The final Thursday of the Saratoga meet will start with a steeplechase race in which 10 horses will travel 2 & 3/8th miles over the hurdles.

This year’s meet has been dominated by trainer Jonathan Sheppard and he will look for a sweep of all this year’s hurdle races with #4 LEAD US NOT (5/2). This horse has done little wrong in 2010, in three starts he has two seconds and won here at Saratoga three weeks ago. Given the connections (Sheppard / Crowley) he’s going to be hard to beat.

#8 RIDDLE (5-1) has had a nice return to the races after a lengthy layoff. He won his first start back and ran a good race on August 12th, setting the pace before weakening in the final furlong. Danielle Hodsdon also jumps back on; she was aboard for his win three starts back.

The coupled entry that is #1 ALL TOGETHER and #1A STRAIGHT TO IT (6-1) shouldn’t be overlooked. ALL TOGETHER won two races back but was a beaten favorite last time and did not finish the race. Entry mate, STRAIGHT TO IT has been very consistent with a second and two thirds from three starts this year.

One to play underneath would be #5 MOON DOLLY (7/2), the only mare in this field had a streak of fourth place finishes snapped when she finished fifth on July 29th.

Good Luck!

The track has a friendly and festive vibe  (it’s part of the Maryland State Fair) and the open air grandstand gives a great view of the action.

An added bonus is wagering on Saratoga’s simulcast signal between races.  My best memory of going to Timonium was watching the 2003 Kings Bishop Stakes at Saratoga and willing VALID VIDEO across the wire.  Incredibly, he was able to hold GHOSTZAPPER’s late run and I got a nice little payday.  Sadly, I was unable to find video of the race on YouTube (come on Partymanners!) so it will have to live on in my memory.

You can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be betting Saratoga’s Travers Day card from Timonium.

In the Ballston Spa, I’ll be taking a long look at Chad Brown’s MARAM and Roger Attfield’s MEKONG MELODY to see if they can hold off powerful closers DANZON, PHOLA, and MISS KELLER.  Should be a great race to make money.

Another fun race to wager on will be the Kings Bishop.  D’FUNNYBONE lost his last race at odds-on, but take note that he’s 4 for 4 at the tricky distance of 7 furlongs.  I’ll try to beat DISCREETLY MINE who figures to be the post time favorite off his huge race in the Amsterdam.

Last but not least is the Travers Stakes at 10 furlongs for a million dollars. A LITTLE WARM is a deserving favorite after his impressive win in the Jim Dandy Stakes.  TRAPPE SHOT looks to be a serious challenger, but you have to wonder if he can get the mile and a quarter distance, especially since Kiaran McLaughlin considered entering the Kings Bishop.  The most intriguing entry is recent maiden winner ADMIRAL ALEX. Trainer Leon Blusiewicz has sung his praises for weeks and I’m inclined to believe he’s got a shot.  If LOOKIN AT LUCKY was entered I’d feel different.  I’ll play A LITTLE WARM and ADMIRAL ALEX with FLY DOWN, FIRST DUDE, and TRAPPE SHOT underneath.

Good luck!

Saratoga will start Thursday’s program with the Grade I New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap featuring a field of nine going 2 & 3/8ths miles over the hurdles for $100K.  With the exception of #3 SEER and #4 SWAGGER STICK, all the other entrants have started at Saratoga during the meet.

#5 SLIP AWAY (5/2) and long shot #6 BIRTHDAY BEAU (30-1) should be on the lead early and may square off into a speed duel early on in this marathon race. With an abundance of speed, and given that he has won every steeplechase race this meet, trainer Jonathan Sheppard appears to be in a great spot with the coupled entry of #1 SERMAN OF LOVE and #1A DIVINE FORTUNE (2-1) who have both won previously during this Saratoga Meet.

Sheppard also has #7 ARCADIUS (4-1) who ran second to #1A DIVINE FORTUNE in the Smithwick (G II) beaten only ¾ of a length. This is the race he has been pointed toward all along and has the late kick to win from off the pace.

#8 VIRGINIA MINSTREL (6-1) might be the one that could upset Sheppard’s entries. He was nailed just at the line in the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes by #1 SERMAN OF LOVE and has won three out of four starts this year. Who’s going to win? I picked him last time and I’m going to stick with him, #7 ARCADIUS.

Good Luck!

This Saturday is chock full of great racing and betting options.  One race I’m looking forward to is the Grade II Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park (Race 11).  With a win REDDING COLLIERY will make a statement he belongs among the best in the older male handicap division.  Plus, he’ll offer a little more betting value than morning favorite I WANT REVENGE. At 4-1 GONE ASTRAY can’t be dismissed either and I’ll play him in the exacta with REDDING COLLIERY.

Arlington Park has an all turf stakes race Pick 3 (Secretariat, Beverly D, Arlington Million) that some of my favorite bloggers are diagnosing. Check out AmateurCapper and Tony Bada Bing‘s thoughts. And for good measure, AmCap offers a potential bomb in Saratoga’s Alabama Stakes with TIZAHIT (20-1).

My friend Chris Hernandez (and fellow Team Blame member!) offers his thoughts on the G1 Alabama at Saratoga and the Del Mar Oaks.  Chris and I agree wholeheartedly about HARMONIOUS in the Oaks.  As for the Alabama, I’m not sure what will happen, but with BLIND LUCK’s penchant for close finishes it figures to be exciting.

Good luck!

If haven’t been to Saratoga, this is a great introduction.  If you haven’t been in a while, this is a nice reminder of what you’re missing.  Great job Tony!

My most vivid memory of the Sword Dancer was when WITH ANTICIPATION beat DENON back in 2002. Here’s a YouTube video replay of that exciting race.

As for this year’s race, I think EXPANSION is primed to win, but GRASSY is my long shot play.  I’ll have them both in the exacta.

Should be a great race to watch and wager.  Good luck!

Saratoga will kick off the Thursday card with a steeplechase contest comprised of 9 runners going 2 & 1/16 miles over the hurdles.

Let’s start with #7 RIDDLE (4-1). He’s had a successful return to the races this year after a lengthy layoff.  He won his first start back and in the Ferguson Memorial (G III) was caught out wide, finishing 5th. The 4th place finisher in that race, Divine Fortune came back next start to win the Grade II A. P. Smithwick Memorial Stakes last week at Saratoga.

Jonathan Sheppard, who has won both steeplechase races this meet, has #8 PARKER’S PROJECT (8-1). This four year old is consistent; in 5 starts this year he’s been off the board only once and has top steeplechase rider Danielle Hodsdon aboard.

#1 ALL TOGETHER (4-1) has gotten better each start, improving from a well beaten 6th to finding the winners circle at Penn National last time out over PARKER’S PROJECT and GRANTOR.

Interesting play in the race is #3 GRANTOR (12-1).  After being pulled up in his first start this year, he came with a huge late run to finish second at 60-1 and then followed that performance with a win. He might be the lookout long shot.

Good Luck!

The biggest challenge to QUALITY ROAD should come from BLAME, the “Rodney Dangerfield” horse of the past year.  He’s 7 for 10 lifetime and never off the board.  Despite winning at a 70% clip with four graded stakes victories, he’s only been the post-time favorite twice.

At 4-1 on the morning line, BLAME  will offer decent betting value as usual.  Since I don’t see a big difference in abilities between these two, I’ll play BLAME to win and on top of the exacta and trifecta.  I think he’ll run down QUALITY ROAD at the wire.

The Whitney is the third leg in a tough Pick 3 (Races 8,9,10) & Pick 4 (Races 8 – 11 with a guaranteed $500K pool!).  The first leg is the $70K Hattie Moseley Stakes (R8) at 1 mile on the turf.  SNOW TOP MOUNTAIN (5/2) should win; she was 2nd in her last two starts and now drops down slightly in class.  Since turf races can be unpredictable, I’ll take some shots with potential bombs that may light up the tote: #1 AMBITIONESS (30-1!), #2 PROTESTING (8-1), and #5 SEA ROAD (10-1). Playing against Ailalea (7/2) who’s un-raced on turf.

The second leg is even more brutal, the 7 furlong Grade I Test Stakes (Race 9).  I’ll play #1 PICA SLEW (7/2), but she’s no sure thing as she’s unproven at 7 furlongs and there’s lots of speed to her outside. I’m using: #2 BUCKLEUPBUTTERCUP (6-1), #4 BONNIE BLUE FLAG (6-1), #7 BELLE OF THE HALL (10-1), and #8 ASH ZEE (10-1).  Tough race.

#3 QUALITY ROAD will be a single on most tickets in the 3rd leg, so a win by #2 BLAME as I expect will juice the payout.  It’s a $20 Pick 3 ticket without QUALITY ROAD, but he’s just way too good at this distance to leave off the ticket.

Leg 4 is a state-bred Maiden Separate Weight (R11) at one mile on the turf.  Last year, Linda Rice and Ramon Dominguez were hot and I’ll hope they regain their winning form by playing #10 TALK THERAPY (6/5).  A DQ in the last race keeps him racing against maidens.

Good luck!

The 10 race program Thursday at Saratoga will start with a steeplechase stakes with a field of 8 (7 betting interests) going 2 & 1/16 over the hurdles for $75K.

The obvious choice is #5 SLIP AWAY (2-1). The 7 year old gelding has looked solid in his 2 starts this year with a win and 2nd. He will likely be the pace setter and has experience over this course, registering a 4th place finish in last year’s Smithwick.

#4 DYNANTONIA (6-1) two starts back battled with SLIP AWAY on the lead before ending up 3rd. He followed up that effort with a win on May 8th beating both #1A DIVINE FORTUNE and #3 PLANETS ALIGNED in the Marcellus Frost Hurdle S.

Jonathan Sheppard-trained #7 ARCADIUS (3-1) looks to be in a good spot for his closing kick. He won from off the pace in his first start of the year and came from far back to get 3rd last time out. If the leaders duel early on, he could be in perfect position to run them all down.

Finally, the coupled entry shouldn’t be overlooked, particularly the #1A DIVINE FORTUNE (5-1). He had an awful trip last time out at Colonial Downs, racing wide the entire way. A kinder trip might be all he needs to find the winners circle. So who’s going to win this year’s Smithwick? I’m going with the closer #7 ARCADIUS .

Good Luck!

The rules: each contestant picks a horse in all 14 races on the Haskell day card for a mythical $2 WPS wager.  Whoever finishes with the highest bankroll at the end of the day wins.  Pretty simple, huh?

Grand prize is a VIP trip & tickets to the 2010 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs.

Second prize is VIP trip & tickets to the 2011 Haskell Invitational

Third prize is a set of steak knives.  No, it’s really just a gift pack, but maybe it’ll include steak knives.

This probably isn’t a game where playing the chalk will do much good so you’ll need to dope out some bombs.

Good luck if you play!

Here’s my stab at the Challenge. Fee free to add your own picks.

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!