Saturday Handicapping Discussion

[FrankD.]

A small crowd at the Carolina BBQ for the Whitney Day card that left a lot to be desired for. There were 3 great competitive stakes but 4 maiden races, a NW1 other than and a NW2L. NYRA has to do better than that on the big race days ?

Steve Byk got the ball rolling in the first race a competitive turf event that was narrowed down the logical contenders. The exacta and tri were there for the taking, Chad Browns horse got the trip and if you look at the charts the rest of the field either had trouble or 3.4.5 wide trips.

In the second the Romans horse Seve was rumored to be a runner, he was bet in the doubles and sent off at 9/2 from a 12/1 ML. The charts assessment of 3w4w is generous to say the least and JB will have a nice TG number for this trip. The horse was also choked at the 3/8 pole while looking like he wanted to run.
Bombs away time for D.Wayne, Bill did mention that Lucas was due to put a firster over at 20/1. He said he looked hard for reasons to bet him today on a coupe of shots.

Saratoga local Terri Pompay popped a nice paying firster and the Dutrow horse a first time Corinthian was bombed at the windows while wearing 2 aluminum pads. Corinthian did get off the schnied as sire this week with one at Monmouth and one up here.

A logical Battingstar under a vintage hustling front end ride by Kent D. took them all the way here. A typical Kent D. day being as good as he wants to be whenever he wants to be ? A puzzling disinterested ride in the 2nd was followed by a hall of fame ride here ! Steve got shut out on the exacta, Bill mentioned the Frank Martin 4th place horse at 31/1 as well as the 2nd place finisher, throw in Rudy Rod for 3rd and someone could have had a really nice super.

Pletcher, Pletcher, Pletcher in the maiden races, how could I leave him out ? I did and he was 7/1 coming out of a key Gulfstream maiden race that the 3,4, & 5th place horses all won next out. Maker\'s horse was hit at the windows, the pricey Darley Gyre didn\'t run a step. A 71 k pick 4 that wasn\'t totally unreasonable but probably required an all in the 2nd race.

Bill & Jorge Chavez struck for an old timers day play in the 6th and Bill liked Rico Capote as well who ran 3rd.

An unbelievable turn of speed for Higher Court that turned back the TG play of Dr. Disco and ran away.

A real missed opportunity here as Trix in the City blasted off at 25/1, a back 4 at Gulf and a 5 here last year really made this horse completive from the rail. Tapitsfly was logical and given out by Bill and I used the 5 as well. OUCH !!!! A big exacta and tri was right there but missed.

Who would have ever thought we would see a $ 21.00 double on the Test/Whitney ?
Two very competitive stakes with lots of interesting handicapping angles to say the least. Roman Treasure was a must use in the Test with a competitive figure, coming off a dead rail and the lone speed with the scratch of the 5 horse. She had it her own way in reasonable fractions but the winner blew right on by. Jimbo\'s observation about the track changing is interesting as there was some light to moderate rain between the 7th and 9th races. I don\'t believe anyone was touching the winner this day no matter what.

The Whitney had many opinions expressed on the board and most felt that 9 of the 11 had a legitimate shot. An awesome race by Tizway, not much running by most of the sharp guy horses, my humble opinion included !

I missed the last rodeo and am curious to watch the replay of the race.

A great crowd of 34,000 plus, the weather held off, quite a bit of steady rain last night that is definitely needed on the turf courses.

Thanks to Steve and his hospitality at the Carolina BBQ on a busy day when we ran way past 12:00 in the discussion. Bill Spillane was seen wresting with a Philly cheese steak that Steve claimed blows away Pat\'s or Gino\'s but not quite up to Tony Luke\'s yet ! Would love to hear from some of our Philly contingent on this one ?

Good luck,

Frank D.