Hello all and welcome back to the Spa for another Thursday card! Last week was a meh week for myself, as we had one winner on the card. This week we have 8 races on tap today as the opener is a steeplechase. As always I will post my twitter and results below, let’s get hot today and get some winners today!
Twitter: @ EdPiluso
Bet/Returned
$96/$114
Race 2: 6-4-2
#6 THANKFUL ran a solid race last time out and had to get taken six wide at the eighth pole. Luis Saez jumps back up after that race and it was a very positive showing for her first race on dirt. I expect some improvement from her going forward especially after that bullet workout here at the Spa on the 12th. #4 HEAVENLY SIS has a solid collection of Beyer’s and has done her best running on the dirt. Her best Beyer came at the longest distance she ever ran. She ran second on the dirt here in her last race and does look good but she seems to have seconditis and is best suited for the under’s it seems.
Race 3: 1-2-6
I’m not a huge fan of this race here but I landed on #1 OUT OF TROUBLE here. This mare is dropping down quite a bit here and hasn’t ran too well in 2020. She runs well at this distance and is ITM 4 of 9 races at this. If she has regressed then this drop in class could be a solid choice. Irad jumping up is very encouraging here as well and Brad Cox has some solid percentages here. #2 FIRST APPEAL runs well here at Saratoga and has been ITM in 4 out of 7 races here. The mare adds distance today and that might actually play well for her here. She has some decent races at 7 furlongs but my worry is the two turns. She has the talent to finish on the board but at the price I feel it’s better to leave underneath.
Race 4: 6-7-8
#6 BOOM BOOM KABOOM ran a career best Beyer two races ago at a higher level in July at Belmont. The drop in class for this colt looks to be better for him. We get a capable rider here and if he runs back to how he did two starts ago then he should be able to give us a win at a decent price here. The blinkers coming off will most likely help here as the last race with the blinkers wasn’t his best showing ever. #7 DISCIPLINARIAN has run his best Beyer’s on the grass and has been ITM in all 4 races on the grass. Jose retains the mount and ran well last time here on the Mellon. Though there is talent here I feel this gelding looks better for the under’s here, if the price drifts up then definitely take a look.
Race 5: 3-1-6
#3 MOSIENKO has been ITM in all 4 races on the dirt in her career and is coming off a decent 2nd here on the dirt. What is very interesting and encouraging to me is that Joel stays up on this mount as he also rode the second choice last time out. She’s won in her only race at the distance in a race she got geared down under the wire. She stalks well and looks capable at a price here. #1 CUSTOMEREXPERIENCE ran a decent race here at the Spa last time out and improved as the race went on. This filly has won at the distance before and this one seems to fit for her. She has had some nice workouts including a bullet all here at the Spa and Irad has won on her in his only race up.
Race 6: 3-4-8
#3 RED MULE looks to fit very well here, there is a lot of speed in this race and this gelding should be able to get a nice stalking trip. He’s switching back to the turf where he does his best running as there is a lot of turf pedigree here. He’s 3 for 4 ITM at this distance and it’s one that fits him well. He has a decent work last time out and could definitely be a big player here given the pace set up. #4 WILD WILLIAM is a horse who has a good amount of speed and will have Luis Saez up who is a very aggressive rider. The drop in class back down to a level which seems more sensible is very nice to see. Luis has ridden this gelding to his best finishes so the hard riding jockey should be able to get him in the mix early here.
Race 7 Tale of the Cat: 4-2-1
#4 MY BOY TATE ran a nice race second off the layoff last time out in the John Morrissey taking a step forward and getting back into form. This gelding has been ITM in all 3 races here at Saratoga and 4 out of 5 ITM at this distance. There isn’t a whole bunch of speed in here but there are two runners who could hook up and this guy will sit nicely off the pace and should be able to get a nice run to the lead. #2 STAN THE MAN gets Joel back up today and has some tactical speed which will give him options. He’s run second in three races at the distance and second in his only race here at Saratoga. Running second in a Grade 2 last time out behind Firenze Fire in a race where he was impressive is encouraging and the blinkers come off today.
Race 8: 4-5-7
#4 THE IMPORTANT ONE came from Uzbekistan last time out in a turf sprint to win in the final jump. Joel swung her to the outside and he is the best finisher in the game if he’s really trying. That was her first race on turf, and that win was impressive, she has every right to improve more this race on the grass. Joel has been unbelievably hot in turf sprints, and this filly has yet to miss the board and I’m willing to take a shot here at 6/1 ML. #5 SPEIGHTSTOWN GAL has some decent early speed and has run her best Beyer’s in turf sprints. Javier retains the ride today and she ran a solid 2nd here at the Spa. Being off the rail could help her today with her speed and her 2020 races have been her best.
Race 9: 7-1-8
#7 JUST RIGHT wasn’t able to get up last time out here at the Spa but did run well that day but not up to his full potential. His Beyer’s are some of the best in the field and that last race was his first of the year off quite the layoff so an improvement today isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. I believe a race of his normal caliber is much better than this level of competition and he’s 3 of 4 ITM here at Saratoga. There’s a lot of speed here and this guy can sit right off the hot pace for a nice trip. #1 DARK MONEY is dropping down to this level for the first time since May of 2019. In that race he ran 2nd at this level before winning at a higher than this level. This gelding is 6 for 9 ITM at this distance, which is nice, and has a win here. Last time Jose was up this guy got a win but he will be going for the lead on what should be a contested pace.