairs are wide open. Panama Papers is one of the horses with a start and stretches out to 8.5F. Given he is by English Channel he should have no problem with the stretch out. Giant Brownie is the other contender with a start and he also looks like he should have no issue with the additional distance. Brooklyn Bobby is by champion turf horse Frankel out of a turf winning mare. He’s low on the ML because of the breeding, but no way to tell if he is really a runner. Lynch is fair with first timers but asking for a horse to make his first start at a route from the rail is a tall request.

Race 2

• 7  Hieroglyphics  7/2

• 6  Northern  4-1

• 4  Tyler U  5-1

• 8  Practical Joke  5-1

The second is another tough 2YO race. Hieroglyphics is the Pletcher/Velasquez entrant, and you ignore that combo at your own peril. Northern goes for top 2YO trainer Wesley Ward. Tyler U has a start where he had the lead into the stretch and that had to help his racing education. While I usually prefer Chad Brown in turf routes with young fillies, but he is dangerous with first timers.

Race 3

• 9  Fearthefalcon  3-1

• 3  Lucky Town  7/2

• 8  Grand Sky  4-1

• 1  Euros to Dollars  5-1

Fearthefalcon has been taken up the price ladder by Klesaris and ran a good second at this level last out. Lucky Town broke his maiden for $40K two back and jumped up to a $50K starter where he had the lead for six furlongs.  Figures say he is a contender. Grand Sky broke slowly in his 2016 debut but showed some interest by passing horses. Interesting at 5.5F. Euros to Dollars almost wired a field last time in his 2016 debut. Some improvement makes him dangerous.

Race 4

• 3  Summer Revolution  8/5

• 2  Rich ‘n’ Tuck  3-1

• 4  Sir Alfred  4-1

Summer Revolution comes off a big win in his maiden debut and if he replicates that effort he looks fastest in here. Rich ‘n’ Tuck is one of those horses looking to finally win a NW1X. He is a hard trying horse with a good in the money percentage and the numbers to finally break through. Sir Alfred has never run a bad race and could be looking for three in a row if he hadn’t had trouble in his last. Looks like he is at the top of his form.

Race 5

• 2  Butler Field  5/2

• 6  Spuytan Duyvil  3-1

• 1  Tricked Up  4-1

• 5  Sport  5-1

This is a tough maiden event so I’m looking for horses with some upside left. Butler Field didn’t break well first time out at a sprint and didn’t get into the race until he passed horses late. Chad Brown is high percentage with second time starters. Spuytan Duyvil ships in from AP for solid trainer Michael Stidham. He showed good speed and stayed well in the stretch despite taking a bump. Tricked Up clearly needed his first race, especially after ducking out at the eighth pole. Brown has been hot at the SAR meet. Sport has been going longer and makes his fourth start. Could be a stretch factor.

Race 6

• 2  Fact Finding  3-1

• 3  Casses Story  4-1

• 6  Fillet of Sole  5-1

Fact Finding is the Pletcher/Velasquez entrant and first time 2YO at 6F on the dirt are his bread and butter at the Spa. Casses Story improved when stretched out to 6F at CD and should be part of the early pace. Fillet of Sole could be the value horse here. His last race was better than looked. He broke in the middle of the group, slipped toward the back of the pack, started to make his move around the turn and was stymied when wide, was in close quarters at the top of the stretch, started to move well when he looked like he wanted to duck in mid stretch. Once Saez got him straightened out he showed a lot of willingness to close. At 12-1 he deserves a long look.

Race 7

• 7  Full Mast  3-1

• 1  Shining Copper  4-1

• 2  Conquest Typhoon  5-1

This is a tough edition of the Lure. Full Mast comes off a good fourth in the King Edward at WO. He was a group 1 winner in France and should be in good form today. Shining Copper has been in nothing but Grade 1’s since last August and should appreciate dropping into a restricted stake. He should be part of the early pace and may have things his own way. Conquest Typhoon ships in for Mark Casse. He has graded credentials and should go off long odds today. Worth a look in the verticals.

Race 8

• 6  Lewis Bay  3-1

• 7  Off the Tracks  3-1

• 3  Kareena  7/2

• 8  Kinsley Kisses  5-1

Lewis Bay is one of the horses coming out of the Mother Goose and that looks like it may be a productive race. Although she finished behind Off the Tracks, the stumble at the start could have cost her the race. Off the Tracks won the Mother Goose and was second in the Acorn and the GP Oaks. Can’t be discounted here. Kareena is a lightly raced filly who is facing a huge test. I like 3YO on the improve  and Kareena fits that bill. Don’t care for the ML, but have to give the horse big chances today.

Race 9

• 9  Trophee  7/2

• 6  Guapaza  7/2

• 1  Photo Call  4-1

• 4  Real Smart  5-1

Trophee is good at the distance and has been successful on the SAR turf. Always seems to be close at the end. Guapaza has looked strong in graded stakes and now that Brown has her on the winning road, she should be a major factor here. Photo Call has been racing well with this sort of field and could benefit out of the inside post.

Race 10

• 4  Frosted  1-1

• 6  Effinex  5/2

• 3  Upstart  6-1

Given Frosted’s monster win in the Met Mile, it is hard to pick against him. However, Effinex is a legitimate Grade 1 horse and if any horse has a chance for an upset here it should be him.

Race 11

• 3  Stormy Victoria  3-1

• 1  Roca Rojo  7/2

• 4  Lady Lara  4-1

• 10  Zindaya  5-1

The De La Rose comes up just as tough as today’s other stakes. The Clement trained Stormy Victoria comes off a win in an OC$80K after a closing fifth in the G2 Nassau. Figures strongly at the mile distance. Roca Rojo makes his second North American start for Chad Brown after an impressive win at BEL. She has an impressive win in Europe at the mile and looks to be improving. Lady Lara is coming out of a series of graded stakes and has the best last race figure. Has to be considered.

Race 1

• 5  Just the Zip  3-1

• 1  Tracking Stock  7-2

• 4  Gee Pea Ess  4-1

• 2  Mojo Rising  5-1

Just the Zip was claimed last out by Contessa, and while he isn’t outstanding with first off the claim, he does engage the hot Irad Ortiz for the ride. That last race number tops the field, and I have to believe he’s better than his 12-1 ML. Tracking Stock goes for Chad Brown and Javier Castellano and that pairing is 23% at this meet. The horse has had a few opportunities at the $40K level, and perhaps the cutback to 5 1/2 will be what he needs to get the win. Gee Pea Ess finally moved to the claiming ranks and missed by a nose. He’s an obvious contender. Mojo Rising is listed at 20-1, not even a close price as far as I am concerned. He made a clear improvement when cut back to 5 1/2 and the MCL$50K at MTH is easily the class equivalent of this group. I’m not convinced he’s a winner, but at the odds he’s likely to take some of my money.

Race 2

• 8  General Bellamy  8/5

• 3  Leitrim  3-1

• 6  Tabaddol  4-1

General Bellamy goes first time for DJ and attracts Castellano. He’s dropping from the claimed level, has the fastest figure, and has a good style for the race. Leitrim ships in for Steve Asmussen and takes a big tumble in price off a solid win. He should have a nice spot early and can’t be discounted off his last race figure. Tabaddol is another taking a significant price drop. He’s been gelded since his last and McLaughlin has been on fire early at the meet.

Race 3

• 3  Stevie Q  2-1

• 1/1A  Smarty Kitten/Triple Creek  5/2

• 2  Kingslayer  7/2

• 7  Man of Wiregrass  9/2

Stevie Q goes for Chad Brown. The last time he was on the turf at this distance, he lost by a length but ran a field topping number. He looks very strong in this group. The Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey entry looks strong on both ends. Smarty Kitten is obviously better on the turf and showed it last time. Triple Creek has a two race winning streak coming into this one. Kingslayer has been gelded since his last start and ran his best race when switched to the turf. Clearly better than his 12-1 ML suggests.Man of Wiregrass may be the best speed in the race and is not heartless in the stretch. Steps up off the claim by Mike Maker who is 23% with his new charges.

Race 4

• 1  Literata  7/5

• 4  A Few Good Friends  2-1

• 3  Linda Mimi  4-1

Literata hasn’t been out of the money since last October and runs consistent figures. Should be close to the pace and he has plenty of ability to continue on. A Few Good Friends has a couple of mediocre races at SAR, although they were both on off tracks. Seems to be doing well since moving to races with winners. Linda Mimi was clearly overmatched in the Mother Goose, but prior to that ran a nice figure when breaking her maiden. Competitive in this race.

Race 5

• 9  Hawk Alley  2-1

• 6  Quanique  3-1

• 8  Kirby’s Penny  4-1

Hawk Alley made a big improvement when dropped to the claiming rank. Some good stats in her favor. Casse is 25% second off a layoff, she has a good last work at WO, and her last figure tops the field. Quanique has been running at this level since her debut three races ago and got close in her last start at 7F. Cutback in distance shouldn’t hurt. Kirby’s Penny goes first time for Wesley Ward who is 24% with debut runners. KEE works look good and it’s a positive that Johnny V takes the mount.

Race 6

• 1  Tom’s d’Etat  5/2

• 4  Encrypt  3-1

• 2  T R Crew  7/2

• 7  Admiral Blue  4-1

Tom’s d’Etat really worke up when put on the dirt at a mile and a quarter at CD. Albert Stall usually brings them live to SAR. Encrypt takes the blinkers off after wearing them in his last two. He stretches out to 9F after exclusively sprinting, but given the breeding he shouldn’t have any problem with the longer trip. Kieran McLaughlin has been strong at the meet so far. T R Crew has been close in his three starts and is one of the horses with the highest figure. Should be part of the early pace and has enough stamina to stay to the end. Admiral Blue had a troubled start last time. Might be a little bit of a stretch given the time off and the abbreviated number of races, but I like the last work and the breeding suggests the 9F trip shouldn’t be a problem.

Race 7

• 8  Money Multiplier  8/5

• 2  Roman Approval  4-1

• 3  Gold Shield  5-1

Money Multiplier comes off good seconds in the United Nations and the Man O War and should be the class of this field. Roman Approval  comes off a nice second at AP in a G3 and has shown great consistency. Gold Shield ran a huge number in his May 12 BEL win. I think he is better than the 12-1 ML suggests.

Race 8

• 3  Casual Cocktail  9/5

• 1  Two Pump  3-1

• 6  Know It All Anna  4-1

Casual Cocktail gets her sternest test yet after decimating fields at PEN and DEL. Johnny V takes the mount and that is a positive. Two Pump has been close in her last two and has a race over the SAR turf this year. Interesting at the odds. Know It All Anna has a win and a third in three tries at SAR and should enjoy the 6 1/2F trip.

Race 9

• 9  Camelot Kitten  5-2

• 5  Isotherm  3-1

• 6   Airoforce  5-1

This renewal of the Hall of Fame has an interesting field. A number of horses are coming out of the one mile Manilla, a one turn race at BEL. We’ll look for horses that show some ability around two turns. Camelot Kitten is coming off a good 4th in the G1 BEL Derby and wins in the G3 Penine Ridge and the G2 American Turf. Should go favorite and looks very tough here. Isotherm was a top 2YO turf colt last year, winning the G3 Pilgrim before losing all chance early in the BC Juvenile. He came out in 2016 and ran a good second in the Dania Beach at GP. I like three year olds that are on the improve, and Isotherm could be that horse. Lezcano returns for the mount. Airoforce was part of the blanket in the Belmont Derby and was close in the Penn Mile and the American Turf. Has the talent if he gets the trip.

Race 10

• 2  Rivzinthehouse  3-1

• 11  Risetotheoccassion  4-1

• 7  U S Citizen  5-1

Rivsinthehouse should be the one to catch here and has shown a lot of talent in turf sprints. Risetotheoccassion looked good first time at a turf sprint and drops in price for Mike Maker. U S Citizen was claimed last out by Bruce Levine after just missing at 7F. Top last race figure makes him a major contender.

Race 2

• 8  Cocked and Loaded  8/5

• 1  Pinstripe  2-1

• 3  Formal Submission  4-1

Nothing much to comment about here. There’s a lot of speed signed on for this one, but Pinstripe has a race over the track and that gives him an advantage. Cocked and Loaded has been with much better horses and cuts back in distance. He had a big year last year but has been slow into stride this year. Still, if Rivelli decides to keep him in the field, he looks best. Formal Submission is likely to be the speed of the speed.

Race 3

• 5  Hoponthebusgus  3-1

• 2  Bellelarama  4-1

• 8  Murrell’s Belle  5-1

This race is a bit of a crapshoot, so I went with the known commodities – RuRod with the 5, Steve Asmussen with the 2, and Gary Gullo with the 8. Murrell’s Belle did show good speed in a MSW and drops in for a price today.

Race 4

• 4  Midnight Visitor  3-1

• 6  Splashtackular  4-1

• 8  Indulgent  9/2

Midnight Visitor comes in from KY for his 2016 debut and has 2YO figures that would be competitive even if he didn’t improve. Splashtackular goes for top 2YO trainer Mark Casse. She’s got three decent starts and a nice work in prep for this one. Indulgent got the third slot off her potential for improvement. She was a little tardy at the start last out and with a clean break could be the winner.

Race 5

• 1  Tizanillusion  8/5

• 5  Wildcat Belle  4-1

• 4  Sober on Sunday  4-1

Tizanillusion hasn’t run a bad race and looks well meant at the short sprint distance. Wildcat Belle comes over from Parx for high percentage trainer Danny Gargan. Her win last out was dominating and she makes her turf debut today. Breeding is not spectacular for the turf, but at the short distance she should do fine. Sober on Sunday is another trying the grass after a maiden win on the dirt. Like the workout pattern.

Race 6

• 7  About That Base  3-1

• 1  Passporttovictory  4-1

• 8  Tainted Angel  4-1

Another tough race to come up with a solid selection. About That Base goes for Pletcher/Velasquez and if he gets bet, you have to assume he’s got talent. Passporttovictory and Tainted Angel both looked good in their debut race where they finished close to each other.

Race 7

• 10  Barrier to Entry  3-1

• 2  Same Kinda Crazy  7/2

• 5  Downside Scenario  4-1

• 4  It’s Two Hot Benny  5-1

Barrier to Entry looked good first time on the turf in a while and returns at the same level. High percentage in the money horse. Same Kinda Crazy was so-so in his first try with winners, but that was at the NW1X level. In a better spot today. Downside Scenario is another who may have been a little over his head when racing with winners and should like this group better.

Race 8

• 4  Iromea  5/2

• 9  Songoficeandfire  3-1

• 2  Joyful Hope  4-1

• 6  Sky Painter  5-1

Iromea has some long races from France and seems to have thrived under Clement’s care. Songoficeandfire will get a lot of action based on her recent graded stakes runs. Tops the field figurewise. Joyful Hope comes first time from Italy for Clement who is 25% with Euro shippers.

Race 9

• 7  Holding Gold  2-1

• 9  Too Discreet  5/2

• 3  Commend  3-1

This edition of the Quick Call puts together a strong field. Let’s run through the contenders.

Bust Another had been effective in optional claimers and state-bred races on the dirt when trainer Michael Pino decided to try a turf sprint. The horse responded by running a good race, leading until deep in the stretch. He’s a contender, although in this field he’ll have to get by some quality runners.

Commend is perhaps the most interesting horse in the race. He looked good in two races at a mile in Kentucky. Bill Mott moved him to the sprint distance and he ran a good one, especially considering the race was on a yielding turf and the pace was not quick. He broke well, relaxed toward the back of the pack , swung wide around the turn, and finished in excellent time – an unadjusted 21 4/5, having to beat horses who had plenty of energy left after the slow pace. While the competition is stiff, this horse is a major contender.

Don’t Be So Salty has been in a number of graded stakes, albeit with limited success. He’s got three things going for him in this race. First, he moves over to the Linda Rice barn, and she is 31% with new charges. Second, he gets a positive rider switch to Jose Ortiz. Third, he’s got a win and a third on the SAR turf. It’s difficult to tell if these changes will propel the horse past this field, but he can’t be completely discounted.

Holding Gold looks strong in this spot. Notice that the only race the horse wasn’t in was against Exaggerator in the Saratoga Special last year. He’s won at the short sprint distance, although that was on the synthetic at WO. In his last race he went 7F on the WO turf and ran an enormous figure. This is his sternest test to date and if he replicates his last you have to give him a big chance to repeat.

Too Discreet has shown plenty of early foot in longer races this year, but his first two wins came at the abbreviated sprint at SAR. He won the Paradise Creek at BEL two and a half months ago in wire to wire fashion. Has a good combination of speed and staying power and is another major contender.

Holding Gold, Too Discreet, and Commend get the top three spots, but in the verticals you can’t ignore Bust Another and Don’t Be So Salty. I expect Holding Gold and Too Discreet to battle toward the front end and for Commend to be coming hard at the end. Who’s the winner – that’s not the right question. Who’s the value – that will determine where the money should go.

Race 10

• 8  More Zen Tea  3-1

• 1  Readthebyline  7-2

• 2  Global Positioning  4-1

• 3  Bug Juice  5-1

More Zen Tea was claimed by Contessa two back and he moved him up to an OC$40K at a mile and an eighth where he didn’t race badly. He’s won at 7F so this sprint should be to his liking. Readthebyline has won at SAR, BEL and AQU and has the advantage of high percentage trainer Danny Gargan. Global Positioning hasn’t run a bad race this year and fits well with this group.

Race 2

• 8  Littlemissbusiness  9/5

• 1A  Phantom Phasr  4-1

• 5  Smart Alex  5-1

Littlemissbusiness improved when dropped from MSW to MC$40K and drops in half today. She had a little trouble at the start last out but still managed a second. Javier Castellano takes the call and that is a positive sign. Phantom Phasr had a troubled start last out, but she was on the rail and should have a lot more space from the outside today. Albertrani horses usually improve with experience. Smart Alex makes his 2016 debut today, dropping out of MSW last year. Terranova is fair off the long layoff.

Race 3

• 4  Hot Dudette  5/2

• 6  One Minute  4-1

• 1  Frostie Anne  5-1

Hot Dudette is the clear front speed in this race and should be more at home at the six furlong distance. Hasn’t run a poor race since his inner dirt debut earlier this year. Gullo is 28% first off the claim. One Minute is dropping down in search of a prestigious win at SAR. Should be in a good position turning for home. Frostie Anne comes off a maiden win and has a reasonable spot to gain her first with winners.

Race 4

• 1  Alabama Bound  3-1

• 4  Talkin Til Midnight  4-1

• 9  Sugar Reef  9/2

Alabama Bound looks tough in this spot, although she’s had a couple of chances to break into the win column. Moonshine Cafe had a good debut race at SAR in 2015, laid off until this July and ran a respectable race despite being pinched at the start. She already topped her figure from last year. Sugar Reef puts the blinkers on for Clement and has been getting better with each start.

Race 5

• 8  Ross J Dawg  3-1

• 2  Pine Ridge Forest  4-1

• 10  Harvard Man  4-1

• 12  Honorable Daniel  9/2

Ross J Dawg takes a clear drop to this $40K NW2L race. He has a close second over this SAR turf and is cycling third off a layoff. Pine Ridge Forest is one of the horses that should be battling at the front. Another that has shown a liking for SAR and he’s been gelded since his last race. Harvard Man is an interesting horse. He started out in turf sprints at better English tracks, ran a little better on the synthetic at some lesser tracks, and continued a good run on the synthetic when moved to PID in North America. He failed as the favorite in a two turn race last out but drops back to a preferred sprint today. At 12-1 ML he could be a surprise in the winner’s circle. Honorable Daniel has to overcome the far outside post but has the speed to get into this race. One of a number with enough positives to get the win.

Race 6

• 7  Classic Salsa  7/2

• 5  Waco  4-1

• 6  Monster Mash  5-1

This race is full of speed, and while I don’t think he is quite the match for the other horses in here,  I threw Monster Mash in the mix as most likely to pick up the pieces if the race breaks down. Classic Salsa is one of those aforementioned front runners and is coming off a win with much better horses. I really wanted to like Waco more in this race. Clearly he loves SAR with three wins in four starts and has run monster figures on this track. His victories last year were the front running fashion and he will get challenged this time around. At 8-1 he’ll be on my tickets. Monster Mash should be mid pack in this field and goes for Jeremiah Englehart who is having a good meet so far. He and Saez are a high percentage combination. Another with some interest at high odds.

Race 7

• 7  Ortiga  3-1

• 3  Bruised Orange  7/2

• 6  Saharan  4-1

Ortiga hasn’t won since moving to the U.S. but he’s been competitive at turf sprints lately. Off his best he’s got a good shot in this dash. Bruised Orange has two good seconds in turf sprints and seems to be in top condition. Saharan drops out of a couple of restricted stakes and cuts back in distance. Last race was against some top company and he looks well positioned today.

Race 8

• 3  Wavell Avenue  6/5

• 8  Sweet on Smokey  3-1

• 4  Promise Me Silver  4-1

Wavell Avenue is the class of the field in the Shine Again and has a win at SAR. Lost as the favorite last out but Chad Brown should have her at the top of her game. Sweet on Smokey ships in off a good win in a stakes at DEL. Could benefit if the speed breaks down. Promise Me Silver loves to win and ships in for good percentage trainer Brett Calhoun.

Race 9

• 2  Capriana  2-1

• 11  Ack Naughty  5/2

• 7  Loon River  4-1

Capriana hasn’t run a bad race in her career including two good ones at Saratoga. Last race figure makes her look like the horse to beat. Ack Naughty has a win and two seconds in three starts at the Spa. Has run exclusively at the mile distance, but shouldn’t have an issue with the additional 16th. Loon River is 20-1 ML but has been competitive enough at this level to merit a look in the verticals.

Race 10

• 4  Peculiar Sensation  3-1

• 2  Blarney Stones  4-1

• 12  Chico Grande  5-1

• 10  Here Comes R J  5-1

This mess of a race is wide open. Peculiar Sensation only has three starts and has the top figures in the field. Blarney Stones has been very consistent at the level and has enough talent to be a factor. Chico Grande was claimed last out by Jason Servis who is 40% first off the claim. Here Comes R J came close last time and has to be respected in the verticals.