Wednesday Wagers: Two Tons of Fun triumphs at Saratoga

Rain is in the forecast for Saratoga on Wednesday, but hopefully it will hold off until the latter part of the program. Here are my picks for Honorable Miss Stakes day at the Spa.

Best bet: Munnys Gold (race 7)

Best value bet: Two Tons of Fun (race 1)

Race 1

No. 1 Two Tons of Fun (9-2) looks dangerous dropping in class and getting back to his preferred surface. No. 5 Shakin the Belle (5-1) is 0-for-8 but has hit the board in three straight at this level. No. 2 Macaw (4-5, morning-line favorite) is tough to trust at this price but is a threat to at least hit the board based on speed figures while trying a new low. No. 8 Conniving (8-1) is also dropping to a new low and has the figures over any kind of surface to contend.

How I’d bet it (based on a $100 budget): $3 trifecta 1/2,5,8/2,5,8

Race 2

No. 9 Army Proud (6-1) is by Army Mule, who wins with 13 percent of first-time turfers, and goes for potent connections in Joe Sharp and Tyler Gaffalione. Note the strong turf work on July 8. No. 3 Iron Max (6-1) is by Caravaggio, who is 10 percent with first-time turfers, and is drilling sharply for Jeremiah Englehart, 18 percent with firsters. No. 10 Out on Bail (4-1) lures Irad Ortiz Jr. ahead of his turf bow after demonstrating solid ability on dirt.

How I’d bet it: $3 exacta box 3/9/10

Dirt picks: 9-10-5

Race 4

Linda Rice appears to have this race cornered with No. 1 Big Ego (6-5, morning-line favorite) and No. 5 Barron’s Bounce (3-1). The former got over this course well at last asking and drops slightly here off the Rice claim, a 39 percent move for this outfit. The latter gets off the rail and attracts Ortiz in his second attempt for a tag. The stretchout should help, as would a trouble-free trip. No. 2 Two Jay’s Way (15-1) is the pick to help spice up the exotics under hot-riding Dylan Davis. He showed late interest on debut on the lawn and could move up on dirt based on recent works.

How I’d bet it: $6 trifecta 1,5/1,5/2, $1 trifecta 1,5/2/1,5, $1 trifecta box 1/2/5

Race 7

The Honorable Miss (G2) could scratch down to as few as five horses with three entrants signed on as main-track only for Thursday’s Caress Stakes. No. 8 Munnys Gold (2-1, morning-line favorite) stands to benefit from such a scenario, but even if all eight run, she has the speed figures and an ideal post to either work out a stalking trip or go to the lead under Ortiz. No. 1 Accede got unlucky at the post draw and loses Irad but is on a three-race winning streak and lures Flavien Prat. No. 6 Spirit Wind could last for a share as Mike Smith sees fit to ship in for the call.

How I’d bet it: $20 exacta 8/1, $6 exacta 8/6

Race 9

No. 7 Lu’s Redemption (4-1) is one of only two in this field who has yet to race for a tag and has not been disgraced in the maiden-special ranks. David Duggan usually has his runners ready to go third off the bench, winning at 32 percent. No. 2 Quite Continental (4-1) was a game second vs. open maiden claimers at Tampa this winter before misfiring on dirt; consider going first out for Rice. No. 4 Lucky and Gorgeous (7-2, morning-line favorite) outfinished No. 6 Tongue Twister (9-2) when they met in a similar spot on July 4 but had the better trip from a ground-saving perspective. Both are tough to exclude.

How I’d bet it: $3 exacta key box 7/2,4,6

Dirt picks: 4-7-6

Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.