Hersh: Saratoga pick four play for Sunday, Aug. 10

Two interesting and seemingly competitive 2-year-old stakes in the middle of the late pick four for Sunday really enhance the sequence. The invaluable DRF Ticketmaker screen capture below lays out A-B-C play, but if your bankroll, like mine, still is smarting from Saturday’s brutal late pick four near miss, a “caveman” all-A’s play can be had for $18. I have fairly strong positive feelings about at least one “A” horse in each of the legs, though not quite strong enough to single any of them.

Race 8 – The short chart comment for #1 BIG ISLAND BOY is interesting: “Firm hold, mild kick.” The firm hold is interesting because that race was his first after being claimed by the Asmussen barn. The horse had won his maiden on the lead and pressed a quick pace at Churchill the day he was claimed, and school appeared to be in session last out, with new connections asking the horse to settle off the pace.

“Mild kick” seems not quite fair: Big Island Boy didn’t gain ground from stretch call to finish, but his final quarter-mile was about 23.40 seconds, faster than mild. He raced July 21 over the course and already worked back twice. Like him quite a bit, but he will need luck from the fence.

#8 STABLEFORD had no pace at which to run in his N1X allowance tries, and his standard-issue recent performance puts him right there on class drop. #7 KWACHA is having trouble closing the deal even when he fires.

The B’s are #3 ALL CASH and #12 PART. The former was highly regarded by connections last year but disappointed. He finally put it together enough to win a maiden last out and could see him moving forward. The latter is dropped in for first tag and shows purchase price less than claiming price. Needs to find a spot from wide draw.

Race 9 – Think it’s a hot pace in the Adirondack but also suspect #5 CAVORTING wound up on lead in blowout debut win because of post 1 as much as anything. She has stride of horse that wants to run farther and would love to see her take up stalking position today.

#3 ANGELA RENEE already has stalked and won a productive Belmont maiden race. WONDER GAL’s turn move debuting with win in New York-bred stakes was flattered by poor competition, but she and Cavorting are the only two to have run as far as six furlongs.

Think #6 VIVIAN DA BLING will soften up late but tossing in as a “C” in case she’s just a freaky speed horse that doesn’t stop.

Race 10 – #3 MR. Z was the best horse in the Sanford, and the hope is he comes into this in form at least as good. His running style should fit well in a race that ought to have lively splits.

Considered singling but fear Dutrow second-timer #1 I SPENT IT, who looks poised for a move forward even after winning debut.

#7 CINCO CHARLIE and #6 NONNA’S BOY were third and fourth in the Sanford, respectively, but the former was pressured all the way on hot pace and ran bravely, while the latter made a strong move into that same hot pace. They’re Cs because I don’t see either running much better, but under the right circumstances, each could win.

Race 11 – Not a lot of solid fits in this $25,000 claimer (the two strongest-looking horses are also-eligibles that were scratched), but there is a lot of speed. #7 KATHY’S KITTEN is 8-1 on the line but would be my top pick in 1-2-3 selections. Overcame slow pace to beat similar at Monmouth last time at nine furlongs trip farther than his best and since has been freshened a bit while almost certainly pointed to a Spa try.

#3 NINEINTHENINE was a close fourth going a half-furlong farther on this course last out in post-layoff start he probably needed, and I’m living with those two only as “As.”

#2 TAPITDAR has as many layoff lines as recent races and, when he actually gets that far, always seems to run worse the second start of his form cycle, which is now. But he did move early into fast splits last out at Belmont and since has posted sharp works for a capable local barn, and he’s the B.

#1 DAYS RIDE looks like a bad drop two starts after being taken for $50,000 but grant the possibility he comes forward just enough off last out to get in the frame – and onto the ticket as a C.