Champagne: Build around Concrete Rose in Saratoga Pick 5
While Wednesday’s sequence got my hopes up until the final leg, Thursday’s sequence saw me get knocked out early. My opening-leg single failed to fire, which left me more time to focus on this Friday ticket.
The sequence features three stakes races, including the first-ever Saratoga Oaks Invitational and the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes. I’ve got an $80 ticket, and while it features a popular single, I think there’s room for a few prices around that one to make this pay. Here’s how I’ll play it.
Race 6: Claiming (older horses, 1 1/16 M, turf), 4:03 p.m. ET
I’m starting off my ticket by going two-deep in the opening leg. #7 THE GREEN MO’STER makes his first start for new trainer Rob Falcone, and he takes a considerable drop in class from the optional claiming ranks to run here. He’ll almost certainly be favored, and he merits tons of respect.
I’ll also use #2 SOULMATE, who comes in off of a win at Gulfstream Park. This is a class test for sure, but his lone poor effort to date came off of a three-month layoff, and there’s a chance he could be improving in the latter part of his 3-year-old season.
Race 7: Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes (3-year-olds, 1M, turf), 4:39 p.m. ET
This is always a fun race, and it’s cool that it’s drawn a solid field despite the debut of the Saratoga Derby this weekend. I’m going four-deep, and my top pick may be a bit of a price.
That’s #7 GLOBAL ACCESS, who has run in plenty of tough spots this season. He’s a consistent sort that seems to enjoy two turns, and the presence of jockey John Velazquez certainly doesn’t hurt.
I’ll also use #3 ENGLISH BEE, #5 CASA CREED, and #8 MOON COLONY. It wasn’t easy to toss horses here, and if you’ve got deeper pockets or a second single, hitting the “ALL” button may not be a bad idea.
Race 8: Alydar S. (older horses, 1 1/8 M), 5:15 p.m. ET
#2 TOM’S D’ETAT looms large in here. He’s been running against far better horses and was most recently third in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster. At his best, he’d crush this group.
I’m using him, but there’s a fair amount of early speed signed on. In case he gets worn down early on, I’ll also be using #5 AMERICAN TATTOO, #6 CARLINO, and #7 BACKYARD HEAVEN. Backyard Heaven, in fact, could be the horse to beat if he can somehow channel the form he showed early last year.
Race 9: Saratoga Oaks Invitational (3-year-old fillies, 1 3/16 M, turf), 5:51 p.m. ET
I think #5 CONCRETE ROSE may be the most talented 3-year-old filly in the country. She’s won her last two races, including the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks, by daylight. While she has tactical speed, she doesn’t necessarily need the lead in order to run well. I’d be very surprised if she loses, and I’ll join the legions of horseplayers singling her in this spot.
Race 10: Maiden claiming (older fillies/mares, NY-bred, 1 1/16 M, turf), 6:25 p.m. ET
We finish with a wide-open turf race, one where there doesn’t seem to be much proven form signed on. I’m going four-deep and will use the field’s lone also-eligible if she happens to draw in.
#6 RECESS and #7 MRS. ORB have both been competitive against straight maidens, and they’re logical here. I’ll use them, and I’ll also throw in #5 TARALLUCCI, #9 HANDLE WITH CARE, and #11 FARCICAL. Hopefully, that’s deep enough in what hit me as a real mess of a race.
The ticket:
R6: 2,7
R7: 3,5,7,8
R8: 2,5,6,7
R9: 5
R10: 5,6,7,9,11
160 Bets = $80.