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SPOT PLAYS

For Friday
TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE
Arlington Park (2nd) Hello Margo, 4-1
(6th) Silent Candy, 3-1
Calder Race Course (2nd) Stormin' on Home, 4-1
(7th) Extreme Frolic, 3-1
Canterbury Park (3rd) Gal Aloud, 6-1
(7th) Morning's Promise, 8-1
Charles Town (1st) Anna's Fireball, 10-1
(4th) Hello Storm Kitty, 7-2
Del Mar (2nd) Grace Upon Grace, 6-1
(6th) Camp Victory, 9-2
Ellis Park (6th) Sarah Douglas, 3-1
(9th) Andrean Gale, 4-1
Emerald Downs (4th) Libby Creek, 3-1
(7th) Rovasco, 7-2
Evangeline Downs (6th) Fireball's Ace, 3-1
(10th) Bold Louisa's Boy, 6-1
Finger Lakes (7th) Large Popcorn, 6-1
(9th) I Can't Dance, 4-1
Hastings Park (1st) Alybye on Fire, 4-1
(5th) Tough Torque, 7-2
Louisiana Downs (1st) Haggis, 3-1
(5th) Tiger Shark, 6-1
Monmouth Park (2nd) Grand Captain, 3-1
(8th) Cosmic Dance, 4-1
Mountaineer (2nd) Foxy Frauline, 5-1
(7th) Smokin' Victoria, 3-1
Northlands (2nd) Bear's Day, 3-1
(4th) What the Devil, 7-1
Penn National (3rd) Bella Uno, 6-1
(8th) Believe in Love, 3-1
Philadelphia Park (4th) C Larry Run, 5-1
(8th) Beyond Parallel, 9-2
Prairie Meadows (5th) Dr. Seacliff, 4-1
(7th) Duck River, 9-2
Presque Isle Downs (2nd) St. Rose, 4-1
(8th) Myah's Knight, 8-1
River Downs (8th) Seabrook Patties, 4-1
(14th) Aurora's Secret, 7-2
Saratoga (2nd) Gold Collection, 7-2
(7th) Allison Renee, 4-1
Thistledown (5th) Expect No Equal, 9-2
(9th) Top Rock, 7-2
Woodbine (5th) Gold Xchange, 3-1
(8th) Born to Storm, 9-2

Courtesy of Mike Dempsey

Here is the opening race from Saratoga to get our day off to a good start:

SAR Race 1 Clm $20,000 (1:00 ET)

#1 Seattle Mission 2/1
#8 Kuggerand 7/2
#9 Monastir 12/1
#2 New Pais 30/1

Analysis: #1 Seattle Mission may get the Spa meeting off to a chalky start. The Tagg runner was a game second last out at Belmont Park, beaten 3/4 of a length for the top spot. The colt broke his maiden against open maidens at the Spa on the turf last summer and note he beat Drosselmeyer in that effort, that colt is now a Grade 1 winner. The colt makes his third start off the bench, appears to have a ton of upside, and should be able to get through his first couple of state bred allowance conditions easily at this meet. He is a half to a pair of turf stakes winners, top earner Mohegan Sky ($280K).

#8 Kuggerand makes just his second start of the year and first since May where he checked in fourth against open Alw-1 foes. He broke his maiden against state breds, then failed to fire in his first two trips against winners, but did catch soft turf, then tried the inner track. He should appreciate the returns to state bred company here.

Wagering

WIN: #1 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 1,8 / 1,2,8,9
TRI: 1,8 / 1,2,8,9 / 1,2,3,4,8,9

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 9 The Schuylerville G3 (5:30 ET)

#6 Show Me the Bling 3/1
#2 Stopspendingmaria 7/2
#4 Let's Get Fiscal 7/2
#1 Spa Sunrise 2/1

Analysis: #6 Show Me the Bling pressed the early pace in her debut, got to the front on the far turn and held on to win by 3/4 of a length despite drifting out a bit and racing greenly in the stretch. The effort was flattered when the runner up, third and fourth place finishes all came back to win their next starts. She has worked quickly in the mornings since that outing and figures to move forward off her debut for the Biancone barn.

#2 Stopspendingmaria finished behind our top pick in her debut, then came back with a good looking gate to wire win in her second career start, drawing clear to win by seven lengths and earning the top last out speed fig. She draws the rail here and will need a good break. With the likely scratch of #1a Final Mesa she figures to go off as the favorite in this spot. She is by Montbrook out of the mare Cutoffs ($167K) who has dropped one other foal to race, 2 for 14 full bro More Drama ($60K).

#4 Let's Get Fiscal was sent off as the 9/5 favorite in her debut and got home as our top pick. She prompted the early pace and drew off smartly to win by 5 1/2 lengths. She came back with a bullet drill for the Violette barn that is strong with two year olds. The trainer won three baby races here last summer.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 2,6 / 2,4,6
TRI: no play

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Monmouth Park:

MTH Race 10 The Dearly Precious (6:30 ET)

#8 Offlee Blessed 6/1
#7 Whoopi Kitten 3/1
#3 Beyondallboundarys 7/2
#1 Happy Week 4/1

Analysis: #8 Offlee Blessed was shipped to Canada and beat Alw-1 foes last out in gate to wire fashion over the polytrack. It was her first go off a eight-month layoff. She steps into stakes company here and while her last speed fig is coming up on the light side, she figures to be tighter for her second start off the bench for a sharp barn. Decent value if we catch most of the 6/1 ML.

#7 Whoopi Kitten broke her maiden over the main track in her debut, then last out trying turf she dueled for the early lead and could not match strides with the winner in a runner up finish. She seems better suited for dirt at least pedigree wise and the Biancone barn has been sending out live runners at the meet.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 4/1 or better.
EX: 7,8 / 1,3,7,8
TRI: 7,8 / 1,3,7,8 / 1,2,3,7,8

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Monmouth Park

R1: #10 Sun Hunter 20/1
R5: #8 Malibu Mystery 15/1
R6: #4 Cherokee Champion 8/1
R8: #5 Raiders Fan 10/1
R12: #10 Aranyom 10/1


Good luck today!

SAR 9th (5:30)

Schuylerville S. (G3)

6 Furlongs | Fillies | 2 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 4 Spa Sunrise Coa E M Ward Wesley A 119 L 2-1
1A 7 Final Mesa Coa E M Ward Wesley A 121 L 2-1
2 1 Stopspendingmaria Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 119 L 7-2
3 2 Le Mi Geaux Lenclud F Dutrow, Jr. R E 119 L 6-1
4 3 Let's Get Fiscal Garcia Alan Violette, Jr. R A 119 L 7-2
5 5 Dos Lunas Court J K Glenney John 119 L 12-1
6 6 Show Me the Bling Leparoux J R Biancone Patrick L 119 L 3-1

A-Coupled: Spa Sunrise and Final Mesa

Exacta, Trifecta, Daily Double Wagers

Brian Blessing's Pick's 4-1A-2

Lets Get Fiscal had an awesome debut at Belmont Park and has worked extremely well in preparation for this dash. He seems to be extremely professional.

MTH 2nd (2:36)

6 Furlongs | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Claiming ($5,000) | Purse: $30,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Irish Gentleman Cotto P L Jr Dickey Keith 121 $5,000 L 7-2
2 2 January Gent Marquez C H Jr Jacobson David 121 $5,000 L 4-1
3 3 Acclimate Lopez C C Arroyo Enrique 121 $5,000 L 8-1
4 4 Favorite Flashback Castro E Gambolati Cam 119 $5,000 Blk-On L 15-1
5 5 Zapper Serpa A Orseno Joseph 114 5 $5,000 L 8-1
6 6 Carmelo Starbuckle Gracia J A Carvajal, Jr. Luis 109 10 $5,000 L 20-1
7 7 D' Wild Affair Moya R F Gross James A 112 7 $5,000 L 20-1
8 8 Cape Town King Bravo J Wilson Tony 124 $5,000 L 5-1
9 9 Grand Captain Fragoso P Biancone Patrick L 119 $5,000 L 3-1
10 10 Catalina Fog Trujillo E Anderson William D 119 $5,000 L 15-1
11 11 Indian Reservation Vega A Margotta, Jr. A R 119 $5,000 L 15-1

Win, Place and Show Exacta, Trifecta and 10-Cent Superfecta Daily Double (Races 2-3)/Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5)

Battagliaspicks 9-8-2

#9 Grand Captain- Dropped in class in his first race here coming off a layoff. He finished full of run to miss by less then a length. He came back with a bullet work beating 75 others and will be ready to romp for hot trainer.

Saratoga courtesy of Steve Byk

1st: NY-ALW/N1X, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Top choice owns clear edge, but look for prices to use after him; Would include #14 (AE) Mr. Vantastic (15-1) should he somehow draw in..

Most Likely: #1 Seattle Mission 2-1: Saves ground; Owns pace edge..
Best Value: #5 Dontstealmyland 15-1: Suffolk invader; Major jock switch..
Next Best: #6 Fortissi More 12-1
Super Add: #7 Sir Dunstan 10-1

2nd: MSW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T

First maiden race of season and start of initial P4 a doozy..

Best Value: #6 Dandyna 12-1: Howard grey threat returning to lawn bow..
Next Best: #2 Flourish 7-2: Expect improvement from Mott-Juddmonte miss..
Exotics Use: #11 Home Rule 5-2
Super Add: #12 Speak Freely 20-1

3rd: ALW/N1X, 3+, 6.5f (P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #6 Bimini 6-1: Shug adds hood; MTH try better than looks..
Next Best: #5 Bonavento 5-2: Caught late in '10 bow; Tighter today..
Exotics Use: #1 Aspire 2-1
Super Add: #4 Mad for Smarty 3-1

4th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T (P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Cozy Lion 5-2: Tagg dropper owns class advantage..
Best Value: #7 Simple Kind of Man 6-1: Is Spa ready for 6+ week of Guillot?
Next Best: #8 Sharif Al Medina 9-2
Super Add: #6 Budget 8-1

5th: NY-MSW, 3+, 1,-IT (P6, P3, DD, Super)

Best Value: #9 Beth's Kitten 8-1: Maker a stunning 33% W's ($2.55) 2nd MDN start..
Next Best: #5 Good to Be Me 7-2: As good as ML fave; Brown a plus stretching..
Exotics Use: #2 Roderick 2-1
Super Add: #7 City Train 5-1

<$75 P4 Play:

2: 2-6-11
3: 1-4-5-6
4: 2-7
5: 2-5-9

3x4x2x3 = $72

6th: CLM, 3+, 8.5f-T (G/S, P3, DD, Super)

Most Likely: #1 Unaccountable 8-5: Being dangled off break; Works say OK..
Best Value: #7 Eldoktori 8-1: Chased next out winner; Butch good with aquirees..
Next Best: #9 Stream of Gold 6-1
Super Add: #6 Cinder Cone 20-1

7th: MSW, 2yo-F, 5.5f (P4, P3, DD, Super)

First Spa baby race an open company heat with little to go on but breeding, works and connection karma..

Best Value: #1 Playing Pirates 3-1: Well bred missy lost all chance in debut..
Next Best: #4 Maria's Luck 15-1: Cesare annually pops with 2nd timers..
Exotics Use: #5 Heavenly Pride 8-1
Super Add: #8 With the Current 5-1

8th: James Marvin, 3+, 7f (P3, DD, Super)

Not sure this group stays completely intact given that many dropping in could not have expected a Gr. II caliber event when they entered; Vineyard Haven has distinguished himself on this oval at 2 and 3 and despite the overly-aggressive 3-5 ML, looms the 'tough to go against' choice here..

Most Likely: #4 Vineyard Haven 3-5
Best Value: #7 Le Grand Cru 12-1
Next Best: #5 Discreet Treasure 12-1
Super Add: #8 Flat Bold 12-1

9th: 92nd Schuylerville (G3), 2yo-F, 6f (DD, Super)

Most Likely: #2 Stopspendingmaria 3-1: Likely 1st of many TAP Spa stake scores..
Next Best: #1a (POE) Final Mesa 2-1: Assuming Ward leans in this direction..
Exotics Use: #4 Let's Get Fiscal 7-2
Super Add: #5 Dos Lumas 12-1

10th: CLM/N2L, 3+, 7f (Super)

Maniacally difficult finale as gate fills to capacity of 14..

Most Likely: #9 In Just We Trust 7-2
Best Value: #2 Adams Circle 8-1
Next Best: #4 Awesome Encore 12-1
Super Add: #6 Scorch the Torch 30-1

<$75 P4 Play:

7: 1-4-5-8
8: 4-5-7
9: 1-2
10: 2-4-9

4x3x2x3 = $72


Good luck!
Steve

DEL MAR courtesy of JERRY SESSA
(made us a bunch last time we had him here)

Del Mar 1st
5...Girl of Pangaea
2...Hidden Romance
3...Powerofvoodoo

Del Mar 2nd
6...Fandino
7...Forthreeforeuclid
5...Daylight Storm

Del Mar 3rd
4...Seedless
9...Glendive
2...Jaws n' Paws

Del Mar 4th
7...Joyful Success
8...Plantsite
4...Days of Lightning

Del Mar 5th
3...Best Mon
8...Position A
9...Bestdressed

Del Mar 6th
6...Kid Edward
1...Lunada Bay
9...Jairzihno

Del Mar 7th
10...Swiss Wild Cat
7.....Deo's Secret
1.....Arta B Tappin

Del Mar 8th
7...Big Wags
9...Titus Aurelius
4...My Last Tycoon
5...Brianville

Saratoga Race Track Opening Day courtesy of Safestwager
(Friday, July 23rd, 2010)

Doubles, Pick 3's, Pick 4:
Race 1) 1/8
Race 2) 2/6/9/11 (Add #15 if #2 or #11 is scratched)
Race 3) 1/5
Race 4) 2/6/7 (If a scratch, add #14)
Race 5) 2/5/7/9
****************

Race 1) 1 1/16 Miles (InnerTurf) Alw 43,000N1X

#1 Seattle Mission*
Although this colt had a strong 2nd in last, it looks
like he may have tied up a little. I thought he would run
over the field, but he got caught at the end. He'll be treated
for any lactic acid buildup this week, and could prove dominant.

Safer Bet:
a) #1 to Win, Place or Show

Exotics:
a) Trifecta: 1 with 6/7/8/10/12(if in) with 6/7/8/10/12(if in)


Race 2) 1 1/16 Miles (Turf) Md Sp Wt 51k

#2 Flourish*
She looked great at the end of her 3 race two year old career,
while losing in a photo, but distancing herself from the rest of the field.
She was passed once during the race and came back.... that hardly ever
happens with the better ones. We know that Mott has gotten some
workouts the clockers haven't seen. She's got super DNA... as a sibling
to TWO million dollar earners.

Safer Bet:
a) #2 to Win, Place or Show

Exotics:
b) Trifecta: 2/11 with 2/11 with 1/3/6/7/8/9
c) NOTE: IF # 15 draws in.... you can also play:
Trifecta: 2/11/15 with 2/11/15 with 2/6/8/9/11/15

Race 3) 6.5 Furlongs ALw 52,000N1X

#1 Aspire*
This colt was competitive in 2 Grade I events last year.
His only poor showing was on synthetic. In last, he was strong
against older.
Connections expect him to be much better today.

Safer Bet:
a) #1 to Win, Place or Show

Exotics:
b) Trifecta: 1/5 with 1/5 wtih 2/3/4/6
c) Super: 1/5 with 1/5 with 2/3/4/6 with 2/3/4/6/7

Race 4) 1 1/16 miles (Turf) Clm 25,000B

#7 Simple Kind of Man*
If this colt can handle the class differential on this circuit,
he has all the makings of a winner, and.... with a morning line of 6-1.
Sharp connections wouldn't ship 2,300 miles if they didn't thnk this
was an opportunity.
His last 3 speed ratings are above 90.
He has: good tactical speed,
been competitive with lots of next out winners
most importantly.... heart.
Bet he gets claimed today.
His probable obstacle is #2 "Cozy Lion" who has been scratched
from 2 other races for this lower level. BUT.....
Lots of possible "red flags" for this probable favorite (#2), who
was sold for $310k, and after limited starts can be had for 8%
of his purchase price today.

Safer Bet:
a) #7 to Win, Place or Show

Exotics:
b) Trifecta Box: 2/6/7/8 (Add #14 if any of these are scratched)