The Linda Rice Machine has finally cooled off.
Fans hoping the meet’s leading trainer could carry them to Pick 6 glory on Wednesday did not get their wish.
Vax - a likely single for many in the finale - scratched in the morning
Then Lord Captain was out of the money at odds on making a move (sprint to route on the dirt) that has been fire for the Rice Barn. That came in Race 7. A single for many, I’m sure.
After opening the meet winning at an almost 40% clip, Rice now 16-1-1-3 over her last 16 starts, per my numbers.
The pile of ice cubes to open today’s stack might be a little much, but you get the picture. She’s not the “auto use” she was for a few weeks.
We found our day built around our pick of #6 Mail Order in the 9th. But that one could not keep up with an ultra-quick Kaufymaker out of the gate. The OTHER Wesley Ward went 21.79 and never looked back. As the favorite over stablemate Happy Soul, the money was likely a sign in this case.
Dead tickets for us. ANOTHER fourth place for one of our Two Minute Picks. The ice cubes to start the stack today are for Team Rice and Team MutStack.
Other notes from the day, picked up while repainting yet another room in our house. The “freshen-up” has turned into quite the project. Fun!
Thought Flying in Style ran fine in Race 2 after an awkward start and could be forgiven in a similar race/field next time.
Same for Seven Scents in the third race. Came home fastest after some contact early.
Quite the debut for Brocknardini in the fifth. Once an Eagle an obvious trip there. A few trips in there if you go watch it a few times.
Excellent commentary in the featured De La Rose from the Fos Sports TV crew. Technical Analysis was allowed to walk on the front end at 4/5 and win about as easy as a horse can win. How Javier Castellano allowed her to crawl on the front end was mind-boggling, especially after taking it to that one and winning last time. The video of him looking for Technical Analysis and just letting that one cruise early was painful. No one else had a chance. #1 White Frost never had a chance.
Nice to see Jimmy Bond get the win in the finale. There will be more.
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Rain in the Saratoga area late today and into tomorrow. The weekend looks clear.
Today is a test of “sticking with the process.” Picks and betting have not been good, but going through Thursday’s card, we have a bunch of price ideas that are bets we’d make. Let’s get one of two of them home.
Race 1: I don’t know much about trainer William Walden, but the guy appears to be an assassin second-time out. Five for eight maiden second start, four for eight second starts this year. He has no career wins in NY and only three runners but, this is his move. #1 D B Saints might get ignored because he’s a no-name trainer but these stats are solid.
Race 3: First of some price ideas today. # 7 Camm’ Duke tried turf last time and didn’t seem to handle it. But this one has flashed speed in the past in a race that doesn't have a ton of it. Dylan Davis has been more aggressive it seems and this one could take them a long way.
Race 4: #5 Run Devil taking a major drop in the claiming ranks - a good move for trainer Rob Atras - 29% dropping in claiming price 50% or more. Won at Monmouth with this type of move last month.
Race 5: Our Two Minute Pick presented by NYRA Bets.
Race 6: Might be some good 2-year-olds in here, but don’t ignore #7 Shorsey. Broke terribly and was running late. Worth watching the replay. Would use in exactas and trifectas at that 8-1 price or better.
Scratch Update: 1-1A entry looks tough now.
Race 8: I would not be against #2 Pipeline in here.
Race 9: I would not be against #1 War Like Goodess in here.
Race 10: Fun race for a NY-bred, MD40K. #2 Whiskey and Wine is one of just 19 horses Shug McGaughey has dropped in for a tag from the MSW ranks - he’s 5 for 19!!! doing it. Bullet works, blinks on. Very interesting. #7 War Prince trained by Rob Atras - 2 for 4 MDC on the turf at Saratoga. He’s 2 for 2 when you put Manny Franco aboard. Don’t love cutbacks on the turf but this is an Atras ‘move.’
Scratch Update: The 2 and 9 could control this. Less interesting race with the 7 out.
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