Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Jeff Siegel’s “Daily Analysis and Wagering Strategies” isolates those horses that should be included in daily doubles, pick-3s, pick-4s, pick-5s, and the pick-6.
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It is recommended that Jeff’s selections be used to augment the reader’s own personal handicapping, though excellent results can be achieved by applying the rolling exotic strategy specified by Jeff’s analysis. Jeff’s recommended plays are intended for players with a moderate budget; however, readers are encouraged to adjust Jeff’s wagering strategy to fit their preferred investment level.
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Grade A=Highest degree of confidence.
Grade B=Solid Play.
Grade C=Least preferred, or pass.
Grade X=probable winner but odds are not likely to offer wagering value.
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The selections are available every racing day after morning scratches. For updates, please follow us on twitter @jsiegelracing.

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Saratoga Analysis and Wagering Strategies:

RACE 1: Post 1:10 ET. Grade: C+
Use: 3-Sam and Sy; 8-What’s My Category

Forecast: The opener – a five and one-half furlong sprint for maiden state-bred 2-year-olds, has been transferred to the main track and should be treated with caution. Sam and Sy has done some good work in the a.m. for B. Cox (average stats with first-timers) and seems as a good as any in what amounts to an educated guessing game. A $75,000 OBS April sale purchase where he previewed in 10 1/5 seconds, the son of Speightster shows two recent local half-mile bullet works should have him on edge. What’s My Category flashed good speed before fading in his debut but with that race under his belt and this shortening in trip the son of Competitive Edge should stick a lot better. We’ll try to get by using just these two but if you can afford to spread deeper, go right ahead.
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RACE 2: Post 1:44 ET. Grade: C
Use: 2-Blood Moon; 6-Fried Rice King

Forecast: This restricted (nw-2) $16,000 claiming main track router drew just six entrants, with Blood Moon listed as the 3/5 morning line favorite. Yes, he should win, but as odds-on favorites go, we’ve seen more dependable. The 3-year-old son of Malibu Moon is a “need the lead” type and probably will get it, although Mucho Bay may have something to say about that. The D. Gargan-trained colt has a clear advantage over his weak foes in the speed figure department but only when he gets his way. If he gets pressured early by ‘Bay, Fried Rice King, dropping drastically in class very much like Blue Moon, could come running late. The Bernardini gelding broke his maiden two runs back by more than seven lengths before displaying nothing in a starter’s allowance race, so this class drop is warranted. In a race that probably is best left alone, we’ll go two-deep in our rolling exotics but that’s about it.
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RACE 3: Post 2:18 ET. Grade: B
Use: 4-No Mo’ Spending; 6-Elusive Site

Forecast: No Mo’ Spending has the benefit of two races under her belt and unless there’s a good thing among the first time starters the daughter of Uncle Mo should earn her diploma today in this extended sprint for maiden-special-weight juvenile fillies. Today’s extra furlong should promote her chances significantly after she earned a better than par speed figure when third in a tougher spot earlier this month. Elusive Site has some talent, though we suspect she’ll eventually do her best going long on grass. We’ll include her on a ticket or two as back-up while reserving the main punch for No Mo’ Spending.
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RACE 4: Post 2:51 ET. Grade: C
Use: 3-Siding Spring; 5-Mills

Forecast: This race has been taken off the turf, extended to a mile and one-eighth, and will go with just five runners. Siding Spring is capable on dirt and should find himself on or near the lead throughout, while MTO entrant Mills is an old pro capable of winning as a stalker or a closer and in a small field should have every chance to tag the leaders. In a race that we’ll otherwise leave alone, both should be included in rolling exotic play.
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RACE 5: Post 3:24 ET. Grade: C+
Use: 1a-Traffic Lane; 5-Red Ghost; 13-Split Then Double; 15-Cease and Desist

Forecast: This maiden juvenile sprint race for fillies has been transferred from turf to the main track. Red Ghost, from the W. Ward barn, has three local works that have been slow and easy but at Keeneland last month the daughter of Ghostzapper registered a bullet half mile gate drill in :46 1/5 seconds to indicate she has plenty of speed and ability. She should be cranked up and ready to roll. Split then Double, Cease and Desist and Traffic Lane draw in from the also-eligible list and hail from top stables, so they’re probably worth including somewhere on your ticket as well.
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RACE 6: Post 3:57 ET. Grade: C
Use: 2-Summer Bourbon; 3-O Shea Can U See; 5-Zinbuce; 7-Local Hero

Forecast: Here’s a messy $12,500 claimer that requires a significant spread in rolling exotic play. We’ll go four-deep but you should use as many as your budget allows. Summer Bourbon plummets from $25,000 after three consecutive substandard efforts and may return to life against this group. The veteran gelding likes to settle in the second flight and produce a late kick and given that type of trip today he should have every chance. O Shea Can U See exits the same race as Summer Bourbon and is another that should appreciate this easier assignment. He’s a deep closer with a very good lifetime record at this six and one-half furlong trip (four wins in 10 starts) so with some help up front he should be heard from late. Zonic is another that likes to produce one late run and though he usually settles for minor awards the son of Ghostzapper hails from a barn that’s been red hot all meeting so we’ll list him a legit contender. Local Hero is worth tossing in somewhere as well; he’s been away since February and is waiver protected and returns after earning a career top speed figure in a runway win at the Big A that he may (or, may not) be able duplicate under these conditions.
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RACE 7: Post 4:32 ET. Grade: B-
Use: 4-Pecatonica; 12-Blue Atlas

Forecast: Blue Atlas is drawn outside but is good enough to win this allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares if she can negotiate a decent trip. She’s capable of winning on the lead or from off the pace, so the options are there for J. Ortiz to play it by ear depending upon the race flow. Pecatonica, third in the same race Blue Atlas finished second in last month, had a rough trip and should have been a lot closer. A two-time winner (in three starts) over the local lawn, the Temple City filly goes for the Clement-Rosario team and seems the one to fear most. Both should be included in rolling exotic play.
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RACE 8: Post 5:07 ET. Grade: B
Use: 4-Gandy Dancing; 8-Harris Bay

Forecast: Harris Bay may have been a tad rusty when a troubled third in his first outing since January four weeks ago in similar state-bred first-level allowance sprint and seems very likely to produce a significant forward move today. Most comfortable as a late-running sprinter, the sophomore son of Carpe Diem retains J. Alvarado and with good racing luck will make his presence felt in the final furlong. Gandy Dancing, second in the same race ‘Bay exits, will help ensure a decent pace and if he can shake loose early he may get brave and keep on going. The lightly-raced son of Flatter should continue to improve with experience and is properly listed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. Both should be included in you rolling exotics.
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RACE 9: Post 5:46 ET. Grade: B-
Use: 3-Letruska; 5-Golden Award; 6-Nonna Madeline

Forecast: Letruska stretches out and tries an easier assignment after pressing a blazing pace and then paying the price when weakening to be fifth in the Ballerina S.-G1 earlier this month. She’s clearly the controlling speed in this nine furlong Grade-3 event and if she clears without undue pressure (as projected by our pace scenario) the daughter of Super may roll all the way to the wire. Nonna Madeline and Golden Award, first and second in the listed Summer Colony S. over this track and distance in early August, are dangerous right back despite the step up in class to graded stakes company. Both prefer to stalk and pounce and based strictly on speed figures are both competitive with our top pick. We’ll give Letruska the edge but include all three in rolling exotic play.
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RACE 10: Post 6:16 ET. Grade: C+
Use: 3-Modern Science; 4-Shirelle

Forecast: Modern Science has the benefit of a couple of runs on his belt and the improving son of Galileo should be set to graduate unless there’s a better than average first-timer in the field. Shirelle has looked decent in a series of grass works for C. Brown and may be the most dangerous of the newcomers. In what amounts to a grass grab bag, these are the two we’ll be using in our rolling exotics.