Mark with a place payout yesterday and both Caleb and Josh miss in a common race. On to Friday!

Caleb @CalebWVU

Race 7 – #4 Xigera: Saratoga received 2 inches of rain on Thursday evening with another inch coming down Friday. I’m hoping that they keep the stakes on the turf today, as this field will look pretty bare if the race goes onto the main track. I think the Europeans hold a strong hand in this event, but I’m siding with the local runner Xigera. Last weekend when we saw races held over a yielding turf course, speed held together quite well and horses struggled to make up ground (Channnel Maker anyone?). I could easily see a repeat of that result today. Xigera is one of two horses who are able to show tactical speed in here, and I think she has a very good chance to hit the front and play come and get me with the rest of the field.

Josh @CherryDrank

Race 7 – #11 Strikingly Spun: Last time out in the Belmont Oaks, #11 Strikingly Spun found herself bottled up and we never got to see her late kick. On the Optix plot, she plots out really well as a square in the middle of the plot. Looking back at the three Euro runners, outside of the #3, they look a little on the slow side to win here. Joe Sharp is pretty hot right now and the #11’s race 2 back puts her right in the mix. With Luis Saez aboard and hopefully a cleaner trip being posted outside, I’ll take a shot with Strikingly Spun at 15-1 ML. 

Mark @Two_Turns

SCRATCHED Race 10 – #6 Deep Cover: He probably needed that last where he didn’t break on top and played follow the leader around the track. Here he should be the most inside drawn speed horse so JJ can get him out of the gate, find the rale and get brave. I think the cutback to 5.5f also helps this 5-year-old gelding as his race here last summer was one of his best. A big competitive field should also help the price in what otherwise feels like a total scramble.

Race 5 – #5 Sky and Sand: With the track receiving a couple inches of rain overnight and many of the turf races coming off and also seeing a ton of scratches, my play of the day is getting an update. Sky and Sand debut’d to break his maiden over an off track and ran a very nice effort two races later at Keeneland over a good surface. After that effort he was moved onto turf where he won a nice allowance and has consistently run just OK while staying on the green stuff. Sisterson has now had this guy for a few starts and seems to still be figuring him out, but I really like the move back to dirt and think this one turn 7f trip is absolutely perfect for him. Saez has some tactical speed and in a field of horses that don’t like the off going, at least we know this one can handle the surface.