Saratoga 8/22 Pick 3 Plays

Little Pete
Aug 22, 2020
6 min read

We have ourselves a ten race card today at the Spa; which is headlined by the Grade 1 Fourstardave in the ninth. We had a bit of an up and down day yesterday, which happens in this difficult game. We have regrouped and are ready for a big comeback story (Maybe a 30 for 30-esque effort?). We are going to continue to focus on a pair of pick 3 plays, as well as our "Play of the Day." I am focusing in on races 5-7, and Big Pete will be focusing in on races 8-10. Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter to receive new blog post notifications and a weekly email. GOOD LUCK.

*We are off the turf in races 1, 3, 5, and 7. Races 1 & 3 will remain being run at a distance of 5.5 furlongs, but races 5 & 7 are now being run at a distance of 7 furlongs*

Little Pete's $1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R5: 4, 6, 10, 11, 12

R6: 5, 6, 7

R7: 2, 5, 6, 8

Cost: $60.00

*Highlighted my top picks in the race in purple*

Big Pete's $1.00 Late Pick 3:

R8: 1, 2, 3

R9: 1, 6, 8

R10: 1, 3, 4, 5

Cost: $36.00

*Highlighted my top picks in the race in purple*

Little Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 1:

I know it is only a five horse field now with the scratches, but I think this is an interesting race to watch. (8) Honorable ran with his stablemate Likeable who I like in the 5th race. I think that this horse will race well on dirt in this sprint and we will be able to maximize the profits in vertical and horizontal plays. There should be money coming in on a couple other horses in here, so I will be hammering this horse if he is upwards of 2/1.

$5.00 WPS 8 Cost: $15.00

$10.00 Double 8 w/ 4 Cost: $10.00 (Pletcher Daily Double)

$5.00 Ex 8 w/ 1,4,6 Cost: $15.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 4:

Small field in this 9F claimer but I’m taking a stand against the likely favorite. Maker drops Super Dude after a poor performance and now offers him up for sale. Yes, he can win, but I’m not sold that he’s fit and ready. The distance and moisture fit (6) HEAVY ROLLER to a T. Manny returns and both will sit back early and let the other four go at it up front. Look for them two closing in around the turn and run by through the stretch. I’ll use the other three DUDES underneath to spice up the exacta.

$10.00 Ex 6 w/ 2, 4, 5 Cost: $30.00

Little Pete's Spot Pick 3:

Race 5:

With this race being taken off the turf and moved to the dirt to be run at 7 furlongs we have a bunch of scratches. I think this is where we catch a good price horse in the first leg of the pick 3. (6) Nautilus has ran the best beyer speed races on dirt and should be the favorite at post time. I think this horse is a must play, but worth trying to beat with some good horses in here. (11) Likeable has been working lights out and looks to be a very nice two year old in the Pletcher barn; anticipating a big run from this colt. (12) Mo Mischief is another Pletcher horse that I like in this spot getting the entry with the move to the dirt. I think this horse will improve from a distant second last time out and a contender in here. The horse that I really like in here is the (4) WhatMakesSammyRun who has been running extremely well in the morning on dirt and George Weaver sends out winners first time out. I think this horse is poised to run a huge race. My last play is going to be the son of American Pharoah, (10) American Diamond. I just cannot get the dominating Preakness win out of my head when the Maryland track had some moisture in it and if this colt runs anywhere close to that then here is the winner.

$3.00 WPS 4 Cost: $9.00

$2.00 Ex 4,11 w/ 4,6,10,11,12 Cost: $16.00

Race 6:

I landed on three horses in this maiden claiming race. I do not trust the (5) Love Me Tomorrow in this spot, but will include because I just cannot see on paper who will challenge this horse early to find the lead. This horse who is 0 for 9 may be a play if they let her run free on the lead. I am not a fan of (4) Central Exit in this one and will exclude. I just do not think the time fractions will be favorable for this horse and see her being passed the closer they get to the wire. Which makes me land on the two firsters in here, (6) Oak Creek Canyon and (7) Shenandoah River. Linda Rice is sending out (6) Oak Creek Canyon and I cannot ignore her record in claiming races. I think the combo is deadly in here and the horse will excel at this distance. (7) Shenandoah River is coming in out of the Kelly Breen barn who likes to win with firsters and I think Eric Cancel is a capable rider and will maximize his opportunity in here with the big boy riders sitting this one out.

$3.00 WPS 6 Cost: $9.00

$2.00 Ex Box 5,6,7 Cost: $12.00

Race 7:

I am going to include the short field in here to close the ticket, but if you were looking to lower the price I would just include the (2) Plot the Dots and (8) Kingmeister. I really like (2) Plot the Dots traveling in only racing at Laurel and Monmouth, and looking to elevate his game. This horse has shown the ability to run big on dirt and running in to a short field that is very manageable with his speed. (8) Kingmeister is going to be the favorite in here and for good reason. This horse is going to seek the early lead on this wet track and going to be a tough catch for the rest of the field.

$10.00 WPS 2 Cost: $30.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 8:

Chad Brown has a full house going into this late Pk3. He has major players in all three races starting with (2) GROWTH ENGINE here. This Tapit used Monmouth last time as a public workout when he dominated lesser foes. Ships north to tackle older fellas in this 9F test. There’s speed to set up his late kick so we’ll need to include to survive this first leg. (3) SEA FOAM now becomes the target up front with the scratch of It’s all relevant. He should clear the others before the first turn and Rosario will try to keep him in rhythm. This guy forgets to stop sometimes, so If they leave him alone, he might be tough to run down. Both parts of the entry can do it but, I like (1A) LEGIT a little more than Blewitt.

$7.00 WPS 2 Cost: $21.00

$3.00 Ex 2,3 w/ 1,2,3 Cost: $12.00

Race 9:

Take your pick on either one of four from Brown in this G1 named for the great Fourstardave. (8) WITHOUT PAROLE has been bet strongly in all four U.S .G1’s. Irad has figured this one out closing fast last time to just miss. Look for this Frankel to flex his muscles today and run them down. (6) UNI will look to get back on track as SHE needed her last being off a while. Jose subs in as this Mare takes on the boys again. (1) RAGING BULL will also be a handful today. Just missed at KEE last time in the Maker and will be the one flying late. This should be a good one to watch.

$7.00 WPS 8 Cost: $21.00

$3.00 Ex 6,8 w/ 1,6,7,8 Cost: $18.00

Race 10:

(1) LETTERMAN has the rail and the advantage to save ground and get to the front early. Not a ton of speed to push him along either. Look for Gaff to settle this one down the backstretch and scoot away coming into the stretch. (5) BATTALION has back to back runs that make him competitive here. Got pinched back last time at the start but still managed to grab 2nd. The jock switch is a little puzzling though and we’ll look for others. We’ll try to get (3) CATORAT and (4) KILRONAN to join the action late to juice up the exacta and/or Pk3.