spablog10.gifYesterday’s Spablog worked out well, as Summer Laugh ($3.40) got the job done in our baby race and Majesticperfection ($4.00) won the Vanderbilt (G1).

Yeah, it was a chalky day.

Another chalk did not fair as well, and that was heavy favorite Rock America in the third race, a $50,000 maiden claimer.

The colt was sent off at 4/5 and was my second choice in the race. The colt inched clear inside the final furlong, but started to weaken and was overtaken by longshot Too Big to Fail ($50.50).

Once jockey Kent Desormeaux saw he was beaten, he did not ask his colt for much in deep stretch and was nipped at the wire for second.

I hope you did not have the exacta with the favorite on the bottom.

Desormeaux has a long history of wrapping up late on horses when he sees he cannot win. The stewards need to protect the betting public by handing Desormeaux a fine for not giving it his all to the wire.

The standard response from the jockey will be he was “trying to protect” the horse.”

Kent, how about looking out for the bettors for once?

 

SPAbabies

 

SAR Race 2 Md Sp Wt (1:33 ET)

#6 Button Girl

#1 Elusive Tara / #1a Forest Whip

#9 Dixie Julep

#4 Street Mate

 

Analysis: #6 Button Girl is making her debut here for the Nicks barn that is 19% winners (with a +ROI) with first time starters. The filly has a solid turf pedigree, by Mizzen Mast out of a stakes placed mare that has dropped five turf winners including stakes winner Coracle ($246K). There are solid works on the morning tab including a bullet drill over the polytrack at Keeneland.

#1 Elusive Tara was bumped and had to steady in the early going, came with a five wide bid turning for home and flattened out in the stretch to finish fifth. The runner up and third place finisher in the race both came back to graduate in their next starts. She is out of a Broad Brush mare that won twice on turf in her career.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 9/2 or better.

EX: 1,6 / 1,4,6,9

TRI: 1,6 / 1,4,6,9 / 1,3,4,6,9

 

Spa Featured Race of the Day:

 

SAR Race 5 The Signature Stallion Waya (3:14 ET)

#4 Casablanca Smile   2/1

#5 Changing Skies   9/5

#2 Rcuandry   10/1

#8 The Gailllimh Girl   5/1

 

Analysis: #4 Casablanca Smile put in a solid effort in the All Along (G3) last out at Colonial Downs in her U.S. debut, beaten just a length for the top spot. The winner of the race was Shared Account, who came back to miss winning the Diana (G1) by a head while a nose in front of Forever Together. The Shug filly won her last two starts in her native Chile, both Group 1 races and she is proven at the 1 1/2 mile distance. I like the jock switch here to Leparoux.

 

#5 Changing Skies is coming off runner up finishes in the Bewitch and New York, both Grade 2 races behind the talented Lady Shakespeare. The five-year-old mare drops into an easier spot here, and she can handle the marathon distance. Her last win came three back where she won the Very One (G3) at 1 3/8 miles. She looks as if she may complete a chalky exacta.

 

#2 Rcuandry was badly outrun in her last two stakes tries both in graded company. Three back at Keeneland she was a game second at Keeneland against Alw-2 company at today’s 1 1/2 mile distance. She drops into a softer spot here and is in good hands with the Motion barn. She should bounce back with a better effort here and will be a decent price.

Wagering

WIN: #4 to win at 9/5 or better.

EX: 4,5 / 2,4,5,8

TRI: 4,5 / 2,4,5,8 / 2,4,5,7,8

SPAshots for Saturday

Horses to toss in your exotics at generous prices:

R2: #6 Button Girl   8/1

R4: #10 Savannah Bay   12/1

R4: #6 Unprecedented   8/1

R5: #2 Rcuandry   10/1

R9: #1 Apyphilly   8/1

R9: #2 Miss Grievance   8/1