Champagne: Saratoga's Skidmore highlights Friday Pick 5

Handicapper Andrew Champagne sums up Friday's late Pick 5 sequence at Saratoga...

Race 6: Claiming (older fillies/mares, 1 1/16 M, turf), 3:42 p.m. ET

Right off the bat, I’m taking a stand against the morning line favorite. That’s #8 PSALMODY, who takes a big drop in class but hasn’t won in a long, long time. I find her very difficult to trust, so I’m not using her.

My top selection is #2 CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE, who was probably left with too much to do last time out at Monmouth. This turf course has played kindly to closers, and Javier Castellano signs on. I’ll also use #3 ZABAVA, who was impressive two back and was a fast-closing fourth against similar-level foes earlier in the meet.

Race 7: Optional claiming (older horses, 1 1/16 M, turf), 4:14 p.m. ET

This race is fascinating. It could easily double as a Grade 3 event, and I think any of these horses could conceivably win it. I’m hitting the “ALL” button to cover every possible scenario. It’s a seven-horse field, so this isn’t too costly, especially because I’ve got a single coming up in the third leg.

Race 8: Optional claiming (older fillies/mares, NY-bred, 1 1/8 M), 4:46 p.m. ET

My single is #5 RATAJKOWSKI, who figures to be a pretty heavy favorite. I really liked her earlier in the meet, and she ran well that day despite having to settle for second. That was a swiftly-run event, and that day’s winner came back to pick up a check in a stakes race. This seems like a lesser group, so I’m happy to give her another shot.

Race 9: Skidmore S. (2-year-olds, 5 1/2 F, turf), 5:18 p.m. ET

The Friday feature drew a field of eight, and two horses will likely take most of the betting money. I’ll use both of them, as #3 ANOTHER MIRACLE and #6 MONTAUK DADDY both seem well-meant off of strong wins over maiden special weight foes.

I’ll also throw in #5 FROSTED ROSE, who rallied from way back earlier this meet in a restricted maiden race. This is a tougher group, but Joel Rosario rides back and he should get plenty of pace to run at.

Race 10: Maiden claiming (older horses, NY-bred, 1M, turf), 5:50 p.m. ET

As is the norm, we end with a tricky race with runners who, by and large, haven’t shown much in the way of form. The question one must answer revolves around the trustworthiness of #3 AWESOME ADVERSARY, who may be favored but seems to enjoy picking up minor awards.

I’m using him, but I feel the need to also use five others. #4 MR. VINCENT, #5 I’M ELMER J FUDD, #6 PAYNTER’S PRIZE, #8 BLUE PARROT, and #9 PRINCE HALO are all on my ticket, and I like the biggest price of the bunch the most. Elmer J Fudd stretches out to two turns and adds blinkers, both of which could help him immensely against what seems like a subpar group.

THE TICKET

R6: 2,3

R7: ALL

R8: 5

R9: 3,5,6

R10: 3,4,5,6,8,9

252 Bets = $126.