Every handicapper has to rely on a complex set of numbers to be successful.  Day after day, race after race, there comes a time where the numbers don’t lie.  At some point, you hope there is a winning formula that appears to you.  In my case, just take a look at the results on Wednesday at The Spa.  Once again, I had only one winner on top in 10 races.  Not a very good win percentage, although it was a 7-1 shot in race 8.  And both my best bets failed to deliver.  So, how was it a winning day?

Take a good look inside the numbers.  I listed 5 winners and if you played all the $1 doubles and $1 pick 3’s all day long, which has been a profitable bet all meet long, you won for the day.  I listed 3 doubles, ranging from $$52 to $107 and one pick 3 for $464.  I also listed two exactas, but cashed only one exacta box in races that I listed 3 horses.   So, that bet was a loser today, but the other bets more than compensated.

For all you bettors out there who have been following my journey at Saratoga, a winning formula has emerged!  Avoid my best bets, don’t key my top choices in exactas and stick to the plan by spreading your tickets and playing rolling $1 doubles, $1 pick 3’s and $5 exacta boxes in races where I list 3 horses.  Five weeks have come and gone and the numbers don’t lie. And the truth feels good!

Let’s try it out again on Thursday!

The forecast is for a beautiful week in upstate NY and I hope the forecast is for winning handicapping.  We are fast and firm, but the card doesn’t look all that inviting to me with some very difficult races to handicap.

In race 1, a very competitive turf sprint, Tempest Storm (#8) is turning back to 5 1/2 furlongs from some longer turf races and may have enough bottom to carry her speed all the way today.  I’ll box her with Cocktail Attire (#4) and Lost Without You (#6) and use in doubles and pick 3’s.

In race 9, The Lena Spencer, Smart and Fancy (#4) should make amends against Ahvee’s Destiny (#6) with a clean trip in this turf sprint.  I will box her with the #6 and Canadian Ballet (#8), who may benefit most from scratches of some speed horses and use in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

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

Race 2: 7 and 9

Race 3: 6 and 3

Race 4: 7 and 1

Race 5: 3 with 2 and 7

Race 6: 8 with 7 and 3

Race 7: 2 with 5 and 3

Race 8: 7 with 3 and 1

Race 9: 4 (Best Bet) with 6 and 8

Race 10: 9 and 2