Saratoga August 11th 2011 Handicapping

Courtesy of my friend and fellow horseplayer Ralph Colucci, here's a look at this afternoon's Saratoga races:

SAR 08/11

1st
1) Well Fashioned
2) Lonesome Nun
3) Farah T Salute

Lonesome Nun will be odds on & hard to beat but you gotta try

2nd
1) Most Happy Fella
2) Cinder Cone
3) Lindsey's Buck

Tough claimer with every horse betable but I like the inside trio

3rd
1) Henny's Hurricane
2) Sharp Tongue Lady
3) Side By Side

An even tougher claimer ($100k), Henny's Hurricane is 5 for 11 and I like horses who like to win!!!

4th
1) Law Enforcement
2) Hillswick
3) Radiohead

Radiohead should kill this field coming off G3 beten 1 1/4 for everything but I don't like him running for $50k and we will see if he can pass the vet? Law Enforcement is one of two horses to win at SAR, has JR and can win with his best race. He is 6yo now and came up short in his tightener at 6 1/2f but comes back to 6f at 6yo and may be his last win here. Hillswick has best current dirt form and is only other horse to win at SAR (winning at SAR is more important than most people think)

5th - Pick 6 all on the firm turf - A dream for me!!
1) Lady Gold
2) Bourbonstreetgirl
3) Bye Love You

The SAR Turf Training Track must have been like concrete 07/29 because I have been sucked in by fast works that day a few times already. Lady Gold had nothing but trouble 1st time out & still beat almost half the field coming home in 1:12 2/5 over a 14 variant (adjusted time 1:09:3). Bourbon Street Girl has the breeding & I like her working 5f 07/29 & 08/03 (I like 2nd work better though slower - see above). Bye Love You ran well in slop 1st out here to be 2nd behind runaway winner 07/29 but don't know about the distance.

6th
1) Cassanova Giant
2) Research report
3) Rumbletown

Cassanova Giant finally hits the turf but for a tag, at 3 (Beware - I am a sucker for Giant's Causeway's get) has JR, and nothing else with current form looks any good. Research Report has turf on the bottom and is also on the grass for the first time and doesn't look too terrible. Rumbletown just missed at this class & distance In May & you get Sognare (1st Lasix) for free.

7th
1) Dontbeshy I'll Buy
2) Sunlight Sonata
3) Rosa Salvaje

Don't Be Shy I'll Buy is 2 for 2 at 5 1/2f on turf, been spitting bullets and Edgar can still ride. Sunlight Sonata is cutting back 2nd off layoff & will be tough to catch. Rosa Salvaje has crafy Solis aboard and can motor on the grass as well.

8th
1) Freud's Honour
2) Darrin's Dream
3) Hessonite

Freud's Honour has done nothing but improve winning an open company stake last time at 9f for $88k, has JR and will be hard to beat. Darrin's Dream did just that earlier this year but may not get 8f. Hessonite is coming of a 3rd in late June in a Gr 3 & has Domiguez.

9th
1) Chanttoomuch
2) Speightcity
3) Ventura Bar

Chant Too Much is by War Chant, has been working well, only cost $25k, so running him for $75k makes sense. If claimed, owner makes close to $75k if he wins. Speightcity cost $65k, been working long and slow, could get burried on the rail first out but does have JR. Ventura Bar has hit the board on the grass at Ellis Park but question distance.

10th
1) Leadwithyourchin
2) Cockram Rock
3) Fastus Cactus

Lead With Your Chin could give Edgar his 2nd win on the card as he has won off the shelf in NY previously. JR is on Cockram Rock who was perfect here last year (2/2) but seems to have lost a step this year but maybe just needed an extra race at 4. If the turf is really firm Fastus Cactus may get too far in front to catch but I doubt it.



Best wishes to all!


Joe