It took the last day of week 3 to finally put it all together and the dragon is feeling the heat!  Here are some of the highlights:

* 6 winners listed, 3 on top, flat bet profit of $1.50

* Two cold exactas and two cold triples in races 1 and 5

* Three exacta boxes, including a $136.50 payoff in race 7

* Listed the late pick 3 (races 7-9) for $367.50, plus two doubles including $138 payoff (races 7-8)

A full report of all my stats for the first 3 weeks will be posted before Wedneday’s card.  But today I felt like a professional handicapper!  And I gave the dragon a hot foot!

Fast and firm at The Spa for the last card of week 3.  Had a good day on the win end yesterday, now trying to combine that with hitting my exacta boxes, too.

In race 8, The Troy, Sixthirteen (#4) may be the winning number.  Trained by Mike Hushion, this speedball is trying the turf for the first time, the same move Hushion made with the speedy Sammarco last week, which resulted in a blowout win.  Combine that with a drop in class and this colt may be long gone by the eighth pole!  I’m keying in exactas with Awakino Cat (#1) and Storm Treasure (#4) and singling in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 3, Lantana Mob (#2) may have a currency edge on Gayego (#4) and can pull off the upset in this quality field of sprinters.  I’m singling in pick 3’s and doubles.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 8 with 2 and 4

Race 2: 1, 6 and 3

Race 3: 2 (Best Bet) and 1

Race 4: 4 and 6

Race 5: 10 with 9 and 6

Race 6: 9 with 5 and 7

Race 7: 2 with 8 and 10

Race 8: 4 (Best Bet) with 1 and 6

Race 9: 4 with 3 and 6

Finally — a day at Saratoga that included a few winners on top!  How about 4, including my best bet Citifest in race 9 at 7-1!  Had a flat bet profit of $17.50 and listed a couple of nice exactas and the late triple ($158).

But a good day almost was a great day.  I had a couple of my top picks run second at decent odds and ran second and third twice in races where the exacta would have been at least $100.  In race 10, my “best bet against” pick, Banrock, won at a short price, but he just got up and my top choice, Hangingbyathread had a brutal trip.  Good handicapping, not so good a result.  The dragon throws you a bone then hits you over the head with it!  Can’t wait for Monday.