Sunday, August 1, 2010

Mark Hoffman's Saratoga selections - day 8 (7/31)

Race #1

Chestoria - hard hitting six year old mare 2nd best in Philadelphia Park stake last time out, shows bullet work over the Spa grass course & back versus statebreds.

Alkilina - set the pace versus top pick in statebred event two back, looks like main foe here.

Exotic & multi-race runners : You Go West Girl - Don't Forget Gil

Race #2

Megaholtz - broke maiden by a neck last time out but was disqualified for veering in & bumping foe, looks like the pace setter again and needs to stay straight.

Medal Round - 2nd best in last two starts, should make presence felt late.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Bakhoor - Savannah Bay

Race #3

Wonderboy Roy - Woodbine shipper drops from maiden special weights to claimer for Spa debut, also tries turf coming from the polytrack north of the border.

Strolldownbroadway - even effort versus statebreds in maiden turf claimer downstate, third start off long layoff.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Miss Hanky Panky - Quiescent Hit

Race #4

Jim's Applemartini - just missed versus slightly cheaper coming off layoff, timid pick of bad bunch.

Holly's Brother - drops into maiden claimer after wide / green start for debut, blinkers on & best of the rest here.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Ducale - Classroom Legend

Race #5

Rescue Squad - really no factor in short field last time out at this level, stretches out a bit today.

Quechee - turf marathon runner rallied in both starts for victory going a distance, may be overlooked here.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Insider Tip - En Fuego

Race #6

Volcker - set the pace going five panels at Delaware last time out, speed from the outside?

Arthur's Tale - a first time starter from freshman sire & Travers winner; Bernardini, watch the board.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Data Link - Astrology

Race #7

Gallant Fields - won by the length of the track going a mile at Belmont Park in maiden breaker, bullet work for today and the question; is he really that good?

Morning Line - equally impressive effort by uncoupled stablemate at Monmouth Park in last start, does Nick Zito have two "world beaters" here?

Exotic & multi-race runners : Raven Hawk - Spicer

Race #8

Atitlan - a first time starter from the "red hot" Chad Brown barn, need not be too much here.

The Noz - rallied in debut turf sprinting downstate, stretches out today.

Exotic & mutli-race runners : Chingachgook - Roaring Conquest

Race #9

Shared Account - won a grade III event at this distance at Colonial Downs last time out, has a win over this course & is 5 for 5 in -the-money at this distance, taken to upset here.

Proviso - seeks third in a row, stretches out slightly today & may be the horse to beat.

Exotic & multi-race runners : Forever Together - Phola

Race #10

Fly Down - may have moved too late in the Belmont Stakes after rough trip early on, bullet work for today's Travers race prep.

Steinbeck - interesting European shipper tries the dirt for the first time, gets lasix also for well known international connections.

Exotic & multi-race runners : A Little Warm - Miner's Reserve

Race #11

Chromospere - fast closed getting up at the wire last time out in similar conditions, wide open finale.

Morethan Fourhours - 2nd best at this level last time out, consist turf runner must be used in all exotics.

Exotic & multi-race runners : British Banker - Sharif Al Medina



Hoffy's "Horse to Beat" play of the day - Volcker (6th)

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