SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York —
Bankroll: $1,901
It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of the Wilson Chutes – I understand why they’re there and it’s fine as an unconventional alternative (although in terms of “unconventional alternative” it’s not as fun as the Downhill Turf Course at Santa Anita).
But over the past two summers, the chute has been used far too often. Dozens of turf races have been moved to the main track and the chute has been used where two-turn dirt races would have been held. At Saratoga, the two-turn dirt races start and finish in front of the grandstands, and I am opposed to any idea or concept that would reduce the frequency of these races.
Unfortunately, Friday's card is a perfect example of this. There are two Wilson Chute races in the early Pick 5s and no two-turn dirt races on the 11-race card. This is not a good thing, and the racing office would be wise to minimize this frequency going forward.
Thursday Results: My two key horses in the 6th race were both short, so Exacta and Double both failed, losing $32 after scratching.
Friday Bets: I have two strong opinions that are pretty close to each other. I will bet $15 on #5 BROWN EYED CAT (Race 3) and #4 SIZZLE (Race 5) and single them both as bookends in the Pick Three starting in Race 3. My $3 ticket will go with #1 DUNE ROAD/#1A CHALKY CAT, #3 ANDY CANT, and #5 WHISKEY N SODA in Race 4.
Total bet: $39.
Best bets: Sizzle, Race 5
Longshot: April Antics, Race 1
Race 1
April's Prank
Halo City
Pretty Extreme
#2 April Antics (10-1): Worth a close look at the odds for Friday's opener. This horse won at seven furlongs in the southern part of the state before moving up to a mile and winning here last summer. The odds seem too high, even considering the open nature of the event. #1 Halo City (7/2): Dropped down a class after finishing fourth in the mud at this track two weeks ago. His second place that day was a close second in a higher level race on Wednesday, so an inside bracket is definitely a plus. #7 Pretty Extreme (2-1): This horse is also dropping down a class, but has past races that dominate this group. However, dropping a horse this far is sometimes a red flag for Linda Rice, and the wide outside bracket is a legitimate disadvantage.
Race 2
Governor Sam
Spiralizer
Jet Sweep Jaw
#3 Governor Sam (7/5): He has already raced three times this season, with one win at the Tyro at Monmouth. His two consecutive wins on this track were dominant races down the stretch. I think this horse will be one to watch at Skidmore. #5 Spiralizer (8-1): He came in from Churchill after a tough loss at Bashford Manor on dirt. But his pedigree suggests he prefers the grass, and his strong training at the local turf track across the street backs that up. Jockey Flavien Prat thinks he's well suited to ride him, and if he can get back to his first-time form he'll have a chance. #1 Jet Sweep Joe (5-1): He ran very well at the Tyro, finishing a close second to my top pick at 30-1. It was a career-best effort and a repeat would put him in position, but there's also the possibility that he could regress after making such big strides.
Race 3
Brown eyed cat
Toscano
Broman Entry
#5 BROWN EYED CAT (4-1): Overcame a speed-oriented track with a commanding comeback to win his debut. He was pretty fast early on this day, but it wasn't the kind of comeback we often see from first-timers. I think this horse has the potential to be very talented. #4 TOSCANO (3-1): The two turns were too long last time, so the shortening to 6 1/2 furlongs was nice. It was nice to go 7 furlongs in these two races, and the horse who was third on the day caught up and won quickly. #BROMAN ENTRY (2-1): Neither #1 LAND D'ORO nor #1A WINE RESPONSIBLY are shocking, but there are questions about both. The former is a closer who drew a difficult inside position after having trouble in his last race, and the latter is starting for the first time in almost nine months and will likely need a race.
Race 4
Andy Canto
Whiskey and Soda
Rice entry
#3 ANDY CANT (5-1): Last time out he was incredibly bad, falling behind from start to finish against a high-caliber group. Some of his best runs have come at this mile distance, and he has enough early speed to get ahead right from the start. #5 WHISKEY N SODA (2-1): Last time out he was 2nd in the 2nd lap, but he's slowed down a bit in his first start at Orlando Noda. I'm not convinced about the quality of the field he was up against last time out, but there's no world powerhouse here and he's only started three times, so there may be room for improvement. RICE ENTRY (7/2): I'm backing #1A CHALKY CAT. He got back in shape before going off the sidelines and has been well-protected in his return race off the bench. This is his first start for Linda Rice's team, a new acquisition and one of the best in the game.
Race 5
sizzle
Sacred image
Hello
#4 Sizzle (6-1): This horse hasn't had a bad race in his career so far and has proven that two turns are no problem for him. Tyler Gaffalione thinks he's a good fit for Lisa Lewis, who doesn't have a big stable but has a long track record of judging horses well at Spa. #10 Sacred Image (5/2): Ridden by Chad Brown, he fizzled out a bit against allowance rivals and then fell back hard. A tough opponent in speed figures, but his positioning is far from ideal and his one win so far came against a questionable group at Tampa Bay Downs. #7 From Hello (8-1): He hasn't won in a while but he's shown his mettle against comparable rivals and made a big move to finish third last time out. Dylan Davis continues to ride him and has ridden him better than any jockey in the meet so far.
Race 6
Braca
Iliman
Dunedin Causeway
#6 BRACA (4-1): Didn't run well last time out on the grass, but has shown good form in the past and may be worth another try. If he can take the blinkers off this time and regain his form on the 2nd and 3rd backs, he'll have a shot at an inexplicable first win. #5 IRIE MAN (7/2): Last time he missed out on a position draw and had to start from a fairly wide position out of the Wilson Chute. This time he seems to have an easier run, and his 2nd back run over a similar distance downstate was much better. #3 DUNEDIN CAUSEWAY (8-1): Had a lot of chances, some of which were on the grass, and this horse is not a grass horse at all. He was 2nd on the grass last time, but should be able to move in a good direction towards the end.
Race 7
Bold Fortune (MTO)
Pay for the juice
Pride of the Army
#7 Pay the Juice (9/5): Made his debut here last month in a solid third place, catching up late. He was simply off the track on the day and should be sharper in second place with a trainer who gets better with experience. #3 Army Proud (5-1): He was off the pace in this race and placed fifth after running on the outside. As a lower pedigree, he should improve with one more race and will be ridden again by Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Joe Sharp. #5 Son of Honor (8-1): Debuting and qualified to love the turf. This More Than Lady son is out of a Dominus mare who was a stakes-winning turf horse during a very solid career.
Race 8
Brown Entry
Caroline Street
Descent to the finish
#1 Tax Implications (6/5): Last won the Grade 3 Eatontown at Monmouth, this optional claimer is the product of some inventive training from trainer Chad Brown. This horse's price won't appeal to value seekers, but she is one of the horses most likely to win on this card and will be bet accordingly. #8 Caroline Street (8-1): A lot of the horses shipped out of Churchill Downs who didn't like the turf here have been doing well in upstate New York. She moved from the middle of the pack last time and settled for fourth, but she has shown great talent at some points in her career. #4 Swoop to Finish (12-1): She had a weird race last time and was thrown into a fight for the lead. This isn't the race she wanted to run. She'd like to drop back and, well, pounce late, so if she can get back in that position, she'll have a great chance in this race.
Race 9
Leeloo
Cousin Christy
Tricky temper
#7 LEELOO (6/5): A strong contender in a race packed with speed early on, he made his presence felt at Union Avenue. He was running second in a similar position last time out at Aqueduct, but made a big comeback in the straight that day. The more speed he can get early on, the better his chances. #5 COUSIN KRISTI (6-1): After spending a long time in Florida, he will be shipped to New York and will be greatly favored by racing against state-bred horses. His last two starts at Gulfstream have been solid, and jockey Luis Saez has been on a roll over the last week or two. #4 TRICKY TEMPER (4-1): He beat an optional claiming opponent last time, but it took a great race and a flawless ride to do so. Two of his three wins have come at this main track, and he looks good, even though he's a 3-year-old racing against older horses.
Race 10
Camera (MTO)
Goa
Mixologist
#2 GOA (7/2): After some good runs in France earlier this year, she will make her US debut for trainer Chad Brown. She will be getting her first dose of Lasix here, but it doesn't look like she's the strongest race at this level. As a result, I expect her to have a lower morning line price. #10 MIXOLOGIST (5-1): After an impressive debut win two years ago, she had a pretty strange race here last month. Maybe she bounced back or maybe she just had a less-than-ideal ride. But I expect her to get back on track here with Joel Rosario on board. #7 PROGENY (15-1): She was a decent fourth in a stakes race last time out and showed some speed on the day. I expect her to be a standout off the start here as well, and she may have the talent to keep winning at a big price.
Race 11
Not Guilty (MTO)
Shakure Revenge
Z Train
#9 SHAKREVENGE (6-1): Last time out she led in the straight but was caught up and had to settle for third. She has had some good races before and Jose Ortiz should be able to relax her, but that was the problem. If she does, she will be a tough challenge in Friday's final race. #12 Z TRAIN (5-1): A terrible start but responded to being dropped in class a few weeks ago to finish third in a three-horse race and lose by just one. Frankie Dettori will ride again for a stable that has had bad luck in this stand. #10 OUR FINEST HOUR (4-1): After finishing third here last month for a $75,000 tag, she has been dropped again due to high odds connections. She will benefit from a break from the pace and could be a favorite in the back classes.
