Fornatale: How I'd play Saratoga for Saturday, Sept. 5

How in the name of all that is good is it already September? The good news is that the last Saturday card of the Saratoga meet is excellent, with an impressive slate of 12 races. I happen to like a few strong favorites, which isn't ideal for the purposes of making money, but this late in the meet I don't mind trying to go out with a few winners: better a short price than a long face.

Race 2: I have a nice note on WAR ORDER (#6). I thought he looked like he wanted to run longer and he ran pretty well sprinting as it was. He wasn't far off a hot pace and galloped out well. I'll be backing him win-place and using in an exacta with DONEGAL MOON (#8), another I thought wanted to run long based on his physicality.

Race 4: GREENPOINTCRUSADER (#3) might be odds-on here, but he's a logical anchor for your early card multirace wagers: He galloped out great going shorter and looked physically like longer would be better. I'll try a pick three using the two I mentioned in Race 2 with PREDICATE (#6) and EXCUSE MY FRENCH (#1) -- the best speed and the best closer in Race 3 - singled to him here.

:: See Peter Fornatale’s pick three play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets

Race 6: I'm expecting good things from TALE OF LIFE (#1), who looks to be ready for his stateside debut for Graham Motion, a trainer who excels in all the relevant categories. He's a potential win bet for me if longer than odds-on. I also will start a double.

Race 7: If SET THE TRAPPE (#12) draws in off the also-eligible list in the seventh race (see, I told you I liked a lot of chalk on this card), I'll look to cap a double with him. SILVERTOWN (#3) is another I'll use in the double. I liked him on looks in the paddock on debut.

Race 8: I'm looking to back to GO AROUND (#5) win and place. He has been brought around slowly for Bill Mott and the form of the last race against elders is working out subtly well -- while there have been no next-out winners, all five who have run back as of this writing have improved their speed figures. I'll kick off a pick three using him, TAKEOVER TARGET (#3), and possible lone speed NONNA'S BOY (#8).

Race 9: Just going to single RACHEL'S VALENTINA (#2) in the aforementioned pick three. It's a tough race, but she might be special.

Race 10: I'll get cute in the closing leg, trying to beat Liam's Map, who comes back a little quick for me off his huge effort in the Whitney. Instead I'll use both the Jimmy Jerkens runners, WICKED STRONG (#1) and EFFINEX (#7), along with the other, other, other Todd Pletcher runner, PROTONICO (#8).

:: See Peter Fornatale’s pick three play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets

Race 11: I'm mildly against the favorites here at the likely prices and figure to make a double or even triple win bet on some price horses, depending on final odds. MAXIMOVA (#1) is a little interesting. The form of her last race is strong (three next-out winners), and she has had some wide trips but draws inside here. WHITE ROSE (#2) shares many excuses with likely favorite Eastern Belle (pace compromised and wide last time) but should be a multiple of that rival's price. BOCAIUVA (#5) requires some imagination but is also a live longshot. Seems she's a difficult ride -- always getting in trouble -- but she has never run long in the USA and that's where she's likely best as she was a group stakes winner in France going 1 1/4 miles. Switch to Joel Rosario might help too. I might also try to get live to all three in doubles, possibly even saving with Liam's Map in the first leg.