DeVivo: Pick three play at Saratoga for Monday, Aug. 31

A couple of intriguing longshots in a maiden claiming route on turf make the sixth race a good launching pad for a pick three play. I also intend to stand against the two morning-line favorites in the third leg of the sequence

Race 6: There are mixed signals on probable favorite FINE INSTINCTS (#1, 5-2). On one hand, Todd Pletcher is 5 for 6 removing blinkers in maiden claiming races. But this filly was the beaten favorite in three of her last four starts and regressed when she was dropped into maiden claiming company for the first time. Pletcher is also 0 for 3 at the meet with horses back in less than 30 days in maiden claiming routes on turf and he’s just 2 for 14 with 3-year-olds in maiden claiming turf routes the past two years. I’ll include this filly, but only as a backup. My prime contenders, both at a price, are LANA’S FORTUNE (#2, 10-1) and first-time starter STAR’S BELLA VISTA (#4, 8-1). Lana’s Fortune endured a wide trip from post 10 last time and now moves inside. Each of her two previous races at Belmont, where she was third, produced a next-out winner at Saratoga. Star’s Bella Vista is a full sister to a horse who was a three-time stakes winner on turf at Turf Paradise. Young trainer Joe Sharp has positive stats with first-time starters and first-time turf runners. I will also toss in POUND STERLING (#10, 20-1) because trainer Tom Bush is 2 for 8 with a $4.15 return on investment with maiden claiming turf routers back following an absence of more than 45 days, including an 11-1 winner at Saratoga in 2012.

Race 7: ROSALIND (#1, 2-1) is a must use as a Grade 2 winner earlier this season dropping into a third-level allowance. As backups, I will use her uncoupled stablemate HELLENISTIC (#4, 12-1) and the consistent PATSY’S HOLIDAY (#6, 5-1).

Race 8: I’m standing against morning-line favorite Looking Cool, because trainer David Jacobson is 0 for 3 with last-out winners looking for a repeat in dirt routes at Saratoga the past two years, and second choice Prospero, whose trainer, Jeremiah Englehart, is 1 for 13 in dirt routes at the Spa. My viable alternatives are TIZMAS (#6, 6-1), whose trainer, Jason Servis, is 16 for 41 (36 percent) with medium-priced claimers back after a break of 31-60 days in dirt routes; MARRIAGE FEVER (#4, 12-1), because Joe Imperio is 5 for 29 (17 percent) with horses switching from sprints to routes; and BARRISTER JIM (#2, 4-1), because Mike Maker hits at a 30 percent clip (7 for 23, $3.01 ROI) first off the claim with medium-priced runners going long while back in less than 30 days.

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