2011 Travers Stakes Day Undercard - The Locks

Big race days are a treat for the handicapper.   First, you get alot of what I would call "dumb money".   That's the money that likes the sentimental story, the female jockey, the pretty silks, the funny name, the favorites.   


So if you actually done your homework, you can certainly find value on big race days.  


Also on big race days, you not only have the "big race" but will have several other stakes and this Saturday is no exception.   There are 4 other Graded Stakes on the card.


The undercard includes:

• The Ballston Spa, Grade 2, for fillies and mares 3yo+ going 1 1/16m on the turf
• The Victory Ride, Grade 3, for 3yo fillies going 6 furlongs on the dirt
• The Ballerina, Grade 1, for fillies and mares 3yo+ going 7 furlongs on the dirt
• The Kings Bishop, Grade 1, for 3yos, going 7 furlongs on the dirt

Caveat: Handicapping right now is assuming that Hurricane Irene will not impact the track/course

http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082711USA-EQB.html

The Ballston Spa

Romoacaca (7/2) comes into the race on a 5 race win streak and hasn't been out of the money since running 4th in the Beverly D last August.  Daveron (3/1) a German-bred has done well since shifting to Graham Motion's shed.  Has 3 wins/1 2nd on 4 tries at distance.  Aviate (4/1) was outgunned in last 2 which were G1s but dropping slightly in class may help. Has worked well at the Spa to prep for this one.  Trix in the City (12-1) could steal the race on the front end but seems to have distance limitation at 1 mile.  0 for 3 at 1 1/16th.  

$10 Win Aviate

$1 Exacta All over Aviate

$2 Exacta Romoacaca, Daveron, Aviate

$4 Win Trix in the City

The Victory Ride

Jealous Girl (3-1) is a perfect 4 for 4 after her failed debut.  Even though been racing on a lower circuit speed translates...108/110 Locks Speed Index in last 2.  Question is how she will do with many horses in field wanting the lead.  Valiant Passion (7/2) is the other favorite in the race off of a 6+ length allowance victory at the Spa a few weeks ago.  But speed figs (Beyer, Locks) are suspect.  Going to give Hot Summer(8/1) a look.   Hot Summer is a sprinter that was asked to route in top races - now back to its bread and butter - training well for debut off layoff...

$10 win Jealous Girl 

$2 exacta JG, VP, HS

$3WP Hot Summer

The Ballerina

The 2-1 favorite Hilda's Passion is beatable...when racing against foes in this race has not won.  Sassy Image (5/2) will come off the pace to attempt to win.  Riding a 3 race win streak including 2 Grade 1 wins.   Tamarind Hall (6-1) in last 5, 4 wins and 1 2nd.  109/112 Locks Speed Index in last 2.  Tar Heel Mom (7/2) ..horse for the course, 3 wins out of 4 starts.  

$10 win Sassy Image

$3 WP Tamarind Hall 

$2 ex SI, TH, THM

The King's Bishop

We have the return of Uncle Mo and he was installed as 9/5 favorite.  Will he be ready to face off against talented foes who may be primed to go??  Flashpoint (5/2) crushed the field in the Hutchenson, another 3yo 7f graded stakes. Training is lights out.   Dominus (6-1) a middle distance horse that faltered on the stretch out but may be better at this distance. 

$10 Win Dominus

$1 exacta all over Dominus

The Grand Slam bet will include the 7th race + The Ballston Spa + The Victory Ride + the Ballerina.   The Grand Slam is fun to bet.   Again its picking a horse to come in the top 3 in the first 3 races (races 7,8,9) and then the winner in the last (race 10).

The Locks Travers Day Grand Slam bet is:

Leg 1: #6 Fizzano, #7 Gamblin Fever,  #1 Seattle Mission

Leg 2: #7 Aviate, #2 Romacaca

Leg 3: #2 Jealous Girl, #8 Valiant Passion

Leg 4: #7 Sassy Image, #2 Tamarind Hall, #6 Tar Heel Mom

The bet will cost 3 x 2 x 2 x 3 = $36

Good Luck!!!