We know just about all our regular readers are focused on college football on Saturdays, but there’s still time to play the ponies, so Team Tuley is still here to help as we look for value at tracks from coast to coast.
This Saturday, we have plays on the “Belmont at Aqueduct” card as well as the Pennsylvania Derby Day card at Parx Racing. I’m joined by my handicapping friends, Ed Sehon and John Lauro, and hope to add plays from Rampart race and sports book manager Duane Colucci later Saturday morning.
(Update: Colucci has indeed added his Saturday plays below.)
Good luck today (and every day!).
SATURDAY
Belmont at the Big A Race No. 2 (1:38 p.m. ET/10:38 a.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #7 Kinetic Sky (7-5 morning line). “Conditioner Brad Cox drops pricy son of Run Happy in for tag after finishing in the money in nine of a dozen races vs. much tougher. Stretching back out to a mile, the colt is rested and super fit after string of quick works over Belmont Training Track. My favorite local pilot Manny Franco accepts mount. Wager: Win.”
Park Racing No. 8 (3:32 p.m. ET/12:32 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #6 Double the Heart (15-1 morning line) in the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup. “This 6-year-old is taking a big step up in class for this graded stakes race, but trainer Felix Flores-Coba is 24 percent with horses that won their last race, so he’s pretty good at putting them in the right spot. In addition, he’s hitting at 36 percent when using jockey Jeremy Larpida. But most importantly for me, this 1.5-mile race is bereft of early speed horses, so Double the Heart might be able to inherit the lead and take them the whole way. Wager: Win and Place.”
Park Racing No. 10 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #12 Alottahope (10-1 morning line) in the Grade 2 Gallant Bob Stakes. “This 3-year-old gelding is also taking a step up into class, but I feel he’s being overlooked despite having speed figures that fit with this group. Winner of his last two races, he should be sitting just off the pace under jockey Jevian Toledo, who is 2-for-3 with trainer John Robb. This gives me alotta hope. Wager: Win and Place.”
Duane Colucci likes #9 Runningsonofagun (6-1 morning line). "Trainer John Toscano has done well with this runner with solid efforts against some of the top 3-year-old sprinters in the country. Has a solid win over this course and switches to money rider Luis Saez. Should be pouncing on the competition in the stretch. Bet 9 to Win and key 9 over 3,5,11 in Exactas, Trifectas and reverse."
Parx Racing Nos. 10-13 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes a $1 late Pick 4 (cost $45)
Race 10: 2,3,9,11,14
Race 11: 6
Race 12: 1,5,8
Race 13: 1,6,7
Duane Colucci likes a $1 late Pick 4 (cost $48)
Race 10: 3,5,9,11
Race 11: 2,5,6
Race 12: 1,5,7,8
Race 13: 1,2
Belmont at the Big A Races Nos. 8-11 (4:46 p.m. ET/1:46 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes a $.50 late Pick 4 (cost $54)
Race 8: 3,4,6
Race 9: 2,7,8
Race 10: 2,3,4,5
Race 11: 4,5,11
Parx Racing No. 11 (5:20 p.m. ET/2:20 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon’s BEST BET is #6 Secret Oath (2-1 morning line). “Sophomore daughter of super-sire Arrogate towers above ladies in Grade 1 $1 million Cotillion. Winner of $1.6 million, gal has competed in five consecutive top-graded stakes, including pair — the Arkansas Derby and Preakness — against bunch of tough guys. Luis Saez ships in to ride for HOFer D. Wayne Lukas, who at 87, continues to saddle stakes winners. Wager: Win.”
Duane Colucci likes #5 Gerrymander (8-1 morning line). "This Chad Brown runner had some trouble at Saratoga versus champion Nest in her last but took solid action at the betting windows based on her solid efforts leading up to the race. She should bounce back solid and turn the tables on Secret Oath. Doubt we will get 8-1, but she should be solid price. Bet 5 to Win and key 5 over 2,6,7 in Exactas, Trifectas and reverse."
Belmont at the Big A Race No. 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #3 Cold Hard Cash (8-1 morning line). “Trainer Linda Rice shortens gelding up for Ashley T. Cole Stakes for NY-breds. After competing in open Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga, he gets a ton of class relief while capable Eric Cancel jumps aboard. I’m cold hard on cashing. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Wager: Win, Place and box in Exactas and Trifectas with 2,4,5.”
Dave Tuley also likes Cold Hard Cash! “Enough said by Ed. Wager: Win and Place.”
Parx Racing No. 12 (6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT)
Stubborn Ed Sehon refuses to give up on #1 Zandon (5-1 morning line) in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. “Son of Upstart sports perfect seven-for-seven, in-the-money record vs. nation’s toughest youthful colts and mares. Joel Rosario, who was on board for his maiden win, returns to saddle. While always close, he’s no Cigar. Nevertheless, he’s my top choice. Wager: Win.”
John Lauro likes #5 Cyberknife (3-1 morning line). “I’ll put Win money on #5 Cyberknife and a straight 5-8 Exacta with #8 Taiba in a rematch of the Haskell.”