Coast-to-coast

And in NY we were looking forward to the three G1's because of their importance to year-end honors in each division -- but we felt there probably wasn't going to be a whole lot of betting value. Well, we were right in the five-horse Woodward, won by 1-5 Mineshaft -- but, wow, not so right in the Gazelle in which 48-1 Euro-import, NY-bred Buy The Sport scored an impressive upset. And in the Man O War it was 10-1 Lunar Sovereign over 17-1 Slew Valley. All ours were in the mix just behind Buy The Sport -- but we weren't so close in the Man O War. And our take-a-stand exacta in the Woodward ran 1-3.

Of the remaining three races we scored in a couple of them but there just wasn't much value there. Particularly disappointing was, again, another quirly turn of events as three of our five picks scratched from the Endine at Delaware. We were left with a cold $18.20/$2 exacta -- but only had a buck on it!

Overall, two winners on top in six eligible races and one cold exacta, another with our top two in reverse order -- and a few other assorted gimmicks...

WAGERED: $181.00
COLLECTED: $78.00

Buy The Sport 48-1
Lady Tak 4-5
Spoken Fur 4-1

Wager: $5 WP on Spoken Fur.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta key Spoken Fur over next three.
Ran 3/2-4-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-3-4-7.

Spoken Fur...Was among the Frankel/Bailey disappointments late in the Saratoga meet -- but we expect a rebound to the good form that saw her win a similar event here in June which was her best race to date.
Lady Tak...Distance is a question mark but if a sprinter is going to stretch to 9F the best place to do it is around one-turn at Belmont. Bailey opts to ride this one rather than top pick.
Island Fashion...Has seemed to turn the corner since dull effort in Ky Oaks. Certainly looked like a contender in the division winning the Alabama.
Alchemist.

Lunar Sovereign 10-1
Slew Valley 17-1
Denon 7-5

Wager: $4 exacta key Denon over next three.
Ran 3/6-7-8.
...$2 tri key Denon over next three.
Ran 3/6-7-8.

Denon...2-2 over the track including a G1 win here in June over a soft course. Again, expecting this Frankel runner to rebound.
Whitmore's Conn...It's hard to argue with his present good form.
Carpanetto...Don't ignore this Euro-invading 3YO. Was a close-up second to the very good Vinnie Roe in latest.
Macaw.

Mineshaft 1-5
Hold That Tiger 8-1
Puzzlement 6-1

Wager: $5 exacta Mineshaft over Puzzlement.
Ran 1-3.

Mineshaft...7-5-2-0 in 2003. Leader of the division. The knock is the two-month layoff -- but is best if ready.
Puzzlement...Solid at the trip -- but not so strong over the strip. However, looks to be in good form coming out of bang-up Spa campaign.
Thompson Rouge...A group-level performer in Europe looked good winning (subsequently DQ'd) dirt debut at Saratoga.
Hold That Tiger.

The Name's Bond 4-5
Me My Mine 61-1
Millenium Storm 11-1

Off turf. Wagers cancelled.

Wager: $5 WP on Sea Pleasure.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.

Sea Pleasure...Not a particularly consistent sort -- but seems to have improved somewhat over the summer and looks capable of competing for the top spot here.
The Name's Bond...Has put together a nice bankroll in these S Florida stakes. Turf is a question mark with one win and one dud in two tries -- but we'll give a shot in here.
He'sanoactor...Tested for class but undefeated on turf and at the trip.
Millenium Storm.

House Party 4-5
Vision In Flight 9-1
Mooji Moo 10-1
Lilah, Mandy's Gold, Vicki Vallencourt scratched.

Wager: $5 WP on House Party.
Collected $16.00 on the WP (3.60, 2.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Scratched.
...$1 exacta box top four, sub next if scratch.
Collected $9.10 on the ex box ($18.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four, sub next if scratch.
Scratched.

House Party...Comes out of the barn-burning Test at Saratoga. Birdtown followed-up her Test with a dull try in the Alabama but that simply might have been due to the extended distance. This filly should be ready to roll at six panels.
Lilah...An all-Jerkens exacta? Remember that the Giant Killer doesn't ship out-of-town too often.
Mandy's Gold...Plenty of speed early in her career, they stretched her out with success, winning graded stakes. Likes the track and the trip -- but how will she like cutting back in distance today?
Vicki Vallencourt.
Vision In Flight.

Misty Sixes 8-5
Rebecca's Charm 6-5
Cocktailsandreams 7-2

Off turf. Wagers cancelled.

Wager: $5 WP on Lady Linda.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.

Lady Linda...Drops in from a couple of decent G3 tries. Fits well here.
Media Access...It looks likes there is plenty of speed in this contest which should benefit this one. Should be able to stay close and make a move in the lane.
Annatoga...Scratched from Belmont alw Friday for this spot. Long time since seen on turf but has an OK record on the surface. Came back from brief layoff to take a minor stake in latest.
Twilights Prayer.

Yankee Gentlemen 5-2
Avanzado 7-5
Rushin' To Altar 3-1

Wager: $5 WP on Avanzado.
Collected $7.50 on the WP (xxx, 3.00).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $18.00 on the ex box ($18.00/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $9.00 on the ex box.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $18.40 on the tri box ($36.80/$2).

Avanzado...Third start back since returning from Dubai. Was a decent fourth in swiftly run sprint stake run here on 7/26. Won this event last year. Looks tough.
Yankee Gentleman...Plenty of promise early in career, then faltered somewhat. Moved west and given time off -- came back in latest with a flash of that previous good form. Maybe.
Rushin' To Altar...Got a brief rest late spring/early summer and has returned with two corkers.
FJs Pace.

Fairly Ransom 9-2
Devious Boy 9-2
Sweet Return 20-1

Wager: $5 WP on Senor Swinger.
Ran 4th at 9-5.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 2-4-5-7.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 2-4-5-7.

Senor Swinger...Bought by Lewis' and given to Baffert earlier this year to point for Triple Crown events. That didn't pan out but still looked like a good purchase after smoking a couple of G3 turfers at Churchill. Not as impressive in last two but still believe he has some star power.
Devious Boy...Has looked good in two US starts.
Singletary...7-3-3-1 on turf, including a G3 win here on 8/16. Added distance might not benefit today however.
Bis Repetitas.

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