Selections

Saratoga August 3

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.