Bosun Win on Sunday Lifts Bad-Trip ROI...and Additions

Of the five "bad-trip" horses I had identified as playable next out at Sarataga this past week, two (Bosun and Bottas) were winners, two finished a close third (All Star Leigh and Sky Low Low), and one never lifted his feet in his second lifetime start (Ed Charles). 

The net result on the five notional $2 win-place bets ($20 total) recommended here is a 31% ROI.  

Bosun won the finale (replay) on Sunday (SAR 11) from slightly off the pace and Bottas (replay) did the same on Friday in similar fashion. Both went off as underlays.

The Week Ahead for Bad Trippers

Mr. and Mrs. NJ Horseplayer are making the trip to Saratoga and will be on track Thursday and for much of Friday. Please drop a line if in the neighborhood.

A few of the horses I identified in Maybe I'm Trippin' are entered during the August 12-16 week, including Gum (9-2) and a horse that I accidently left off the initial list (Grace of Monaco, 20-1) in Wednesday's finale (SAR 9). At the time of writing, I'm inclined to side with the latter, but in the spirit of this exercise may notionally play both $2 win-place.  

On Friday, Ratu Jawa is entered in a $200,000 stake (SAR 9) - an enormous jump from allowance for a runner with one lifetime victory. 

I'll update the page if others are entered.

Additions to the Bad Trippers List

Again, with rudimentary notes from my Equibase stable.

Grace of Monaco: July 12, SAR6, 3rd LT start, 1x turf; deep field, was cut off then boxed in from gate, and then ran next 4 furlongs under complete hammer lock, was hemmed in on rail, never found opening, checked a few times, but made a nice shift out 1f from finish and passed a few; sense there's talent and may like turf, willing to give a shot next out. 

Market Timing: Stuck on rail SAR7 on August 6, under relative hammer lock most of SAR7 August 6, lightly raced (3x), looks good enough to step forward w/better luck.

Mo Misery: Chart understates trouble of hitting gate, moving 2-3x into first turn and seemingly almost tossing Junior Alvarado, who going into the first turn was bounced around by his horse, even having to sit on the saddle at one point, and sizeable check plus second smaller one in stretch but ran gangbusters late for third once free; two prior were dirt sprint so maybe turf rout is this one's strength.

Motorcycle Cop: Missed break SAR2 on August 6 from post 11 in a two-turn debut race, spotted field 15 lengths; sat patiently second-to-last thru backstretch then nice move second turn, way wide stretch but game 6th (just 1.5 lengths off fourth place), nice gallop out; perhaps a great learning experience; may be playable second start.

Nordic Fyre: Stumbled start SAR4 on August 9 and was cut off badly by horse that went nose to ground, spotted sprint field a ton but regained composure and grabbed third at 21-1 passing tired foes; think he could win at right price in soft spot, will be dismissed again.

Rufus the Red: Awful break August 7, SAR6, debut; checked a little bit but got into stride into turn and in stretch before flattening; could step forward with better start