Jimmy W Attacks the First Saturday at Saratoga

July 22, 2017

We change venues and it’s time to shine : Jimmy W attacks the first Saturday Saratoga Card

Race #1 

#2 Marshall Plan – colt holds a significant speed and also a conditioning edge to most of these and gets a slight cut back to distance that should do the trick .

#5 Adulation – 3 starts are solid vs some tough types . Started his career here at Toga where he ran huge on a sloppy track is a bonus . The negative is the trainer is super low % with this type of layoff .

#1 Mr. Crow – Pletcher colt got no attention in opener @ 11-1 while losing by a neck as much the best ( rough start and trip ) to Casse 8/5 firster who had clean journey. Today under 3-1 .

Race #2 

# 6 Tipsy Kitten – while it might of took longer then they wanted , I think the light finally turned on for this one ; as he won last 2 and really liked the strong move in his last . Most recent bullet also plays to the theory that this one has turned the corner . Leparoux/Maker/Ramsey like to win together as do I , lol .

#1 Daddy’s Home – while this one will be overbet and well lower than he should be there ain’t much to beat in this spot . Javy / Chad and finished even 8th but only lost by 5 lengths to much better after winning initial try down at Gulf .

#5 Prize Fight – Maker/Ortiz and dropped in for tag after some excuses and some in over his head spots . The good news is he fits well with these , hood comes off and will probably be half the 12/1 m/l .

Worth a mention #10 The Great Samarai – statebred maiden claimer 1st x vs classier winners ???? But do see some things to like worthy of a longshot look .

Race #3 

#5 Untamed Domain – Motion likes Laurel but 5.5f try looks like it was a workout to me while his unveiling in MSW. I have a soft spot of Animal Kingdom who this one is out of and believe the stretchout  , Lasix, and the use of Jose Ortiz usually means business for Motion .

#7 Another – Mott/Alvarado have been brutal together but have done good work together on turf in a not to distant past . Sire and trainer are extremely poor % with first out runners . If you are gonna use you have to believe in Mott and the breeding and a trend change here , I am willing to take a shot .

#2 Royal Holiday – Ward entry , Johnny V on both so only if this one stays in , like some things , watch the tote .

#1A – Johnny Action – Plethcher / Javy/ Pompa Jr. have to respect but again the board should help .

Race #4

#2 Rockport Kat – wide open race here but this one ran some strong races while on the west coast in 2015/16 . Might of had some issues since then but dropping a tad again and might be set for best effort . Diodoro/Arroya 27% combo .

#4 Shuffle Up – Servis drops this one to level for a win and will be solid fave but but but , won’t have lead here and will have to rate behind a few here , Franco knows this one well and has sat off the pace in the past but feel it’s vulnerable fave.

#7 Bayard – wish it was 6 panels because this one is getting huge pace and class relief and drop . Can’t argue with anyone thinking he can wire these .

Race #5 

#4 Sporting Chance – the only horse with any experience and the only horse we know for sure will show speed . While I advise to watch the board with others , have to believe this one has an edge in this spot .

#3 Tap Daddy – Asmussen/Geroux Scat Daddy colt with steady tab that shows me some talent .

#8 Machismo – Pletcher /Johnny V 500k More than Ready colt is one to watch the board on .

Race #6

#4 Fleet Irish – Best Bet alert !!!! , simple for me here as there is plenty of pace on paper , 7f fits perfect and he is in top form . Rolling late .

#9 Born for a Storm – Away since October but is a major threat for Javy/Chad Brown . Seems to like it here at Toga which is a huge plus.

#12 Build to Suit – should be sitting just off the pace from comfy outpost for Chad / Irad.

Worth a look #5 Terry O Geri- turf to dirt and colt is 1-1 on fast track . Can close here .

Race #7
#12 High Hours (Brz) – Argueably the second best turf sprinter in South America ; I have to believe that makes him very tough in this group . Has a race stateside in an off the turf synthetic sprint at Arlington which to me looked more than useful . I watched a few replays of his races in Brazil and looks like a very serious runner ; 10 starts never worse than second .
#6 End Play – Sasz/Bush like to win @ Toga and this one can sit close which makes him a force here .
#7 Evacuation – Ward/Johnny V take over this Aussie import who has been away since October and makes first start stateside with Lasix.
#9 Partly Mocha – might have to much to do late.
Race #8
#1 Volatility Index – I went to school on opening day at the Spa and what I learned on the turf is for now I think it might be best to like a filly like this who can go to the lead or sit very close to the pace . Lightly raced type for Chad/Javy , facing a little better here but no worries runs big .
#2 Penjade – might of needed last and still grinded out a win . Chad/Irad and expecting a good 2017 from this filly .
#7 Browse – Last start was 1st try on the turf when showing some late life . Trust these connections and expect this one to be sharper here , X factor .
Race #9 The Sanford Grade 3
#3 Bal Harbour – very professional down at Gulf closing strongly in both efforts ; while I don’t love that Pletcher left this one down at Gulf , he is here now at Toga and in The Sanford . If he can sit and make same move will be tough again stepping up .
#4 Free Drop Billy – big impressive win first out at Churchill Downs . Should be more than enough pace here for this one to fire down the lane  if good enough .
#6 Baffin – will have to be real good one to last a projected pace duel but looks like could be any kind . (Jonathan Stettin, The Pick 6 King says he’s good, fast, and that pulls weight)
Race # 10 The Diana Grade 1
#2 Antonoe – while at first glance might seem pace compromised here , she came home like a rocket in The Just a Game stakes most recently . Filly seems push button and Javy know when to go .
#6 Dickinson – this made has proven to be quite a turfer , runs hard every time and seems to have a pace edge here .
#3 Lady Eli – sentimental fan fave but maybe not deserving favorite here . While Irad is very good and he’s been on her every race feel he might get out moved in this one and while not a popular statement even with strong form seems to have lost a step .
Race #11
#9 Blarp – although dropped vs similar in last try had some excuses there , feel he is classier than these and in spot to win here .
#2 Aire Bueno and #8 Souperfast both sit close enough to pace to take over turning for home and try to hold .
Good Luck !!!! Think we got them today ! Jimmy W

Geo, with your hard work and precision you gave us all the edge we needed to be VERY COMPETITIVE at Fairgrounds yesterday. Can't thank you and John enough for that. It's something 98% of us simply don't have the experience, knowledge and skill to do ourselves. That's the truth.

Curt Chaplin @curtchaplin View testimonials

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