DeVivo: How I'd play Saratoga for Monday, July 27

Race 4: Based on pedigree, HONEY CHILE RYDER (#5, 15-1) is ideally suited for this 1 3/8-mile maiden race. Her dam, Honey Ryder, won nine graded stakes at distances between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 miles, including the 1 3/8-mile Robert Dick Memorial twice. The back-up will be another longshot, TIZETTE (#9, 20-1), who was a decent fourth in her career debut going 1 1/4 miles behind Bishop’s Pond, who returned to win opening day at the Spa.

Race 5: NATALIE VICTORIA (#2, 5-1) takes a sharp class drop after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Obeah. Note that Michelle Nevin is 2 for 5 (100 percent in the money) with runners going nine furlongs following a break of 31 to 60 days, including a win by this 7-year-old mare. SAMANTHA NICOLE (#4, 7-2) steps up to the next logical level after clearing her first allowance condition for Kiaran McLaughlin, who shows an 8-for-15 record with last-out winners in allowance dirt routes, including 2 for 5 at Saratoga.

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Race 6: Rudy Rodriguez is 4 for 11 (36 percent, $3.10 return on investment) with maiden claiming sprinters at Saratoga back from a layoff of 31 to 60 days. STONE CRAB (#2, 6-1) fits the pattern. Also use BUSTIN THE BANK (#7, 4-1), who finished a neck in front of Stone Crab last time, as a prime play. As back-ups, TOMMASO (#8, 12-1) makes his second career start for a trainer who is 2 for 4 with second-time 3-year-old maiden claimers, and logical favorite THANK YOU (#9, 2-1), who drops into a maiden claimer after nine losses.

Race 4: A: 5

B: 9

Race 5: A: 2, 4

Race 6: A: 2, 7

B: 8, 9