PROGRAMMING NOTE
Pumped to join Mr. Ice and Turk on Sunday morning for the Barstool Sports Saratoga Doubles show. We’ll try and nail the early double and start a Sunday at the Spa with a win. I’ll post the link on X.com or follow Elio to get the show live on Sunday morning.
Strong results from the Jim Dandy Card - a $20 winner to start the card helps.
Let’s try and keep it going Sunday.
I’m posting these well before scratches and will try and update but no promises.
That was a hell of a comeback for Fierceness in the Jim Dandy. The 103 Beyer is strong. Sierra Leone ran his race and will probably appreciate the mile and a quarter of the Travers. And how about Thorpedo Anna heading to that race too - the Mid-Summer Derby is shaping up as one of the best races of the year.
Some ideas for a tough Sunday card…
Race 1
As always in these two-year-old races, watch the money. My Shot has plenty of win-early pedigree. Trainer Tom Amoss is 3 for 8 debuting two-year-olds on the dirt last five years at Saratoga. Two of those three wins have been with fillies. Good works, gets Jose Ortiz. My best guess.
2-6-4-7
Race 2
I’m guessing there’ll be scratches here but hopefully we can lean on Bern Rosey Bern early. Dirtied form off those turf races. Has run fine on dirt. Big drop for Mike Maker - he’s 21% turf to dirt at Saratoga and has had success elsewhere with this sort of drop. George’s Vice dopping for Linda and that’s always dangerous. What if Golden Dagger likes the dirt?
4-2-5
Race 3
Shesalittle Edgy has two wins at the distance, is dropping, and looks faster than all these. Short price likely but can’t find a great alternative.
6-5-7
Race 4
Just focusing on the turf sprints, Delightful Dixie fits here. Should get the ML price with Mike Dini training. A little scary betting Luis Saez…ice cold to start the meet.
4-6-5-3
Race 5
Regulatory Risk the obvious horse to beat but what about Standoutsensation? Her last Beyer and Timeform number put her right with the winner. Training big and gets a jock upgrade. 6-1 ML a fair price to take a shot against Risk.
3-4-7
Race 6
Won’t spend a lot of time trying to beat the $445K Chad Brown horse Opulent Restraint. Oliva’s Potion might be able to take them a long way given the inner turf has been kind to speed. Good Long Cry should be fine going longer.
3-5-6-1
Race 7
It sounds like BC Turf Sprint champ Nobals is going to run here. If he runs his race, they’re not beating him today even off the long layoff. Our Shot is interesting. Ran well at Keeneland. Bad trip next. Now gets the rail and a pace to run at. Useable horse here even with the favorite.
1-3-8-9
Race 8
I stared at this race for a while. I don’t like it. I’ll hope that the layoff helped Blue Plate Special as this gelding has races early this year that put him in the mix off the drop. For Some Reason flashed a big work and might be ready to wake up. Tough race, good luck.
7-4-2
Race 9
Silver Knott a deserving favorite here, but I would not be singling. Solider Rising loves Saratoga and the distance. Training well coming in and if ready off the layoff should be right there. And Ohana Honor is in career form. Will be using all three in some form in the late Pick 5….and even some Strong Quality who can wire this field in some scenarios.
2-5-1-6
Race 10
He’ll have to avoid a pace battle with favorite Laurel Valley, but let’s try Miracle Mike in the finale. Full disclosure - I met one of the owners of this one Saturday night at The Brook Casino. The last time I met an owner and his horse was running, Baby Yoda crushed on Belmont Weekend at Saratoga…and I didn’t bet him. Won’t make that mistake again. Karma play.
5-2-8-7
Good luck if you’re playing. Safe trips for all.