Teach
07-30-2015, 12:39 PM
Race One:
I chronicled yesterday that my knowledge of what to look for and how to handicap “the jumpers” is limited. Yet, having said that, I feel compelled (no one’s twisting my arm) to offer my thoughts and selections. My pick is :7: Selection Sunday. This Harlan’s Holiday-bred gelding was last seen in the South at Charlotte, N.C. and Charleston, S.C. The 6-year-old won both those steeplechase events, one in April, 2015; the other in November, 2014. Yes, he’s been on the shelf; yet his trainer, Jack Fisher, does a well with horses that have been away from the races. Can this gelding make it three-straight? Sean McDermott is in the saddle.
Others: :2: , :8: , :9:
Race Two:
With showers in the area, I'm on the "horns of a dilemma". I’m faced with a quandary. Do I handicap it “fast,” or do I look for a “mudder”. I’m going to err on the side of caution and assume that by about 1:30 p.m. it will be raining in Saratoga Springs, NY. So my pick in this claiming route is the rail horse, :1: Harlans Belle (There’s Harlan’s Holiday lineage, again). This 3-year-old filly has a solid, wet-track pedigree. He should relish the wet-track conditions. The Jamaican-bor, Shaun Bridgmohan (he brought in a longshot, yesterday), is in the irons for trainer Brad Cox.
Others: :2: , :4: , :6:
Race Three:
In this 2-year-old MSW sprint, I’m casting my lot with :3: Fish Trappe Road. In the land of first-time starters, a horse with a race under his belt is king. Whether that made-up axiom pans out is still open to conjecture. Yet, I like this colt’s chances. This Tapit-bred grey is cutting back a half-panel from his only start in late June at Churchill Downs; he finished fourth in that one. Trainer Bret Calhoun is a solid conditioner. Luis Saez is in the irons.
Others: :8: , :6: , :4:
Race Four:
In the non-graded John Morrissey New York State-bred Stake, a sprint at 6 and ½ furlongs, I’m going with :7: Moonlight Song. This Unbridled’s Song-bred gelding should enjoy the wet track. My choice is a lightly-raced 8-year-old who has lifetime earning of over 400k, that coming in just 16 starts! The gelding won his last, a non-graded stakes event. Charlton Baker trains – he’s good with layoff horses; Jose Ortiz is in the stirrups.
Others: 8 :8: , :6: , :4:
Race Five:
I’m assuming that this MSW turf sprint is coming off the grass and is going to be run on the main. If that’s the case, my top pick is an MTO, :16: All About My Girls. Others: :15: , :14: , :13: If the race stays on the lawn, I’m picking: :5: Kentucky Road.
Race Six:
In this claiming route that’s scheduled to be run on the turf, non-winners of 3, lifetime, I’m picking :3: Arctic Ocean. If there’s a switch to the main, my choice is an absolute off-the-wall “bomb,” :2: Tizsational with Joel Rosario. This Tiznow-bred filly should love the off-going if the race switches to the main. If they do run the race on the main track, others I like are: :4: , :5: , :6:
Race Seven:
A scheduled claiming turf sprint, non-winners of 2, lifetime. If it stays on the lawn, my pick is :11: Cool Comfort. If the race is run on the main, my pick is: :13: Rachel’s Temper. Trainer Dave Cannizo conditioned a winner, yesterday. This filly won her last race; she has a solid wet-track pedigree. Others if they come off the turf are: :10: , :9: , :4:
Race Eight:
In this MSW route I like :2: Regia Marina. This Medaglia d’Oro-bred filly has a solid wet-track family tree. She’s hit the tote in three out of four lifetime tries. Trainer Tom Albertrani does very well with horses making their third starrt off a layoff. Javier Castellano is in the irons. Others: :1: , :4: , :5:
Race Nine:
In this optional-claiming turf route, I’ll go with the Bill Mott trainee, :6: Radiator, that is if the race stays on the lawn. If switched to the main, my choice is: :2: Sabbatical with Johnny V. in the irons for trainer “Shug” McGaughey. Others if the race switches to the main are: :6: , :7: , :8:
Race Ten:
In the finale, a maiden-claiming sprint, I’m picking :10: Winter Wish. My pick is based on the assumption that the track is coming up wet. This chestnut mare should find wet-track conditions to her liking. Luis Saez for trainer George Weaver.
Others: :11: . :9: , :3:
I chronicled yesterday that my knowledge of what to look for and how to handicap “the jumpers” is limited. Yet, having said that, I feel compelled (no one’s twisting my arm) to offer my thoughts and selections. My pick is :7: Selection Sunday. This Harlan’s Holiday-bred gelding was last seen in the South at Charlotte, N.C. and Charleston, S.C. The 6-year-old won both those steeplechase events, one in April, 2015; the other in November, 2014. Yes, he’s been on the shelf; yet his trainer, Jack Fisher, does a well with horses that have been away from the races. Can this gelding make it three-straight? Sean McDermott is in the saddle.
Others: :2: , :8: , :9:
Race Two:
With showers in the area, I'm on the "horns of a dilemma". I’m faced with a quandary. Do I handicap it “fast,” or do I look for a “mudder”. I’m going to err on the side of caution and assume that by about 1:30 p.m. it will be raining in Saratoga Springs, NY. So my pick in this claiming route is the rail horse, :1: Harlans Belle (There’s Harlan’s Holiday lineage, again). This 3-year-old filly has a solid, wet-track pedigree. He should relish the wet-track conditions. The Jamaican-bor, Shaun Bridgmohan (he brought in a longshot, yesterday), is in the irons for trainer Brad Cox.
Others: :2: , :4: , :6:
Race Three:
In this 2-year-old MSW sprint, I’m casting my lot with :3: Fish Trappe Road. In the land of first-time starters, a horse with a race under his belt is king. Whether that made-up axiom pans out is still open to conjecture. Yet, I like this colt’s chances. This Tapit-bred grey is cutting back a half-panel from his only start in late June at Churchill Downs; he finished fourth in that one. Trainer Bret Calhoun is a solid conditioner. Luis Saez is in the irons.
Others: :8: , :6: , :4:
Race Four:
In the non-graded John Morrissey New York State-bred Stake, a sprint at 6 and ½ furlongs, I’m going with :7: Moonlight Song. This Unbridled’s Song-bred gelding should enjoy the wet track. My choice is a lightly-raced 8-year-old who has lifetime earning of over 400k, that coming in just 16 starts! The gelding won his last, a non-graded stakes event. Charlton Baker trains – he’s good with layoff horses; Jose Ortiz is in the stirrups.
Others: 8 :8: , :6: , :4:
Race Five:
I’m assuming that this MSW turf sprint is coming off the grass and is going to be run on the main. If that’s the case, my top pick is an MTO, :16: All About My Girls. Others: :15: , :14: , :13: If the race stays on the lawn, I’m picking: :5: Kentucky Road.
Race Six:
In this claiming route that’s scheduled to be run on the turf, non-winners of 3, lifetime, I’m picking :3: Arctic Ocean. If there’s a switch to the main, my choice is an absolute off-the-wall “bomb,” :2: Tizsational with Joel Rosario. This Tiznow-bred filly should love the off-going if the race switches to the main. If they do run the race on the main track, others I like are: :4: , :5: , :6:
Race Seven:
A scheduled claiming turf sprint, non-winners of 2, lifetime. If it stays on the lawn, my pick is :11: Cool Comfort. If the race is run on the main, my pick is: :13: Rachel’s Temper. Trainer Dave Cannizo conditioned a winner, yesterday. This filly won her last race; she has a solid wet-track pedigree. Others if they come off the turf are: :10: , :9: , :4:
Race Eight:
In this MSW route I like :2: Regia Marina. This Medaglia d’Oro-bred filly has a solid wet-track family tree. She’s hit the tote in three out of four lifetime tries. Trainer Tom Albertrani does very well with horses making their third starrt off a layoff. Javier Castellano is in the irons. Others: :1: , :4: , :5:
Race Nine:
In this optional-claiming turf route, I’ll go with the Bill Mott trainee, :6: Radiator, that is if the race stays on the lawn. If switched to the main, my choice is: :2: Sabbatical with Johnny V. in the irons for trainer “Shug” McGaughey. Others if the race switches to the main are: :6: , :7: , :8:
Race Ten:
In the finale, a maiden-claiming sprint, I’m picking :10: Winter Wish. My pick is based on the assumption that the track is coming up wet. This chestnut mare should find wet-track conditions to her liking. Luis Saez for trainer George Weaver.
Others: :11: . :9: , :3: