Saratoga Opening Day Primer!
It’s almost upon us. Tomorrow marks opening day at Saratoga. Our guy, Nick Tammaro will be releasing daily primers throughout the Saratoga meet.
The first couple will go out to everyone and the remainder will be provided to ITM Plus Subscribers. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out!
Before we get into the primer, a couple of quick notes:
Horseplayer Happy Hour continues tomorrow. Make sure to sign up HERE. It starts with Race 3 from Saratoga around 2:15 Eastern!
Bookmark this LINK - You’ll be able to access Nick’s daily analysis via this link.
Opening day analysis likely won’t be posted until tomorrow morning.
Check out the Podcast with Matt Vagvolgyi as he provides a demonstration on how he tackles the Saratoga meet using Race Lens. Note, this is probably best viewed on YouTube as the visual will help. Don’t forget our ongoing promotion!
New Customers:
Sign up for an unlimited Race Lens monthly subscription and get the first month for only $1! Promo code: INTHEMONEY
Former/Current Customers:
Special offer for ITM listeners, come back and try (or extend your current plan) Race Lens and enjoy 40% off any unlimited Race Lens subscription. Promo code: INTHEMONEY40
Day 1 of 40 – Thursday, July 14, 2022
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Our long wait is over! It’s opening day at Saratoga, which amounts to Christmas for horseplayers. The best wagering opportunities of the summer will take place over the next 40 days, including low takeout P5s, the $1 Pick 6, and more!
THE FEATURES
There are two stakes races on the Opening Day card. The inaugural running of the Wilton, to be contested out of the new one-mile Wilson Mile chute will be run as Race 7. The 9th is the opening day staple, the Grade III Schuylerville for 2YO fillies.
WHO’S HOT?
Irad Ortiz, Jr. ended the Belmont meet with 3 wins on Sunday to win the riding title. He has won 3 Saratoga riding titles, with the latest coming in 2020. Dylan Davis followed up a terrific winter at Aqueduct by finishing second in the standings at Belmont, two wins behind Irad.
On the training front, the recently concluded Belmont meet was dominated by Chad Brown. He set a new record for wins at the meet. Overlooked in the training ranks was Dave Donk, who went 11-44 at Belmont, good for a $4.26 ROI
WHO’S NOT?
Mark Hennig went 0-46 at the Belmont meet and the Saratoga-based H. James Bond went 1-33.
Both stand to break out of the doldrums early at this meet. The worst performing top 10 rider at the Belmont meet in terms of percentage and ROI was Kendrick Carmouche. His aggressive tactics will be on display early and often at Saratoga in an attempt to catch his competition napping.
BABY TALK
There is one 2YO race on the opening day card and it goes as the second. The only experienced runner is Half a Chance, who debuted on turf and showed speed before being overhauled late.
She should improve with experience and obviously has plenty of speed. The best pedigree in the race belongs to Spelterini, whose dam is a half to Penwith, Centring, and Tranquil Manner, all stakes caliber runners for Godolphin.
All eyes are on Chocolate Gelato, who worked :10 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale in March at Gulfstream before being purchased for 475k.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Race 6 - #10 PROPENSITY – John Kimmel had a 15% strike rate at the recently concluded Belmont meet, good for a $2.20 ROI. This son of Twirling Candy chased a white-hot pace in his last start and fought gamely before checking in fourth.
He should revert to the pace stalking tactics that had worked well for him in the past and returns to the site of his maiden win and a good runner-up finish last year. The price will be very attractive at 8-1.