Coast-to-coast

Otherwise we were frustrated with some nice hits -- but little value. We actually collected on an astonishing five triple boxes in seven races. Still it wasn't enough to get us over the hump for the day, that's how little value was there. We probably could have gotten out if we could have managed a cold tri (rather than the boxed version) in the last race on the card -- the Fleet Treat from Del Mar. Our top two ran 1-2, and our third and fourth picks flip-flopped for the 3-4 positions. As it was our boxed tri combined the 3-5 fave over a 3-1 and a 9-2. However, our third choice was the 35-1 second longest price on the board -- certainly that tantalizing half a length would have juiced up the tri payoff significantly. As it was our top four completed a $218.20 super in that race. Likewise our top four combined for the $204.00/$2 super in the Serena's Song at Monmouth. Unfortunately supers our not typically on our personal wagering menu.

Ah well, we can take heart that the handicapping was effective and use that fact to bolster our confidence as we move into the Saratoga meet.

Don't forget that Coast-to-coast will be on a six-week hiatus while we focus on daily, full-card handicapping at Saratoga. Join us each day on the Today's Best Bets page as we try to match our performance last season when we "beat the meet" -- a $2 win wager on our top selection in every race at the meet wound up returning a profit. Quite an accomplishment over the course of 36 days and 343 races.

Join us for the Saratoga fun, and we'll see you back here for more Coast-to-coast action on Saturday, September 11.

WAGERED: $356.00
COLLECTED: $314.10

Ashado 3-5
Stellar Jayne 7-2
Magical Illusion 3-1

Wager: $5 WP on Ashado.
Collected $14.50 on the WP (3.50, 2.30).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-5.
...$2 tri box top three.
Ran 1-2-5.
...$1 tri key Ashado over next three.
Collected $8.60 on the tri box ($17.20/$2).

Ashado...Went early in the Mother Goose with eventual upsetter Stellar Jayne. Might be better suited to stalk and hopefully Magical Illusion will go early with Jayne today.
Dynaville...Probably got her ticket punched for this when Stellar Jayne won the Goose as this gal finished just behind Jayne two back. Both of her wins have been on turf but she has yet to miss the board in seven tries.
Stellar Jayne...Still not convinced on this one -- but two in a row makes a "fluke" label less likely.
Magical Illusion.

Uphill Skier 2-1
Smart N Classy 3-1
Eastern Gale 12-1

Race was moved off-turf to main track -- No Wagers.

Wager: $5 WP on Smart N Classy.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.

Smart N Classy...Actually might be better on turf. Looks best of these and has a decent try on a 'good' turf course.
Uphill Skier...Stretches to two turns off of two improving sprint races.
Picnic Theme...Also improving in 2004.
Out of the Will.

Susan's Angel 5-2
Schedule 9-2
Taittinger Rose 7-2
Grinch ran 4th to complete the $204.00/$2 super.

Wager: $5 WP on Grinch.
Ran 4th.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-4.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $24.90on the ex box ($49.80/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $65.60 on the tri box ($131.20/$2).

Grinch...Two nice wins since arriving at Monmouth. Looks capable of minor stakes win here.
Schedule...Comes in with some nice improving form.
Taittinger Rose...Mott filly could be rounding into top for. Last was best yet.
Susan's Angel.

Simple Exchange 2-1
Cool Conductor 3-1
Toasted 6-5

Wager: $5 WP on Simple Exchange.
Collected $28.00 on the WP (6.40, 4.80).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $14.70 on the ex box ($29.40/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $27.20 on the tri box ($54.40/$2).

Simple Exchange...These Euro-invaders often come in and dominate these types of stakes.
Toasted...Has gone well last three including a good G2 win right here last time.
Cool Conductor...Might try to steal this.
Up Anchor.

Senor Swinger 9-5
Mystery Giver 9-2
Ballingarry 8-5

Wager: $5 WP on Ballingarry.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 3-5.
...$2 tri key Ballingarry over next three.
Ran 3/1-2-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $25.20 on the tri box ($50.40/$2).

Ballingarry...Won a G3 over a 'soft' turf course here last time. going well.
Rowans Park...Only one start this year -- and it was back in April, so that's a concern. But capable on best.
Mystery Giver...Has won over 'yielding' turf courses. Ran third in this race last year.
Senor Swinger.

Bedanken 7-5
Aud 8-1
Shaconage 2-1

Wager: $5 WP on Bedanken.
Collected $20.50 on the WP (4.80, 3.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-6.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-5-6.

Bedanken...Successful on 'yielding' turf -- including a stake here last time.
Shaconage...Seems to be an improved 4YO.
Ocean Silk...Usually in the hunt.
Julie's Prize.

Musical Chimes 2-1
Moscow Burning 7-2
Notting Hill 21-1

Wager: $5 WP on Light Jig.
Ran 6th at 7-5.
...$10 quinella top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$2 tri key Light Jig over next three.
Ran 6/1-2-5.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-5-6.

Light Jig...Improving nicely for Frankel including a G2 win last time.
Musical Chimes...Has been facing the boys.
Moscow Burning...Will try to take them all the way.
Katdogawn.

Western Hemisphere 3-5
Alphabet Kisses 3-1
Marie's Rose 9-2
Frysland, 35-1, ran 4th to complete the $218.20/$2 super.

Wager: $5 WP on Western Hemisphere.
Collected $14.50 on the WP (3.40, 2.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Collected $10.40 on the ex box ($10.40/$2).
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $5.20 on the ex box.
...$3 tri key Western Hemisphere over next three.
Collected $41.10 on the tri box ($27.40/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $13.70 on the tri box.

Western Hemisphere...Baffert filly has been facing better on grass recently but should dominate state-breds on dirt.
Alphabet Kisses...Brings a three-race streak into this.
Frysland...Will have to step it up but trainer Ward is 30% turf-to-dirt.
Marie's Rose.

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