Monmouth, Saratoga and Del Mar Picks for Saturday, July 19 from Mike Somich:
We’ve got a banger of a Saturday around the country, so no wasting words on an intro, let’s get right to it with plays from coast to coast. Since I am going to cover more races than normal, this will be a lightning round picks article!
Haskell, Race #12, Monmouth Park
The return of #2 Journalism is the main storyline in the Haskell and he is simply better then these. #6 Gosger got everything his own way in the Preakness and couldn’t beat him, #8 Goal Oriented is a cut below as well so if there is a chance for an upset, it’s #4 Burnham Square, who I have been higher on than most since the Derby. I think it’s a long shot that Square can pull the upset, but there should be some value in playing him with Journalism in the cold exacta. #5 National Law is the sneaky play in third for your trifectas, he should be picking off tiring horses down that lane and while he simply is not as good as the above mentioned four, he can sneak into the 3rd with the right trip.
Top 4: 2-4-8-5
Bets: $50 Exacta 2-4, $25 Tri 2-4-5,8
United Nations, Race #11, Monmouth
Let’s make this quick and easy, #3 Redistricting is the best horse in the race, but the 7/2 price on the morning line is a pipe dream. I expect we are looking closer to 2-1 when they break from the gate, and that is just fine with me. He is a win bet at that number. With the speed signed on, #7 Rebel Red is the horse I’m looking to use underneath in exactas and trifectas, He has gotten better with every start this year, and a repeat of his last makes him a player. The price I am willing to take a swing with is #6 Vote No, who will be storming home late. He’s jumping up in class, but his number fit off the last two starts, and the trip should be ideal. If #1 Corruption does not get caught up in the early pace, he will be around at the wire as well.
Top 4: 3-7-6-1
Bet: $50 Win #3
Other Monmouth plays:
Race #3, #4 to win
CCA Oaks, Saratoga, Race #10
#6 La Cara romped in the slop over this Saratoga track last time out, but that was at a price. At 2-1 today with pace pressure, you have to look elsewhere. #1 Immersive is a player and should get a good trip, but I’d rather take a shot with #4 Take Charge Milady, who beat Immersive last time out and is the best price of the three at 9/2
Bet: $50 Win #4
Other Saratoga plays:
Keep an eye on the price on #3 Damon’s Mound in race #11. I like #5 Bookem Danno on top, but if you get anything near 15-1 on Damon’s Mound, I’ll play him to win and in exactas with the #5
I also like #3 Twirling Queen in the 9th race at a price as well. She’s proven over the track and distance, and 12-1 is more than fair on her.
San Clemente, Del Mar, Race #9
#5 Thought Process should and will be the favorite and is capable of winning, but will have to do so from off the pace today. Her best races have come on the lead, so I am willing to take a shot against here. #1 Will Then has been running against the best this division has to offer and now gets a break without having to face Nitrogen, Lush Lips or Vixen here. She’s the win play at 4-1. #3 Miso Phansy has a shot to steal this one if the pace collapses and the price is right at 12-1. I’ll play the 1 to win, but box the 1,3,5 in the trifecta.
Bets: $50 Win #1, exotics with 1,3,5
Other Del Mar plays:
In the 10th, #8 Indispensable should get a great setup stalking the mass amount of speed. If he’s near 4-1, he’s worth a win bet.In the 8th, #1 Thirsty Rebel is making his debut, and it’s expected to be a good one. He’s been lighting the track up in the AM. I doubt we get near the 3-1 morning line, but anything at 8/5 or better is worth a win play.
