Fast and firm today at Saratoga as we begin the second week of the meet.  Hard to believe, but this is one of the weakest cards I’ve seen at The Spa.

In race 7, a 5 1/2 furlong sprint on the turf, Easy Ashley (#5) is 3 for 3 at the distance and she is the main speed.  I’ll play her in an exacta box with the favorite, Lost Without You (#7) and use both in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 5, we would like to be “under water.”  Submerge (#2) is working well from a layoff for John Kimmel and is the pick to run down the front runners.  Play him in exactas with Eager Emma (#6) and Chernobyl Princess (#1A) and in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 3 and 4

Race 2: 4, 3 and 8

Race 3: 1 and 3

Race 4: 5, 8 and 1

Race 5: 2 (Best Bet) with 6 and 1A

Race 6: 10 and 6

Race 7: 5 (Best Bet) and 7

Race 8: 1 and 2

Race 9: 4 with 7 and 10

The first week is in the books at Saratoga and the titles are not “Mitch Slays The Saratoga Dragon,” or The Greatest Handicapper In America Pulls Away From The Field.” More like, “Some Battles Won, But Mother Nature Is The Big Winner,” or “Great Handicapping Is Not Just About Picking Winners.”

Through the rain and slop, the stats read like this, 12 winners in 58 races for a 21% winning percentage and a $80 return on a $116 investment.  Not bad, but not great.  But the story gets better.  Last Thursday, I listed a $1590 triple box, two pick 3’s ($808 and $1612), plus a $479 pick 4 on Sunday and I have a flat bet profit with 3 horse exacta boxes the entire first week!  So, I need to pick up the pace with winners, but my overall handicapping is really good when you spread your tickets!

Stay tuned for next week and maybe we can write some better headlines!