SATURDAY AT SARATOGA: There’s no place on Earth I’d rather be than under a tree at Saratoga on a Saturday afternoon in July and/or August. I guess I’ve been there & done that close to 50 times since 1980 — and, unlike the pensioned Mr. Ed, it never, ever gets old. VSiN’s Dave Tuley might argue that Del Mar is the place to be … but we’ll save that discussion for another day … Race 5 — the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks — for fillies highlights today’s 11-race card. Many horseplayers believe that #1 Malathaat (1-1 morning line) is the very best 3-year-old in training, regardless of sex. She boasts a 6-for-6 record and should romp here. But, great gal might well go off closer to 1-5. No thank you … Irad Ortiz Jr. has 17 Place finishes to go with his 11 Wins … So, far, chalkiest prices (average win payoff = less than $10) during first two weeks that I can recall. Be prepared for some fireworks soon, folks … On Friday, my PRICE PLAY (#4 I Love Jaxson, $5WPS) won by nose hair for $65 payoff … Riders: Luis Saez (12), Irad Ortiz Jr. (11), Jose Ortiz (10) leaders. Joel Rosario (7) & Tyler Gaffalione (7) each won two on Friday … Trainer Mike Maker (5) had a three-bagger … Average win ticket paid $8.70.
DAILY DOUBLE (Races Nos. 1 & 2, 1:05 p.m. ET/10:05 a.m. PT)
Couple favorite #7 Royal Realm (6-5 morning line) in 1st with #9 Tracy Flick (9-2) in 2nd. Wager: $6 on 7-9 Daily Double. ($6)
BEST BET (Race No. 2, 1:41 p.m. ET/10:41 a.m. PT)
Directly from my DRF Watch List at Pimlico to the Winner’s Circle for #9 Tracy Flick (5-2 morning line) Manny Franco rides for Shug McGaughey, who takes blinkers off. Wager: $20 to Win on #9. ($20)
EXACTA EXTRA (Race No. 3, 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT)
Seven $25,000 claimers sprinting on dirt. Mr. Ed likes #2 Win With Pride (3-1 morning line), #3 Cantrell Hill (4-1), #5 Alcools (9-2) and #6 Strolling (7-2). Wager: $2 Exacta Box of 2,3,5 & 6. ($24)
PRICE PLAY (Race No. 7, 4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT)
Team of Ricardo Santana & Steve Asmussen on a roll as trainer closes within 10 victories of being all-time winningest conditioner. #7 Calibrate (6-1 morning line) should take to turf. Wager: $5 Win & Place on #7. ($10)
$0.50 LATE PICK 4 (Races Nos. 8-11, 5:03 p.m. ET/2:03 p.m. PT)
Race 8: 1,2,3,9
Race 9: 2,3,6,7,8
Race 10: 1,2
Race 11: 6,7 ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $100
SUNDAY STAKES: Race No. 9, Grade 3, $200,000 The Shuvee for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 mile on dirt. Favorite: Hot duo of #9 City Man (3-1 morning line) for Joel Rosario & Christophe Clement.
