New York Showcase Day – featuring six stakes for New York-breds worth $1.15 million in purses – kicks off Travers Weekend Friday at Saratoga Race Course.
Friday’s card includes 11 races overall for runners bred in the Empire State, with the $250,000 Albany for 3-year-olds and $200,000 Fleet Indian for 3-year-old fillies among the highlights.
The race for The Saratoga Special’s leading handicapper got a little closer Thursday when John Shapazian picked X winners Tom Law’s X. That puts the race at 105 winners for Tom and 102 for John. How will they fare on Friday’s monster card? Check out their picks, and those from Charles Bedward, Rob Whitlock and Jessica Paquette, right here. See you Saturday for another Travers Day edition of The Special that you won’t want to miss. Good luck.
JOHN SHAPAZIAN (102/316, 32.3percent):
1-Surprise Boss, Open Til Midnight, Devil Or Angel.
2-Miss Alacrity, November Rein, Loaban’s Legacy.
3-Barrage, Hit The Nail, Yarrow.
4-Montebello, Bourbon’s Hope, Run Curtis Run.
5-Baudi Moovan, No Payne, Sinfully Sweet.
6-Ok Honey, Jamaica Joy, I’m Fine.
7-Make Mischief, A Bit o’Irish Sass, Coffee Bar.
8-Rinaldi, City Man, Therapist.
9-Americanrevolution, Bobby Bo, Bingo John.
10-Myhartblongstodady, Classic Lady, Chocolate Cookie.
11-Tackle, Fast Gordon, War Novel.
TOM LAW (105/316, 33.2 percent):
1-Open Til Midnight, Devil Or Angel, Sandrone.
2-Miss Alacrity, Velvet Sister, Laoban’s Legacy.
3-Barrage, Yarrow, Sandro The Great.
4-Montebello, Run Curtis Run, Daufuskie Island.
5-I’m Perfect Too, Baudi Moovan, Sinfully Sweet.
6-I’m Fine, Jamaica Joy, Vallarand.
7-Make Mischief, A Bit o’Irish Sass, Coffee Bar.
8-Rinaldi, Therapist, City Man.
9-Americanrevolution, Bobby Bo, Anejo.
10-Myhartblongstodady, Classic Lady, Giacosa.
11-Tackle, High Tone, Brennan’s War.
CHARLES BEDARD (94/316, 29.7 percent):
1-Surprise Boss, Miracle Nicky, Sandrone.
2-Miss Alacrity, Laoban’s Legacy, November Rein.
3-Barrage, Yarrow, Sandro The Great.
4-Montebello, Daufuskie Island, Bourbon’s Hope.
5-I’m Perfect Too, Mill Stone Creek, Caumsett.
6-I’m Fine, Friedman entry, Ok Honey.
7-Make Mischief, A Bit o’Irish Sass, Coffee Bar.
8-Rinaldi, Mo Ready, City Man.
9-Americanrevolution, Bobby Bo, Anejo.
10-Myhartblongstodady, Chocolate Cookie, Classic Lady.
11-Tackle, Ghostmon, Brennan’s War.
ROB WHITLOCK (87/316, 27.5 percent):
1-Open Til Midnight, Devil Or Angel, Sandrone.
2-November Rein, Velvet Sister, Miss Alacrity.
3-Yarrow, King Moonracer, Barrage.
4-Run Curtis Run, Bourbon’s Hope, Who Hoo That’s Me.
5-No Payne, Caumsett, Baudi Moovan.
6-Jamaica Joy, Bustin Bay, I’m Fine.
7-Make Mischief, Coffee Bar, A Bit o’Irish Sass.
8-Mo Ready, City Man, Graded On A Curve.
9-Americanrevolution, Bingo John, Joey Loose Lips.
10-Classic Lady, Chocolate Cookie, Giacosa.
11-Tackle, War Novel, Brennan’s War.
JESSICA PAQUETTE (70/316, 22.2 percent):
1-Devil Or Angel, Surprise Boss, Sandrone.
2-Miss Alacrity, Velvet Sister, November Rein.
3-Umbria, Mr. Connecticut, Barrage.
4-Senbei, Run Curtis Run, Montebello.
5-Sinfully Sweet, No Payne, Baudi Moovan.
6-Jamaica Joy, Bustin Bay, I’m Fine.
7-Coffee Bar, Betsy Blue, Pay Grade.
8-Rinaldi, Mo Ready, Microsecond.
9-Americanrevolution, It’s A Gamble, Bingo John.
10-Giacosa, Kreesie, Classic Lady.
11-Tackle, High Tone, War Novel.
