Horse Racing Enthusiast, NHL Legend, USA Hockey Hall of Fame member, current NHL Commentator for NBC, TNT and the Seattle Kraken, Eddie Olczyk is this week’s guest.
Eddie O joins Eddie C, Chris P and Swiss Army Shawn to talk Saratoga, including:
Race 8: Lake Placid Stakes
Race 9: Smart N Fancy Stakes
Race 10: Alabama Stakes
Saratoga Horse racing Picks and Commentary
Swiss Army Shawn’s Selections
Saratoga Race 8 – $200,000 LAKE PLACID STAKES GRADE II
PACE PROJECTION: There is not much pace in here at all. Only two horses that ever have really gotten out front before from the start the #2 Sail By and the #7 Canisy. #1 Wit The Moonlight should be right behind one or both of these horses.
#7 Canisy– She has done nothing wrong in her first three career starts winning two and finishing second once. Now gets a major class test as this will be her first stakes race but maybe she tries to steal it on the lead like she did last race. If you get close to the 12-1 ML she is worth taking a shot with.
#1 With The Moonlight– Her third start in the states and she already has a win that came here at Saratoga and a second at Belmont. Should be just off the lead which should help her chances since there is not much pace in here. Great connections in Saez and Appleby.
#4 Consumer Spending– This horse checks all the boxes the issue in this race could be lack of pace to run into. If that changes and there is some pace in here she will be very difficult. She loves the distance winning three of four and a second. Her first two career starts came at Saratoga and was a first and a second. Manny Franco has been on her for four of her seven races and won three of them.
Plays: $20 win #7 $1 exbox 1,4,7 $1 tribox 1,4,7
Saratoga Race 9 – $150,000 SMART N FANCY STAKES
PACE PROJECTION: As expected in a 5 ½ Furlong turf sprint there is a bunch of speed in here. The speed of the speed could be the #3 Robin Sparkles , #4 Sarah Harper or maybe the horse from the outside #9 Caravel.
#9 Caravel– Has speed to be close to the front if not on the lead but the outside post gives Luis Saez all the options. Throw out last race as she broke slow from the rail and that was in a bad position the whole race. Has won six of thirteen races in her career on the turf.
#3 Robin Sparkles.- If she gets a quick break and right to the front look out. Has won three of six at the distance and two of four at Saratoga. She has won seven of 12 career turf races and only finished outside the trifecta in one of those.
#6 Miss J McKay– Had to steady twice last race in the Grade 3 Caress and still finished fourth and only a length behind the winner Robin Sparkles. There’s enough pace in here to set this race up for her as long as she avoids trouble. Likes the distance and has won good at Saratoga in the couple races she ran there.
PLAYS: $20 win #9 $1 exbox 3,6,9 $1 tribox 3,6,9
Saratoga Race 10 – $600,000 ALABAMA STAKES GRADE I
PACE PROJECTION: There’s some speed in here but not a lot maybe the #6 She’s Keen goes for the lead to try and steal it. If she doesn’t #3 Gerrymander will go. The favorites #4 Nest and the #7 Secret Oath will take their normal positions and be ready to strike.
#4 Nest– Lost to Secret Oath in the Kentucky Oaks but since then Nest keeps improving and being impressive, while Secret Oath is going the other way. Irad Ortiz Jr. is aboard again and he’s been the Jockey in all five of her career wins. The only race he lost on her was the Kentucky Oaks where she got second.
#3 Gerrymander– This horse is very much improved and I think could have a very favorable pace advantage here. If one horse is going to get away on the front maybe it’s her.
#7 Secret Oath– I continued to be in her corner the last 2 races and I have to say I was not impressed. I’m actually concerned have we seen the best of Secret Oath? I’m not seeing her turn the tables on Nest her. Not much pace in here which is another concern.
PLAYS: $10 Win #3 $5 Tri 4/3,7/ 2,5,6
Rich’s Ranks
Saratoga Race 8 – $200,000 LAKE PLACID STAKES GRADE II
1 – WITH THE MOONLIGHT
4 – CONSUMER SPENDING
5 – DOLCE ZEL
7 – CANISY
Saratoga Race 9 – $150,000 SMART N FANCY STAKES
3 – ROBIN SPARKLES
9 – CARAVEL
10 – SPICY MARG
5 – TOO SEXY
Saratoga Race 10 – $600,000 ALABAMA STAKES GRADE I
4 – NEST
3 – GERRYMANDER
7 – SECRET OATH
2 – GODDESS OF FIRE
