Picks by Shawn Rychling
This weekend's race, Saturday August 30
The $600,000 Woodward at Saratoga
(6) Zivo (C) has won six consecutive races and closed like a rocket to catch (4) Moreno in the Suburban. This race is a furlong shorter, but he has been able to close at a mile distance as well, so the one loop around the Spa oval should not be an issue. The problem will be hoping someone goes with Moreno and softens him up. (2) Itsmyluckyday -- second in the Whitney -- looks like the one to try as he adds blinkers for this one. Rest assured, these jockeys won't let Moreno get the easy lead he got in the Whitney so someone figures to be out there. But if not, Moreno could easily wire the field once again. In his victories, (8) Last Gunfighter (B) has sat back and come from off the pace, so he may be in the mix if there is a pace meltdown. (7) Norumbega (D) has done the same, but is more of a plodder and lacks the turn of foot to catch a horse like Moreno with only 9 furlongs to work with. He does add blinkers which may help him stay toward the front early. (1a) Romansh (D) has been a popular wiseguy pick of late and took a tumble on the toteboard just before the Whitney. He took a bump at the start of that race and then had to go 6-wide on the far turn so maybe he improves with a better trip.
The predicted order of finish:1. Zivo
2. Moreno
3. Last Gunfighter
4. Itsmyluckyday
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Hot List Key
A List: A preferred horse to watch
B List: Secondary horse to watch
*C List: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D List: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4th or worse
* minus-4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
Do you have questions? Email Bob at ehalt.b@sbcglobal.net.