Illman: Saratoga pick three play for Friday, Aug. 22
Let’s try a pick three.
Race 7
Babies will brave the muddy conditions in today’s seventh race. You can get all of the pedigree and trainer information at this link.
I’d like to spread in this leg. For my Ticketmaker play, I’ll use the experienced runners as the ‘A’ selections. For the ‘B’ and ‘C’ portions, I’ll use some interesting first-time starters.
#3 PAULASSILVERLINING – She showed high speed in her debut but was no match for a 90 Beyer winner. She gained valuable conditioning from that race and will be forwardly placed once again. (A)
#6 SKIPALUTE – Here’s hoping the recent regression wasn’t due to the muddy track. She ran a nice race in her debut at Churchill Downs but couldn’t rally past a tiring Paulassilverlining here last month. I’m guessing she’ll work out a good stalking trip while in the clear under Julien Leparoux (A)
#7 SIERRA OLIVIA – It’s tough to leave a Todd Pletcher-trained first-time starter off any ticket. The dam was a decent sprinter on dirt, but her best foals to date have excelled on the grass. Perhaps Sierra Olivia will need a race. (B)
#11 TIPPANY – She sold for $500,000 as a yearling and has a very strong pedigree. By the hot sire Tapit and out of a half-sister to the graded winners Miss Shop and Trappe Shot, Tippany boasts quick workouts (B).
#1 GAP YEAR – She is a Darley homebred out of Dubai Escapade, a filly who earned a 115 Beyer when running away and hiding in the Grade 1 Ballerina over a “good” Saratoga track in 2006. Kiaran McLaughlin sent out a debut winner here yesterday. (C)
#8 STORMY SKY – George Weaver does good work with young horses, and this filly has some class in her second family. (C)
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Race 8
#4 SINISTRA – He improved by leaps and bounds over a wet track here July 31. He lost ground most of the way while chasing a slow pace and was very game in getting up over the solid Big Business. He’ll catch a wet track again and shouldn’t be too far off the early lead under Joel Rosario. (A)
#6 CRUSHING – He couldn’t overcome a red-hot Stormin Monarcho most recently at Delaware. He drops into a claimer for the first time for trainer Chad Brown and fits very well from a class and speed figure perspective. (B)
Race 9
#6 CLOSE HATCHES – She has emerged as one of the top distaff performers in the nation. Her versatile running style should serve her well in the Personal Ensign, and she handled a wet track at Oaklawn Park earlier in the year. She’s a very logical contender. (A)
#7 PRINCESS OF SYLMAR – Despite throwing in a clunker when second to Belle Gallantey in the Delaware Handicap, her overall body of work is excellent. The addition of blinkers is a bit concerning, but she did some nice things over this track last year and deserves another chance. (A)
#1 ANTIPATHY – She is the hot new face. She pressed a good pace en route to the recent Shuvee score in the mud and draws a comfortable inside post position. (B)
Here are the Ticketmaker combinations:
All A entries ($2 base):
3,6 with 4 with 6,7 = $8
A’s with one B ($1 base):
7,11 with 4 with 6,7 = $4
3,6 with 6 with 6,7 = $4
3,6 with 4 with 1 = $2
A’s with two B’s ($1 base):
7,11 with 6 with 6,7 = $4
7,11 with 4 with 1 = $2
3,6 with 6 with 1 = $2
A’s with one C ($1 base):
1,8 with 4 with 6,7 = $4
