Days Results 9 / 5-2-3
2023 Overall — 1,170 1170 / 403-406-530
Win % of Top Pick 34.44%
Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.15%
2023 Only / Top Pick in the Money Overall — 731-1,170 62.48%
2023 Only / Top Pick in the Money @ EP 49-81 60.49%
2023 Only / Top Pick Wins @ EP 34-81 41.98%
2023 Only / Top Pick in the Money @ CD – EP 87-135 64.44%
2023 Only / Top Pick Wins @ CD — EP 45-135 33.33%
2023 Only / Top Pick in the Money @ HI 88-128 68.75%
2023 Only / Top Pick Wins @ HI 47-128 36.72%
2023 Only / Top Pick in the Money @ CD 137-215 63.72%
2023 Only / Top Pick Wins @ CD 69-215 32.09%
2023 Only / Top Pick in the Money @ Belmont 6-12 50.00%
2023 Only / Top Pick Wins @ Belmont 4-12 33.33%
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ Belmont 4/2-0-1 50% Win / 75.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ CD 33/11-10-3 33.33% Win / 72.73% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ KEE 2 / 2-0-0 100.00% Win / 100.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ TP 45/21-8-4 46.47% Win / 73.33% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ FG 5/1-1-1 20.00% Win / 60.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ GP 6/6-0-0 100.00% Win / 100.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ OP 2/1-1-0 50.00% Win / 100.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ HI 24/13-2-3 54.17% Win / 75.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ PIM 2/1-0-1 50.00% Win / 100.00% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” @ EP 29/11-6-2 37.93% Win / 65.52% ITM
2023 Only / “Key Horses” Overall 175/76-34-18 43.43% Win / 73.14% ITM

(Stats to be updated after Saratoga’s cards on Wednesday and Thursday)

Here’s our looks at “The Spa” on this Friday kickstart to a most wonderful, upcoming weekend.

6th: 2-1-3/10-5/7//9/8-6/4…This is an endurance test over the grass course, and will be contested at the distance of 13/8-miles. If it comes off the grass, it’s a “no bet” for me. But if it stays on the sod? I think some value can be made here. I lean on Smart Uncle (2), who will race for the first time after shipping to the Left Coast to run in a Stakes at Santa Anita. Ran 4th in that one off a MSW runner-up at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Connections thought a lot of this one to give that spot a try. Back here now for a trainer who has won with .26% of 85 starts this year. Gets a hot rider, who has won with 8 of the first 40 mounts for the meet. This one could be a surprise. Swore (1) is trained by one of the best grass conditioners in this country. Gets a solid rider up for this one and the last out at Belmont Park on July 7 was solid. Will be coming late. Very late. Sacred Rhyme (3) goes for this country’s best grass trainer. Ran OK in the debut. Winner that day came right back to annex the next one, too. Gets the world’s top rider up and is winning at a .30% rate after 71 rides this meet. One to beat, IMO. I bet the 3 — take note — across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top three numbers over/under the 10-5 in two smaller units. I will also key the top 5 numbers over/under the 7 in two smaller units, as well.

10th: 5-1-4/6-3/2…G2 Amsterdam Stakes…This is a nice 6.5-furlong sprint for the 3YOs and it has collected some interesting connections and steeds. I will go with Ryvit (5). This 3YO son of Competitive Edge has won 5 in a row for a HOF trainer and is emerging as one of the best sprinters of this generation. Gets a new rider here, but the job looks pretty simple. Go to the front. Stay there. May be easier said than done, granted, but this one has talent. Drew’s Gold (1) has just one blemish on his 5-race record and that came in the G1 Woody Stephens Stakes on Belmont Stakes Day. Ran a big one behind Arabian Lion that day. This one will be stalking and pressing the entire way and the cut back in distance just might be the difference. Gilmore (4) ran 3rd in the Woody and was 3rd in the G2 Pat Day Mile before that. Looks like an underneath play here. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 5-1 over/under the 4-6-3-2 in two smaller units. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene