Coast-to-coast

This week we had two winners in six races (Belmont, $6.90; Arlington, $9.40) for a respectable 36% ROI in the win-only category.

But things didn't stop there! We were pretty solid with the plays in the CCA Oaks with our top pick keying a nice little exacta and tri for us. Got some of our money back in the American Derby but were disappointed that we couldn't complete the tri. A little later on at Arlington we managed some boxed gimmicks in the Modesty. And in our nightcap we picked up a decent little boxed exacta and tri. All in all it was just enough to put us over the top.

Overall, for the month of July we managed an OK 9% ROI with our Coast-to-coast plays. To recap week-by-week use the archive link at the bottom of the page.

WAGERED: $288.00
COLLECTED: $314.30

Our Best Bets feature continues to roll along as one of the best kept secrets in racehorse handicapping. We roll into our Saratoga hiatus having put together four straight months of double-digit ROIs. We ended July with a 21% ROI and our total ROI dating back to Jan 1 is 78% overall and 55% in the win-only category.

As always our plays -- hits and misses -- are available for review at the Best Bets archive page.

Taking a look back at this week, we were on fire early... The day started with a meager win as Blackfeet was the first race to go to post of our selections. That was followed by the nice win in the American Derby by Gun Salute at a generous 7-2. So, our first two races were wins and already we zipped past the break-even point. The gravy came with the victory by Smuggler in the CCA Oaks. Now we had three more shots -- and they were simply for whipped cream and a cherry on top, so the disappointment at their failure was brief and slight.

Belmont, Race 8, Smuggler... WON (6.90, 3.30, 2.20).
Monmouth, Race 2, Blackfeet... WON (3.80, 2.60, 2.40).
Monmouth, Race 10, Why Not Today... 8th at 9-5.
Arlington, Race 5, Gun Salute... WON (9.40, 3.40, 2.80).
Arlington, Race 7, Artiste Royal... 6th at 7-2.
Arlington, Race 9, Shaconage... 2nd at 4-5 (xxx, 2.60, 2.10).

Smuggler 2-1
Summerly 7-2
Spun Sugar 3-1

Wager: $5 WP on Smuggler.
Collected $25.50 on the WP (6.90, 3.30).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$2 exacta key Smuggler over next three.
Collected $25.20 on the ex box ($25.20/$2).
...$2 tri key Smuggler over next three.
Collected $45.80 on the tri key ($45.80/$2).
...$1 tri key Spun Sugar over other three.
Ran 3/1-2-4.

Smuggler...Solid 6-4-2-0 record including a nice win in G1 Mother Goose last time. Should appreciate the trip.
Spun Sugar...Just missed against top pick in Mother Goose and the one to beat again.
For All We Know...Undefeated. Faces toughest test but could be this good.
Summerly.

Gun Salute 7-2
Purim 1-1
Exceptional Ride 6-1

Wager: $5 WP on Gun Salute.
Collected $32.00 on the WP (9.40, 3.40).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $10.00 on the ex box ($20.00/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-5-6.

Gun Salute...Trainer Mott having a good year and this guy seems to be an improved 3YO and comes into this race off of a nice try in a G3 at Churchill.
Merger...Euro-shipper from trainer who has had a lot of success in this race.
Purim...We had him as a Best Bet when he won the G3 Arlington Classic at a generous 3-1. Undefeated in three tries and daylight wins seem to indicate he might have more upside. Would be no surprise but this is his sternest test yet.
General Jumbo.

Cool Conductor 2-1
Vangelis 7-5
Major Rhythm 14-1

Wager: $5 WP on Artiste Royal.
Ran 6th at 7-2.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-6.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $6.60 on the ex box ($13.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-2-5-6.

Artiste Royal...Euro-shippers often a step faster than their US counterparts and this field seems to be mostly second-stringers. Fits here.
Vangelis...Clearly the horse to beat. Has been facing some good ones in SoCal.
Cool Conductor...Looks to be in good, improving form. Close-up fourth in G1 last time out.
Cloudy's Knight.

Noisette 5-1
Shaconage 4-5
Spring Season 6-1

Wager: $5 WP on Shaconage.
Collected $6.50 on the WP (xxx, 2.60).
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $11.60 on the ex box ($23.20/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $55.30 on the tri box ($110.60/$2).

Shaconage...Looked like a winner last time when nipped late in G3 at Churchill. Probably better if able to sit off the pace and that scenario might play out today.
Spring Season...Sheppard/Augustin runner is in top form right now.
Noisette...Another from Mott. Typically is in the hunt.
Cape Town Lass.

Amorama 7-1
Island Fashion 8-1
Intercontinental 6-5

Wager: $5 WP on Intercontinental.
Ran 3rd.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 1-3.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Ran 1-3-6-8.
...$1 tri box top four.
Ran 1-3-6-8.

Intercontinental...Not sure this is her best trip but she won at 8.5F three back so she should handle the trip if it sets up right. Tepid pick in contentious race.
Amorama...Likes the track and looks to be coming into this in good form.
Ticker Tape...Solid as a 3YO could be rounding into good 4YO form now.
Winendynme.

Soldier's Kiss 2-1
Gn Group Meeting 8-1
Short Route 7-2

Wager: $5 WP on Cee's Irish.
Ran 7th at 3-1.
...$2 exacta box top two.
Ran 2-7.
...$1 exacta box top four.
Collected $21.50 on the ex box $43.00/$2).
...$1 tri box top four.
Collected $74.30 on the tri box ($148.60/$2).

Cee's Irish...Just missed in a couple of graded race last two -- and now faces Cal-breds.
Gn Group Meeting...Figures are improving and should appreciate return to sprints and state-breds.
Soldier's Kiss...Brings in a three-race streak and looks capable of competing here.
Short Route.

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