Hammersly: How I would play Thursday, July 17
Big fields can add up to big opportunities on this opening day. Here are a few ideas wagering-wise from which you may be able to hinge your day and your multi-race wagers.
Race 1
BIG WAGS may start your day off right in the early double and early pick three. The 7-year-old won here last summer. He was a well-beaten 6th behind today’s foe FIT TO RULE at SA April 4, but not only did Bill Spawr see fit to claim him (14 percent off a claim) but he’s freshened him, and while this old boy is long out of "jail," Spawr still moves him up in price a notch, a great sign. He’s a real pro (11-time winner) and looks like the right way to start off the day and meet, particularly with a big open field set for race 2 and a competitive bunch of gals lined up in race 3.
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Race 5
There are some solid optional claimers lined up for this turf route but FAST TRACK may be poised to spring the upset, or at least finish on the board at a big price, boosting your exacta/trifecta payoffs. The veteran ran on decently to be 5th in a very strong optional claimer at SA June 21, and the two who finished in front of him that day would be very tough in here. He doesn’t necessarily have to come from the clouds, either, so using him in both spots on your Ticketmaker exacta tickets or first three spots on your Ticketmaker trifecta tickets may pay off.
Race 8
A very tough race with options galore. You almost surely have to spread here for your late-day pick three and pick four situation. MAGICAL KITTEN looks like a comer and may be ready for this step up in class. ENTERPRISING has been rock solid, and while he may go favored, his price still figures fair. He seems a must-use as well. SAMMY MANDEVILLE is intriguing at a price as he’s Bejarano’s first call and flashed turf talent with his maiden win at SA May 4
Using those two could also pay off in the exacta/trifecta. TEXAN RYANO, LOVES RULES ALL, ARGYLE CUT, HOME SCHOOL, and G. G. RYDER are worthy of inclusion in the supporting positions.
And with the money likely spread all over the place here, any successful combo should be rewarded with a generous price.
The good news is that a spread here and also in race 9 may reap benefits should VIBRATO JAZZ prove the right linchpin to your multi-race wagers in race 10.
Speaking of the nightcap, should you get knocked out of your late pick three or pick four you could hook up VIBRATO JAZZ and AFFRETTANDO. VIBRATO JAZZ is a consistent veteran who makes his first start for trainer Ron Ellis off the claim. And, of course, as you’d expect, Ellis is quite good off the claim. AFFRETTANDO has been freshened, drops and returns to his favorite place, as his two victories came here, including one last year when VIBRATO JAZZ actually beat him by a neck but was DQ’d.