I bet $18 (fictionally) in my picks earlier today and there was little to celebrate. I hit the first double at Woodbine, but it paid $25.10 so half of that is $12.55 – my net loss was 5.45.
Here’s Sunday’s doubles: The first race looks like a lock for the 7 Breakwithtradition, so let’s break with the tradition of betting a sure thing and find two to beat it: I’ll go fishing with #4 Barrichello and David Clark and #6 Fort Garry. You rarely get any kind of value on a horse Emma-Jayne rides, but this one might be overlooked. Hook those two up with these four in the second race: #2 Mr. Bowie (Wilson), # 4 Star Prospector (McAleney), #5 Big Love Bill (Ramsammy) and # 7 American Signature (Clark). Here’s the thinking; Breakwithtradition is going to be even money. If we beat him, we’re sitting on a good double and having the four best shots in the second will elevate our heart rate.
First Double, Woodbine: 4 & 6 with 2,4,5 & 7.
On to Saratoga: The first race is one of those strange 51/2 furlong turf sprints. I really like the 5 -horse, Sacred Icon, even if Jorge Chavez is riding. He hasn’t been the same jockey since a terrible injury a couple years ago (just 5 for 73 this year at Saratoga). Still Sacred Icon has lots of speed in a short race that doesn’t seem to have too many pace-setters. I’m also using the 12-horse, Ectoplasm, because I really loved Ghostbusters and somehow, this one will have to burst from the gate very fast to have a chance.
In the second race, here’s the four: #1 entry of They’re Late and Just A Coincidence ( wouldn’t it be a coincidence if both of them were late?), #2 In Speight of It, # 3 Ducane (Jockey Alan Garcia is trying to win the Saratoga riding title) and # 8 Big Flirt.
Saratoga first double: 5 & 12 with 1,2, 3, & 8
I’m also working the double between races 5 and 6. Anyone want to join my lobby to persuade Woodbine to have rolling doubles on their cards? In the fifth, try # 4 Dinstinctive Doc and # 8 Love for a Price onto #6 Song of Charm, #7 Me Love, #11 Amanwella ( who looks much the best!) and # 13 Critical.
Saratoga 5th race double : 4,8, with 6, 7, 11, & 13
In the 9th race, the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes, I like #1 Vacation (Prado on the rail is the closest you will get at the track to printing your own money) and #8 Thou Swell. Latch those two onto these four in the tenth: #3 Casanova Move, #5 Mine All Mine, #6 Collegiate and # 7 August Rush.
Saratoga 9th race double: 1 & 8 with 3,5,7, &7
I think I spent $32 there…so I’m now down $37.45
Good luck. And check the internet tomorrow to see if Peppers Pride wins at Ruidoso Downs. She’s gunning for a 17th straight win which would be a record for North American thoroughbreds.
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