Padding Your Bank Roll – Thursday 3 Play from Saratoga

Saratoga got off to a rousing start on Wednesday, and even the rain held off until late in the day. Mother Nature was kind after showing her wrath during the opening week of the meeting last year.

There were plenty of prices to be found on the ten race card, with an abundance of large fields leading toward great betting opportunities.

It is much the same today, with large competitive fields, which will give us plenty of chance to pad our bankroll today.

The Late Pick 3 does not have any monster longshots, but it appears we can beat a couple of the likely favorites, meaning we should be able to cash a nice ticket.

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Saratoga:

Starting in Race 8: $1: 1,8 / 4,7 / 3,6,8,9 = $16

SAR Race 8 Quick Call S. (4:57 ET)

#8 Indian Ashton, #1 American Cruiser / #1a Redefined

#8 Indian Ashton makes his first start since he trounced a field of $35K claimers here last summer. He comes back here in a tougher spot in stakes company, which looks like a sign this guy must be doing pretty well. Ward won six turf races here last summer and this gelding has run well off the bench. Last April he missed winning a $100K Cal bred stake at Bay Meadows off a 7 1/2 month layoff. He has landed in the exacta in 6 of 7 trips at the distance and is probably fit and ready to go off works over the poly at Keeneland. The Tony D. barn sends out a pair and they are both coming off wins.

#1 American Cruiser was a smart looking winner versus Alw-2 company at Philly last out and has landed in the exacta in all four trips at the distance. His entry mate #1a Redefined went gate to wire to beat NY bred stakes company. The effort was flattered as the third place finisher Mor Chances came back to win the NY bred High Ice in his next outing on June 19. The ten time turf winner got a two month break after her last start and the barn is solid bringing them back off short breaks. He completes a strong entry and the 9/2 ML looks fair enough.

SAR Race 9 Sanford S. G2 (5:31 ET)

#4 Backtalk, #7 Bulls and Bears

#4 Backtalk looks like he is going to be tough to beat in this spot as the likely favorite. Last out in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor the colt stumbled coming out of the gate, tracked the early pace, and got up late to prevail by a length. Three runners have come out of that race to run back, with a couple of winning stakes. Fourth place finisher Grand Slam Andre won the Middleground at Lone Star on July 26 and seventh place finisher Vito Filitto won the Minstrel at Lou Downs on July 18. Our top pick broke his maiden in his debut, with three behind him coming back to break their maidens in their next starts. I love the pedigree on this guy. He is by Smarty Jones out of the stakes winner Apasionata Sonata (4 for 9, $155K), who has dropped one other foal to race, the multiple stakes winner Bsharpsonata ($595K).

#7 Bulls and Bears was a smart looking winner in his debut for the Violette barn and earned the top last out speed fig in the effort. Three have come out of that race to run back, one next out winner. They finished fast in that race and the colt figures to get a good tracking trip from just off the pace. The colt has three sibs that are winners, top earner Holy Canyon ($120K).

SAR Race 10 Md Sp Wt (6:04 ET)

#8 Vertical Flight, #6 Big Gavel, #9 Wiseacre, #3 Livin Large

#8 Vertical Flight gets the call here as the gelding makes his third start of his current form cycle. He caught yielding footing last out, stalking the early pace, made a move on the far turn and weakened in the stretch to finish fourth. The third place finisher Compliance Officer came back to graduate in his next outing on July 25 at Belmont Park. Perhaps some firmer ground if the storms stay away might enhance this guy’s chances of picking up his diploma. Dutrow won four turf races here last summer.

#6 Big Gavel came with a five wide run around the far turn to get into the mix and battled on inside the final furlong before weakening late to finish third. Ramon sticks for Contessa and this guy does not need to move forward much off his last effort to get the job done here.

#9 Wiseacre is by Wiseman’s Ferry, a sire I avoid in turf races, but this colt does have four sibs that have won on grass and adds blinkers here.

Price Plays From Saratoga:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

R1: #12 Mabou 10/1

R1: #3 Tricky Me 12/1

R2: #2 Inquisition 12/1

R2: #4 Brown’s Hill 8/1

R3: #3 U.S. Calvary 12/1

R4: #5 Alexandrite Ring 8/1

R4: #10 Collar 12/1

R5: #9 Speechifying 12/1

R6: #3 Zip By You 12/1

R6: #2 My Luckey Penney 15/1

R6: #7 Citifiesta 8/1

R7: #4 Ailalea 8/1

R9: #1 Soudman / #1a Activity Report 8/1

R10: #9 Wiseacre 10/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!