Saratoga: Thursday, 7/17 Plays ** Pete's Picks **
- Little Pete
- Jul 17, 2025
- 3 min read
We'll keep an eye on the sky as some clouds may roll in during the card but for now, fast and firm. 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 two "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 8-10); GOOD LUCK.
Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:
R1: 5
R2: 4, 6, 9 Cost: $ 15.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R5: 2, 3, 8
R6: 4, 7, 8
R7: 1, 2, 6, 8 Cost: $ 36.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R8: 1, 3, 5, 7
R9: 1, 2, 7
R10: 1, 7, 10, 11 Cost: $ 48.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
(2) SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN has his original rider, Santana, up as the owners must not have liked the way Carmouche handled him last time. This guy should be on the lead and take this group as far as he can. Ricardo did it in his maiden score and this seems like the same set up with not much speed signed on.
$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 2, 4, 6 Cost: $ 18.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 4:
(4) ARCADIAN got himself in trouble last time and just didn't want to finish the race. He moves into the Rice barn and they get in light today. He also makes the cutback to 6F and may find himself a little closer to the pace than usual. Worth a shot at this 6:1 ML.
$ 7.00 WPS 4 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 5, 6 Cost: $ 18.00
We'll use (4) Arcadian in R4 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.
(2) Aerate or (3) Tactical Trackstar in the 5th.
$ 7.00 Daily Double 4 w/ 2, 3 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 8:
(1) WAITLIST draws nicely inside this one lap 9F. They should save ground and make it to the front with not much speed signed on. He was beaten by next out winner Malarchuk last time and may have found an easier group today. (3) STARS AND STRIPES jogged last time against maidens but now faces winners for the first time. Not an easy task, so we'll use defensively only. Both of Brown's runners are expected to improve this time out, and that's enough to make them dangerous with this field. I prefer (7) LORDSHIP over (5) TRACKING ERROR only because the Gun Runners get better with distance.
$ 7.00 WPS 1 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 1, 7 w/ 1, 3, 5, 7 Cost: $ 18.00
Race 9:
(7) ENLIGHTEN will be tough to leave off the ticket with his last three speed figures topping this group. He's coming off a breather though so something went wrong and maybe he needs one?? We'll use defensively and try to beat him. Maybe Jr was riding to instructions but (2) JUST FOR LUCK had no chance last time being too far back early in that race. That was off a long layoff so they probably were getting him ready with this race in mind. Draws a ground saving post and cuts back slightly. Look for him weaving through the lane late. Maybe the nine furlaongs were too far for (1) BRIT'S WIT last time or they moved to soon. Either way, the cutback makes sense for this English Channel who has hit the board 5 for his last 6 turf attempts.
$ 7.00 WPS 1 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 2, 7 Cost: $ 18.00
Race 10:
(11) FILM ACADEMY had some success sprinting here last year, so this cutback to 5.5F should not be an issue. Jose returns to make this guy a major player in this finale. Farther out, (10) HELLO NEWMAN should make an appearance late in the game. Hopefully, Castellano can save some ground somewhere from that outside draw. (1) ORIE is the one that most will include. He picks up Prat after making a nice run last time to just miss. The rail is not the best for him as he has no speed and could get shuffled back. The interesting one to me is (7) EIGHTY GOLD. He's a different horse with Irad up, but that can be said about them all. His mom, Weekend Hottie, was very good on the grass, and this guy showed speed last time when he got out of the gate clean for the first time. The break could decide this one if Irad can get him in front early and keep going.
Comments