Saratoga Preview 8.6.22: Whitney, Saratoga Derby Invy

Happy Whitney Day!  This is a fantastic card with four graded stakes races including three Grade 1s – the Test, the Saratoga Derby Invitational, and the Whitney.  I’ll dive into the Saratoga Derby and the Whitney Stakes – both of which sport a $1 million purse. Belmont Stakes day is the only other day on the New York racing calendar when there are two million dollar races - the Met Mile ($1 million) and Belmont Stakes ($1.5 million).   Race 10 – The Whitney Stakes – Grade I  One Mile and One Furlong On the Dirt, For Four Year Olds and Upward  The Whitney is arguably the most important…
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Saratoga Preview Sat 7.30: G1 Vanderbilt, G2 Jim Dandy

Happy Jim Dandy Day!  There are two very nice stakes races on the card today, albeit with short fields. As horse players we like big fields as it spreads the money around and gives us better prices on our good opinions. But there is no need to have a big field to have a great race.  Just check out the four horse Shuvee from Sunday and the five horse CCA Oaks from Saturday.   They were both awesome races between the leaders in their respective divisions.   While reigning Sprint Champion Jackie’s Warrior lays over the field in the Vanderbilt there is very good match-up in the Jim Dandy between…
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Saratoga Preview: G1 CCA Oaks / G3 Caress

Happy Coaching Club American Oaks Day!  Last year’s rendition of the Coaching Club American Oaks saw Marajuca defeat Malathaat and Clairiere in a thrilling stretch run. This year’s renewal features another big time showdown between Todd Pletcher’s Nest and D. Wayne Lukas’s Secret Oath.  Both of these filles were last seen in Triple Crown events where Nest ran an excellent second to Mo Donegal in the Belmont Stakes and Secret Oath was a good fourth in the Preakness.  In the Caress Stakes we get five runners out of the Intercontinental Stakes at Belmont including the winner Caravel, who is back to defend her title in this race.   …
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Preview: Diana/Sanford Saratoga 7/16/22

Happy Diana Day!  The first Saturday card of the meet has eleven races co-featured by the Grade III Sanford and the Grade I Diana. These are two very competitive stakes races where you will need to go at least three or four deep to cover logical runners in any horizontal plays.  Race 8 – The Diana Stakes - Grade I   One Mile and One Furlong on the Mellon Turf Course   for Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward  Chad Brown had his five year win streak in this race broken last year by Charlie Appleby who swept the exacta with Althiqa and Summer Romance.  Appleby is back…
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Saratoga 2022 Opening Week Stakes

Saratoga 2022 Meet Thursday, Jul 14 Schuylerville G3 $175K F2YO Dirt 6 Furlongs Thursday, Jul 14 Wilton $135K F3YO Dirt 1 Mile Friday, Jul 15 Coronation Cup $150K F3YO Turf 5 1/2 Friday, Jul 15 Forbidden Apple G3 $175K 4&UP Turf 1 Mile Saturday, Jul 16 Diana G1 $500K F&M 4&UP Turf 1 1/8 Saturday, Jul 16 Sanford G3 $175K 2YO Dirt 6 Furlongs Sunday, Jul 17 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation G3 $175K 3YO Turf 5 1/2 Furlongs
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Play of the Day – June 19th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 19, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 9 Overview A solid MSW for FMs going a mile, in a field where several have shown talent, though #1 SUNNY RIVER (7-2) has the biggest upside, and room for improvement. Pace It doesn’t look overly hot, but it should be honest, as there are a few here stretching out from quick sprints, which means they’ll be closer early. Trends Inside speed was strong all last week, so keep a close eye on the proceedings, especially since every race is on dirt now. Best Bet SUNNY RIVER Number 1 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview…

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Play of the Day – June 18th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 18, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 6 Overview A deep 10k starter-allowance that has several win candidates, which mean seeking out some value is imperative. Pace It looks hot and contested, so a stalking gear should come in handy. Trends Inside speed was strong all last week, so keep a close eye on the proceedings, especially since every race is on dirt now. Best Bet CRIME SPREE Number 6 Morning Line (6-1) Best Bet Overview #6 CRIME SPREE (6-1): Stalker has been in good form of late and will love the pace, as he should be able to settle and get…

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Play of the Day – June 17th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 17, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 8 Overview A strong F/M N1X sprint that could go any number of different ways. Pace It looks supersonic, as several in here want to be involved early and often, so expect this one to come apart in the lane. Trends Inside speed was strong all last week, so keep a close eye on the proceedings, especially since every race is on dirt now. Best Bet PATHETIQUE Number 3 Morning Line (6-1) Best Bet Overview #3 PATHETIQUE (6-1): Stalker will love all the pace she’ll get up front and it’s pretty apparent now that Bauer,…

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Play of the Day – June 16th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 16, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 8 Overview A solid MSW for FMs going a mile, in a field where several have shown talent, though #2 SUNNY RIVER (5-2) has the biggest upside, and room for improvement. Pace It doesn’t look overly hot, but it should be honest, as there are a few here stretching out from quick sprints, which means they’ll be closer early. Trends Inside speed was strong all last week, so keep a close eye on the proceedings, especially since every race is on dirt now. Best Bet SUNNY RIVER Number 2 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview…

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Play of the Day – June 12th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 12, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 7 Overview A deep and competitive AOC sprinting on the main track. Pace There’s a ton here, and while inside speed has been good all week, it looks hot enough and contested enough to think a stalker is in a good spot here. Trends Inside speed has been really strong all week on the main track, so if the scratches take some of the pace out, you may want to adjust accordingly. Best Bet ESCAPE ROUTE Number 1 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #1 ESCAPE ROUTE (7-2): Stalker has been in great for and…

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