Free Travers Day Selections / 8-27-16

An older gent stopped me and asked; “why do you bet those crazy pick-fours with a million dollar guaranteed pool ?” – Crickets.

If you don’t understand by now, there’s a better chance you’ll want to buy a Powerball ticket. – If you do love the action, the beauty, and the pageantry. – Saratoga is the place for you this weekend.  There are six turf races, six (G-1) stakes, one (G-2) stake, and a million dollar pick-four guarantee beginning in Race #8. – If you don’t like this card, maybe you can watch a re-run of the 1988 Curling championships. But if you’re a horseplayer, you have to be chomping at the bit to get your bankroll in action this weekend.

Here are my selections for the super-sonic-Saturday card:

 

Race #6 – The (G1) Personal Ensign – 1 1/8 – 2:23 ET

 

This may be the toughest five horse field you’ll ever see in your life. – But, there is a little gal who just might kick-off my wagering day in the right direction.  -I’m a firm believer in runners dropping back in distance may be just what the doctor ordered as they get ready for the test of their true ability.

 

#1 – I’m A Chatterbox (4-1) = 3rd off the layoff, and cuts back from a 1 1/4 win in the Delaware Handicap. – She is 2/2 ITM at The Spa, and sports three excellent works coming into the race. She won the CCA Oaks last year and was DQ’ed for interference nearing the wire. – Florent Geroux is hitting his best stride as of late, and when the money is on the table his game moves up accordingly. The rider hops off Cavorting to come back for Larry Jones, and if you get near (4-1) bet early and often.

 

Race #7 – The (G-1) Ballerina – 7f – 2:59 ET

 

#8 – Wavell Avenue (3-1) = Irad Ortiz in the irons for Chad Brown and these guys are rolling to the winner’s circle at a 33% clip. – She is 2/3 ITM at Saratoga and 4/5 ITM at the distance. – She looks the logical fit and with Ortiz in the saddle, and you know you’re going to get a well-timed ride to perfection. That was an impressive tune-up last out, and she tacked on a solid morning work to show readiness. – Be sure to box her with #4 – Sheer Drama, and #3 Paulasilverlining.

 

Race #8 – The (G-1) King’s Bishop – 7f – 3:35 ET

This race begins the $1 million guaranteed pick-four. – Here are some selections to use to nail down a bumper payday !

#1 – Economic Model (6-1) – Ortiz and Brown are 1/1 at The Spa with this guy.

#2 – Fish Trappe Road (8-1) – New York-bred been off 49 days coming in fresh for Brett Calhoun.

#3 – Summer Revolution (6-1) – Perfect 2/2 for the Rudy Rodriguez barn moving up.

#9 – Jazzy Times (8-1) – Speedster for Bejarano and Baffert who seldom come east. But when they do, it’s for a good reason.

#13 – Drefong (4-1) = Mike “Money Man” Smith for Baffert. – Need I say more ??

 

Race #9 – The (G-1) Forego – 7f – 4:12 ET

#1 – Catalina Red (8-1) – 3/3 with wins going 7f, and is second off a layoff with a bullet work.

#3 – Limousine Liberal (15-1) – Speedy sort who ran second at The Spa last year to Runhappy.

#11 – AP Indian (5-2) – Joe Bravo always gets a win on big money days. – He is 1/2 ITM at Saratoga and loves the distance 3/3 with wins. .

#12 – Marking (3-1) – Son of Bernardini off for 49 days for the red-hot McLaughlin barn. – He is a world traveler and is in very good hands with Rosario

 

Race #10 – The (G-1) Sword Dancer – 1 1/2 on the inner turf – 4:49 ET

#6 – Flintshire (1-5) – 2/2 with wins at Saratoga, and a very easy win last out. 4/4 ITM at the distance and is the only one who can beat himself. – Javier Castellano has to be having visions of Breeders’ Cup dancing in his head. – Chad Brown notched his 1,000 win earlier this week and 2,000 is his next stop.

 

Race #11 – The (G-1) Travers – 1 1/4 – 5:44 ET

This race has writers and handicappers all over the board. If my betting plan goes according to schedule, this should be a very fun race to watch or I’ll be having my third beer filled with tears. – This is a button that is never pushed by my finger very often, but I’m leaning toward a sweet price as the forecast is predicting sunshine and no rain. That is enough to get Exaggerator off his game and at the top of the lane you’ll hear Larry Collmus bellow out “it’s anybody’s race from here.” – The mid-summer’s Derby should be a solid payday if all goes to plan, and this is one handicapper who is shooting for big balloons !

**** ALL ****

 

The ticket cost = 5 X 4 X 1 X 14 = $280 for a $1 ticket, and $140 for a 50-cent version.

 

 

Be sure to check the above selections against the Winning Ponies E-Z Win predictions, as they bring the heat when marquee races fill the card. – This is an incredible race card, and be sure to download your E-Z Win Forms before starting your handicapping ! – Use this as an appetizer to get you started in thinking about the big day. – Always check and use the E-Z Win Form selections, and think of this as food for thought. – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies !