The final week of the 2018 Saratoga Race Course meeting starts Wednesday with a 10-race card that includes the last steeplechase of the season and the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes for 2-year-olds on the grass.
The With Anticipation, won last year by eventual Travers winner Catholic Boy, attracted eight entrants for the turf and four main track only runners. Swamp Rat, runner-up in the Skidmore Stakes Aug. 17 for Phil Gleaves, is the 5-2 choice on the morning line.
Seven older horses entered the $65,000 steeplechase allowance that goes as the first race on the card. Dark Gemini, second to Boss Man in a similar allowance Aug. 1, is the 8-5 choice on the line for trainer Jack Fisher. Others entered in the competitive 2 3/8-mile event include Las Shani, Wild Dynaformer, Dancin In The Rain and First Friday.
The Saratoga Special’s handicappers are back after a day off Tuesday. John Shapazian continues to lead the quartet with 94 winners from 339 races – a 27.7 percent strike rate. Charles Bedard (80) and Tom Law (78) are in a tight battle for the second spot with Donald Phillips (59) at the back.
Here are the picks for Wednesday, Aug. 29. Take care and good luck.
JOHN SHAPAZIAN (95/339):
1-Dark Gemini, Wild Dynaformer, Last Shani.
2-Salt Pond, Brooklyn Gerty, Miss Kapinator.
3-Anne Dupree, Street Passion, No Deal.
4-Sanavi, Klaravich entry, Short List.
5-More Mischief, Chillinwithfriends, No Stone Unturned.
6-Sensible Myth, Dubb entry, Shanghai Glory.
7-Y’all Wicked, Fair Regis, Out Of Orbit.
8-Aveenu Malcainu, Wicked Macho, The Caretaker.
9-Joyful Heart, Henley’s Joy, Seanow.
10-Pirelli Tower, High Conviction, The Sheik Of Araby.
CHARLES BEDARD (80/339):
1-Dark Gemini, Go Get The Basil, Last Shani.
2-Salt Pond, Brooklyn Gerty, Jordy’s Ready.
3-Paddydunalot, Sacrifice, Appreciate.
4-Trustworthy, Brown entry, Here Comes Your Man.
5-Chillinwithfriends, No Stone Unturned, More Mischief.
6-Englehart entry, Tres Charmant, Lune Lake.
7-Fair Regis, My Roxy Girl, Out Of Orbit.
8-The Caretaker, Aveeno Malcainu, Sudden Surprise.
9-Stage Left, Joyful Heart, Henley’s Joy.
10-Pirelli Tower, Milardo, Santo Antonio.
TOM LAW (78/339):
1-Dark Gemini, Last Shani, First Friday.
2-Brooklyn Gerty, Jordy’s Ready, Fingerpaint.
3-No Deal, Anne Dupree, Currency Chaos.
4-Brown entry, Herecomesyourman, Sport.
5-Chillinwithfriends, Midnitesalrigh, Alreadycelebrating.
6-Jazzy Juder, Sensible Myth, Tres Charmant.
7-Fair Regis, Out Of Orbit, Y’all Wicked.
8-Aveenu Malcainu, The Caretaker, Wicked Macho.
9-Joyful Heart, Seanow, Swamp Rat.
10-Curlin’s Legacy, Pirelli Towe, High Conviction.
DONALD PHILLIPS (59/339):
1-Dark Gemini, Dancin In The Rain, Last Shani.
2-Golden Vale, Salt Pond, Brooklyn Gerty.
3-No Deal, A Bit Of Mischief, Anne Dupree.
4-Shortlist, Brown entry, Sport.
5-Chillinwithfriends, Midnightsalright, No Stone Unturned.
6-Jazzy Juder, Sensible Myth, Animauxselle.
7-Fair Regis, Out Of Orbit, Lucky Move.
8-Aveenu Malcainu, Candid Desire, Stretch’s Stone.
9-Somelikeithotbrown, Opry, Swamp Rat.
10-Curlin’s Legacy, Pirelli Tower, Whiskey Run.
