Saratoga: Thursday 7,13 Plays - Pete's Picks

10 races on opening day at Saratoga. The weather, as always, will play a roll today and this weekend as rain is expected later this afternoon and the next few days. The G3 Schuylerville for the two year old fillies is main attraction. Let's enjoy the great racing that Saratoga brings and try to make some money in the process. 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.

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Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:

R1: 5, 6

R2: 5, 7

Cost: $ 20.00

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R5: 1, 6, 9

R6: 2, 4, 6

R7: 1, 5, 10, 11

Cost: $ 36.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R8: 4, 5, 6

R9: 2, 5, 6, 7

R10: 4, 7, 10, 14 (Turf) 2, 4, 9, 10 (Dirt)

Cost: $ 48.00

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Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 3:

(6) SARATOGA GAZE has been facing slightly better for most of her career. She got off to a slow start this year with a dirt race, then a rough start when on the turf two back. Hennig then was looking for an easier spot and it was the right move. I decent 3rd going just a tad to long for her. Now the cut her back and te instructions for Prat will be to go right from the gate. The 5.5F should be perfect theres not many speeds to go with her. Liana B is fast as well so they might want to sit just off her if she wins the break.

I’ll use (8) Liana B and include one closer, (4) Smokin' Hot Kitty incase the speeds back up.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 6, 8 Cost $ 18.00

We’ll also use (6) Saratoga Gaze in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(1A) Messidor or (5) Salimah in the 4th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 6 w/ 1, 5 Cost $ 14.00

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Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 8:

(4) MY SEA COTTAGE has the speed and this 1M may be his limit. If they leave him alone, Irad can take them all the way. (5) KINGFISH STEVENS ran a big number two back, then couldn't sustain his late rally last time. The 1M suits him as does Castallano. I prefer the Curlin gelding, (6) UNLEASH THE POWER shipping in for Stall. Saez taking the mount only helps finds an easier group to tackle today. He gets first jump on the closers so they'll need to reel him in.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex 4, 6 w/ 4, 5, 6, 8 Cost $ 18.00

Race 9:

(7) WINE ON TAP has the pedigree and connections to be something special. There was chatter about this fily and she was spot on in her debut. She figures to take some money again as she holds one of the highest speed figure of this bunch. A must use for me but we are at the graveyard of favorites so we'll look to beat her. We all no what Arrogate did on this track and he is represented by (5) SARATOGA SECRET. She was impressive in her debut and ship east for this. Her grandad, Fort Larned, was no slouch either as this could be this girls coming out party. Another must use for me. The other big speed figure is (6) CLOSING ACT. She caught our eye with a fast closing win going shorter, then followed that up with a strong win on Big Sandy last time. Irad chooses the Pletcher filly instead of Closing Act but Gaffalione rides a lot for Asmussen. I can't imagine this 10:1ML holding up as she figures to take some money. The savor would be the Practical Joke maiden, (2) BECKY'S JOKER. She breezed three straight here and then blitzed 3F in 34 and change. She may be fast.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex 6, 7 w/ 2, 5, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00

Race 10:

Rain rolls in late so you may have to make a late change if we have a surface switch. For the grass, (7) ARISAEMA stands out in here, She drops and has shown she can handle this distance. She'll be tough if this stays on the lawn. (4) STONE OF DESTINY also drops and Johnny V sticks around for the night cap. The bullet last month should have this one on her toes. (10) HERE WE GO AGAIN comes off the shelf and drops. That's usually not the best move, but Saez takes the call. They may have her dressed up for one big run in hopes that someone claims her. (14) THUNDARA will try to fly under the radar as she draws in from the AE's and Irad takes the mount. She's bred to run all day on the turf so if the rain holds off, a must use as well.

$ 7.00 WPS 14 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex 7, 14 w/ 4, 7, 10, 14 Cost $ 18.00