Saratoga internet plays for Saturday

Saturday, September 2

Well, that was easy - for a change. In Friday's 3 p.m. opener, Seaside Salute did the expected and bounded to the early lead, turned back challenges approaching the stretch and had just enough left to hold off late-rallying Caiman. We had a $25 exacta box on those two, and got back $230 on the winning $18.40 combination.

We took a good-sized chunk off the deficit, and there are still three days left to get into the black. The weekend weather forecast is very iffy, calling for a chance of showers, so we have to stay away from the grass races.

RACE 2

Two-year-olds that sell for $400,000 in training early in the year have shown high speed in workouts to prospective buyers, and that is the case with Timber Reserve, who went for that price in February at one of the more prestigious sales. We'll key him in exactas with Righteous and Zanjero, who ran reasonably well in their respective debuts, and with first-time starter Gasconade. The latter breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 from the gate on Aug. 21 for trainer Ralph Nicks; so did his stablemate Lilly Carson, so that became a potentially significant piece of information after Lilly Carson won her debut by open lengths in Friday's fourth race.

The play:

$15 exacta part-wheel, Timber Reserve over Righteous, Zanjero and Gasconade ($45)

$10 exacta part-wheel, Righteous, Zanjero and Gasconade over Timber Reserve ($30)

(Total investment is $75)

Total wagers previous day: $50
Total return previous day: $230
Total win/loss previous day: plus $180

Total wagers for meet: $1,502
Total return for meet: $1,224.80
Total win/loss for meet: minus $277.20