Thursday’s Steeplechase Feature at Saratoga – Jonathan Kiser Stakes
WirePlayers contributor Dylan Jarmulowicz will be following the action at Saratoga this summer; here’s his thoughts on Thursday’s steeplechase stakes:The Thursday opener at Saratoga will be a steeplechase event with a field of 9 going 2 and 1/16 miles over the hurdles for $70K. The race should offer plenty of value and excitement as they go up and over the fences.
My top pick, #2 NATIONBUILDER (4-1), is trained by Steeplechase master Jonathan Sheppard and won his first start of the year before falling last time out. He’s come back since with a good work and Danielle Hodsdon stays aboard making him a solid contender.
Second Choice is #1 VIRGINIA MINSTREL (4-1) has done little wrong this year, winning all three of his starts including driving away to a 6 length win at Colonial Downs on May 15th. This will be his first try against stakes company.
#9 ITALIAN WEDDING (8-1) has shown steady improvement with 2 wins and 2 seconds in his last 4 starts and is owned and trained by Jonathan Sheppard. With recent form and solid connections he’ll find a spot on my tickets.
Finally #5 MOON DOLLY (12-1) is the only mare in the field with 2 starts this year; finishing fourth both times. She might be a live longshot to round out those superfecta tickets.
Good luck!
28 July 2010, 10:57 am
Dylan,
Thanks so much for shedding some light on the steeplechase race. Only time I ever bet on races over the jumps was at Fair Hill, MD in 2008. It was thrilling to watch and wager upon. Looking forward to taking another shot tomorrow.
BTW, Saratoga’s 8th today (G2 Lake George Stakes) is a tough nut to crack. STRIKE IT RICH is for real, but I think 9 of the 12 main entries have a legitimate shot at winning. I like the 12-1 shots; Mott’s DYNAZAPPER (#9) and Pletcher’s CAMINODORA (#11). The #2 CRESCENDA (6-1) w/ Cornelio aboard & the German-bred #4 NEON LIGHT w/ Prado look good as well. Lots of quality horses to chose from in here, a great betting race!
28 July 2010, 11:09 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dylan Jarmulowicz, Steve Munday. Steve Munday said: Dylan's picks for tomorrow's steeplechase race @ SAR on WirePlayers blog – http://bit.ly/b1fFED [...]
28 July 2010, 11:38 am
No problem Steve. I had a chance to see a live hurdle race last year at Saratoga, you have to hold your breathe as they go over the fences.
You’re right about today’s Lake George S. A case can be made for just about all of them. I think #2 CRESCENDA might be the best bet at the 6-1. She’s never finished out of the exacta and ran a good 2nd in Sands Point at Belmont.
28 July 2010, 7:57 pm
How about those payoffs in the Lake George? $2 exacta: $1,000, $2 tri: $6,100, $2 supr: $303,000! If you simply put the three horses that last raced at Woodbine in a trifecta box you’d get 500-1 odds on a $12 bet!
28 July 2010, 8:41 pm
It was Canada Day at the Spa! Watch those Woodbine shippers from now on?
29 July 2010, 10:44 am
Dylan,
Who do you like in the Quick Call today @ SAR R8? I like #1 OUR DOUGLAS (5/2) but intrigued by #4 ALFRABI (8-1). Looked like he had some trouble last race and was 2nd to WORKING FOR HOPS who romped last time out and was only beaten by PADDY before that. Been facing tough company & the price may be right.
29 July 2010, 11:44 am
I agree that #4 ALFRABI is interesting at a price, comes out of a common race with #1 OUR DOUGLAS who was DQed from 2nd and placed 6th. What do you think about #6 BEAU CHOIX? Won last time out on Preakness Day, only been off the board once in 6starts. I think he goes off as the favorite.
29 July 2010, 12:08 pm
I thought BEAU CHOIX would end up being the post-time favorite, but OUR DOUGLAS might be a tad better. BEAU CHOIX has a better turf jock IMO (Javier) and a little worried Garrett will let OUR DOUGLAS get trapped down on the rail w/ no room to run. I might key ALFARABI w/ both the #1 and #6 in an EX and then toss those 3 in w/ PSYCHIC INCOME underneath in the tri.
29 July 2010, 3:48 pm
I just watched ALFARABI’s last race and even though he had to steady in the stretch, didn’t look like he had much of a late kick. Iffy call.
29 July 2010, 8:06 pm
There’s no stopping Javier Castellano right now. Very nice win for he and BEAU CHOIX in the Quick Call.