A changeup today… still went through the card at the Spa and the following picks are three horses I’ll play in an exacta box. (Top choice with an asterisk*.) Then… on to handicap the Late Pick 5 at Woodbine. North America’s biggest race today is the Queen’s Plate, race number 10 at 5:42 EST. The sequence starts with race 9 at 4:58 EST.
First post at Saratoga is at 1:05 EST. 8/8 cold double to start the card?!
Race 1 3,5,8*
Race 2 4,6,7* 4 Lady’s Golden Guy takes blinkers off today
Race 3 1,3,4* 4 Linny Kate for trainer Orlando Noda with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons today
Race 4 2,3,7*
Race 5 2,3,6*
Race 6 2*,5,8 2 Grand Love out of white-hot sire Gun Runner
Race 7 1*,3,7 1 Mud Pie is a new gelding
Race 8 2*,4,8
Race 9 2*,6,9
Race 10 3,6,8*
Woodbine
Race 9 If the 4 Angelou presses the 2 Fev Rover, it opens the door for a late bid by the 3 Crystal Cliffs. The 1 Munnyfor Ro looks like a possible spoiler, third off the bench.
Picks: 3-1-2
Race 10 Definitely feel like this is the 8 Moira’s race to lose. Toss 4 The Minkster’s last race and it looks like he has some real competition here. Todd Pletcher’s 11 Causin’ Mayhem has hit the board in all three lifetime starts. Jockey Flavien Prat pops over to ride 6 Rondure, a winner in two of his last three.
Picks: 8-11-4-6
Race 11 You probably think you can single the 3 Livin On Luv, but watch out for the first time starter 2 Techie. Pedigree is among the best of this bunch. The 1 I Have an Idea (Speightstown) has hit the board twice in six lifetime races and figures to be closer to the pace today.
Picks: 3-1-2
Race 12 I like the 7 Day Tripper here, and not just because of the Beatles song. Improving Beyers last three out, including the last two winners. Trainer David Bell is printing money this meet.
Picks: 7-11-3-6
Race 13 The 5 Jimmy Is a Breeze has the top pedigree of this bunch and has faced the toughest competition in his career. I’m not worried about the 1 Fragola, the lone first time starter here. Trainer John Charalambous is 0-for-4 with first timers.
Picks: 5-11-12-6
Best of luck!