Litfin: How I'd play Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 30

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There’s something for everyone on Saturday’s 12-race card, which includes four graded stakes, six grass races, a $500,000-guaranteed late pick four on races 9-12, and a $150,000-guaranteed pick six on races 7-12.

There will be high drama fairly early in the afternoon, when many budget-minded bettors will be looking to cash out the early pick four and the pick five with the come-backing Wise Dan in the Bernard Baruch, which is race 5.

I’m tip-toeing around the 2-year-old maidens that comprise the early double on turf and dirt and may consider a simple crisscross of Congrats to Ken, Epsilon, and Tapkee in the opener with Da Jenius, Two Weeks Off, Gold Shield, and Evolution in race 2.

In race 3, hopefully the crowd will go overboard on Mshawish off the drop from a middle move in the Oceanport first time in the U.S. I’d love to get anything like the 5-1 morning-line odds on Compliance Officer.

The middle races look pretty chalky.

In the second division of the seven-furlong maiden race for juveniles (race 4), I can’t see past Royal Son and El Kabeir, who ran very well in their debuts.

I know all the wise-guy reasons to bet against Wise Dan in race 5, but he has a knack for overcoming adversity, and it’s just impossible to root against him today. If you’re thinking about taking a position against him, it’s probably best to make a final decision after getting a good look at him pre-race.

Lacking a strong opinion in the Prioress beyond Miss Behaviour and Sweet Whiskey (race 8), the second half of my day will involve the late pick four.

Here are some thoughts on those races:

Race 9 – On paper, the pace projects to be ferociously fast among Hot Squeeze, Atlantic’s Smile, Runway Ready, and Insolvent, who drew in from the also-eligibles. I’m playing for a meltdown and mainly will use Orient Harbor, Scatcapade, and Ballerina Belle.

Race 10 – It feels like Clearly Now and Palace are a few cuts above the six others left in the Forego after scratches, and the pace should be honest enough for both of them with Zee Bros and Weekend Hideaway likely to duel.

Race 11 – The combination of blinkers on and the rail post make it seem like Itsmyluckyday is going after Moreno, who enjoyed an uncontested lead in the Whitney.

Those two have to be used, but Zivo is fresh with nearly two months off since running down Moreno in the Suburban, and he is a close with that all-important ability to gain striking position by the pre-stretch call.

I also am backing up with the two others that get blinkers in the hopes that Norumbega and Long River run back to their top performances. With the latter, you also get the enigmatic Romansh, whose best race puts him in the picture.

Race 12 – This long-distance turf allowance at 1 3/16 miles is a spread for me. I prefer Special Agent, the import Belisarius (cheek pieces off), and the potential lone speed Iron Power but also will use Jonrah, Countryman, Alarmed Ndangerous, and Make a Decision to a lesser degree.