Wednesday At Saratoga: Monzo's Preview And Horses Worth Betting
By Brian Monzo
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Wednesday's card at Saratoga features the Grade-2 Lake George, one of the best two-turn turf races of the year. There is also a hefty Pick 6 carryover from Monday which will intrigue a lot of players.
As usual at the Spa, the bombs and longshots have been coming in. It's what makes the game so great.
Let's try and find three in today's card:
Race 2: The Broom Dance $100K, 1 1/8 miles on the dirt:
Tap Twenty One is coming off two solid efforts and could break through with a big one here. Speed numbers have improved off each race and if the speed up front is fast, she could take advantage and come closing. Montana Native ran a big one in her last at Churchill in an OC. This is a step up. She has run well in four of her last five, and with Joel Rosario on the mount, she won't be ignored. Flash Forward closed hard last month to place in the Open Mind, and can build off that effort. I wouldn't be shocked.
Race 6: Allowance Optional Claiming $100K, 1 mile on the inner turf:
Beau Choix ran very well in his last two graded races, and his hit the board in five of his last six races. Looks to be in solid form and is fresh for this one. He has a win at Saratoga. There's my top pick. Vitoria Olimpica comes to the U.S. to try the turf here with a history of Grade-1 wins. Hasn't run since November, but going for Todd Pletcher with John Velazquez on board, should get plenty of attention. Hoofit has just missed in his last two tries and even though he hasn't won since October of 2011, may be able to get a piece here. Playable at a price.
Race 9: The Grade-2 Lake George $200K, 1 1/16 miles on the turf:
Kitten's Dumplings is in peak form and is coming off a two length score in the Grade-3 Regret last month. Rosario has brought out the best of her in her last two and while there is some competition here, trainer Michael Maker looks to have her ready to go. Tapicat loses Rosario on the mount but is three for three on the turf. She is a speedster and gets legendary jockey Mike Smith. Will try to wire the field. Fab Flowers steps up in class and adds some needed distance to the normal sprint form she is used to. Could upset at a big price.
Good luck -- and follow the rest of my picks on Twitter: @BMonzoWFAN
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