The heat is on at The Spa.  90 degrees, the track is fast and firm and I’m feeling the heat to pick a few winners on top. So, let’s start with the “best bet against” which has worked well the last few days.  In race 10, The West Point Handicap, Banrock (#7) is clearly the best horse in the race and trying to repeat as the winner of this 1 1/8 statebred stakes.  I’m betting against because the pace may not be so hot and this horse clearly prefers some give in the ground, which he is not going to get here!  I’m picking Hangingbyathread (#2), who can stay close to the pace and get the first run on the closers.  Play him in exactas with Mission Approved (#1) and Banrock, plus use the top two in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 9, Citifest (#9) can run down the leaders in this turf sprint at a price.  I’m using in an exacta box with Elusive Fox (#4) and Five Towns (#2) and in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 7 with 5 and 6

Race 2: 8, 7 and 2

Race 3: 6 with 1 and 8

Race 4: 1 and 5

Race 5: 9, 8 and 6

Race 6: 8 and 4

Race 7: 6 with 4 and 5

Race 8: 2, 4 and 8

Race 9: 9 (Best Bet) with 4 and 2

Race 10: 2 (Best Bet) with 1 and 7

Race 11: 2 with 3 and 7

Another Saturday killer card at The Spa and another goose egg.  My top picks just can’t make it to the winner’s circle, whether they are in front by two lengths in the stretch or if they are making a menacing move and don’t get a clean trip.  In any event, still listed 6 winners on a day where longshots ruled.  Nobody picked six, nobody picked 5!  I had a couple of nice exacta boxes, and if you played that angle, you basically broke even for the day.  I also had 3 out of 4 in the late pick 4 and if you hit the “all button” in race 10, betting against Grand Couterier, you hit for over 60 grand!  Maybe there is hope for Sunday!