Race-time: 5:56 pm EST
A day after three Grade I stakes races are run at Saratoga, a horseplayer would think that Saratoga would lay off of the graded races.
Not so as Saratoga’s 10th on Sunday is the Grade I Personal Ensign.
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Horse Pick of the Day: Saratoga – Race 12
Race-time: 5:46 pm EST
This Saturday is Saratoga’s signature race, the Grade I Travers Stakes. Also called the mid-summer Derby, the Travers will showcase Quality Road, this year’s Florida Derby winner.
Quality Road was hurt before the Kentucky Derby and didn’t get a chance to run in any of the Triple Crown races. He is a big favorite to win the Travers this Saturday, but horseplayers had better not just blindly wager on Quality Road. In fact, there is a horse running in the Travers, Race 12 at Saratoga on Saturday that I think so highly of that I’m making him my Horse Pick of the Day.
Let’s take a look at Race 12 at Saratoga on Saturday.
Saratoga – Race 12
Grade I Travers Stakes
$1,000,000
For Three Year Olds
1 ¼ miles on dirt
Our Edge – - 15/1 morning line odds
All of the signs are there for the son of The Cliff’s Edge to win the Grade I Travers Stakes on Saturday. He’s been training beautifully over Saratoga’s dirt course. He’s bred to run the 1 ¼ mile distance. He’s won his last three races and he’s a front-runner in a file lacking a true front-runner. Our Edge is also very fast. He’s my pick in the Travers Stakes.
Kensei – - 7/2 morning line odds
The son of Mr. Greeley won both prep races for the Travers, the Grade II Dwyer and the Grade II Jim Dandy, and appears to be getting better every time he steps onto the track. Trainer Steve Asmussen has dominated stakes racing again in 2009 and no doubt could bring home a Travers trophy with this guy. He’ll be tough.
Summer Bird – - 3/1 morning line odds
Mine That Bird couldn’t make it but Birdstone will still be represented in the Travers by Belmont winner Summer Bird. He kept trying in his last even though Rachel Alexandra was just too good for him and finished second in the Grade I Haskell. He always tries and he always runs well. The problem with this race is that the pace might not be as sharp as he needs it to be in order to do his best running.
Wagering Strategy
I love Our Edge in this spot at the odds and will bet him to win, place and show. I will wager an exacta box with Our Edge, Kensei and Summer Bird. I will key Our Edge in all three slots in the trifecta with a box made up of Summer Bird, Kensei and Quality Road.
Oaklawn Racecourse has enjoyed a very successful racing season for 2009, and with their attention focused on the 2010 horse racing season, track authorities have looked towards a new approach for their coming season. Instead of increasing their number of races, they have decided to retain their racing schedule, but to increase the purse amounts of many of their racing events. This will no doubt make their season more attractive to horsemen, and with thirty stakes races being offered by the Oaklawn Racecourse, there will be thrilling horse racing action featured next year.
From HorseRacing.com – http://www.horseracing.com
It is Travers Day Eve, and before we tackle tomorrow’s thirteen race card, we have a good betting card on Friday, a ten race menu highlighted by the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2).
The Baruch drew a field of ten older runners who will be going 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf course.
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After the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, have been run, horse racing fans wait for two marquee three-year old races before the Breeders’ Cup in the fall.
The first, the Haskell Invitational, was run last month with Rachel Alexandra, this year’s winner of the Preakness Stakes, romping to a victory.
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It will be an all-male field when the 140th Travers Stakes is staged Saturday at Saratoga, featuring Belmont winner Summer Bird and six challengers.
That’s because owners of Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra have other fish to fry. In addition, Kentucky Derby champ Mine That Bird is skipping the 1 ¼-mile contest, his co-owners announced Wednesday, because he needs time to fully heal…
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It is Travers Day Eve, and before we tackle tomorrow’s thirteen race card, we have a good betting card on Friday, a ten race menu highlighted by the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2).
The Baruch drew a field of ten older runners who will be going 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf course.
Justenuffhumor is a deserving 9/5 morning line favorite, coming off a solid effort winning the Fourstardave Handicap (G2), which was his stakes debut.
He will be tough to beat, and I’m using him and longshot Deal Making in the race, which is the middle leg of our Late Pick 3 ticket.
Today’s Pick 3 Play from Saratoga:
Starting in Race 8: $1: 2,6,9 / 1,7 / 5,6,7,9 = $24
SAR Race 8 Md $35,000 (4:55 ET)
#2 Master, #9 Interrogatory, #6 Kicky Tune
#2 Master dropped in for a tag for the first time last out and came up the inside with a good late run but could only get second money as the short priced favorite. The colt did earn the top last out speed fig and might be more of early pace threat himself in this spot. Two back on the main track the colt dueled for the early lead through sharp early fractions before weakening to finish fifth. The colt looks like he can pick up the first win at the meet for the Terranova barn that started here 0 for 14.
#9 Interrogatory exits the same race as our top pick and the colt was outrun in the early going and fanned out five wide coming into the stretch, weakening to finish seventh. The colt showed some early zip in his two previous starts and with the addition of blinkers today should be in the mix early, and good to see Garcia sticks with this guy.
SAR Race 9 Bernard Baruch Hcp G2 (5:30 ET)
#1 Justenuffhumor / #1a Colony, #7 Deal Making
#1 Justenuffhumor passed his first stakes test with flying colors as our top pick, winning the Fourstardave (G2) in impressive fashion, paying $9.50 for the win. It was the colt’s fifth win in a row, and the well bred colt looks capable of winning right back. He is a half to a couple of nice stakes winners in Dreaming of Anna ($2 million) and Lewis Michael ($812K).
#7 Deal Making figures to be tighter for his second start off a nine month layoff. He made his return over the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle, checking in second against Alw-4 company. He has done his best running on turf and had a productive three year old campaign that included a win in the Stanton, followed by a solid second in the Hall of Fame (G2) here last summer. He is in good hands with the Motion barn and would be no surprise to see him move forward enough second off the bench to be in the mix here at a generous price.
SAR Race 10 Md $40,000 (6:04 ET)
#6 Wild Conga, #9 Lone Cypress, #7 No Detour, #5 Catch the Bottom
#6 Wild Conga made his first start off a six month layoff on the turf. stalking the early pace from the inside and tiring to finish seventh. Pedigree wise this guy seems better suited for the main track and he actually crossed the wire first two back on the inner versus $50K maiden claimers but was DQ’d. The gelding is by Congaree out of the stakes winner Totaly Wild ($83K). He figures to be tighter for his second start off the bench for the Badgett barn that is having a live meet, hitting with 5 of his 17 starters.
#9 Lone Cypress was the beaten chalk last out in a third place finish versus $20K foes in his local debut. He was claimed out of the race by the Asmussen barn that is 27% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. The colt was in the hunt two and three back against $30K and $50K foes and looks capable of handling the class hike here.
Price Plays From Saratoga:
These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.
R1: #1 Brocco Valley 10/1
R2: #6 She’s a Ketch 8/1
R2: #8 Ostensibly 15/1
R3: #1 Diamond Song 8/1
R5: #8 Triple Tax Exempt 12/1
R7: #5 Treat Her Right 12/1
R8: #6 Kicky Tune 10/1
R9: #7 Deal Making 12/1
R9: #3 Mambo Meister 8/1
R10: #5 Catch the Bottom 8/1
The Lake Placid Stakes is a Grade 2 event for three year old fillies that is held at the Saratoga Racecourse in Saratoga Springs. It has a purse of $150 000 and this year, the contender field was filled with talented and noteworthy horses. Spectators ensured that they were at the racecourse early to secure their seats and tickets, and patiently waited to the eighth race of the day, where the race favorites fell short of performing and Shared Account came out of nowhere to win the Lake Placid Stakes on a less than ideal rain soaked track surface.
From HorseRacing.com – http://www.horseracing.com
Horse Pick of the Day: Saratoga – Race 9
Race-day: 8/26/2009
Race-time: 5:30 pm EST
Wednesday’s at Saratoga aren’t normal Wednesday’s at other racetracks as Saratoga’s feature will be a race with a purse of $150,000.
It’s a small field but the field has a lot of quality. The race is restricted to New York foaled horses, but each one of those New York foaled horses…
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Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won five times, ran second five times and finished third six times since July 25. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
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NEW YORK (AP) -Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird still needs medical clearance before he runs in Saturday’s Travers Stakes.
Mine That Bird had minor throat surgery last week. Trainer Chip Woolley says he and the owners don’t want to take any chances with the health of the 3-year-old gelding.
After Mine That Bird returned from a Tuesday morning workout at Saratoga Race Course, Woolley said his Derby winner was fine after being examined. Another exam will be done Wednesday morning, just before entries are taken for the Travers.
Others set to run in the $1 million race for 3-year-olds are Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, Jim Dandy winner Kensei and Florida Derby winner Quality Road.
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won five times, ran second five times and finished third six times since July 25. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
ARLINGTON PARK
Best Actor: Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 21.
CALDER
Comprise: Broke seventh and last, raced sixth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 1 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Aug.15.
DELAWARE PARK
Don’t Push It: Raced sixth early, roughed up in tight quarters, advanced to third 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide losing ground into stretch, made up four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Aug. 19.
DEL MAR
Action in May: Raced 11 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than three lengths and finished well in second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 20.
ELLIS PARK
Q the Music: Broke on top, led by 1 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off under steady urging to win by 8 ¾ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 16.
EVANGELINE DOWNS
Gulch’s Belle: Broke 12th and last, moved to seventh nearing turn, steadied in tight, split horses at three-eighths pole seven lengths behind in fifth, rallied inside making up more than 6 ¼ lengths in stretch and ran second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 15.
LAUREL PARK
Perfect Pet: Chased pace inside more than 3 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eights of a mile, angled out four wide for the drive, closed gamely to make up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs on Aug. 22.
LOUISIANA DOWNS
Miss Alice Nell: Stalked pace in third a head and 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to grab lead in stretch and drew clear under token encouragement to win by 9 ¼ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 20.
MONMOUTH PARK
Leather: Broke ninth and last, steadied in tight early due to spill, raced last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 21; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
SARATOGA
Speechifying: Racing more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch, steadied, altered course toward rail and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Aug. 19; placed first when winner was disqualified for interference and dropped to second.
Smart Seattle: Stalked pace in fourth two heads and 1 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, raced greenly a bit in stretch, boxed, steadied, traveled sideways several strides, went outside for room, unleashed powerful late kick and won going away by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 17 2/5.
WOODBINE
Wiseher: Raced more than eight lengths behind in 13th after a half-mile, hustled six wide on far turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
Horse Pick of the Day: Del Mar – Race 8
Race-day: 8/23/2009
Race-time: 8:30 pm EST
The featured race on Del Mar’s Sunday card is a minor stakes race, albeit for a nice purse, that will showcase some of the local horses here in Southern California.
These are good races in which horseplayers can find an overlay or two.
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Race-day: 8/20/2009
Race-time: 5:31 pm EST
Once again Saratoga will showcase two year olds in their featured race on their card. It should be a great two year old race at that as more than one trainer has decided to send his best young prospect into the fray in the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes.
With so many terrific youngsters lined up, it’s no wonder the Saratoga Special qualifies as…
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Rachel Alexandra’s command center should call the shot that would be heard around the racing world – send the filly to the Travers Stakes.
That’s probably the only time winners of each Triple Crown race could meet. Alexandra the Great won’t be at Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup since her camp is against running on synthetic surfaces.
All three are working at…
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Race-day: 8/20/2009
Race-time: 4:56 pm EST
Is there any reason not to bet Saratoga? This horseplayer doesn’t think so
We find ourselves at Saratoga once again on Friday. This time, the featured race is the Grade II Lake Placid Stakes.
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Race-day: 8/16/2009
Race-time: 8:30 pm EST
Del Mar has decided to run their Grade I race for the weekend, the John C. Mabee, on Sunday instead of Saturday.
Some horseplayers might see that as a blessing in disguise as the John C. Mabee should provide a nice end to the racing week. The John C.
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Horse Pick of the Day: Saratoga – Race 9
Race-day: 8/15/2009
Race-time: 5:14 pm EST
Saratoga will showcase the Grade I United Nations Handicap on Saturday. The United Nations will be the 10th race on the card.
Right before it, the 9th race is where horseplayers should find a more than decent overlay on which to wager.
Let’s take a look at Race 9 at Saratoga on Saturday….
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Saratoga Springs attracted visitors before the American Revolution when wealthy pilgrims journeyed to the carbonated mineral springs running through the area.
The two Battles of Saratoga, considered the first Colonial victory and a turning point in the Revolutionary War, ended with British Gen. John Burgoyne’s surrender on Oct.
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Race-day: 8/13/2009
Race-time: 5:31 pm EST
Wednesday is where the boys are for the New York Stallions Stakes. Thursday is where the girls are as Saratoga’s feature is a 1 1/16th mile turf race, like Wednesday’s feature, but restricted to the females.
The New York Stallions Stake race on Thursday is for a purse of $150,000.
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Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won four times, ran second three times and finished third four times since July 1. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
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Horse Pick of the Day: Saratoga – Race 10
Race-day: 8/9/2009
Race-time: 6:04 pm EST
Horseplayers have to love the summer meets! Grade I races on Sunday? That hardly ever happens in the winter and spring, but in the summer Saratoga is bumping every day with a great stakes or graded race on which to wager in the Racebook.
The same is true for this Sunday when some of the fastest horses in…
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Horse Pick of the Day: Del Mar – Race 8
Race-day: 8/8/2009
Race-time: 8:30 pm EST
The headliner at Del Mar on Saturday is the Grade I Bing Crosby. Because there is so much going on at Saratoga, with the Grade I Whitney and Grade I Test Stakes, and so much going on at Arlington, with the Grade I Beverly D. and the Grade I Arlington Million, that I decided to keep the Bing Crosby out of my…
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