WEDNESDAY RECAP: Day #10 of the 40-day meet was tough outside the office as Mr. Ed cashed only a single, chalky exacta ticket in Race 9 for a measly $15 … However, I’m super-confident as the week unfolds with several playable stakes ahead … Keep an eye on weather as rain is in the forecast for early in the afternoon … Three of the Spa’s leading riders, Luis Saez (18), Jose Ortiz (18) and Irad Ortiz Jr. (16) each booted home a pair of winners on Wednesday … Michael Maker (7), with a pair of scores on Wednesday, now leads all trainers … Thursday’s feature is the John Morrissey Handicap (Race 9), a sprint for New York-breds, 3-year-olds and up. Mr. Ed likes #5 Wudda U Think Now at 3-1 (see Special late Double below).
DAILY DOUBLE (Races Nos. 1 & 2, 1:05 p.m. ET/10:05 a.m. PT)
Quick son of Uncle Mo, #7 Mo Heat (7-5 morning line), on track to break maiden. Pair him with #7 Straw Into Gold (2-1) for popular highball score. Wager: $10 Daily Double of 7 & 7. ($10)
$0.50 EARLY PICK 4 (Races Nos. 2-5, 1:41 p.m. ET, 10:41 a.m. PT)
Race 2: 2,7
Race 3: 2,3,6,10
Race 4: 6,7,8,9
Race 5: 1,3,7 (cost $48)
EXACTA EXTRA (Race No. 3, 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT)
The key is #6 Montauk Summer (4-1 morning line). I’ll hook him up with #2 Mystery Bank (9-2), #3 Auburn Hills (5-1) and #10 Reckless Spirit (6-1). Wager: $2 Exacta Box of 6 with 2,3 & 10. ($12)
BEST BET (Race No. 6, 3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT)
Direct from backstretch: trainer Wesley Ward has this high-priced #5 Her World (5-2 morning line) cranked for Spa debut. Good spot for Johnny Velazquez to reverse rare slump. Wager: $10 Win & Place on #5. ($20)
SPECIAL LATE DOUBLE (Races Nos. 9 & 10, 5:39 p.m. ET/2:39 p.m. PT)
In the 9th, #5 Wudda U Think Now (3-1 morning line) & #1 Sum Kinda Pretty (9-2) in the finale. Wager: $5 Daily Double on 5 & 1. ($5)
PRICE PLAY (Race No. 10, 6:13 p.m. ET, 3:13 p.m. PT)
Superior conditioner Al Stall ships turfer #1 Sum Kinda Pretty (9-2 morning line) up from Churchill, seeking maiden win. Big rider upgrade to Joel Rosario. Wager: $5 Win & Place on #1. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $105
MY FRIDAY FAVORITE: Late-blooming 3-year-old colt, #4 First Captain (7-5 morning line), goes for his fourth straight victory in the $120,000 Curlin Stakes. Ridden by top rider Jose Ortiz and trained by Shug McGaughey, First Captain will be making his initial start around two turns at 1 1/8 miles … A win here could point him toward start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes on Aug. 28 … First Captain will be Mr. Ed’s $40 to Win BEST BEST on Friday.