Party at the Spa

I took the morning off to catch up on some much needed rest after having some fun at The Signature Club, and then Harry’s, last night. I also set up a new laser printer, a Samsung ML-2510, which is super impressive and cost less than $100 (on sale).

I’ve taken a quick look through Friday’s twilight card, which begins at 2:45 p.m. (EDT), and I am waiting for the changes to be posted. The NYRA website lists the track and course conditions as fast and soft. In Saratoga Springs proper, it was 74 degrees with a dew point of 60 at 11:05 a.m. I’m not sure if they are on or off the turf.

I did not see any overly appealing wagering opportunities on today’s card, which features the reappearance of Demoiselle S. (G2) queen Mushka in the third and the Lake George S. (G2) for three-year-old grass fillies. If I do spot something, I’ll let you know.

I am pleased with the selections I given out thus far, but not pleased with losing two more SHOWdown entries yesterday. I am now down to eight entries. There are 2,011 entries live in the contest, out of 3,653, according to the NYRA website. As usual, I will post my SHOWdown plays once the entries are closed.

I had another good day at the windows yesterday, making a win-place bet on Foxy Bailey ($8.20 to place) in the fifth and then catching the vertical exotics with Loving Vindication and Rizzi’s Twist on top in the eighth. As you will see, I play very few races on any one day.

After reading Steve Crist’s Blog on the DRF site, I am astonished at how naive he is regarding Desert Party, who won the Sanford S. (G2) like a good thing. He said that he will be looking to play against the horse when he runs back because he ran six furlongs in 1:12.23 and is unlikely to come up with a big number.

That’s the problem with the speed-figure people, they think everything can be reduced to some quick and simple thing. True understanding, insight and wisdom in horse racing, as in life, can only be attained by correctly interpreting a bevy of complex and subtle factors.

One has to look at Desert Party in the context of the race, which in many ways was run like a high-level turf event. The whole field was grouped together through tepid fractions. Desert Party went up to establish his ground early and then dropped back and waited patiently in a pocket before shooting through along the inside and drawing off easily. If you refer to my previous posts, I noted this horse displayed a terrific turn of foot when given the signal in his debut at Arlington.

I for one can’t wait to support Desert Party (depending on who else is in the race) when he runs back. I think he is a top-quality juvenile.

Tags: Saratoga, SHOWdown, handicapping, Saratoga selections, Desert Party, Sanford, Saratoga spot plays, Steve Crist Blog, Mushka