Saratoga: Wednesday’s Honorable Miss Analysis, Selections

Wednesday kicks off another week at the storied Saratoga. The midweek feature is the Honorable Miss. The race features the return of Echo Zulu and Frank’s Rockette.

Track Trends

As a horseplayer it can be important to pay attention to trends that may give insight into horses that are likely to run well or poorly.

Rice Continues Momentum

The story of the early meet in the trainer’s race is that Linda Rice just keeps rolling. The first woman to ever win a NYRA training title has now amassed 4 consecutive and has started the Saratoga meet with intentions to make it one for the thumb.

Early Success

Of her 31 starters this meet she has visited the winner’s circle 10 times, outpacing Chad Brown in 2nd by 1 win. Notably her flat bet ROI is $1.50 than Brown’s. Even when she doesn’t win she is getting runners into the trifecta 71% of the time which makes her horses hard to throw out of your vertical wagers.

Value Opportunity

The unfortunate part about such obvious success is that eventually the betting public will equalize the edge by overbetting her horses into the ground. It is worth noting that although a small sample size her runners are only 25% winners on grass.

While most trainers would relish the 25% mark it is worth noting that it is 10% below her mark on dirt so perhaps turf is an opportunity to zag where others zig and catch a price by playing against her in the right spots.

Ortiz Domination

It comes as a surprise to no one that the name atop the jockey standings is Ortiz. After brother Jose won the title at Belmont by a single victory, Irad is off to a quick start making sure that doesn’t happen again.

Currently he sits at 21 wins which puts him an astonishing 12 clear of Luis Saez in 2nd place. Brother Jose sits at 8, but has 31 less mounts as he has been sidelined with an injury. If all goes to play Jose returns to racing on Wednesday for the Honorable Miss card.

Saratoga Wednesday Full Card Analysis

Saratoga Race Course – Race 1

Post: 1:10 PM ET; $70k Allowance going 2 1/16 miles on hurdle; Entries: 8

• #1A L’IMPERATOR (2-1) gets the top selection as he has shown races good enough to beat this group. Expect him to be in the first flight of runners and have a chance late in the race.
• #1 MODUS OPERANDI (2-1) also holds promise and will play a major factor in the race.
• #4 MR. CONNECTICUT (10-1) is really good value at this price. This is the type of horse that may surprise in this spot. He has run against some solid competition and projects to settle mid pack, making a late charge.
• #5 GOLD (12-1) is another price horse that will add value to the exotics.

Selections: 1A- 1 – 4 – 5

Saratoga Race Course – Race 2

Post: 1:46 PM ET; $72k Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 JAKE ROCKS (6-1) stands out as the top pick with solid early pace figures in a race that lacks a ton of front-running speed.
• #7 FLINT RIDGE (5-1) is a major player in this race, having no trouble with the 7-furlong distance. Expect a strong performance from this consistent runner.
• #4 SILK TRADE (5-2) should be competitive in this spot, going out for the Diodoro barn and ridden by Ortiz.
• #3 LAFITTE’S FLEET (5-1) also has potential and can’t be discounted.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 4 – 3

Saratoga Race Course – Race 3

Post: 2:19 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #7 GRAM (2-1) appears to be the best contender here with her strong late kick that could secure her victory.
• #5 FOLLOW YOUR ARROW (8-1) has good breeding for this spot and comes into the race in good form. She could be a major player in this race.
• #9 HEAVENLY GIRL (9-2) debuts here and looks to be a factor at first aksing.
• #1 BEAUTIFUL THIEF (8-1) is also making her debut and commands respect with Weaver and Ortiz as her connections.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 9 – 1

Saratoga Race Course – Race 4

Post: 2:52 PM ET; $200k Honorable Miss H. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 4

• #1 ECHO ZULU (4-5) holds the top selection with the highest overall power rating in the group.
• #2 FRANK’S ROCKETTE (8-5) is expected to be competitive having run some incredible races in this division over the last year.
• #4 DR B (6-1) is likely best for the underneath positions. However, her consistent pace figures will suit the race’s tempo.
• #3 MARYQUITECONTRARY (9-2) might be running for minor placings, but her speed figures make her a contender for underneath selections.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3

Saratoga Race Course – Race 5

Post: 3:26 PM ET; $50k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 14

• #1 QUALITY G (7-2) gets the top pick with races good enough to beat this group. Expect him to utilize his tactical speed and sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #9 ST. JOE LOUIS (3-1) is a major player in this race and projects to sit mid-pack before making a late run.
• #3 WATASHA (6-1) is also a significant contender, being the class of the field and going out for the Rice barn with Lezcano aboard.
• #10 BILLY’S GOT ISSUES (8-1) should be competitive in this spot, projecting to sit mid-pack and make a late charge. A fair pace scenario will suit him well.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 3 – 10

Saratoga Race Course – Race 6

Post: 4:00 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 ICHIBAN (2-1) looks best here, having been consistently solid in recent starts. She should be ready to deliver a strong performance under the Rice and Ortiz combination.
• #2 APRIL ANTICS (8-1) might be best suited for lower positions on the tickets, but she has proven herself under these conditions before.
• #5 BIG HAZEL (7-2) should not be discounted, handling the 1 1/8-mile distance with ease.
• #4 SHESASCOLDASICE (10-1) is a price horse and could be running for the minor placings. She is expected to settle mid-pack and make a late push.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 4

Saratoga Race Course – Race 7

Post: 4:34 PM ET; $162.5k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 11

• #8 ARREST ME RED (5-2) earns the top selection with the potential to be a dangerous threat on the front end. Proven to handle these conditions, he looks to be in a favorable position.
• #2 OUR SHOT (7-2) appears to be a fringe contender in this spot and shouldn’t have trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance.
• #4 MAXWELL ESQUIRE (15-1) is a price horse with hope. Expect him to have a lot to do in the lane, but a competitive run could see him in the mix.
• #6 CHEWING GUM (10-1) is another price horse and might be best suited as a selection underneath on most tickets. He fits well enough here based on speed figures.

Selections: 8 – 2 – 4 – 6

Saratoga Race Course – Race 8

Post: 5:10 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 SWEET MYSTERY (5-2) is the top pick with consistently solid pace figures that will work well in a moderately paced race.
• #2 AMANDA’S FOLLY (9-5) is a major player in this race and should be respected with Rice and Ortiz as her connections.
• #1 CINDERELLA’S CAUSE (5-1) is expected to be competitive in this spot and looks to have a fair pace scenario.
• #4 OK HONEY (8-1) shouldn’t be overlooked, as she seems to fit well enough in this field.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 1 – 4

Saratoga Race Course – Race 9

Post: 5:44 PM ET; $149.5k Allowance going 1 3/8 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #7 ELLE EST FORTE (4-1) looks best here and should be considered a strong contender. Her solid early pace figures will suit the race well.
• #10 I’M SO SORRY (6-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end and should not be underestimated.
• #11 ANATOLIAN (6-1) is in good form and projects to be a major player in this race.
• #8 LULLABY LAND (15-1) is a price horse with hope and proven ability to handle these conditions.

Selections: 7 – 10 – 11 – 8

Saratoga Race Course – Race 10

Post: 6:18 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #11 YOUR MISSION (4-1) earns the top selection with races good enough to beat this group. Expect a mid-pack position and a late surge.
• #3 VINCE THE PRINCE (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race and shouldn’t have trouble with the 1 1/16-mile distance.
• #14 ZAPRUDER (6-1) is another major player, considered the class of the field, and is expected to make a competitive run in the stretch.
• #8 CONQUIST (9-2) is well bred for this spot and has races good enough to be competitive.

Selections: 11 – 3 – 14 – 8

Weekly Racing Preview

Wednesday’s Grade II Honorable Miss Handicap is the first graded stakes of the week which promises plenty of top class racing action. There are 15 graded stakes including two Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In races throughout the week from different tracks around the world.

Betting News Coverage

Betting News will continue to provided detailed card analysis for the week ahead. This week we break down Jim Dandy (Saturday) and Bowling Green (Sunday) from Saratoga as well as the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In Bing Crosby (Saturday) and Eddie Read (Sunday) from Del Mar.

Don’t forget to check out the free AI tools provided by Betting News for other tracks and races from around North America.