Lately Saratoga has been full of difficult to handicap, competitive races and today is no exception. But, here goes.

Race 1      6-7-2

Leilani’s Ticket was claimed last out by Shosberg. He gelded the horse and drops him to his lowest claiming price. He won a state-bred $25K claimer in May and that gives him the best lifetime figure. Has a third in his three SAR starts. The choice between the two speed horses Attractive Ride and Energetico was a tough one but I went with Energetico. They both have consistently shown good early speed and they may fry each other, but Energetico has shown speed against much better company and I’m betting Attractive Ride gives in first. Real Estate Rich comes off my “horses to watch” list. The comment “checked 5/16” hardly does justice to what happened to him in that race. He lost any chance down the backstretch, but he was competitive with these sorts in his races before that one.

Race 2      6-3-1

Parker Lily went for 19 times the stud fee and that was for a Pennsylvania bred. She was a beaten favorite first time out but had trouble. She gets a chance to get it right today. Thrilled (you have to wonder how that name wasn’t taken) goes for Pletcher/Velasquez and although he isn’t as strong with debut turf fillies the pairing has to be respected. Ava’s Kitten goes for Brown/Castellano and that is a pairing that is dangerous with first time turf fillies. She’s superbly bred for the turf and the distance.

Race 3      2-7-4

Animal Appeal has shown good speed and cuts back in distance. The one to catch. Hush Now also cuts back to a sprint and seems to have taken well to the turf. Worth a look at the odds. Pink Freud Live adds blinkers and Lasix and she has been very competitive lately.

Race 4      2-5-7

Hartford broke his maiden in dominating fashion and is well placed for his return and first with winners. He was a $700K purchase and there are surely big things expected from him. Silver Ride looked good in a dirt sprint his last out, catching a very nice figure. He fits well here. Fortuitous goes for RuRod. He was over his head in the Long Branch but is much better placed in this spot.

Race 5      3-9-5

Shinobi drops down from MSW to the claiming ranks and Chad Brown is almost 50% with that move. His figures are as good as any horse in the race. Whitman’s Poetry is another dropping from MSW. He gets a jockey switch to Johnny V and cuts back in distance to where he ran his best race. Banco Dinero had a good debut race in 2015 and should improve today.

Race 6      6-8-9

This race is honestly one tough puzzle. Constellation went for $800K by a sire with a $10K stud fee. The works say she’s ready. Sky My Sky has an abbreviated workout schedule but the last work sticks out. The Vapors was a $250K purchase. Cintron and Dutrow are a 31% combo.

Race 7      1-3-7

Bold Print was moved back to the dirt last out and ran a lifetime best. Looks primed for her first with winners. Sonora has been competitive in 2015 but hasn’t been able to crack the winner’s circle. Solid in the money play. Awesome News has plenty of speed  and should be the one to catch.

Race 8      4-9-11 (14)

Offering Plan broke his maiden on the SAR turf, did reasonably well in the Pilgrim, and never got into the BC Juvenile Turf after stumbling out of the gate. The 7/5 odds are not attractive, but ignore Chade Brown returnees at your peril. Rectify returns off a short layoff for Mott and the workouts say ready to roll. Boston Strong takes the blinkers off. He has been knocking and may get in today. He Has Charm is a contender if he gets in.

Race 9      4-11-1-12

Empire Dreams is the longshot play of the day. He comes of of state-bred stakes and has a solid second at SAR. 11 of 14 in the money lifetime. Also has the best last race figure.  Better than 20-1 ML. Mylute was overmatched in the Suburban but prior to that had figures that put him right in the mix. Bay of Plenty just lost to Honor Code who looks like the best of the handicap division. He was second in the Discovery last year so has the ability to go well at the distance and the level. Matrooh should get a good position even out of the 12 and is looking for two in a row at the same level.

Race 10   3-12-1

There is almost no horse without a chance in this race. Tapitry has been patiently handled by McGaughey and should run her top today. Greywalls just missed in her first with winners and has the fastest last race figure. Unbridled Sonya looked good with stakes horses on a yielding surface and should catch a firm turf today. That may allow her to ration her speed to the wire.

Race 11   11-7-1

Move Over Cuzco wired a OC $75K field and didn’t embarass himself in a stakes next out. Has the speed to get into it from the outside. Lawn Ranger is newly gelded and makes his 2015 debut at a distance where he’s already had a win. Drops out of graded stakes where he ran respectably. Watchyourownbobber and Crown the Kitten both look good in this spot.

Since I will be at the HBPA meeting this weekend, I will not have time to work on selections for Saratoga on Saturday. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

Selections will be back on Sunday.

Race 2      3-5-1

Star of the Forest has been racing well in 2015 and has the best last race figure. Bounty Pink has been a winner 6 of 15 starts. Was taken last out by Danny Gargan who is 21% first off the claim. Lotsa Noodles is 1 for 1 at SAR and 2 of 3 at the distance.

Race 3      11-9-4-1

Call Me Stoney was gelded since his last and drops from MSW to claimers. Should be all the speed here and the one to catch. Afleet’s Edge has run two competitive figures in a row. Sandy Strikes is the interesting horse. He broke awkwardly, took a bad step and never did much in his maiden race. He was given some backing in that race and was sired by the very productive Say Florida Sandy. Louie’s Luck has a figure that would compete in this group.

Race 4      5-1-7

Magsamelia raced well in a start over the SAR turf. Should be the one to catch. Sunrise Kitty is accomplished at the distance and has the best lifetime figure. Claiming Victory is a veteran at the distance. Not often I’ll say Bravo might be a rider upgrade.

Race 5      2-8-5

Igotthediscoinme is well bred for the distance even though he shows no races at 1 1/8. He has a race at the Spa and really isn’t up against much here. Unbridledcharacter takes a price drop and is another well bred for the distance. Dutrow has not been strong with new arrivals in his barn though. Pioneer of Wifi was claimed last out by a low profile outfit. He’s a bit of a stretch but I think at 20-1 he has some outs.

Race 6      4-7-2

Messi ran a new top last out despite a stumble at the start. Motion seems to have found the answer for this one. Reflecting is not a solid win type, but he hasn’t run a bad one in a while. Certainly has the figures to be a factor. Montclair just missed in a stake at DEL and was well enough thought of in Europe to be running in Group races. Another who improved with the trip to America.

Race 7      1-6-2-12

Honestly I marked six horses for consideration and I’m not sure I got all the contenders! Fine Instincts drops into the MCL ranks after coming close in three tries at three different tracks. Gets the nod for the Pletcher/Castellano connection. Miss Mizzen Silver looked good first time out and Maker is strong in all the relevant statistical categories. Thebeatofthestreet lost last year to Lady Eli (so did every other horse that tried her) and comes back for A+ filly turf trainer Chad Brown. Can’t ignore this one. Lana’s Fortune has been coming close and adds blinkers today. Perhaps that makes the difference.

Race 8      1-5-6

To Be Determined is by far the fastest and is making a big drop after her win. Head scratching move from Wesley Ward. Know It All Anna goes for Maker/Castellano, a 28% combo. Another one making a steep drop, but at least this is her first start of 2015. She has a win at SAR. Grandpa’s Princess actually makes the sensible drop in price and picks up Johnny V for the trip.

Race 9      5-7-4

This is another race where I had a hard time throwing runners out. I finally settled on Ready For Rye. He dominated a field when moved to the turf and dropped in price but has experience with graded runners. If he runs to his last he’ll be hard to beat. Cyclogenesis broke his maiden at SAR and won his next two stakes races. He was overmatched at Royal Ascot but fits this group well. Zandar ran a big one last out and at 12-1 he’s worth giving a second look.

Race 10   4-1-5

Gursky didn’t thrive on the turf last out. He fits the distance and is dropping from MSW into the claiming ranks. U.S.S. Boxer also drops from the MSW ranks. He’s well bred for the distance and is decently bred for the dirt. Maker/Castellano tops a lot of the statistical categories, including MSW to MCL, 2nd start, and layoff. Shadow Rider was gelded since his last out and adds blinkers. Is probably better meant on the dirt.

This looks like a very difficult day from my perspective.

Race 2      1A-4-2

Wealth to Me is dropping through the floor and if he runs he looks much the best. His stablemate Bambisfrostyracer doesn’t look bad and if DJ scratches the 1A he has some outs. Playing a Joke likes to win, is one for one at the distance. The last time he was at this price he won. Should be a stretch factor. Chairman Now is 2 for 3 at SAR and and 4 of 6 at the distance.

Race 3      2-3-4

Wind Warning drops from MSW and only has two previous starts. He adds blinkers today and the best last race figure. River Knight has plenty of speed and has been getting better with each 2015 start. Longisland Express is another dropper from MSW. Sooner or later Ray Handal has to get win number two.

Race 4      2-3-4

Super Psyche goes third time for Mott who is notoriously slow to develop horses. He gets first Lasix and improved substantially second time out. Chief of State is 4 of 6 in the money  but is having trouble getting to the winners circle. Send It In goes for Pletcher/Castellano  and is well bred for the distance.

Race 5      8-2-6

Eighty Three looked good first time on the turf. Drops from MSW to NW2L claimers and has been gelded since his last start. Triple Play has been racing at lesser venues, but has the numbers to compete here. One Eyed Ray has also been gelded since his last race and has the best last race figure.

Race 6      9-5-11-1

McIlroy just missed at a slightly higher level three back. Fits this group much better than his previous 2015 starts. Abtaal has been consistent in 2015 and drops here in search of the win. Figures say he is competitive here. Upgrade was taken last out by Klesaris. Should be coming hard in the stretch. Honor the Kitten finished third in a stakes last out. Goes for the powerful Maker/Castellano combo and is 3 of 7 at the distance.

Race 7      7-6-5

Sanctifica is the fastest in the race and is improving. Bird Sense ran well at 7F two months ago at CD and has been working well at SAR. Prospector’s Moon had trouble at the start last out but still showed good interest. With a clean break he’s a threat at what may be a price.

Race 8      4-9-3-5

Granny Mc’s Kitten cuts back to a mile and a sixteenth, She’s  2 for 4 at the Spa and 3 of 7 at the distance. Water Hole fits better at this level and distance. Her last race was by far her best and if she repeats the figure she’s got big outs. Speed Seeker has been in two G3’s in his last three races and ran well. Gets Johnny V for this trip. Patsy’s Holiday has been running in restricted stakes and has figures to compete with anyone.

Race 9      5-3-7-9

Unbridled Forever is ran decently in her two SAR G1 starts last year and is certainly the class of the field. With another year of development she could be very tough here. Stonetastic destroyed a field in the Prioress at SAR last year and has been working well at SAR. Still needs to prove herself at the distance. Expression is 7 of 8 in the money the last two years and is competitive at this level. You Bought Her ships from PRM and looks to be in top shape.

Race 10   11-6-10

Who’s Z Daddy was claimed from the Zayat’s for $50K in May and Jacobson immediately dropped him to $16K. He returns at the same price and has the best last race figure. Aleander comes off a break after being gelded. Drops in price and looks to be thriving in Gullo’s care. Pin and Win gets a switch back to Castellano who finished second with him at this level at BEL in May. Should be more competitive today.

Today doesn’t look like the money making day yesterday was. But here goes with today’s selections.

Race 1      6-4-8

Too Discreet has a good workout pattern and is well bred for the turf and the distance. Sax Change is well bred for the distance, and Contessa/Hernandez are developing a successful partnership. Brooklyn Speights goes for Wesley Ward who is quite capable with first time two year olds.

Race 2      6-3-8

Awesome Dame jumps up in distance but should have no problem with the added furlong. Rachel’s Valentine goes for Pletcher/Velasquez and that is always worth considering. Tale for Ruby has been working well at SAR and figures well at the distance.

Race 3      1-3-2

Jewel of a Cat has a win and second at SAR and has been very successful at the distance. Free as a Bird is another that has run well at SAR and the distance. Fits in this field very well. Old Harbor has been racing longer but has the class and tactical speed to make a run of it in the stretch.

Race 4      1-5-6

Lucknow was up against it in her most recent stakes try and is better spotted today. Sumba Sunset has looked competitive in her races at this level and should be in a good position turning for home. Hope Cross raced well first out in 2015 for Chad Brown. He’s excellent coming off a layoff.

Race 5      1-5-4

Mack Miller trained the first horse I ever bet and won on. He’s going third off a layoff and should fit with this group. Be a Hero is dropping into this group and looks well placed to pick up a win. Flag On the Play has good tactical speed and just missed last out.

Race 6      9-7-1

Ian Smith is the Pletcher/Velasquez entrant and has been working well. War Order has been looking good at Fair Hill for Motion and he is a respectable 23% using Cintron. Spicy Blonde is very well bred for the turf and the distance and Ward/Hernandez has been a strong combo.

Race 7      5-3-9 (13)

River of Magic puts blinkers on for start two and cuts back a furlong. HEavenly Sun has one nice start at the distance. Maybe a bit of a stretch given the connections, but worth a small look. Apollo Eleven has been close at this level and has figures that say competitive. Grand Sky is a choice if he scratches in.

Race 8     6-8-11-10

So Noted broke his maiden at the distance in a good time and has a great work since that start. Hunt’s Road almost won in his first start with winners and looks strong in this spot. Little Poopsie has plenty of early foot and will be the one to catch. Giantinthemoonlite was recently gelded. Has plenty of speed but has been stuck here for a while.

Race 9      8-4-11

Marriage Fever drops out of OC for DJ. Looks to be the fastest horse in the race. Tango On makes a substantial drop in price and has been competitive with better recently. Congenial just missed in a better field. Should be up front for this one.

Race 10   4-5-3

Untapable and Stopchargingmaria finall meet each other. SCM has looked slightly better this year and has the advantage of races over the SAR dirt. Still, Untapable is the reigning queen and stays my choice. House Rules looks slightly less talented than the top two but is still a good horse.

Race 11   7-2-3

Sinatra looks for two in a row at this level. If he runs that race he’ll be hard to keep out. Holy Invader drops in price in search of two in a row. He’s 3 of 4 at the distance. Neoclassic  won at this distance and a higher level and at 12-1 is worth a look.