Saratoga: Thursday, 7/28, Plays - Pete's Picks
- Little Pete
- Jul 28, 2022
- 4 min read
Thursday racing in Saratoga and we are ready to continue with some momentum into the big weekend of racing. We are expecting moisture later in the card so changes are expected. I will be condensing my plays to just include the number each race, and will be attacking the early double (Races 1 & 2) as well as a spot pick 3 (Race 5-7). Big Pete will have a couple of "Plays of the Day" and be looking to cash in on 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: 3, 4
R2: 4, 6
Cost: $ 20.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R5: 1, 4
R6: 2, 3, 4 ( 14, 15 if dirt )
R7: 1, 4, 8
Cost: $ 18.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R8: 4, 7
R9: 4, 5, 7
R10: 2, 7, 8, 11 or 3, 10, 13, 16 ( if Dirt )
Cost: $ 24.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
(8) SICILIA MIKE has done just fine in his career earning over 650k mostly be hitting the board but rarely winning. If he wins it’s because he found the right field. Today it looks like that field is assembled. Boldish looked like damaged goods so the scratch is not surprising. Quick Return has been backing up recently and moving barn to barn. That leaves the rest of them who haven’t been close to smelling the winners circle this year. I like the cutback and the switch to Davis for this 8 year old and I have to give him one more shot for a win at the Spa.
Either (2) Auburn Hills or (5) Quick Return can hold on for 2nd.
$ 7.00 WPS 8 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Exacta 8 w/ 2, 5 Cost $ 14.00
We’ll also use (8) Sicilia Mike in R3 and try to crash in on a DAILY DOUBLE play.
We’ll use likely favorite (6) Ocean’s Reserve and (4) Compromiser in the 4th.
$ 7.00 Double 8 w/ 4, 6 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 8:
We won’t try to Overanalyze this as (4) PRICE DISCIPLINE looks tons the best rain or shine. He is lightly raced but both efforts are a few points higher than the rest of the field. I wouldn't talk you off a single play if you’re trying to save some bankroll. However, this is Saratoga and stranger things have happened. I want to include the Tonalist gelding (7) MR BREADWINNER in here as well. He moves back to the dirt and 9F will not be an issue. He has speed which this field lacks and if the moisture comes, he seems to glide over it. He’s worth a shot at this 15:1 ML. (5) FORTY TWO ACE moves up sharply is the track comes up wet.
$ 7.00 WPS 7 Cost $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 4, 7 w/ 4, 5, 7 Cost $ 12.00
Race 9:
(5) BALTHUS added blinkers three back and this guy took off. He won two of them and a fast closing 2nd in the other. He climbs the ladder again but that doesn’t seem to faze him. A must use for me but of course we will find a better proposition. Rosario is in a zone right now and he won the marathon race yesterday with a perfect ride. Let’s hope his head is still in the game and he continues with this Animal Kingdom (7) MCLOVIN. He looks to have matured nicely from 3yr old to 4. 2 wins and a decent 3rd against this level puts him in the conversation. His last speed figure tops this group and I can’t resist the 6:1 ML. (4) REIGNING SPIRIT ships in for Stall and attracts Prat. He was a fast closing 3rd in a G3 at Churchill last time but may be facing similar or slightly better today.
$ 7.00 WPS 7 Cost $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 5, 7 w/ 4, 5, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00
Race 10:
I’m guessing this race gets moved to the main track if all the weather experts are right. So I’ll start with MTO participant (16) STORM SHOOTER. Irad is named and this guy drops slightly after being claimed by Rice. That in itself does not give us confidence, but when we get these surface changes, the competition dwindles when turf meant runners run on the dirt. Strong Hope was a mud lover and he’s the Grandpa of (10) COURAGEOOUS OH LA. If he sticks around, I would leave on my ticket. If we stay on the grass the Laoban gelding (8) COOL LAOBAN is a must use for me as well as (2) COUSIN ANDREW. Both drop into a NW2L claimer after facing better.
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