Pretty good day yesterday. The $2 late P4 came back at over $2,500, which makes two I’ve hit in the last week that paid over $2,500.  Another interesting weekday card.

Race 1. This race is ambiguous for me. Winter Springs was claimed by low percentage trainer Ray Handal from high percentage trainer Chad Brown. If Brown was still training the horse he’d be bet fairly heavy and deservedly so. But Handal is 0 for 8 first off the claim, and overall he’s 3 for 26 this year. Despite having good figures (for Brown) the Handal connection gives reason for pause. His distance breeding isn’t strong, but he has been with much better in the recent past. His Saratoga record isn’t strong either, but he adds blinkers. Overall, he has a reasonable chance of winning, but I’m going to go light in his direction. Neoclassic is a contender in this race, but he has been busy lately, racing opening week at SAR and then popping over to MTH where he didn’t really make an impression. Still, his SAR races have been pretty good and I give him a puncher’s chance in here. Dream Man is the likely favorite here despite having no experience at the distance, He switches to the Contessa barn for this run, and Contessa is not notable for his proficiency with new runners. His numbers look positive though. Artic North at least has been the distance, albeit with limited success. He doesn’t have impressive numbers, but he has been with better. Dendrite may be the surprise in the race. His numbers are enough to put him in the mix, and he could be the controlling speed in a race without much speed, but his win percentage is weak. Carlos Martin runs him back in five days, and if this is a serious move I think it may upgrade the horse.  5-4-1

Race 2. This seems to be a competitive affair. Ghareeb is one of the horses that doesn’t look like a winner to me, but could be part of the verticals. He’s got a second at the distance and a second at SAR. He looks better on the turf, but has some decent races on the dirt. Norm the Giant just won at PRX and steps up to the next condition. Another one that doesn’t get me excited in the win column, but has some prospects for the verticals. Swivel ran a decent race at SAR in the first week of the meet and he has an intervening maintenance work. His numbers are a little below the top contenders, but I like his chances in here. Don’t Point was gelded since his last. He’s another that has a win and is moving up to the next level. Can’t be underestimated as a win prospect. Shadow Rider threw in a clunker in his SAR race last out but he was clearly over his head. Prior to that he won at a higher price and off his best he is a serious contender. Chubby Master doesn’t have a ton of speed and will have to overcome the outside post, but he is dropping to a lower level. Another with vertical potential.  10-7-8

Race 3. Small field, but a competitive group. Breaking Bread was beaten by Carina Mia last out, and that one returned to win a graded stakes. The layoff gives some reason to pause, but given how well she ran first time out and the nice workout pattern, I’m putting her on top. Chase Motto looks very competitive in this group. She has a decent race over the track three weeks ago and should relish the distance. Fellini is making his 2016 debut and ran well in two races last year. She’s been well thought of and looks to be coming to the race off a nice series of works. Blenheim Palace was third in the race where Chase Motto finished second. That certainly puts her in the mix.  2-3-1A-6

Race 4. Not a lot of insight here. The horses that are likely to be bet look like the contenders. I have them ranked in the following order 7-3-1-5

Race 5. Something of a crapshoot. Divine Cause goes for George Weaver who has been having a somewhat disappointing meet. Still the works on the turf training track are encouraging. Reconsider It has excellent breeding for the turf and the distance, although the works are not inspiring. Both Impazible Angela and My Mission are well bred for the sprint. Very Fashionable may have the biggest advantage with Mike Hushion being the trainer.  6-5-2

Race 6. Another two year old affair. Ethan Hunt looks the best of the  horses with a start. Mirai goes for top conditioner Chad Brown. Chatter Pattern starts for the other good 2YO conditioner RuRod.  3-8-1

Race 7. Pretty decent field for a NW1X, but again, not a lot of insight. Malibu Stacy looked good in finishing second in the Victory Ride. Kelsocait and Fifth and Madison both are coming off impressive maiden wins and both should be battling up front. Inheritance and Open Arms are not without some small chances.  7-6-3

Race 8. This is a competitive race. Saratoga Dreamer has a win and a second at SAR and his most recent win at 7F at BEL was strong. The switch to Castellano should be helpful, but I’m resisting putting him in the top three. Dowse’s Beach only has two starts as a five year old  so he has room for improvement today. First, the horse seems to really enjoy the distance on Saratoga’s turf course. Irad Ortiz is his regular rider and has been doing well at SAR. Mosler will probably achieve favoritism. His last race figure dominates this field and his last two works suggest he’s raring to go. Flashaway has been gelded since his last start and is making his 2016 debut. An outside chance here. Night Officer is a specialist at the distance and is coming off a good race in the Turf Sprint at PIM. Sandy’z Slew is another with an outside chance.  4-2-7

Race 9. This version of the Union Avenue has a good field. Quezon is the likely second choice. Her figures are good, but do not soar above some of the others in this field. A prime contender. Court Dancer has an impressive win last out in a lower level, but given the condition she has an outside chance. Dr. Fager’s Gal ships in from California for Jerry Hollendorfer. She has consistent figures and I always like good sprinters from the West Coast. Perhaps the change in scenery will do her some good. Hot City Girl will probably go favorite at post time, but she is not unbeatable. She should be the one to catch, but there is a enough speed in the race so that she doesn’t get away with soft fractions. Familyofroses is another with an outside chance.  3-6-7

Race 10. While Slapstick will probably go favorite he’s making his eighth start and I’m not usually excited about horses having that much trouble breaking their maidens. He seemed to improve with the drop to MCL, and he deserves one more chance to crack the winners circle. 3-1-4

Late P4

7th  3, 6, 7  primary,  4, 5 secondary

8th  2, 4, 7  primary,  1,6,8 secondary

9th  3, 6, 7  primary,  4,8 secondary

10th  1, 3, 4  primary,  5, 7, 9 secondary