Saratoga: Friday 8/14 Plays R10 - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Aug 14
3 min read

Ten races to tackle at the Spa. I will be condensing my plays down to just the number and attacking the early double (Races 1 & 2) and a spot pick 3 (Races 5-7). Big Pete will attack his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 8-10). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:

R1: 1

R2: 3, 7 Cost: $ 10.00

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R5: 4, 5, 6

R6: 2, 5, 8, 9

R7: 5, 6, 7, 8 Cost: $ 48.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R8: 1, 5, 6

R9: 5, 6, 9

R10: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 Cost: $ 45.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 3:

(5) INTELLECT is one of two from Brown and both look dominate in here. I'll lean more on this one as Jose picks up the mount from his brother and he is on some kind of roll right now. This guy has more speed then his stablemate so he'll get first run on Maui Strong and try to hold Cosmic Year close to home.

I’ll use (2) Cosmic Year and (4) Maui Strong to complete the exacta.

$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 2, 4, 5 Cost $ 18.00

We’ll also use (5) Intellect in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(2) Daiquiri Sommelier and (4) Toga D'Oro in the 4th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 5 w/ 2, 4 Cost $ 14.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 8:

(6) OTELLO is one of several speeds, but Jr may choose to stalk and let the inside runners go at it. He should get the first jump on the closers and will have to hold them off. Of the two closers, I prefer (1) RIDGEWOOD RUNNER. At one time, this gelding had stakes company ability, and he's been popular at the claiming box this year. He may be sitting on one as the Sharp barn sends him out for the first time. A lot to like. The other is from the Rice barn as (5) ELIMINATE paid them back nicely with a dominant win at a mile first time out for this barn. A similar effort should be enough, but he hasn't handled this Spa dirt in the past.

$ 7.00 WPS 1 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 5, 6 Cost $ 18.00

Race 9:

(6) MISS VYVYANNE ships in with speed and they will need to catch her. Others will try to go with her, but it will likely cost them their chances. She goes wire to wire or sets up the deep closers IMO. The two I'll focus on coming late are (9) ZEITLOS. Jose got the test drive last time and couldn't quite get there. The outside draw should make the difference today. He can relax early and watch the excitement up front and then let her loose. The same could be said for (5) CAPTURING. She's a little slower than these, but the race could be collapsing up front and has won at this 5.5F distance before.

$ 7.00 WPS 9 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 5, 6, 9 Cost $ 18.00

Race 10:

(5) MORTAL LOCK has won at this level already but was DQ'd. He didn't want to go 12F last time, so Weaver does the right thing and cuts him back. Manny returning is a good sign. (8) DUTY will be the controlling speed for the Clement barn. There's plenty of time from out of the gate for Jamie to find the hedge before they hit the first turn. I don't see any other speeds in here, so he has a big advantage on the closers. The two on the hedge are from top barns, and they will attract attention. I'll use both (1) VIVALDI and (2) ABOUT FACE defensively only, as this isn't a strong field and either can wake up. I want a price in here. The Raging Bull gelding (4) MINOTAUR will get slightly overlooked here. Saez can use this inside post to hug the hedge and save ground all the way. He likely sits right behind Duty and tips out turning for home before the closers start their rally. His last run to get 4th was sneaky good.