“What You Need to Know” – Saratoga
by Jeff Siegel, 1stbet.com Handicapper & Analyst
Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s Daily Santa Anita Handicapping Analysis, Wagering Strategies, and Workout Commentary identify those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6.
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For additional commentary, follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing.
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Grade Descriptions:
Grade A=Highest degree of confidence
Grade B=Solid Play.
Grade C=Least preferred or pass
Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play
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RACE 1: Post: 12:40 ET Grade: B
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 5-Marco T.; 6-Split Strike
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 2-Red Burgundy.
Editor’s Note: We’re on assignment this weekend, so we’re presenting a mini version of our usual analysis that highlights our two Best Plays of the day plus our wagering strategies for the remainder of the Saratoga program.
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RACE 2: Post: 1:13 ET Grade: B+
Main ticket: (in order of preference): 8-Raging Sea
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 3-Just Katharine.
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RACE 3: Post: 1:48 ET Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 4-Wit; 5-Emaraaty
Backups/savers/Underneath: none.
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RACE 4: Post: 2:15 ET Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 8-Lord Captain; 3-Jemography.
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.
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RACE 5: Post: 2:52 ET Grade: B+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 3-Okaloosa
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.
Forecast: Okaloosa outran his 14-1 price when an excellent runner-up in an off-the-turf maiden special weight state-bred sprint here last month and hopefully, weather permitting, he’ll have his chance on grass in this abbreviated dash for older horses. He was more than four lengths clear of the rest in his debut run when facing maiden $40,000 company, but he earned a speed figure that makes him quite competitive on the raise and is being protected in a sign of confidence. At 4-1 on the morning line, the Horacio De Paz sophomore offers a good gamble in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics.
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RACE 6: Post: 3:26 ET Grade: B+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 6-Solo’s Fury
Backups/Savers/Underneath: none.
Forecast: Solo’s Fury is a flashy, good-looking chestnut that caught the eye at the Timonium 2-year-old-in-training sale last spring when breezing a very quick furlong in :10 1/5 while being asked through the lane and responding quite nicely. From the first crop of Solomini, this $130,000 auction purchase has put together a series of solid recent local drills that should have him fit and ready for a major performance in this New York-bred maiden special weight sprint. The barn’s “go-to” rider Johnny V. takes the call, and in a field in which there are no apparent world beaters the Jeremiah Englehart-trained colt should be a very live item first crack out of the box.
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RACE 7: Post: 4:00 ET Grade: C+
Main ticket (in order of preference): 7-Overacting; 6-Smokie Eyes; 10-Waterville
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 5-Sals Dream Girl.
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RACE 8: Post: 4:34 ET Grade: B-
Main ticket (in order of preference): 8-Win for Gold
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 10-Always Charming.
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RACE 9: Post: 5:10- ET Grade: B
Main ticket (in order of preference): 11-Kasimba
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 3-American Know How.
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RACE 10: Post: 5:44 ET Grade: B+
Main ticket (in order of preference): Timberlake; 6-Gold Sweep
Backups/Savers/Underneath: 7-Muth; 10-Be You.
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RACE 11: Post: 6:18 ET Grade: B-
Main ticket: (in order of preference): Fake Celebrity; 11-Lt. Mitchell
Backups/savers: none.
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