AIR STRIKE
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Last race: Aug. 30, 4th
Finish: 1st by 6 1/4
Beyer: 87
A 3-year-old maiden making his California debut around two turns after a private purchase by Slam Dunk Racing, this lightly raced Street Sense colt romped. N1X next.
Don’t love anyone on this card (was more eager to take on favored Summering in the DMR Juvenile Fillies Turf yesterday than today, for some reason), but I’ll try to leverage one opinion in the last race and make some money on the late pick 4, which spans races 7 through 10.
And then there was one.
With just one day left in the 2017 Saratoga meeting, perhaps the last we’ll see in the six-day, 6 1/2-week era, it’s time to make a final stand. I always say, if you want to see horseplayers cry, roll by the paddock bar around 6:15 p.m.
One person you won’t see there is me. With the 90-degree weather forecast and the general difficulty of the meet, I’ll be back in my air-conditioned office in Brooklyn (aka the Brooklyn Bunker) by then.
Race 4:
Win With Pride (#7)
Was racing on a dead rail on Aug. 5 last time and actually ran deceptively well to be sixth.
It’s a good sign to see Chris Englehart move him up in class off the claim since he usually spots his runners well at this meet.
Has the back class to suggest he can beat this bunch.
12-1 on ML
Race 4:
Filly Joel (#9)
Broke slowly in his debut but rated kindly and made a strong late move to be fourth.
Was against the track last time, as speed and the rail were very strong on Aug. 19.
Acts like a filly who should appreciate the stretch-out to seven furlongs.
5-1 on ML
Here is a look at an all-stakes pick four at Louisiana Downs on Sunday that concludes with the Super Derby.
Race 8
With many of the entrants in the A.L. "Red" Erwin Memorial inexperienced on turf, this seems an appropriate race to spread a bit in a pick four. The recommendation is to go four deep, using, in order of preference, Budro Talking (9), Drewcitable (8), Battle At Sea (6), and In Charge Halo (1).
With a couple of stakes on the menu at Monmouth Park – one seemingly clear-cut, one seemingly wide-open – the late pick four might be worth a play:
RACE 9: CINCO Y CINCO hasn't been out since December, but he fits here based on his Beyer Speed Figures, and he has a couple of decent works for this. DRAXHALL WOODS has been in good form this summer and does figure to make his presence felt late. TOTAL JOINT takes a big class drop for a barn that wins at a high rate with same (3).
Looking to leverage a firm opinion in the 11th race Sunday, I’ll single Out of Trouble (7-2 morning line) while hoping for a price or two in the other legs in the late pick four (races 9-12) at Saratoga. Here’s the strategy (assumes racing stays on turf):