Illman: Saratoga pick four play for Wednesday, Aug. 27

Let’s try the early pick four beginning with the P.G. Johnson Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the turf.

Race 3: This looks like a spread race. I believe #3 PARTISAN POLITICS, still a maiden for Chad Brown, will run much better in his first try around two turns. I’ll use him as an ‘A’ on my Ticketmaker play along with #2 SUNDAY SONNET, an impressive dirt winner stretching out for trainer Kelly Breen. My backups are #5 MAGNIFICENT MARGO, a perfect-trip winner here Aug. 8, and #6 RAINHA DA BATERIA, who defeated Partisan Politics in a four-horse blanket finish last month.

Race 4: This race might be the key to the entire sequence. None of the six New York-bred entrants has run close to par for this class level. Thus, I want a fresh face. #3 GRIDLEY HERE never has started on dirt, but it appears as if he has enough pedigree to handle the surface. His sire won four graded stakes going long on the main track and finished second in the Travers. His dam won sprinting on dirt. The lightly raced 3-year-old showed some ability on turf last year and has some upside potential, unlike the majority of his exposed opponents. I’ll use him as an ‘A’ at 6-1 on the morning line with #1 BEYOND EMPIRE as the backup

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Race 5: Unfortunately, we’ll have to play the last two maiden races for babies blind with no access to the tote. In the turf sprint, I’ll use some of the experienced horses as ‘A’ plays. #4 IN SPITE OF MAMA showed speed on dirt against a solid field and should be forwardly placed once again. #6 PERFECT FREUD tackled a decent bunch, and the sire is a strong turf influence. The lone ‘B’ play is #11 HARLAN’S SIX, who can move forward off her debut. My two ‘C’ horses are #13 SHE’S MARVY, a filly with some turf pedigree, and #3 FORMA’S JOY, a Kitten’s Joy lass going out for a very low-profile barn.

Race 6: Rick Violette has had a very strong meet with his 2-year-olds, and #8 CLUB O R might be ready to fire first out. She’s one of the guesses along with #1 SHE’S ROMAN for Michael Dilger and #5 MISS POTENZA, a filly who showed speed on turf at Ellis Park. I’ll use all three as ‘A’ wagers and hope for the best.

Here are my Ticketmaker plays:

All A’s ($1 base):
3,5 with 3 with 4,6 with 1,5,8 = $12
A’s With One B (50-cent base):
2,6,with 3, with 4,6 with 1,5,8 = $6
3,5 with 1 with 4,6 with 1,5,8 = $6
3,5 with 3 with 11 with 1,5,8 = $3

A’s With Two B’s (50-cent base):
2,6 with 1 with 4,6 with 1,5,8 = $6
2,6 with 3 with 11 with 1,5,8 = $3
3,5 with 1 with 11 with 1,5,8 = $3

A’s With One C (50-cent base):
3,5 with 3 with 3,13 with 1,5,8 = $6