Saratoga Race Course Early Pick 5 – July 24th, 2020

We were right there yesterday but weren’t able to bring home the big ticket…time to change that today! The sun is shining in Saratoga Springs and there’s a beautiful 10 race card we have to tackle. Let’s make some money, shall we?

Race 1 (1:10pm): $20,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 furlongs on the dirt, fillies & mares 3 yrs old and up

Tough first race here but one that could offer some value should the ML favorite drop. #5 Assume is 4-5 and is certainly in a class above the rest of the field, although she’s yet to cross the finish line first. Pletcher drops her here likely in hopes of getting an easy win, and I think it should happen as she boasts speed figures greater than the rest of the group. For value, I like #1 Scarlet’s Song, who is sitting at 10-1 and moves from turf to dirt here while adding blinkers. The last horse I’d take in this one would be #4 Hands Up. She’s recorded consistent speed figures since her debut in November and is ridden by Ricardo Santana today.

Race 2 (1:44pm): $14,000 Claiming, 6 furlongs on the dirt, fillies & mares 3 yrs old and up

Better race here. #2 Overtime Olivia is coming off the turf and the last time she went turf to dirt she came out victorious. With how the track played yesterday, I like her early pace and think she’ll get ahead on the rail quickly. #7 Movie Score was beaten last time out by the favorite #1 Kinky Sox who finished 2nd, but both put on a solid run. The 7 isn’t much of a finisher but has recorded figures that compete with the favorite’s. That being said, the favorite is the one to beat here.

Race 3 (2:20pm): Allowance, 5½ furlongs on the outer turf, fillies & mares 3 yrs old and up

I don’t think there’s much competition in this one. The favorite #2 Peaceful is sitting at 8-5 and rightfully so. She has experience in turf sprints and has recorded the best speed figures by far, and has some solid early pace. I’ll be using her as a single, however if you’re looking to fade the favorite, look at #7 Mo Me Mo My who also has experience in these kinds of races and has been improving as of recently.

Race 4 (2:54pm): $12,500 Claiming, 7 furlongs on the dirt, fillies & mares 3 yrs old and up

#4 Cotton Candy Cutie has been running well but hasn’t found the winners circle since 2018. At 10-1, I like her to hit the board and offer up some value, and she could be a hell of a price if she comes in 1st. #6 Stay Fond is coming off a hot win with Dylan Davis back on top and they’re going the same distance. This one out of Repole Stables is the ML favorite and will remain the favorite come post time as well. I’ll likely be spreading this race, I see #8 Blunt Force and #3 Cold Hearted Pearl as contenders as well.

Race 5 (3:28pm): Maiden Special Weight, 5½ furlongs on the dirt, New York bred 2 yr old fillies

A baby race to end the early pick 5! Half of these fillies are first timer starters, so not any racing experience to go off of but we’ll have to make do. First off, I have to hit #5 Going Going Gone, who gets red hot Irad in the irons and sits at 8-1. Her first time out wasn’t the best, but she gets blinkers on this time around and the jockey upgrade. #3 Irish Constitution is a first time starter and sits at 12-1 ML with Joel Rosario on the saddle, who has an impressive ROI with trainer Raymond Handal. The favorite is #9 Samborella, who was purchased for $500,000 last year and makes her debut here with Jose on top. At 2-1, I don’t love the value but she’s impossible not to take.

EARLY PICK 5 TICKET:
R1: 1/4/5
R2: 1/2/7
R3: 2/7
R4: 3/4/6/8
R5: 3/5/9
Total cost: $108 for a $.50 ticket.

Trying to lower costs? Here’s a cheap play:
R1: 5
R2: 1/2/5/7
R3: 2
R4: 3/4/5/6/8
R5: 3/5/9
Total cost: $30 for a $.50 ticket.

Best of luck everyone! To keep up with my plays in real time, follow us on Twitter @SpaSaturdays!