The Triple Crown Trail shifts back to Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, and contest players will have $500 to shoot for in the $500 Bet America Tampa Bay Derby Day Handicapping Contest.

The $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) is the marquee event of the season at the Oldsmar, Florida track, as a strong field of promising three-year-olds will attempt to stamp their ticket to the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the first Saturday of May with a victory.

Recent Kentucky Derby winners that used the Tampa Bay Derby as a key prep include Super Saver in 2010 and Street Sense in 2007.

A field of ten is expected on Saturday, including Take Charge Indy, Battle Hardened, and the undefeated Spring Hill Farm.

The Saturday card will also include the $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G3) at nine furlongs on the turf and the $100,000 Suncoast at a mile and 40 yards on the main track.

BetAmerica is a legal U.S. based racebook offering wagering action on Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness wagering from racetracks across the globe.

If you are looking to be rewarded with your horse wagering action, BetAmerica offers a 3% cash reward bonus on every wager made on all of the BetAmerica Bonus Tracks.

Contest Prizes: First place in the contest is $150, second place is $75, and eleven $25 prizes will be awarded!

This contest will be a LIVE contest with payoffs based on a $2 win and place wager on each selection. There are caps on payouts, 30/1 on win and 15/1 on place. Please make sure you get your wagers in a few minutes before post time to avoid being shut out!

Go to Track Champion to sign up for the action!

Looking for great handicapping info?

Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for Aqueduct each racing day.  Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations.  Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest plays and selections including the top stakes races.

(Friday, February 10) Four graded stakes on Saturday and the opening of Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager highlight the weekend action, with the highlight the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1), which drew a deep field of handicap runners including two of last year’s three winners of a Triple Crown race.While Animal Kingdom is still a few weeks away from making his 2012 debut, 2011 Preakness (G1) winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice will square off in the Donn, which drew a field of eleven runners.

Shackleford is winless in five starts since winning the Preakness, but did manage to finish second in three of his outings including a neck loss in the Haskell Invitational (G1) and a good second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) to finish his three year old campaign.

The Dale Romans trainee won two races and had four runner up finishes in his 10 starts as a three-year-old, earning $1,950,347.

Ruler On Ice skipped the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and was dismissed in the Belmont Park, pulling off the upset and returning $51.50.

The Kelly Breen trainee lost his next five starts, including running a decent third in the Classic and a fifth place finish in the Clark on Nov. 25 in his last start of 2011.

The duo catches one of the deepest fields we have seen in the handicap division outside of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in recent years.

Among the other contenders include Clark runner up Mission Impazible, Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Flat Out, Cigar Mile (G1) runner up Hymn Book, and the speedy undefeated Trickmeister, who makes his graded stakes debut in the Donn.

The Gulfstream Park card features three other stakes on the card, the $150,000 Hutcheson (G2) for three-year-olds going seven furlongs, and a pair of turf stakes, the $150,000 Suwannee (G3) and the  $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1).

I will include the stakes action from Gulfstream Park in Saturday’s Best Plays Report.

The first of three betting pools for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager opened on Friday, with 23 individual betting interests and the 24^th option being “all others.”

“All others” is the 9/5 morning line favorite, with Holy Bull (G3) winner Algorithms the 8/1 favorite among the individual runners.

Others that figure to take action this weekend include Union Rags (10/1), Hansen (12/1) and Alpha (20/1).

Ever So Lucky (20/1) is in action in the Hutcheson and could take some action if he wins. The colt made two starts as a juvenile, breaking his maiden in his debut, then running a good second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on Nov. 26.

Fed Biz (20/1)is showing two starts in the early past performances, the last a maiden win on Dec. 30. The Bob Baffert trainee won a first level allowance optional claimer in impressive fashion on Thursday at Santa Anita that is not showing up in the PP’s.

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1

No. Name ML

1 Algorithms 8-1

2 Alpha 20-1

3 Battle Hardened 30-1

4 Creative Cause 20-1

5 Discreet Dancer 15-1

6 Dullahan 15-1

7 El Padrino 20-1

8 Empire Way 50-1

9 Ever So Lucky 20-1

10 Fed Biz 20-1

11 Gemologist 20-1

12 Hansen 12-1

13 I’ll Have Another 20-1

14 Junebugred 50-1

15 Liaison 20-1

16 Longview Drive 50-1

17 Midnight Transfer 50-1

18 Mr. Bowling 50-1

19 Out of Bounds

20-1 20 Rousing Sermon 30-1

21 Sabercat 30-1

22 Take Charge Indy 30-1

23 Union Rags 10-1

24 All Others 9-5

Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for Aqueduct each racing day.  Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations.  Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest plays and selections including the top stakes races.

Let’s head out to Gulfstream Park for Saturday’s featured race of the day:

Gulfstream Park Race 10 The Donn Handicap (G1) Post time 4:45 ET

Hymn Book   8/1

Flat Out   5/1

Trickmeister   6/1

Shackleford   7/2

Hymn Book may end getting overlooked on the tote here with high profile runners like Shackelford and Ruler On Ice in the field. The gelding makes his first start since a good second in the Clark handicap (G1) behind To Honor and Serve. The third place finisher in the race was Calibrachoa, who came back to win the Toboggan (G3) on Feb. 4 at Aqueduct and fifth place finisher Caixa Eletronica returned to win the Rise Jim on Jan. 8, then was third in the Toboggan. The gelding stretches back out to nine furlongs and his top two career Beyers have come at the distance, a win in the off the turf Three Coins Up, and a runner up finish Suburban Handicap (G2) last summer. The McGaughey barn is 18% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff and the gelding has been working steadily at Payson Park for his return. It is a tough spot but we should catch a decent price on this guy.

Flat Out faded to finish 12^th last out in the Fort Lauderdale (G3) in his turf debut, but we’ll toss that effort and expect this guy to bounce back with the switch back to the main track. He won the Suburban and Jockey Club Gold Cup(G1) last year, leading him to being my top pick in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) but he failed to fire his best, checking in fifth. He probably could have used a freshening after that disappointing effort but the barn brought him back for the Clark (G1)  and he again came up short as the beaten favorite in a third place finish.  He may end up a decent price here off his poor outing on grass, and may end up offering decent value in this spot.

Trickmeister is perfect in five career starts and all five have been wire jobs. Last out he came back off a 16 month layoff to win the Harlan’s Holiday at Gulfstream Park going 1 1/16 miles.  This will be his first start in graded stakes company and he is going to have to deal with some company up front early in Shackleford. The five year old figures to move forward second off the long layoff and the Rick Dutrow barn has been on fire both here and in New York.  Dominguez gets the call and he figures to be around late unless he gets hooked up early in a pace duel.

Wagering:

WIN: Hymn Book to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 7,10 / 7,8,9,10

TRI: 7,10 / 7,8,9,10 / 2,3,7,8,9,10

The 2012 handicapping contest season is here at Track Champion, and we have $500 up for grabs on Saturday Feb. 4 thanks to our great sponsor BetAmerica!

We will head off to Tampa Bay Downs for Saturday’s handicapping challenge that includes a trio of stakes on an outstanding racing card.

BetAmerica is a legal U.S. based racebook offering wagering action on Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness wagering from racetracks across the globe.

If you are looking to be rewarded with your horse wagering action, BetAmerica offers a 3% cash reward bonus on every wager made on all of the BetAmerica Bonus Tracks.

We are just three months away from the Run for the Roses, and handicappers playing the contest will have to solve the $250,000 Sam F. Davis (G3), a key test for three-year-olds looking to get on the Kentucky Derby Trail.

The race is a steppingstone to the marquee event of the meeting, the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 10.

The supporting features on Saturday’s card at Tampa Bay Downs are the $150,000 Endeavour Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, and the $150,000 Florida Oaks (G3) for three-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Contest Prizes: First place in the contest is $150, second place is $75, and eleven $25 prizes will be awarded!

This contest will be a LIVE contest with payoffs based on a $2 win and place wager on each selection. There are caps on payouts, 30/1 on win and 15/1 on place. Please make sure you get your wagers in a few minutes before post time to avoid being shut out!

Go to Track Champion to sign up for the action!

Looking for great handicapping info?

Michael Dempsey provides his full card report for Aqueduct each racing day.  Mike’s full card report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations.  Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest plays and selections including the top stakes races.

The winners of the Eclipse Awards will be announced Jan. 16 at the 41st Annual Eclipse Awards dinner in Beverly Hills, Calif.In addition, the three finalists and the winner for Horse of the Year will be announced at the awards dinner.

Here is a list of all the finalists, with links to the past performances below:

2-year-old male

Creative Cause

Hansen

Union Rags

2-year-old female

Grace Hall

My Miss Aurelia

Stephanie’s Kitten

3-year-old male

Animal Kingdom

Caleb’s Posse

Shackleford

3-year-old female

It’s Tricky

Plum Pretty

Royal Delta

Older male

Acclamation

Game On Dude

Tizway

Older female

Awesome Maria

Blind Luck

Havre de Grace

Male sprinter

Amazombie

Caleb’s Posse

Regally Ready

Female sprinter

Hilda’s Passion

Musical Romance

Sassy Image

Male turf

Acclamation

Cape Blanco

St Nicholas Abbey

Female turf

Dubawi Heights

Perfect Shirl

Stacelita

Steeplechase

Black Jack Blues

Decoy Daddy

Tax Ruling

Owner

Midwest Thoroughbreds

Ken and Sarah Ramsey

Team Valor

Breeders

Adena Springs

Brereton Jones

Ken and Sarah Ramsey

Trainer

Bob Baffert

Bill Mott

Todd Pletcher

Jockey

Javier Castellano

Ramon Dominguez

John Velazquez

Apprentice jockey

Ryan Curatolo

Kyle Frey

Rosario Montanez

Contenders PPs [pdf] and stats:

Trainer
Jockey
Owner
Horse of the Year
Older Male
Older Female
3YO Colt/Gelding
3YO Filly
2YO Colt/Gelding
2YO Filly
Male Turf
Female Turf
Male Sprinter
Female Sprinter
Steeplechase

Hit or Split Breeders Cup Special from TwinSpires.com

The biggest name in online horse racing is back with an exclusive special offer for TrackChampion.com and TurfnSport.com visitor.

One is the Hit or Split and it was a big hit on Travers Day back in August at Saratoga and it will be a big deal on Breeders Cup weekend as well, thanks to TwinSpires.com. The second is a free draw that all new players signing up this week will be entered into (when they make their first wager this week at TwinSpires.com).

In addition to the regular $100 signup bonus offer, you’ll have two chances to qualify for great bonus cash when you sign up and bet using a special bonus code.

1. TwinSpires New Player Breeders Cup Draw

Players that sign up at TwinSpires.com from Monday 31th October through Sunday 6th November & make a wager will be entered into a draw.

* Players must sign up with accurate bonus code: turfnsport or trackchampion

Players that make their first wager during this period to enter the draw with 300,000 TwinSpires Club Point up for grabs.

The prize pool will be:

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2. TwinSpires.com Hit or Split Breeders Classic Special Bonus

If a player signs up with the bonus code (turfnsport or trackchampion) and they place a minimum $10 win bet on a single ticket for the Breeders Cup Classic and the ticket is a winner, they will win or split 250 000 points in addition to any winnings they may win. If you are the lone TrackChampion player to nail the winner at TwinSpires.com, you’ll get the 250,000 points. If any other TrackChampion.com players that sign through the code and also pick the winner, you’ll split the 250,000 points with them!

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It is off to Belmont Park for Super Saturday and a Breeders’ Cup preview with six graded stakes on the card, and handicappers have 250,000 TwinSpires Club Points to shoot for in our TwinSpires Super Saturday Contest!

If you are looking for the best and safest Racebook for your horse racing wagering, look to TwinSpires for you betting action.

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Six Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races will be contested on Saturday at Belmont Park, including the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, the race that Blame used as a final prep for his victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic.

In addition to the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Saturday’s action includes the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational, $350,000 Vosburgh, $250,000 Kelso Handicap, and the $350,000 Beldame.

Among the stars using Super Saturday as a steppingstone to this year’s Breeders’ Cup include Havre de Grace, Stay Thirsty, Uncle Mo, Big Drama, Royal Delta, and Winchester.

Make sure to sign up and fund your TwinSpires account to be ready for all of the great betting action!

Contest Prizes: TwinSpires Club Points will be paid into the winner’s accounts on TwinSpires if they have an account only. TwinSpires Club points can exchanged for cash in order to wager or buy into competitions or players pools on TwinSpires.com and also for merchandise. ($1 = 1000 TwinSpires Club Points).

1 - 75,000 points
2 - 50,000 points
3 - 25,000 points
4 - 20,000 points
5 - 20,000 points
6 - 15,000 points
7 - 15,000 points
8 - 10,000 points
9 - 10,000 points
10 - 10,000 points

This contest will be a LIVE contest with payoffs based on a $2 win and place wager on each selection. There are caps on payouts, 30/1 on win and 15/1 on place. Please make sure you get your wagers in a few minutes before post time to avoid being shut out!

Looking for help with your handicapping?
Turf ‘n’ Sport’s Michael Dempsey has been covering the New York racing circuit full time for over two decades.

His report includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for every race on the Super Saturday card!

Go to Turf ‘n’ Sport to purchase Mike’s handicapping reports for the big day!

It is closing day at the Spa this afternoon, and Mother Nature has put In  one last jab, with the main track listed as muddy and the turf course soft.

Races 1,5,6,and 11 have moved to the main track, while races 8 and 10, the two stakes are remaining on the turf as of this morning.

The eighth race is the $75,000 Esslesiastic, a 5 ½ furlong turf race that drew a field of 13. Hopefully the soft going will not lead to too many scratches as it was one of the better wagering races on the card.

The $100,000 Glen Falls (G3) remains on the turf as of this morning, and it also drew a competitive field, with eleven fillies and mares going to the gate in the 1 3/8 mile race on the inner turf.

The final Grade 1 race of the meeting is today’s $250,000 Hopeful, and my top pick Power World certainly has the pedigree to handle an off track.

The Nell Howard runner is by Distorted Humor out of a Storm Cat mare.

Monday’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 9 Hopeful G1 (5:30 ET)

#4 Power World   6/1

#9 J C’s Pride   5/2

#5 Big Blue Nation   10/1

#1 Currency Swap / #1a Clip the Coupons   3/1

Analysis: #4 Power World looks like he is going to benefit the most from the stretch out to seven furlongs. Last out in the Sanford (G2) the colt made a good late rally to finish second behind the highly regarded Pletcher runner Overdriven. The third place finisher in the race was Jack’s in the Deck, who came back to beat Alw-1 optional claimers at Delaware Park on Aug. 20. The colt has shown steady improvement with each outing for the Howard barn that tends to take its time with two year olds. The colt put in a solid work on Aug. 31. He has five sibs that are winners including stakes winner Santa Catarina ($645K), and this guy has a strong off track pedigree.

#9 J C’s Pride was a good second behind Overdrive in his debut, with that foe coming back to win the Sanford (G2) on July 24. In his second career start he broke his maiden by 3 1/4 lengths in gate to wire fashion that produced a track record for five furlongs. The colt was aided slightly from a racing strip that was kind to horses on or near the lead that day. He is very quick early and with the outside draw can get good position if somebody to his inside is sent. Coming off that track record and triple digit Beyer, the price is likely going to drift downward from the 5/2 ML.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 4,9 / 1,4,5,9

TRI: 4,9 / 1,4,5,9 / 1,4,5,7,9

Click Here to purchase today’s Saratoga Report and we are offering a Platinum Package Special, three months of reports for just $99.95!

Monday’s Price Plays at Saratoga

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

R1: #4 Another Please   8/1

R2: #8 Light of Truth   15/1

R3: #4 Rein King   12/1

R5: #6 Splendid   12/1

R5: #8 Accent   12/1

R6: #9 Hope Still Springs   10/1

R8: #9 Wicked Tune   8/1

R8: #5 Pachito the Che   8/1

R9: #5 Big Blue Nation   10/1

R10: #7 Dynaslew   10/1

I have survived Tropical Storm Lee so far, with no loss of power, and I even got to see Havre de Grace run right by my top pick Rule in yesterday’s $750,000 Woodward yesterday.

We have just two days left in the Spa meeting, and we have a really good 12-race card on tap this afternoon including three stakes races.

The stakes action starts with the third race, the $75,000 Sightseek which drew a field of five fillies and mares who will go nine furlongs on the main track.

Connie and Michael is the 2/1 morning line favorite, but I think she looks like a vulnerable favorite, but with just four others to pick from, it is not much of a betting race.

The $100,000 Saranac (G3) is one of the better wagering races on today’s card. A field of 12 will go nine furlongs on the inner turf.

It is tough to separate the top four or five likely betting choices, and I landed on Seal Cove. The colt steps into graded company for the first time here but this guy still appears to have some upside and the Shug barn has been on a  nice roll over the past couple of months.

The colt is bred to be a good one, a half to turf stakes winner Quiet harbor ($274K), turf graded stakes placed Minister’s Joy ($327K) and dirt graded stakes winner Hunting ($286K).

And then we have today’s Spinaway:

Sunday’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 10 The Spinaway G1 (6:04 ET)

#2 And Why Not   6/1

#1 True Feelings / #1a Grace Hall   7/2

#5 Lady Pecan   8/1

#3 Georgie’s Angel   2/1

Analysis: #2 And Why Not was a very impressive looking maiden winner, getting outrun early, making a good middle move around the far turn and drawing off late to win by 5 1/2 lengths. The filly made up that ground over a racing strip that was playing to speed that day. In addition, the Matz barn does not win first out very often. The filly was expensive, purchased for $775K last summer. She is out of the stakes placed Alchemist ($200K) who has dropped three other foals to race, all winners, top earner 3 for 10 Burj Dubai ($77K). With Pletcher, Baffert and Ward having runners in here, we should catch a square price.

#1 True Feeling was a good looking maiden winner in her debut although her speed fig came back on the light side. Last out she came with a five wide bid and finished up well to finish second behind #3 Georgie’s Angel in the Schuylerville (G3) here on opening day. She came back with a bullet drill for the Tony D. barn and the extra furlong here should suit. The filly is out of the stakes winner Grand Charmer ($210K).

#7 Judy the Beauty is undefeated in three starts and makes her first start on dirt off sharp works at the Big A for the Ward barn. She is going to get some play off her stakes win at Woodbine, but four she beat that day were still maidens, so let’s try to beat her.

Wagering

WIN: #2 to win at 3/1 or better.

EX: 1,2 / 1,2,3,5

TRI: 1,2 / 1,2,3,5 / 1,2,3,5,7

Click Here to purchase today’s Saratoga Report and we are offering a Platinum Package Special, three months of reports for just $99.95!

Sunday’s Price Plays at Saratoga

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

R1: #7 Equivocation   12/1

R1: #8 Cooper River   8/1

R2: #2 Sharp Tongue Lady   8/1

R2: #7 Silvislip   15/1

R4: #1 Implosion   12/1

R6: #8 Karlovy Vary   8/1

R7: #7 Trading Paint   8/1

R8: #8 Alarmist   15/1

R8: #1 Angel Ray   12/1

R10: #5 Lady Pecan   8/1

R11: #7 Mean Reversion   8/1

R11: #2 Torrone   12/1

R12: #1 Famous Rose   15/1

Labor Day weekend is here, which means we only have three days left to enjoy racing at the Spa.

We do have plenty of racing action of the next three days, starting with a trio of Grade 1 races on Saturday.

The $300,000 Personal Ensign, $250,000 Forego, and the $750,000 Woodward highlight today’s 12-race card.

On Sunday we have the $250,000 Spinaway (G1) for two year old fillies going seven furlongs on the main track and the $100,000 Saranac (G3) for three year olds going nine furlongs on the turf.

The highlight of Monday’s card is $250,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful (G1) for two year olds at seven furlongs, and the $100,000 Glen Falls (G3) for fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles on turf.

Today’s Woodward and Forego will be nationally televised on the VERSUS Network as part of the “Summer at Saratoga” series. The one hour telecast starts at 5:00 ET.

I’m keeping this short today so I can get an early start on Sunday’s card. I have a tropical storm bearing down on me here on the gulf coast, and I have my fingers crossed I’ll have power throughout the day.

Saturday’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

See front page of www.turfnsport.com for today’s $750,000 Woodward Stakes preview.

SAR Race 9 The Forego G1 (5:12 ET)

#4 Jersey Town   6/1

#8 Regal Ransom   6/1

#1 Jackson Bend   5/2

#2 Sidney’s Candy   4/1

Analysis: #4 Jersey Town makes his second start off an eight month layoff here for the Tagg barn. Last out off the bench the five year old checked in second in the Teddy Drone going six furlongs. He was caught in tight quarters in the early going, came with a four wide run and finished up well for the runner up spot. Two have come out of the race to run back including third place finisher Ravalo, who won the Remington Park Sprint Cup on Aug. 20. This guy landed in the exacta in 4 of 5 starts last year including winning the Cigar Mile (G1). Decent value if this guy goes off near his 6/1 ML.

#8 Regal Ransom set the early fractions from the three path and faded to finish 11th in the Foster ‘Cap (G1) last out on a day most of the winners were using the outer paths. Two back he was beaten just a nose in the Alysheba (G3) behind First Dude, who came back to win the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in his next start. The cut back to one turn should suit this guy, who is perfect in two trips over the main track here.

#1 Jackson Bend ran a career top last out beating three he faces again today. I did not like him at all last out and he pulled off the upset at 8/1. Is he back or does he bounce? That is a tough question, but at the likely short price I’ll try to beat him for the top spot.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 4/1 or better.

EX: 4,8 / 1,2,4,8

TRI: 4,8 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,2,4,7,8

Click Here to purchase today’s Saratoga Report and we are offering a Platinum Package Special, three months of reports for just $99.95!

Saturday’s Price Plays at Saratoga

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

R1: #2 Hit It Rich   8/1

R3: #3 Oatka Idas Rose   8/1

R4: #3 King Haigler   15/1

R5: #6 Feels Good   12/1

R10: #2 Mission Impazible   10/1

R11: #3 Broilo   15/1

R12: #3 Down Broadway   12/1

R12: #1 Thewizardofnassau   8/1

We have an outstanding ten race card on tap at Saratoga for Friday afternoon, including three stakes.

With a 2:30 ET post time, and with the Labor Day weekend upon us, it is a good day to either call in sick or leave work early.

With that in mind I found these ten best excuses for calling in sick, and they are taken directly off the Career Builder web site (really), so you know they must work:

1. At her sister’s wedding, an employee chipped her tooth on a Mint Julep, bent over to spit it out, hit her head on a keg and was knocked unconscious.

2. While at a circus, a tiger urinated on the employee’s ear, causing an ear infection.

3. An employee’s dog wasn’t feeling well, so the employee tasted the dog’s food and then got sick.

4. “Someone put LSD in my salad.”

5. An employee’s roommate locked all his clothes in a shed for spite.

6. “Stuck on an island - canoe floated away.”

7. An employee was upset because his favorite American Idol contestant was voted off.

8.  “I didn’t think I had to come in if I had time in my vacation bank. I thought I could take it whenever I wanted.”

9. An employee said he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest up for the company’s holiday party that night.

10. A groundhog bit the employee’s car tire, causing it to go flat.

Friday’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 8 The Riskaverse (6:09 ET)

#3 Starformer   7/2

#4 Divalarious   3/1

#10 Ruthenia   4/1

#5 Puzzling   5/1

Analysis: #3 Starformer was bumped while in between foes at the break in her U.S. debut, was in a bit tight around the first turn, altered course to the outside heading for home and really picked it up late in a third place finish. She should get a more honest pace to run at here and figures to move forward with a trip over the turf here. She was a close up third in a Group 3 at Longchamp back in April. She is out of the Group 1 winner Etoile Montante ($659K).

#4 Divalarious beat Alw-1 foes last out in a good looking effort in her first start against winners. Three runners she beat that day came back to win their next starts. She comes back here off a two month break for the Chad Brown barn that is having a strong meet, hitting at a 31% clip. She still appears to have a ton of upside and is bred to be a good one. Four of her sibs are stakes winners including Taipan (1.1 million).

#10 Ruthenia made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot last out in the Hattie Mosely, a half-length ahead of our top pick. She should benefit if the pace is faster here. The Clement runner is a half to Grade 1 turf stakes winner Rutherienne ($1.29 million).

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 5/2 or better.

EX: 3,4 / 3,4,5,10

TRI: 3,4 / 3,4,5,10 / 3,4,5,8,10

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Friday’s Price Plays at Saratoga

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

R1: #1 Saint Daimon   12/1

R3: #3 Phillppe   8/1

R4: #10 Proud and Charming   12/1

R7: #8 Judge Well   20/1

R9: #1 Akris Queen   10/1