Weekend Winners Club

Last week in case you missed it, there were a few good grid long shots available despite shortened fields. The Dandy and Haskell were won impressively but heavy favorites Palace Malice and Verrazano, but other races offered more value.

For example, the Diana G1 was won by Laughing, who we pointed out had the best PF in the last race out. Laughing was the 7-1 longest shot in a field of 5 after scratches. Lighthouse Bay won the Prioress at 21-1 and most people are still scratching their heads at that one.

The Monmouth Cup G2 was won by Pants on Fire at 7-1, who had the 2nd best dirt PF of the field’s last 4 races. The top PF was owned by heavily favored Take Charge Indy, who was pulled up and then retired from racing this week.

This weekend the great stakes racing continues at Saratoga, Del Mar, and other tracks. Today Saratoga ran the A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase S. (Grade 1) and tomorrow the Caress 100k stakes. Del Mar will host the Real Good Deal 200k on Friday. Del Mar Grid posted here.

Carryover Status:
Louisiana Downs Pick 5 Jackpot $711,193.00
Del Mar Pick 6 $619,482.00
Arlington Park Pick 9 Jackpot $79,826.00
Calder Race Course Pick 6 Jackpot $63,597.00

The big money stakes are of course on Saturday as usual. Saratoga will run the Whitney handicap which began in 1928, with a purse this year of $750,000. The field this year is strong to quite strong as usual, even if it looks somewhat chalky.

Ft. Larned is coming off the best performance of his career with the brilliant victory in the Stephen Foster G1, and will be the favorite. Cross Traffic is the second choice after 3 consecutive excellent route race performances.

At 6-1 are great closer Ron the Greek, who will be hoping a speed duel develops up front with fellow 6-1 Mucho Macho Man, who has run one bad race in his career when pulled up in Jan, but had a good prep in June. The top 2 LP horses are Successful Dan at 12-1 and Fast Falcon at 15-1. It is unlikely to have a late bias though as it’s raining today and probably will on Saturday also.

Mountaineer has their big day with the West Virginia Derby G2, 7 other stakes races worth $100k each, and 1 worth $200k. In fact, it’s an all stakes race card on Sat. Arkansas Derby winner Overanalyze was installed as the ML favorite, and as we saw last weekend, Pletcher is assembling a good record for his failed Kentucky Derby horses.

Lots of business will be given to co-2nd choices Departing and Betweenhereandcool, both coming off the best PF last out. An interesting longshot is the top EP Say Ow, trying dirt for the 2nd time in career after 2 good polytrack performances.

Also of note in the WV card is top LP Hennyville in Pres.Cup on turf at 10-1 ML; Top PF and 2 EP Shedoesitherway at 10-1 in the Juv Filly sprint; and top EP Ms Anna Destiny at 8-1 in the Secretary sprint. The Mountaineer Saturday free grid is posted here

Also this weekend: the Clement Hirsch G1 at Del Mar on Saturday, and the Best Pal G2 for 2yo’s on Sunday. Saratoga will have the Vanderbilt G1 on Sunday. There are currently no odds for these races yet.

Remember, for ALL the races at Saratoga, Del Mar, and stakes races everywhere else across the country, just visit our main site to get our summer specials.
http://horseracebetwin.com/summer.htm

SPECIAL: This week if you sign up for the 2- month plan, a 1-time low payment, we’ll tack on the extra few days and get you through the entire Saratoga and Del Mar meets. Every race, every day, at the two legendary tracks.

Good luck this weekend and in the future!
Dalton

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