Saratoga Race Course Week #5 Discussion......
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Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
From Nyra site:
Trainer Charlie Baker will hope to take advantage of his mares' agreeable running styles when he saddles the speedy Atlantic's Smile and the late-closing Make the Moment to take on graded stakes-placed Willet in the $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at 6 ½ furlongs on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.
Francis Paolangeli's Atlantic's Smile picked up her first victory of the year last time out, winning the Arctic Queen for New York-breds by a nose on July 31 at Finger Lakes, a race Baker said was important for both the 5-year-old mare and her yearling half-sister Tiznow's Smile, by Tiznow, who was consigned for the Saratoga Selected Yearlings sale at Fasig-Tipton.
"We wanted to win a stakes with her before the sale and then point towards this race," said Baker. "It worked that she did get a stakes win. Everything's worked out OK so far for her. She's doing good coming into the race. She's speedy and the other filly's a closer, so they should complement each other."
Prior to the Arctic Queen, Atlantic's Smile turned in three consecutive second-place finishes, twice behind multiple stakes winner Isabelle. Most recently, the daughter of Stormy Atlantic failed to hold off Make the Moment, Baker's "other filly", finishing second to her stablemate by a neck in an optional claiming event in March at Aqueduct.
Make the Moment, a 5-year-old mare by Indygo Shine, followed up that effort with a second-place finish in the Dancin Renee, 7 ¼ lengths behind eventual Grade 2 Honorable Miss winner La Verdad, trained by Linda Rice.
"Make the Moment is training as good as she's ever trained coming into a race," Baker said. "She had a good race at Belmont, where she finished second to that good filly of Linda's. We're hoping she runs her race. We like her chances."
Atlantic's Smile is set at morning-line odds of 6-1 and will break from post 6 with Manny Franco in the saddle, while Make the Moment, 5-1, will leave from post 2 under Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Winner of the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Union Avenue, Willet will be making her first start since posting a 1 ½-length score in the Interborough at Aqueduct in January. At 7, the daughter of Jump Start boasts nine wins from 23 career starts, finishing in the money on 20 occasions, to amass $746,900 in earnings over her four-year career.
Installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite, Willet, owned by Charlotte Assoulin and her trainer Jimmy Iselin, will break from post 7 under Joel Rosario.
Rounding out the field are Miss Da Point for John Toscano; Court Dancer for George Weaver; Tricky Zippy in his first start for the Jimmy Jerkens barn; Sister Margaret for Gary Gullo; Irish Whisper for Tom Morley; Prairie Stone for Oscar Barrera III; and last year's winner of the Union Avenue, Uncle Southern for Linda Rice.
Trainer Charlie Baker will hope to take advantage of his mares' agreeable running styles when he saddles the speedy Atlantic's Smile and the late-closing Make the Moment to take on graded stakes-placed Willet in the $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at 6 ½ furlongs on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.
Francis Paolangeli's Atlantic's Smile picked up her first victory of the year last time out, winning the Arctic Queen for New York-breds by a nose on July 31 at Finger Lakes, a race Baker said was important for both the 5-year-old mare and her yearling half-sister Tiznow's Smile, by Tiznow, who was consigned for the Saratoga Selected Yearlings sale at Fasig-Tipton.
"We wanted to win a stakes with her before the sale and then point towards this race," said Baker. "It worked that she did get a stakes win. Everything's worked out OK so far for her. She's doing good coming into the race. She's speedy and the other filly's a closer, so they should complement each other."
Prior to the Arctic Queen, Atlantic's Smile turned in three consecutive second-place finishes, twice behind multiple stakes winner Isabelle. Most recently, the daughter of Stormy Atlantic failed to hold off Make the Moment, Baker's "other filly", finishing second to her stablemate by a neck in an optional claiming event in March at Aqueduct.
Make the Moment, a 5-year-old mare by Indygo Shine, followed up that effort with a second-place finish in the Dancin Renee, 7 ¼ lengths behind eventual Grade 2 Honorable Miss winner La Verdad, trained by Linda Rice.
"Make the Moment is training as good as she's ever trained coming into a race," Baker said. "She had a good race at Belmont, where she finished second to that good filly of Linda's. We're hoping she runs her race. We like her chances."
Atlantic's Smile is set at morning-line odds of 6-1 and will break from post 6 with Manny Franco in the saddle, while Make the Moment, 5-1, will leave from post 2 under Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Winner of the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Union Avenue, Willet will be making her first start since posting a 1 ½-length score in the Interborough at Aqueduct in January. At 7, the daughter of Jump Start boasts nine wins from 23 career starts, finishing in the money on 20 occasions, to amass $746,900 in earnings over her four-year career.
Installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite, Willet, owned by Charlotte Assoulin and her trainer Jimmy Iselin, will break from post 7 under Joel Rosario.
Rounding out the field are Miss Da Point for John Toscano; Court Dancer for George Weaver; Tricky Zippy in his first start for the Jimmy Jerkens barn; Sister Margaret for Gary Gullo; Irish Whisper for Tom Morley; Prairie Stone for Oscar Barrera III; and last year's winner of the Union Avenue, Uncle Southern for Linda Rice.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
At 1 ¼ miles for 3-year-old fillies, the 135th running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama is expected to feature a return engagement of the top four finishers in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks as well as a fresh trio of serious contenders on Saturday.
Separated by a nose, Curalina, trained by Todd Pletcher, crossed the finish line second in the CCA Oaks but was elevated to first place after the disqualification of I'm a Chatterbox, conditioned by Larry Jones, for drifting into her opponent in the stretch. The rivals will be joined by CCA Oaks third- and fourth-place finishers Include Betty and Danette, for trainers Tom Proctor and Keith Desormeaux, respectively.
Getting into the mix for the first time are three talented fillies making their Spa debuts: Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner and fellow Jones trainee Lovely Maria, Grade 2 Indiana Oaks runner-up Sweetgrass for Ian Wilkes and Grade 1 Mother Goose also-ran Embellish the Lacefor Tony Dutrow.
Also on Saturday, Shore Runner will look to keep his hot summer going in the $100,000 Troy, for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon turf course. Claimed for $62,500 at Belmont Park in June, the More Than Ready gelding has been perfect in his two starts for trainer Joe Sharp. Shore Runner is two-for-two over the local grass, most recently scoring a nose victory in his stakes debut in the Lucky Coin on July 27.
Meanwhile, Spring to the Sky will look to defend his win in last year's off-the-turf edition of the Troy for trainer Bruce Brown. Choctaw Chuck, Go Blue Or Go Home, Havelock, Pure Sensation, Something Extra and Summer Breezing are also expected. Sandy'z Slew is possible.
Graded stakes-placed Stallwalkin' Dude will look to make his first start at the Spa for trainer David Jacobson in the $100,000 Tale of the Cat at six furlongs on the main track for 3-year-olds and up. The former claimer most recently finished second to Wildcat Red in the Teddy Drone on August 2 at Monmouth and boasts four wins from eight starts at the Tale of the Cat distance, as well as a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 True North at six furlongs in June at Belmont.
Also likely for the Tale of the Cat are the Pletcher-trained Catron, making his third start off a year-plus layoff; Affirmed Success winner Loki's Vengeance for Mike Hushion, and Pulling G's in his stakes debut for John Shirreffs. Last year's Grade 1 King's Bishop runner-up Fast Anna is possible for new trainer Wayne Catalano. A. P. Indian, Bagg O'Day, and Green Grattoare also possible.
Separated by a nose, Curalina, trained by Todd Pletcher, crossed the finish line second in the CCA Oaks but was elevated to first place after the disqualification of I'm a Chatterbox, conditioned by Larry Jones, for drifting into her opponent in the stretch. The rivals will be joined by CCA Oaks third- and fourth-place finishers Include Betty and Danette, for trainers Tom Proctor and Keith Desormeaux, respectively.
Getting into the mix for the first time are three talented fillies making their Spa debuts: Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner and fellow Jones trainee Lovely Maria, Grade 2 Indiana Oaks runner-up Sweetgrass for Ian Wilkes and Grade 1 Mother Goose also-ran Embellish the Lacefor Tony Dutrow.
Also on Saturday, Shore Runner will look to keep his hot summer going in the $100,000 Troy, for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon turf course. Claimed for $62,500 at Belmont Park in June, the More Than Ready gelding has been perfect in his two starts for trainer Joe Sharp. Shore Runner is two-for-two over the local grass, most recently scoring a nose victory in his stakes debut in the Lucky Coin on July 27.
Meanwhile, Spring to the Sky will look to defend his win in last year's off-the-turf edition of the Troy for trainer Bruce Brown. Choctaw Chuck, Go Blue Or Go Home, Havelock, Pure Sensation, Something Extra and Summer Breezing are also expected. Sandy'z Slew is possible.
Graded stakes-placed Stallwalkin' Dude will look to make his first start at the Spa for trainer David Jacobson in the $100,000 Tale of the Cat at six furlongs on the main track for 3-year-olds and up. The former claimer most recently finished second to Wildcat Red in the Teddy Drone on August 2 at Monmouth and boasts four wins from eight starts at the Tale of the Cat distance, as well as a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 True North at six furlongs in June at Belmont.
Also likely for the Tale of the Cat are the Pletcher-trained Catron, making his third start off a year-plus layoff; Affirmed Success winner Loki's Vengeance for Mike Hushion, and Pulling G's in his stakes debut for John Shirreffs. Last year's Grade 1 King's Bishop runner-up Fast Anna is possible for new trainer Wayne Catalano. A. P. Indian, Bagg O'Day, and Green Grattoare also possible.
Lloyd Braun
Pretty much a regular
Race 7 Pick 4 10/5,7,9/2,8/2,7,8
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Spa Thursday 8/20
R1: #3 could win 2nd off layoff, ran 47 ft more than winner of last (Trakus), but my top choice and likely more value is #4 every race except for her win on 7/1 @ Bel is a throw out imo, debut was going 1 mile and 70 yds on muddy track impossible task, then two turf races and caught slop at Spa and isn't facing much in here.
R2: nothing strong was thinking 5,7 are contenders and 2 could be dangerous front end speed.
R3: Not the strongest bunch and that's probably being polite about it, at 15-1 ML #6 has to fit with these, drops in class and cuts in distance , equipment change taking blinkers off.
R4: #4 is my top choice, 2nd off layoff. .watch replay of last, squeezed at start..strong late run vs winner that was up on early pace.
R5: speaking of watching replays, please watch #8's last race...check early and taken up shuffled, then rank and headstrong, not real running room top of stretch but when in the clear made very powerful run including very strong gallop out past wire, looks like she wants to run all day, with a better trip she could be very tough to beat in R5.
R1: #3 could win 2nd off layoff, ran 47 ft more than winner of last (Trakus), but my top choice and likely more value is #4 every race except for her win on 7/1 @ Bel is a throw out imo, debut was going 1 mile and 70 yds on muddy track impossible task, then two turf races and caught slop at Spa and isn't facing much in here.
R2: nothing strong was thinking 5,7 are contenders and 2 could be dangerous front end speed.
R3: Not the strongest bunch and that's probably being polite about it, at 15-1 ML #6 has to fit with these, drops in class and cuts in distance , equipment change taking blinkers off.
R4: #4 is my top choice, 2nd off layoff. .watch replay of last, squeezed at start..strong late run vs winner that was up on early pace.
R5: speaking of watching replays, please watch #8's last race...check early and taken up shuffled, then rank and headstrong, not real running room top of stretch but when in the clear made very powerful run including very strong gallop out past wire, looks like she wants to run all day, with a better trip she could be very tough to beat in R5.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
R6: #6 is 2nd off layoff, last was likely a prep as 7F was too short, has turf throw out races in form, looking at 2 turn dirt routes I think that's what he wants to do , #1 could be dangerous speed and #5 is 2nd off Dubb/Rudy claim , also 2nd off layoff and off career top Beyer, maybe Rudy continues to move him forward.
R7: wide open 2YO filly state bred turf sprint, I have #2,6,9,10 as the main contenders
R7: wide open 2YO filly state bred turf sprint, I have #2,6,9,10 as the main contenders
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
R9: #2 had no shot in this race last year when Uncle Southern wired the field on a sloppy track, also had no shot in last vs La Verdad on a sloppy track off layoff, should get a very favorable pace setup with projected early speeds of: #5,6 (stable mate), 8,10......#7 is a very good horse and has run well at Spa in the past but I'm not trusting her today at a likely short price off a very long layoff.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
R10: #2,#7 both are off long layoffs and are likely to take money and could win but I'm against them....#4 is a cutback and goes turf to dirt which is a strong move for Chad past few Spa meets and #6 is another cut back I'm interested in at 8-1 ML, trainer change to Gargan who is great with new acquisitions and has been solid with them at this meet as well.
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
Some price horses that interest me today:
Race 2: #4 fits with these, just missing at this level last time at 64/1(!). Should float up in price. #7 ran well in an open claimer last out that rated well, now goes to a state bred race.
Race 4: #5 brought in from Mid-Atlantic and gets Irad to ride? Worth a look at 8/1. Rosario jumps on #6 for a small barn as well, for a horse that had all kinds of trouble in his debut at 7 furlongs. Should improve greatly with blinkers added against what is a pretty pedestrian group.
Race 5: #6 was a well considered 2YO that is finally string two consecutive races together for the first time since last summer, when she just missed at this level. #10 from Mott comes out of the same 11 furlong race as #8 and set a pretty good pace before being passed by the eventual winner, but she ran on well for 2nd.
Race 6: #2 figures to get a nice pace setup to run at, comes in 2nd off a layoff from an open claimer, now back into state breds.
Race 7: Returning maidens nothing special here, only one has even run on turf. Firsters #10 and #1 could both be live. #1 should get an aggressive ride from apprentice Cancel. Trainer has a +ROI with 1st timers and turf starters. #10 Play mentioned had a nice 48 flat gate drill at Arlington and gets Rosario to push him along.
Race 8: #2 is 2 for 2 at the Spa, 2 for 4 at the distance, gets red hot Irad to ride, expects to see a good pace setup with #4 and #7 both stretching out, and is listed at 8/1? Sign me up.
Race 9: As Play noted Willet is a nice horse but off the layoff at 2/1 can't be trusted. #4 and #10 are a pair of 6/1 fillies that will get the first chance to attack what should be a solid pace.
Race 2: #4 fits with these, just missing at this level last time at 64/1(!). Should float up in price. #7 ran well in an open claimer last out that rated well, now goes to a state bred race.
Race 4: #5 brought in from Mid-Atlantic and gets Irad to ride? Worth a look at 8/1. Rosario jumps on #6 for a small barn as well, for a horse that had all kinds of trouble in his debut at 7 furlongs. Should improve greatly with blinkers added against what is a pretty pedestrian group.
Race 5: #6 was a well considered 2YO that is finally string two consecutive races together for the first time since last summer, when she just missed at this level. #10 from Mott comes out of the same 11 furlong race as #8 and set a pretty good pace before being passed by the eventual winner, but she ran on well for 2nd.
Race 6: #2 figures to get a nice pace setup to run at, comes in 2nd off a layoff from an open claimer, now back into state breds.
Race 7: Returning maidens nothing special here, only one has even run on turf. Firsters #10 and #1 could both be live. #1 should get an aggressive ride from apprentice Cancel. Trainer has a +ROI with 1st timers and turf starters. #10 Play mentioned had a nice 48 flat gate drill at Arlington and gets Rosario to push him along.
Race 8: #2 is 2 for 2 at the Spa, 2 for 4 at the distance, gets red hot Irad to ride, expects to see a good pace setup with #4 and #7 both stretching out, and is listed at 8/1? Sign me up.
Race 9: As Play noted Willet is a nice horse but off the layoff at 2/1 can't be trusted. #4 and #10 are a pair of 6/1 fillies that will get the first chance to attack what should be a solid pace.
DaRaiders
Pretty much a regular
Good start!
DaRaiders
Pretty much a regular
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
Figured two wins would get me around breakeven or maybe a little above, actually ended up a little under water. Made a rookie mistake leaving the 6 off the first leg of the race 3 ticket, the difference between a good day and treading water. The one price horse missed was the 8 in race 7, where I went 6 deep and would've needed to go all. Feel like it was better handicapping than betting today.
DaRaiders
Pretty much a regular
R1 #1 wins by 10 lengths
DaRaiders
Pretty much a regular
All the same, bet the #1 to win so all doubles are covered already.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
R9 win #3
Side note: Filly that beat #7 in her last race at Ascot is the horse Irad went to England to ride, she ran 2nd today vs older and males...watch her for Breeders Cup Juvenile filly turf...2YO f - Acapulco
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