Saratoga Preview 8.13.22: Fourstardave and Saratoga Special

Happy Fourstardave Day! Today is the Fourstardave Handicap. Named for “The Sultan of Saratoga” who won a race at the Spa for eight consecutive years from 1987 to 1994 – and that was when the meet only had twenty-four and thirty racing days. He was the people’s horse and was beloved by all Saratoga race fans of that era. Appropriately, “Dave” is buried on the backside at Clare Court and forever resides at Saratoga.   Race 4 – Saratoga Special – Grade II Six and One Half Furlongs on the Dirt for Two Year Olds The top two finishers from the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill are entered…
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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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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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Play of the Day – June 11th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 11, 2022 Track Belmont Park Race 8 Overview A deep renewal of the G1 Jaipur, with several who could win on their best day, though the majority of them struggle with consistency, which is not the issue in the least for #5 ARREST ME RED (5-2). Pace It’s a G1 turf sprint, so obviously there will be some pace, but regardless of who goes (#3 True Valor down inside?) or who doesn’t, #5 ARREST ME RED (5-2) will be right there throughout, which will allow first run off the far turn on the stalkers/closers. Trends N/A Best Bet ARREST ME RED…

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Play of the Day – June 10th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 10, 2022 Track Belmont Park Race 7 Overview A really good N1X that will have a huge favorite (#6 Speak for Itself), though the comebacking #1 JANE GREY (4-1) might be ready to fire a big shot off the long layoff. Pace It looks suicidal, as several in here want to motor early, including the heavy favorite, which is another reason #1 JANE GREY (4-1) could run huge. Trends N/A Best Bet JANE GREY Number 1 Morning Line (4-1) Best Bet Overview #1 JANE GREY (4-1): Godolphin homebred has been off since her stalking debut win in September 2020 at Saratoga,…

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Play of the Day – June 9th 2022

Play of the Day Race Date June 09, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 7 Overview A strong 3up allowance with several that enter in good form, though it’s #4 AUSSIE PRIDE (5-2) who enters with more upside than the rest of the field combined. Pace It doesn’t look overly hot but there should be enough here to make things fair for everyone. Trends The main track was again on the fair side last week, as speed wasn’t overwhelming, and several winners came from a stalking and even closing position. Best Bet AUSSIE PRIDE Number 4 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview #4 AUSSIE PRIDE (5-2): Taking on winners…

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