July 22

BEST BET On Opening Day At Saratoga Salvages The Day

It was Opening Day at historic Saratoga Race Track and I had plays at both Monmouth - as per usual - and selections in five of the races at Saratoga.  Today definitely was not a "highlight day" as far has handicapping goes, that's for sure.  In the 2nd at Monmouth I thought Mr. Logistics would be best in a maiden claiming route - sent off as the 8/5 favorite he was mid-pack to the turn, was asked to make a run and failed to make a strong enough bid to ever threaten, third.  In the 3rd I really liked Mystery Solved who was a Monmouth 40% Club play for Jason Servis with jockey Nik Juarez.  He led while under pressure into the stretch, opened up and was caught late by my second choice - a Paco Lopez runner at 2/1.  Finally in the fourth I got on the board.  Thatta Boy Girl was the 6/5 program favorite but not only was she fastest on speed figures, working on a two-race winning streak, a perfect fit for the conditions, going for a top barn, but was also a Monmouth 40% Club play for trainer Jorge Navarro.  She was cleverly spotted after beating nw3L for 3 and up at Parx last time out in this spot which was a "beaten" claimer with conditions calling for non-winners of TWO lifetime for older horses and open to 3yo like her.  Right to the front and all by herself all the way, drawing off by over fifteen lengths under the wire. 

While she was a paltry 1/5, I was happy to cash my triple investment and collect nearly $20.  In the final Monmouth play of the day I thought Discreetly Placed was TONS the best in the 6th.  She was sent off at 4/5 but was too far back, and her rally was far short of catching the wire-to-wire winner.  Turning the page to Saratoga.....in the third I went with Todd Pletcher's Chipit who was 8/5 at post time and couldn't quite catch my second choice, Roll Tide Roll.  That one broke his maiden for me at Oaklawn Park on Arkansas Derby Day in April 2015 and had not won since.....figures he holds on today right?  Then in the fourth it was my BEST of the Day at the Spa.  Santiero Italia was four-for-eight lifetime with TWO Grade 2 wins.  She had been off since last fall when she ran in back-to-back Grade 1 events, including a third behind BC Filly & Mare Turf champion Stephanie's Kitten.  This allowance turf route was obviously a prep for a stakes try later in the meet, but she still looks tons the best.  She was facing seven rivals where five of them had only three career wins!  Santiero Italia stalked the pace on the rail to the stretch, eased out for clear run and blew the doors off the field. 

Another short price on the board but I collected over $30!  That was it on a disappointing day at the Spa as TOdd Pletcher's Jumby Bay was 4th in a 2yo MSW as my prime-time play; then Made me Shiver was 4th in the opening day feature, the Grade 2 Schuylerville for 2yo fillies; and in the last play of the day Diamond Fields threatened at the top of the lane at 4/1, then faded to eighth.