Preparing for Saratoga/Del Mar

[jeebus1083]

With the availability of Formulator and other paper/electronic tools, and with the exception of watching/noting previous races, is it really necessary anymore to do "homework" prior to either Saratoga or Del Mar? If there is requisite work to be done, what exercise(s) would be of use/value to help prepare for these meets?

[BELMONT 6-6-09]

These boutique meetings require a great deal of work and preparedness. The competitive fields offers more horses in a race with a chance to win. Horses with good Belmont form are throw-outs in most races. Value can be seen with well
prepped shippers with cagey conditioners waiting for months for the proper spot with a live charge.

The advantages of the DelMar and Saratoga meetings is the influx of the tourist money which boosts the handle as opposed to downstate at Belmont. Patience is the key, in my opinion early in the meeting until patterns begin to develope
which can be taken advantage of.

Interesting to point out that even the first time starters at Saratoga win at double digits as in most races the "hot" firsters are bet off the board while the double digit firsters are getting that sneaky money especially in the exactas .

I will be prepared for the meeting..but it will be a constant reminder that it is a lot of work.

[jeebus1083]

I understand what you are saying, but I don't know if my question has completely been answered. What "homework" would be beneficial for doing prior to the start of these meets? In other words, what kind of information should I be seeking out that I won't necessarily find within the confines of the PPs?

These boutique meetings require a great deal of work and preparedness. The competitive fields offers more horses in a race with a chance to win. Horses with good Belmont form are throw-outs in most races. Value can be seen with well
prepped shippers with cagey conditioners waiting for months for the proper spot with a live charge.

The advantages of the DelMar and Saratoga meetings is the influx of the tourist money which boosts the handle as opposed to downstate at Belmont. Patience is the key, in my opinion early in the meeting until patterns begin to develope
which can be taken advantage of.

Interesting to point out that even the first time starters at Saratoga win at double digits as in most races the "hot" firsters are bet off the board while the double digit firsters are getting that sneaky money especially in the exactas .

I will be prepared for the meeting..but it will be a constant reminder that it is a lot of work.

[BELMONT 6-6-09]

Sorry Jeebus for not answering your question. I have no answer for any additional info.

[jeebus1083]

No problem. Thank you for your insight though. :)

Sorry Jeebus for not answering your question. I have no answer for any additional info.

[offtrack]

I prepare for the Saratoga meet by researching trainer patterns that were profitable 1-2-3 years prior; researching for value bets (and race passing strategies) using my HSH analyst; and generally reviewing published information in the racing press. I also use workout information as available.

[classhandicapper]

About the only thing I do is look at previous meets and try to determine if any of the trainers that have been successful there in the past have been gearing a lot of horses (or even a specific horse) up to peak at that meet.

[PhantomOnTour]

I prepare for the Saratoga meet by researching trainer patterns that were profitable 1-2-3 years prior; researching for value bets (and race passing strategies) using my HSH analyst; and generally reviewing published information in the racing press. I also use workout information as available.
:ThmbUp:
That's what i do, but i refine it a little to look for trainers who have success early and late at Sar (don't play DelMar). Some are deadly late in the meet with a start over the track, and some come out firing.
Some lesser known outfits almost always get a bomb or two during the meet.
Zito usually gets winners late in the meet, but hasn't won much of anything lately...who knows with him.
James W Ferraro is a low % trainer but seems to score with a bomb every meet. He's done it each of the last 3yrs....2nd start at the meet, jock switch, class and/or distance change.
Always respect George Weaver
Al Stall doesn't run many at Sar but sends 'em ready, esp during the 1st week of the meet.

[Casino]

:ThmbUp:
That's what i do, but i refine it a little to look for trainers who have success early and late at Sar (don't play DelMar). Some are deadly late in the meet with a start over the track, and some come out firing.
Some lesser known outfits almost always get a bomb or two during the meet.
Zito usually gets winners late in the meet, but hasn't won much of anything lately...who knows with him.
James W Ferraro is a low % trainer but seems to score with a bomb every meet. He's done it each of the last 3yrs....2nd start at the meet, jock switch, class and/or distance change.
Always respect George Weaver
Al Stall doesn't run many at Sar but sends 'em ready, esp during the 1st week of the meet.



Follow the 2 year old NO TRY prep race at Belmont right before the meet starts i will be posting them in my slection thread.Follow closely;)

[RaceBookJoe]

About the only thing I do is look at previous meets and try to determine if any of the trainers that have been successful there in the past have been gearing a lot of horses (or even a specific horse) up to peak at that meet.

I also look for unknown to me trainers/jockeys, ship ins that make no sense to show up end of meet. Last year on closing day, got lucky taking a chance on one..paid over $90 to win. rbj

[Mr Saratoga]

I don't do Delmar because I am committed to the $pa. In quality Md races I rely heavily on the Sires Stats book. You can get some very nice A+ horses at great prices.

A lot of top trainers point toward the meet, Pletcher, Assmusen, ward, C Brown, and Rice. Some have been over forty % in the first two weeks, and they all have been either first, or second for the meet in wins.

[pondman]

I don't play Saratoga. I play Delmar infrequently. Both of theses meets are important to me only because I want to bet the horses when they are shipped from Saratoga and Delmar. I think the value is in their shippers.

[Steven Kolb]

For Saratoga especially... take a second look at horses shipping in for this meet. You don't have to play them, but why are they there? Party time for the owners - or after a bigger purses - or???

sk

[magwell]

Here's what I do and I'm sure everybody has a different way to play Saratoga, but I pass all NY bred races and all days when the track is not listed as fast..... thats my comfort zone......:cool:

[pondman]

For Saratoga especially... take a second look at horses shipping in for this meet. You don't have to play them, but why are they there? Party time for the owners - or after a bigger purses - or???

sk

I'm actually refering to when they leave Saratoga and Delmar. They often go straight out and win.

[KingChas]

With the availability of Formulator and other paper/electronic tools, and with the exception of watching/noting previous races, is it really necessary anymore to do "homework" prior to either Saratoga or Del Mar?

That's about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9kKf7SHco

[turninforhome10]

Read the condition book and figure out where the horses I have been watching at Belmont fit in with those horses that have been waiting for the Spa. Trainers want to win at the SPA more than anyplace else it seems and those that have pegged their best stock are the one that can sometimes pay more than they would elsewhere. We always talk of sire stats, I watch for mare power, nothing says quality like a offspring winning at the SPA and owner\breeders are keenly aware of this. Saratoga form is very elusive to find as some horses just love that track and will pay handsomely if you can sniff em out.

[thelyingthief]

I would recommend the charts: ask some questions, like where are the long-shots coming from, which races or types of races.

For instance, Del Mar has a reputation for long-shots, but this is deceptive--at least, it was when I played the Cal circuits. How much this had to do with favorites at Hollywood routinely scoring at or around 40% (non maidens or turf) I can only venture, but players of that meet quickly found the opening at Del Mar meet a shock to the mind-set. Really, though, once that meet got into swing, the top three public choices were dominating everything in races of any quality, much like at Hollywood. Another big issue at Del Mar is the number of horses that are brought back to the races after an injury. There are several major equine rehabilitation sites there, and form reversals after long layoffs was ordinary. Happily, most of these things are categorical, and can be strategized. You need to know which races pay, and which don't, and then adjust.

Look at the charts. Look at the charts. Look at the charts.

Those are my three best recommendations.

tlt-

[offtrack]

Trainer plays that have returned nice prices so far in the Saratoga meet(for me):

George Weaver- two wins
Bill Mott- couple of nice prices. Happy Birthday Bill !
Eric Guilot- bomber
M Hushion

[point given]

Trainer plays that have returned nice prices so far in the Saratoga meet(for me):

George Weaver- two wins
Bill Mott- couple of nice prices. Happy Birthday Bill !
Eric Guilot- bomber
M Hushion

Why didn't you post this yesterday ? before the big scores ?

[KingChas]

Why didn't you post this yesterday ? before the big scores ?

Blast from the past;
7/31/10 Saratoga

Race-7
5-Arcodoro...........................90.00 28.00 10.00

Previous race before the Spa............. LaD-6/26/10

You guess the trainer. :D

[TheGhostOfOscarB]

I need to stop being so cheap and spring for paid pp's at DRF.

At this rate , next years winner will pay only $60