Well I’m back and I’m mighty irritated that I missed the late pick 4 at Saratoga. It turns out that Bet America doesn’t take action from NJ, so my option was TwinSpires, which I had been boycotting in support of the Players Boycott. Anyway, I stuck to my guns, missed a nice payoff and for the rest of the week it is either the OTB or Monmouth.

RACE 6

This is state-bred stakes at a mile on the inner turf. It is a very competitive field, mostly because none of the runners really stands out.

• 2 Takeoff Your Hat has been off since May 19 and only has one workout for his return. On her best day she is very competitive with horses of this ilk, but the time off with no work is concerning and Phil Serpe is not well known as a layoff trainer. I think you have to throw her on your tickets, but definitely an ambiguous play.
• 3 Funky Munky Fever finished between Old Harbor and Lady Kreesa and came back to finish 4th in a $50K starter allowance. She comes from well back and is another one that would have to run a career race to win.
• 5 Lady Kreesa is a lightly raced filly that is very eligible to improve. She adds blinkers today, although running toward the front hasn’t been a problem. She has worked steadily since her last and Johnny V stays aboard. Top choice.
• 6 Old Harbor is likely to go off the favorite. She has a win over the SAR turf and has been competitive in most of her races. No surprise if she wins.

RACE 7

This is one of those races where no horse sticks out, so I generally look for horses that haven’t proven themselves to be professional losers or who have something positive to recommend.

• 9 Thundering Gale is listed as the favorite and probably has the best combination of speed and closing ability. She’s run well fresh in the past and since being claimed by Chad Brown has been working regularly. I think Brown has a plan with Thundering Gale and it starts today with a win in a cheap NW2 claiming race. She is the top choice.
• 7 Scribbling Sarah is the other X factor. She broke her maiden at SAR at today’s distance. She looked overmatched trying longer distances and was dropped to a $30K claimer in November where she was grabbed by Linda Rice. Rice gave her plenty of time off and she has three unspectacular workouts for her return, but I believe she was looking for a soft spot like this. She’ll likely come from off the pace, and if Cornelio Velasquez times it right she’ll have a chance to have her picture taken.

RACE 8

It’s another ambiguous race, meaning there are a number of horses that you could make a case for. I’m going to settle on three.

• 4 Vicki’s Dancer has been best on the turf and has a competitive pace figure. She lost to Double the Energy at 7F but has the look of a runner that will enjoy the extra furlong. She has been working steadily since that last run and retains the services of Joel Rosario. She’ll be the top choice.
• 5 Double the Energy has also been off since June 15, but only has one workout since. She has plenty of speed and Cornelio Velasquez may be able to nurse it to the wire.
• 2 Unbelievable Dream is 3 for 7 at a mile on the turf. Like many of the others in this race she is coming out of the state-bred allowance race at 7F on June 15. She had to wait to make her move in the stretch in that race and still only lost by half a length. She’s had a little bit of trouble getting to the winner’s circle, but if she sustains her move she may just be first to the wire.

RACE 9

• 4 Cast a Doubt has a pressing style and gets the services of Johnny V. He’s been consistent and seems ready to get back to his winning ways. Velasquez and trainer Bruce Levine have done well in the past but lately have not been a potent combination.  Even so, in this field if he runs his best he will win. Top choice.
• 5 B Shanny is two for three at SAR. He had raced with much better horses in 2013  but in 2014 has been tumbling down the claiming ladder. Low profile trainer Assaf Ronen claimed the horse last out and his 1 for 10 record first off the claim  is not inspiring, but the short time off could get the horse back to form.
• 11 Sense of Peace should be the controlling speed and is two for three this year. He is taking a slight drop in class, but $35K NW3 down to $20K open is not a precipitous drop. He is wearing a bar shoe, but he has run ok with a bar shoe previously. If he gets out well he could be hard to catch.
• 9 Reserved Quality has had a busy 2014 with 10 starts, but he has been successful with better. He picks of the services of Corey Lanerie who really has looked a cut below the regular SAR riders, but is still a quality jockey. He’s one of the horses who should have a good position turning for home and could close for a piece.