Fast and firm at Belmont.  In race 7, New Yawker (#11) can repeat his last race win with a clear trip from the outside.  This new yorker is playing him to win and in doubles and pick 3′s.

In race 9, The Coaching Club American Oaks, I’m trying to beat the favorite, Funny Moon (#8), who will be trying two turns for the first time.  I’m keying Casanova Moon (#6) in doubles and pick 3′s, hoping she can stay close to a slow pace and pull away in the stretch.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 5 and 8

Race 2: 2 (Best Bet)

Race 3: 6 and 3

Race 4: 1 and 7

Race 5: 6 and 2B

Race 6: 10 and 5

Race 7: 11 (Best Bet) with 10 and 5

Race 8: 7 with 5 and 1

Race 9: 6 (Best Bet) and 8

Race 10: 1 and 2

Fast and good for a beautiful day at Monmouth with very competitive races.  In race 5, a 6 furlong Jersey Bred claimer, Charley’s Diamond (#8) is the clear speed from his outside post.  I’m keying him in doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Jay’s Wish(#2), hoping for a two-speed number.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 2 and 1

Race 2: 7 and 5

Race 3: 4 (Best Bet)

Race 4: 4 and 5

Race 5: 8 (Best Bet) and 2

Race 6: 8 with 9 and 10

Race 7: 6 and 1

Race 8: 1 with 6 and 9

Race 9: 5 and 10

Race 10: 1 and 8

So every quest has it’s dragon and to be the best handicapper in America you have to win the battle against a real fire-breathing enigma — the summer meet at Saratoga!  At this historic venue in upstate New York, there are handicapping fireballs at every turn.  Huge fields with the best horses to navigate, the greatest trainers and jockeys in the world who regularly beat you to the winner’s circle, weather changes that can create havoc with your selections and a track that clearly appeals to some animals more than others.   They say it’s a “graveyard for favorites,” but it kills many more handicappers than horses every year.

So, starting on Wednesday, July 29th, this handicapper will be taking on the dragon in an attempt to become the greatest handicapper in America!  I vow to handicap every race during the meet along the way and report on my victories and defeats with equal aplomb. I will challenge every expert in every paper and website across the country in a fight to the finish and at the end of the meet, I hope the only red on my face is a nice sun tan and not third degree burns from the Saratoga dragon. Remember, this is a journey worth taking and I want everyone to be right there with me every step of the way.  Thanks for all your help and support and check out the website with more information to come!

Finally had some winners on top, although came a half length short of hitting my pick 3.  Did scratch into one when Merriwether Jessica was scratched in race 8.  Had a flat bet profit of $13.40.

Listed 4 at Belmont but only had one winner on top (my single in race 10), but failed to hit my pick 4. Had an $39 exacta key in race 2, a $78 exacta box and $180 triple box in race 6 and listed the winner in race 7 for an $80 double.  Better list some more winners on top as Saratoga!