Wednesday 8-30-17 Saratoga Selections by @SaratogaScotty1
Closing Week – August 30th, 2017
Well I finally broke through with some winners on Traver’s Day, and in a big way! While I only went 2 for 7 on my top picks, 4 of 5 that didn’t win came in 2nd place….so I was onto the winners! I also hit 4 of 7 exactas on the day, as well as the $130 Trifecta in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes; formerly the Kings Bishop. Because of a big Travers Day, we are closing in a FLAT BET PROFIT for ALL GRADED STAKES RACES at Saratoga during this 2017 meet, and I plan on finishing strong with a total of eight (8) Graded Stakes races left in the Meet! That’s amazing, considering we have only six days left in the meet. We are starting things off today, with the Grade 2- With Anticipation Stakes, for 2yos, going 1-1/16 Miles on the Mellon Turf course. At the start of the meet, these 2yos are almost complete unknowns, but by this final week, we have really seen the 2yo landscape start to take shape, and this race has some proven talent at the distance being run. Before I get into my thoughts, please see my updated stats below, as I look to finish the Saratoga Meet with a flat bet profit.
Through Tuesday, August 29th: Graded Stakes Races Only @ Saratoga
(*Shuvee Stakes had three (3) runners, with WIN bets only. TOP PICK ONLY)
Top Picks à 7 for 25 (28%) / 17 for 25 ITM (68%)
Top 3 Picks à 36 for 73 ITM (49%)
BETTING SEQUENCE: $2 TOP PICK Wn/Plc and $2 ExBox w/ TOP 3 PICKS = $16 total each race
TOP PICKS:
Money Spent: $114.00
Money Won: $112.20
TOP PICK ROI: $0.98
OVERALL:
Money Spent = $382.00
Money Won = $353.20
OVERALL ROI: $0.92
Race 9 of this 10-Race Wednesday card is the G2-With Anticipation Stakes, which is slated to be a very competitive race against some proven 2yo talent. Breaking from the inside post you have #1-Morrison, for Joe Sharp, who won by 17 LENGTHS at first asking on off track down at Belmont in June, but came back to fire a dud in July, in a dirt sprint. Goes back to the grass (where he was slated to run first out before it got taken off the turf), and stretches out for the first time. Youngster is by The Factor, so turf pedigree is there, and it’s interesting to see Irad keep the mount on this one. 20-1 ML odds, I have to keep an eye on the tote board for this one’s Post Time odds. The lukewarm ML favorite is #10-Trumpi, who was an impressive gate-to-wire winner at first asking up here back on August 5th, in a 83K MSW, going 1-1/6 Miles on this course; beating the #11-Seabhac by a ½-length. Morrison did flash some gate speed at first asking, but there is not much other early speed in here, which may allow Trumpi to dictate things on the front end with a clean break from the outside. My TOP PICK for this one, is going to be the horse to Trumpi’s inside, #9-EVALUATOR. This guy won in impressive fashion FTO back on August 9th up here, going this 1-1/6 Miles distance. His Comment Line for the race says he “brushed gate” at the start, but when you watch the replay, it looks more like he FORGOT to start! Spotted the entire field 3-4 lengths right off the bat, and just grinded out the win, coming from WAY back, in a moderately paced raced. Turning for home, Evaluator was in complete control, and Joel Rosario seemed to know exactly what he had. It was a impressive win regardless, but the fact this happened at first asking, makes me think this horse is special. With some other fire power signed on in here, coming from top-end trainers, I’m hoping this one slips through the cracks on the toteboard, and goes off remotely close to his 8-1 ML…. doubtful though! Another one I like in this spot is the Graham Motion horse #8-UNTAMED DOMAIN, by Animal Kingdom. Now Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby for Graham Motion, so you’d have to imagine he is taking extra special care of this boy, in the hopes that he can seek some of the same glory that the sire afforded him. Word on the street is he is working extremely well down at Fair Hills Training Center in Maryland, and after stretching out LTO on the lawn for his graduation, connections are looking for a big win. That maiden win was a bit of a troubled trip, as Jose Ortiz had to check at the 3/8’s pole, and then forced to come 6-wide turning for home…that is A LOT of extra distance to travel, while still getting up for the win! Filling out my Top 3 Picks will be the #7-MACHTREE, for Mark Casse, with Luis Saez up. Another FTO winner, at this distance and right here at the Spa, he comes out of a slower paced race than some of the others, but was an impressive winner with the way he stalked the pace, and grinded out the win down the stretch. Is going to need a step forward today, but impressive breeze last Thursday indicates this guy is ready for his next assignment. $450k purchase for Stonestreet, I might add. RACE 9 TOP 3 PICKS: #9 – #8 – #7
Thank you for reading, and let’s cash more tickets than we rip this weekend!
Good Luck!
@SaratogaScotty1
