Below is the early Pick 5 ticket for September 1st, 2018 at Saratoga. As always the ticket is $20 or less.
Race 1
Frolic More (#5, 6-1) has been working extremely well for his debut and trainer Dallas Stewart already connected with an impressive debut runner earlier this meet. He will look to wire the field from a good draw.
Speed App (#2, 7-2) ran very well after breaking poorly on debut. D. Wayne Lukas’ runners improve with racing and this colt does not need to move forward much to big a major factor in here.
Fed Fever (#8, 8-1) was wide every step of the way after taking money in his first start. He adds Lasix today and should give a much better account of himself this time around.
Will Dancer (#7, 3-1) debuts for the always dangerous Chad Brown barn. He has the look of a router, but could be charging late if this race falls apart. It is hard to discount anything that this stable puts on the track.
Race 2
Natural Order (#8, 10-1) cuts back in distance from a mile and three sixteenths to five and a half furlongs. He has been very consistent if you throw out his two long races and is a nice fit at this class level and distance.
Platinum Prince (#9, 3-1) had a rough trip when dropped in for a tag last time out and was claimed by the clever Diodoro barn. His recent form is sketchy, but he has the back class to beat a field like this if he has anything left in the tank.
Royal Asset (#4, 5-1) has improved since adding blinkers two starts back. A repeat of his last effort puts him squarely in the mix from just off the pace.
Dowse’s Beach (#1, 5-1) seems to be tailing off, but if anyone can get this horse back on track it is Jason Servis, who is striking at 38 % off the claim.
Zoot Suit (#7, 7-2) has been freshened since going off form at the end of 2017. He returns to his preferred surface of turf and it is encouraging to see Jose Ortiz take the mount.
Race 3
Business Cycle (#4, 8-5) needed his last start and ran into a bit of trouble while running a solid second behind a winner that figured. He looks awfully tough while making his second start off a layoff for Chad Brown as he closes in on another Saratoga training title.
Race 4
English Minister (#6, 15-1) has only won 4 of 47 starts, but is 3 for 6 lifetime on an Inner Turf Course. Even more importantly, 2 of those 3 wins came over Saratoga’s Inner Turf Course. After sprinting all year, this gelding finally stretches back out. 3 of his 4 wins have come at the one mile distance of this race. Additionally, his best races have come on firm turf. It should all come together for him on Saturday as the conditions call for 1 Mile, firm Inner Turf at Saratoga. If that wasn’t good enough, he picks up Jose Ortiz and is a juicy 15-1 morning line.
Race 5
Plainsman (#7, 7-2) makes his second start with Lasix and his first start in the dangerous Brad Cox barn. He is drawn well and should sit just off a quick early pace before pouncing.
Wooderson (#4, 4-1) has always had high hopes as he is Rachel Alexandra’s brother. After a pair of average tries, he put it all together in start number three while stretching out to a mile and an eighth at Saratoga. Maybe he just wanted two turns all along and if that is the case, then he could be a handful in here.
$0.50 Pick 5 Ticket: 2,5,7,8 – 1,4,7,8,9 – 4 – 6 – 4,7 = $20
-Padraic Manocchio
@xbtvpadraic
