Opening Day 2024

As a courtesy to our new customers, Fred’s Daily Picks for Opening Day at Saratoga, July 11, 2024 are FREE for all.

FREDTHEHORSE.NET
JULY 11, 2024
OPENING DAY 2024

Greetings Horse fans! It is a great day for many reasons: 1) summer officially begins with the opening of Saratoga, 2) Fred is feeling great about the meet, and 3) this sheet of selections marks a change for Fred as he officially enters the world of professional handicapping. As we start this endeavor I have a couple of promises. I will always be straight with my followers – when I am hot I will tell you and same goes for cold spells (they happen). I will report the previous day’s outcomes to give you a solid understanding of how the track is playing and what to watch for. Lastly, I will endeavor to make this fun. Saratoga Race Course remains one of elite sporting venues in America! Let’s enjoy it and see if we can make some money together.
Onward and upward!
1st Race
A cheap claiming race to start the meet so Fred will box some exactas and wheel a couple of $2 doubles to start the day. The bets: $2 exacta box 3, 7, 9 and $2 daily doubles 3, 7, 9 with 1, 2, 5
(Total bets: $30)
2nd Race
Marathon on the turf and Fred sees his favorite grass trainer, Graham Motion, with a live one against a couple who have shown ability in the past. The bets: $3 exacta box 1, 2, 5 (Total bets: $18) UPDATE: Off the turf so new bets: $2 exacta box 2, 8, 9
3rd Race
Another cheap claimer race with a dreadful field. Fred will take a flyer on Ray Handal first time starter. The bets. $2 exacta wheel 9 with all.

(Total bets $20)
4th Race
A nice field in a turf sprint finds Eddie Kennealy and Wesley Ward bringing LJ’s Emma and Shootoutthelights back to the Spa having won here last summer. Let’s box them and watch them! The bets: $10 exacta box 6, 7 (Total bets: $20) UPDATE: Off the turf so new bets: $2 exacta box 1, 4, 7

5th Race
A Maiden Special Weight event for 3 year olds finds a field late to the races for various reasons. Fred will box and watch. The bets: $1 exacta box 1, 7, 8, 10

(Total bets: $12)
6th Race
First two-year race of the meet. A Fred hunch on a baby. The bets: $5 win/place on 6 (Total bets: $10)
7th Race
A very nice field of turf sprinters on the 7th. Hard to separate so Fred goes box again. The bets: $2 exacta box 6, 7, 9 Total bets $12 UPDATE: Off the turf so new bets: $2 exacta box 10, 11, 13
8th Race
A mile and a 1/16 on the turf and Fred goes with his first bomb of the meet, shipping in from Florida. The bets: $2 exacta wheel 10 with all. Total bets: $18 UPDATE: Off the turf so new bets: $2 exacta box 11, 12, 14
9th Race
What field for an Allowance Optional Claiming race! Several of these raced in Grade 1, 2 and Grade 3 stakes races. It looks like injuries derailed bigger dreams. Chad Brown’s Blazing Sevens broke his maiden at the Spa and ran a close second in the Preakness last year. Billy Mott’s Rocket Can was near the lead of the Kentucky Derby before tiring badly last year. His return to racing looked good so Fred leans that way. The bets: $3 exacta wheel 6 with all.

Total bets: $30
10th Race – The Schuylerville
A two-year old stakes for fillies finds a field loaded with speed. Fred will box a couple of stalkers. The bets: $2 exacta box 1, 3, 6

(Total bets: $12)
11th Race
Fred will stick to his tradition of playing triples in the last race of the day. The bets: $1 triple wheel 7,9, 12 with 7,9, 12 with all.

Total bets $30. UPDATE: Off the turf so new bets: $1 triple 12, 15, 16 with 12, 15, 16 with all.

Good luck and May the Horse be with you!