Saturday July 5 picks

Race 1

#2 WILD BALL towers over this field. She ran very well to get second behind a repeat winner last time for $12,500 and drops to $7,500 today. She likes both the course and distance and should sit a perfect stalking trip today. #4 FOUND A POUND fits well here off a big maiden breaking score and has the pedigree to move way up in her turf debut.

Suggested bet: Daily Double - 2 w/ 4,9,10

Race 2

#4 SATIN BLUE should be the third winner to come out of a key race on 6/15 when she set the pace before fading to third behind two next-out winners. There’s very little competition for the early lead today so she looks primed for a gate-to-wire score today. #9 FOXYS PERMISO takes an appropriate drop off an even 7^th at twice this price and should be stronger for her second race off a layoff.

Suggested bet: Pick 3 – 4,9 w/ 4,5 w/ 2

Race 3

#4 SO IN LOVE has speed to burn. She couldn’t handle allowance foes last time but drops back to the level she was claimed for and switches back to turf today. Her lone turf try was a good 3^rd against tougher. This 5½ furlong dash should suit her perfectly. #5 SHORE GIRL is a logical favorite off her last two sprints, a 3^rd against two next out winners and a fourth against tougher.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 4,5

Race 4

#2 STORMING VOW is 1-5 on the morning line for good reason. He’s been awfully close against much tougher, including a three-quarter length defeat to the most impressive maiden winner of the meet last time and should relish the return to state-bred company today.

Suggested bet: Pick-4 – 2 w/ 5,6,10 w/ 4,8 w/ 1,3,8

Race 5

#6 RUDIRUDY comes out of a key race where the top two finishers both came back to win against tougher competition. The classy 13yo has more wins than any two of today’s rivals put together. #10 MAJOR JONATHAN overcame a two-year layoff to get fourth against slightly tougher. He certainly makes sense with the additional fitness and slight drop in class.

Suggested bet: Win - 6

Race 6

#4 ONE BIG STORM makes his debut for ridiculously hot connections who won a similar race last weekend. One Big Storm has been working slowly but several long works should have him fit to a mile today. #8 ROSTEBARAN has suffered two straight rough trips and gets Karamanos today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 4,8

Race 7

#1 MINNAMANA overcame a slow pace to win a very tough optional claimer last time. He gets a slightly easier field and another crack at his favorite distance today. #3 GIZMO MAN comes up light on speed figures but was visually impressive last year as a 3yo and should be better with maturity this year. #8 MOUNT WEATHER didn’t run a step in a stake Saturday but is obviously OK if he’s wheeling right back here.

Suggested bet: Pick 3 – 1,3,8 w/ 2,7,10 w/ 3

Race 8

#2 MINT SLEWLEP has been awfully good on dirt this year. Blame the Colonial Turf Cup loss on the distance and you have a prime contender in this spot. #10 GIANT WRECKER has been facing tougher and would be no surprise as the favorite. #7 SALINJA acquitted himself well with a second behind all-world Einstein this winter and appears to be in top form off a good 2^nd in a stake last time.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,7,10

Race 9

#3 ONION QUEEN drops out of some tough New York races into what looks like a perfect spot. This 5½ furlong turf sprint should fit her perfectly. #10 GOLDEN DOVE rallied to just miss against similar last time despite a wide post. Unfortunately, today’s post position isn’t much better.

Suggested bet: Exacta box Win - 3