SARATOGA REVIEW: WEEK 1
LESSONS LEARNED
LESSON 1: Play horses shipping in from Kentucky!
KENTUCKY SHIPPERS
Once again, KENTUCKY SHIPPERS won 45% or 9 of the first 20 races, even one turf race -- GOLDEN PAL. KENTUCKY SHIPPERS win both The Quick Call and the Schuylerville Stakes on opening day. They won 61% of dirt races - 8 out of the first 13 dirt races -- remember some of these races are restricted to NY horses.
KENTUCKY SHIPPERS WON 12/41 races over the first 4 days. That is 29% winners
LESSON 2: Watch Asmussen's workout pattern!
When Asmussen's horse has a bullet workout (1/44) on June 15 at Keeneland followed by two pedestrian works June 15 at Churchill Downs (25/31) and July 7 at Saratoga (6/22) -- LOOK OUT!
Opening Day 7 ECHO ZULU followed that pattern in the fifth race. (see workout pattern below). Past Performances from Daily Racing Form
On Day 3, in the fifth race again, 9 CHATTALOT followed the same pattern -- both winners! Past Performances from Daily Racing Form.
Two bullet works- June 13 and June 20th at Keeneland followed by two slower works - the first at Churchill Downs and the second at Saratoga -- look familiar -- same workout pattern -- same winning results!
LESSON 3: TRAINER AND JOCKEY COMBOS MATTER
Everyone bets Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz or Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez; however, what about these combinations:
Steve Asmussen and Ricardo Santana earned 4 wins across 4 days
Harold James Bond and Saez teamed up for 2 winners out of 4 tries.
Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado win on first time dirt starter (female horse) -- and pays double digit price, $14.00 winner on More Moonshine on Sunday 6/18.
Irad Ortiz second in wins and 70% in the money.
Add these plays into your handicapping for week 2 of Saratoga.
The Principal
