spablog10.gifIt is sunny at the Spa on Wednesday morning, and for the first time of the meet, we will not have at least one turf race moved to the main track.

The main track is listed as fast and the turf course is labeled firm. There are five races carded for the turf today including today’s feature, the $150,000 Lake George (G2).

Monday’s Evan Shipman went according to plan, Giant Moon ($3.70) getting home as my top pick, with the recommended exacta paying $13.20 and the trifecta returning $56.50.

Using my top pick over my other three contenders also produced a $2 super that paid $205.40.

 

SPAbabies

Once again there are no two year old races on the card, so we will have to settle for a $25,000 maiden claimer for fillies and mares, three year olds and upward for our maiden action today.

SAR Race 2 Md $25,000 (1:33 ET)

#4 Grosse Pointe Anne   5/2

#7 E Street   4/1

#6 Amazing Lauren   6/1

#3 Include the Cat   3/1

 

Analysis: #4 Grosse Pointe Anne makes her first start since February where the filly made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot for a $50K tag at Gulfstream Park. The winner of the race was Grazioso, who came back to beat Alw-1 foes in her next outing on April 8. She has a couple of decent works on the morning tab for the McPeek barn that is 16% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. This looks like a good spot for her return running for $35K.

#7 E Street was the beaten 6/5 chalk last out at Del Park for a $20K tag. That effort was off a three-month break after checking in second in her debut in the slop earlier this year. The mare is out of the stakes placed Emeraldforalady ($58K who has dropped seven winners, top earner Emeraldforajudge ($135K).

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 2/1 or better.

EX: 4,7 / 3,4,6,7

TRI: 4,7 / 3,4,6,7 / 3,4,5,6,7

 

Spa Featured Race of the Day:

 

SAR Race 8 The Lake George G2 (4:56 ET)

#5 Perfect Shirl   15/1

#4 Neon Light   9/2

#8 Strike It Rich   7/2

#1 House of Grace   8/1

 

Analysis: #5 Perfect Shirl took four tries to break her maiden, but showed she still has plenty of upside with a good looking Alw-1 win last out in her first go against winners. That win came on poly and she back on turf here, which is going to be her best surface. She has a ton of pedigree appeal, out of the stakes winner Lady Shirl ($951K) a 14-time winner on turf. The mare has dropped seven winners including five other turf winners and three stakes winners. Among her foals are Grade 1 winner Shakespeare ($1.29 million). She is in good hands with the Attfield barn that is having a solid year and the 15/1 ML looks generous.

 

#4 Neon Light makes her U.S. debut here and she may have some talent. The German bred won a Group 3 in her second career start, then ran into some traffic troubles in her most recent outing. It will be interesting to see how serious this gal is taken on the tote.

 

#8 Strike It Rich has won three in a row including the Boiling Springs (G3) in her most recent start. She is a logical threat to win here with her best, but a couple of others in here likely are going to offer better value for the top spot.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 8/1 or better.

EX: 4,5 / 1,4,5,8

TRI: 4,5 / 1,4,5,8 / 1,2,4,5,8,12

SPAshots for Wednesday

Horses to toss in your exotics at generous prices:

R1: #5 Heavenly Blaze   15/1

R4: #9 Giopi   20/1

R6: #11 Miss Nepal   15/1

R8: #5 Perfect Shirl   15/1

R8: #1 House of Grace   8/1