All right here we go, feeling very positive about this year despite the venue. I'm breaking this down by race so here goes

FRIDAY 11/01

SA R5 1-JUVENILE TURF SPRINT
Not a lot of data as this is a relatively new race, and it is wide open. Ward has 3 horses here (the 7, 9, and 12) all of which will be bet down. But Ward has struggled in graded stakes and I think that continues today. That being said his 9-Four Wheel Drive is out of American Pharoah and they’ve done well. I ended up on the 10-A’Ali who has had success at this distance abroad, despite a pedigree that seems would want a longer than a sprint, as well as the 1-Chiminey Rock who would have to turn tables on the 7-Kimari…wide open

Picks 9-1-10/7-5-13

SA R6 2-JUVENILE TURF

These two days won’t be won or lost with this decision, but I am against Aidan O’Brien. He is a talented trainer, but he has been in a funk. If he does well, I am somewhat sunk. (breaking into beastie boys here), I think the 4-Decorated Invader has the best resume of the group having won at Saratoga and Woodbine, and gets Irad Ortiz up. The 7-Andesite doesn’t jump off the paper but I have notes that say otherwise, and Rosario gets the mount this time…Horse for the course include the 14-Hit the Road who beat two contenders here in a stakes race…and I like the 6-Graceful Kitten (not that big a fan of the pedigree or the owners) but could sneak in unnoticed via Gulfstream…not a lot of BC winners prep there…wide, wide open

PICKS 4-5-14-6-7/2-8-12

SA R7 3-JUVENILE FILLIES

This may be a little easier to hone down. I think 6-Bast will be the fav and should be after a win at SA. I think the 4-British Idiom is logical off impressive wins at Kee and Sar…the 7-Wicked Whisper is a combo of Assmusen and Rosario and undefeated…and don’t sleep on either the 9-Comical or even bigger price 8-KP Dreaming as they have had early success at SA

PICKS 4-6-7/3-8-9

SA R8 4-JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

Odd stats historically as favorites have pounded the price in this race except here at SA where prices have loomed large… west coast horses have done well here but not recently…despite the post draw Pletchers 12-Sweet Melina is the horse to beat..Chad Browns 13-Selflessly will be challenging from the get go… the 5-Daahey seems to be getting some attention but I like both the 4-Abscond and the 7-Crystalle (not to mention the 8-Tango)…you’re going to have to go wide here I’m afraid

PICKS 12-13-7-4/5-10-11-8

SA R9 5-JUVENILE 1 1/16

I realize my selections have been kind of wide ranging on this first day, but such is the case with youth…however in this race I’ll take a stand and side with the 5 –Scabbard. This race will feature a good deal of speed and two heavy, heavy favorites…the 1-Dennis Moment who wowed everyone in his last two, and Bafferts 6-Eight Rings which won convincingly on this course and at this distance. While I don’t think the 1 will want to run early, he’s going to have or risked getting boxed in at the rail…if he goes, and the 6 goes, which he will, it might set up a very hot pace…one that could be taken advantage of by the 5-Scabbard, laying off the pace and getting Mike Smith and all his BC wins in the irons…the 2-Wrecking Crew has done well for trainer Peter Miller out west against some salty company and carries an awesome name

Picks 5-6/1-2-3

More tomorrow for Saturday. As always, choose wisely.

I'll keep this easy on everyone 1st Mike Smith only has 2 mounts on the card.....This race Kamari 7-2 but a horse he beat by 1/2 is 10-1 and grabs the rail so I like Chimney Rock

#8 Billy Batts at 50-1 in the 6th to place and show.