LEGEND BETS

PICK 5 SUGGESTION

126910/134/34/68/13 for $60 on a $.50c Ticket

 

EARLY PICK 4 SUGGESTION

13/34/168/135 for $36 on a $1 Ticket

 

BEST BET IS RACE 4 (#8 MORNING STAR)

 

LONG SHOT OF THE DAY IS RACE 3 (#4 RUNWAY READY)

 

 

 

 

RACE 1

 

9 CALL THE LORD exits the best race but if you didn't read the chart you'd have had no idea that he even ran.  Obviously 2nd time out he can improve and he probably will but he did no running in his debut and I can't recommend him in this spot.  I only pointed out this horse to say that he's the best one that has run meaning you want one of these first time starters.  We'll start with the 10 LEAVEEMATTHEGATE who goes out for the Ramseys with Leah Gyarmati doing the training and Irad Ortiz in the saddle.  The son of Kitten's Joy is definitely bred to run on the grass and the only concern is whether he wants more ground but I wouldn't leave him off the P5 to find out.  6 TOO DISCREET goes out for Christophe Clement with Rosario aboard and the pedigree sugessts he'll take to the grass.  When these two team up you have to pay attention even if we have no idea how good this one will be.  This guess fest is wide open and I prefer those who haven't run but I have no clever opinions or thoughts on this race and will try to survive to start the pick 5.  

 

SELECTIONS 6-10-9

 

 

RACE 2

 

1 BIG WORLD raced huge in his debut for Tony Dutrow whose horses usually need a start under their belts.  This one was well backed last time but simply ran into a superb filly and odds on favorite Tonasah.  1 BIG WORLD was a bit slow starting walking out behind the field and then had to steady a few times down the backside.  He raced greenly throughout and traveled much further than the horse we'll talk about next 6 AWESOME DAME who was able to get a good setup in that race and finish 2nd.  I thought 1 BIG WORLD was every bit the 2nd best horse in that race and I think he is going to be more forwardly placed in here today and I think he's the horse to beat as experience often pays dividends.  Dutrow 2nd out with 2YOs at the Spa is 6 for his last 10 and the price is going to be fair in here.  6 AWESOME DAME was okay but she was 25-1 in the debut and will be overbet after what I thought was as perfect of trip as you can get off the pacesetters with no traffic trouble at all.  She's a contender to hit the ticket but she can beat me in the win column today.  6 years ago today, Rachel Alexandra won the Haskell, today she gets her first runner as 3 RACHEL'S VALENTINA goes out for Pletcher and will take all the money in here today with Johnny V aboard.  She is the first runner from the once in a lifetime horse in Rachel Alexander and while the hype alone won't make this filly good, it will attract attention at the windows.  Obviously she's expected to be a runner and it wouldn't suprise anybody if she wins first time out but I'm going to take a shot against her with 1 BIG WORLD.  4 WICKED FUN is regally bred if you dig into the whole pedigree and the dam has 2 winners from 3 starters.  Leah Gyarmati does well with 2 year olds and if your looking for a price if you think the favorite falters in her debut this one may be the one.  

 

SELECTIONS 1-3-4

 

RACE 3

 

In the Caress Stakes, 3 FREE AS A BIRD looks to become a repeat winner as he was able to get it done here last year.  I'm not in love with off the pace turf sprinters but he's tries hard in every race and this professional runner is simply the horse to beat.  4 RUNWAY READY has to be sent in here for Leparoux and if she is I like her chances.  I'm not sure if the strangler will let her go but it's her only shot.  I can't take odds on with the favorites so I'll try her at big odds.  1 JEWEL OF A CAT likes Saratoga but I don't think she's as good as the favorite and I will go through this leg of the Pick 5 without her.  

 

SELECTIONS 4-3-1

 

RACE 4

 

1 LUCK NOW is good enough to bet this field but her running style leaves her suspect to pace and that's worrisome for horses at short prices in competitive fields.  She needs pace in here today to chase and if she gets it she'll be running late but I'm not convinced she's going to get it today.  6 HOPE CROSS broke her maiden here last year and since has had lots of chances but hasn't got it done.  She is making her 2nd start as a 4YO and perhaps this is the right field for her but can you take 5-2, because I can't.  8 MORNING STAR is where I landed in here and hopefully we get around the 9-2 range.  She should be forwardly placed in a race where the others have just had too many excuses.  This 4 time winner finds a very camera shy group today, so I'll make her my Best Bet of the day.  

 

SELECTIONS 8-6-1

 

RACE 5

 

 

If 4 FLAG ON THE PLAY wins, I will lose.  I don't think he wants any part of the extra furlong today and I'll be shocked if he wins.  I respect the connections and the fact that he figures to be a part of the early pace scenario but I thought he got things relatively his own way last time and the extra furlong doesn't seem to be in his wheelhouse.  He did appear to lose his whip late after switching to the left hand and it may have costed him the win but I don't see how you can wager on this horse today as the favorite or 2nd choice.  5 BE A HERO may end up the favorite in here but I can't recommend this one either.  He's the class of the race as he drops down today but where has he been since his last race?  He's worked 7 times since that effort and that indicates that something serious may be wrong with this one.  Kentucky shippers have done okay so far this year but this is one I'd be very weary of in here.  3 TOWERING MOON turns back and finds a group she may be able to handle 2nd off the claim for Rudy Rodriguez.  I think he's fast enough to stay close early on the turnback and he could get first run on some tiring leaders that don't want today's distance.  I think if you get anywhere close to 10-1 you need to take a stab.  1 MACK MILLER has run his best races at 7F including a win over a muddy Saratoga main track last year.  I don't think he's impossible in here but the recent form means you must demand a price in his 3rd start of the year.  I'll dump the chalks and try to finish out this P5 with a splash.

 

SELECTIONS 3-1-4.