Two maiden races with full fields in the middle of the card (races 4, 5) make a multi-race play tricky at best. However, a pick three starting with race 5, giving you a chance to see the board and see the horses in the paddock and on the track, might be a play, particularly since you can take a stand in races 6 and 7.
Race 5
AWESOME DAME
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Last race: Aug. 2, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 2
Beyer: 74
Second-time starter improved 25 Beyer Speed Figure points, arguing the pace throughout and holding stubbornly against the highly touted Rachel’s Valentina.
MISS SEA
Trainer: Mike Keogh
Last race: July 29, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 3/4
Beyer: 85
She took her game to another level when mounting a wide bid from last to finish just behind the two favorites in the Eternal Search Stakes. It was the versatile 3-year-old’s first race around two turns, and she appears to have a productive future in Ontario-sired company.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Monday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
DRF Bets GamePlan
Closer looks for Hastings, Saratoga, and Woodbine, and live longshots for Saratoga. Picks are chronologically listed, so you can build and plan your wagering day.
I’m taking a stance against the two top choices on the morning line in Monday’s fifth race at Saratoga, Greek Life (3-1) and Time for Angie (7-2), in the hope of getting off to a good start in the pick three that begins with that $12,500 claiming sprint. Greek Life’s trainer, Mike Maker, is 2 for 35 in claiming sprints at Saratoga. Time for Angie’s new trainer, Gary Gullo, is 4 for 38 first time off the claim with horses back following a layoff of 31 to 60 days
Not really overloaded with smart-alecky ideas as we wrap up the week at the Spa. The 10-race card begins with last Thursday’s rained-out Jonathan Kiser Memorial for jumpers, where the likely pacesetter, SYROS, caught a break when potential rival speed PROTRADE wasn’t entered back.
Neither will I get involved with race 3, a turf sprint for 2-year-old New York-bred maiden fillies; or race 10, a turf route for the slowest New York-bred maiden claiming fillies on the circuit.
This Sunday morning notes missive from me has become something of a thing. And of course, on this Sunday, writing it in the morning means I’m filing it before American Pharoah competes in the Haskell in his first outing since completing his sweep of the Triple Crown. I’ll weigh in later on American Pharoah and the Haskell on DRF Live. But the stage was properly set for him thanks to a terrific Saturday of stakes racing.