Yesterday was a great day, with 2 wins and 4 horses running second that I had tipped to win. I was very close to an ever elusive ‘perfect day’ but there was quality in my two wins, highlighted by Justifiable Steel paying $15 dollars to win in the Princess Of Sylmar after a few scratches drove the horse to 6-1 at the post. Let’s keep rolling into this Tuesday card.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Love seeing Edwin Gonzales back for a ride on Big Run (#5). The pair have put in big runs against larger fields and this horse has more to prove, especially after a work of 35.3 second work over 3 furlongs. Mackenzie’s Novva (#3) drops from a distant third in stakes company and is rated very highly by the morning-line maker.
Race 1 selections:5-3
RACE 2 – 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 3:57
Botita (#7) can win at this distance and has never finished out of the money in 5 starts on the Erie oval, though I’m not sure how to feel about Huber Villa-gomez getting the ride over Mike Allen. Toomuchaintenough (#2) looks likely but has never gotten it done at the distance of 5 ½ furlongs. Thunder Cane (#5) renews his partnership with leading rider Gaddiel Martinez and looked much improved last time out.
Race 2 selections:7-2-5
RACE 3 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 4:24
This race all but belongs to Showdown King (#1) in terms of form. He’s got a good record on the tapeta and he should look strong in this field after decent showings. He’s On The Fly (#3) was close to the win last time out and keeps Walber Alencar in the irons. Perhaps Beach Holiday (#6) can finish one spot better as the 7-year-old gelding has strung together a nice run of 4th place finishes. I think this spot will suit him better.
Race 3 selections:1-3-6
RACE 4 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 4:51
Jenadriyah (#5) should get a favorable pace setup but I want to play away from her in favor of some front end quickness. Tim Girten claimed Ohoopee (#4) from Linda Rice and this horse should be on the front end again, unless new jock Israel Rodriguez switches up the tactics. Boogie Woogie (#1) had a bad run on a track with a bias working against her. I expect her to find the track more favorable based on the way it played yesterday.
Race 4 selections:5-4-1
RACE 5 – 6 furlongs, Starter Optional Claimer $16k Post Time: 5:18
There’s simply no way Time For An Angel (#2) wanted to go that far last time out and will now shorten up to a more comfortable distance. When she’s on, she’s on, and I’m banking on her breaking well today. These Apples (#1) is tough to go against as a winner of her last two races and gets Antonio Gallardo back in the irons. Triple R Rated (#5) is doing similarly well, with Martinez set to be aboard once again.
Race 5 selections:2-1-5
RACE 6 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $8,000 Post Time: 5:45
We’ve worked our way into a stiff latter half of the card. Luckily Shy Da Runner (#7) is even money on the line and I’m usually loath to go against horses like this because it means the morning line maker is seeing something I’m not in most cases. He does drop in class with a jockey/trainer combo that had a win yesterday. Snowname (#4) has a win and the highest last-out Beyer going for him, a plus in this spot for trainer Ron Potts. Tiz Big Money (#1) will want a piece of the early pace and faces some similar company that he bested last out.
Race 6 selections:7-4-1
RACE 7 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Post Time: 6:12
Jorge Delgado’s Manoah’s Glory (#3) at 7-1 is a wild morning line given that the horse just had a bad race last time out. This horse was previously undefeated on tapeta before a seventh place run last out, and I’ll hedge that he runs better in this race. Kid Cairo (#6) switches barns and comes from the tough New York circuit, so there should be some class here. Triple Start (#8) makes a big class jump but hasn’t lost recently and gets a weight allowance with rookie Taylor Kingsley.
Race 7 selections:3-6-8
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 6:39
The Fair Hills works aren’t recent, but Bossy Jeans (#9) looked her sharpest last time out, only losing by a half-length, and should be competitive in this spot. Wickedthiswaycomes (#4) takes a stiff drop in class here after running for a $12,500 tag. Silent Diva (#7) switches jocks, so there could be some potential in having a new rider aboard.
Race 8 selections:9-4-7
If these selections feel like they’re getting shorter every day, that’s because Saratoga is kicking my butt right now between five racing days, poor form reading at the Spa, horse sales and other stuff. I promise the analysis will go deeper, especially when we get close to Masters Day, but right now I’m just trying to stay afloat in deep waters. Hopefully you stay along for the ride, and I’ll see you tomorrow for more Presque Isle action.
