Somehow, despite listing five top winners and Sadler’s Joy, who got popped at the wire, I had a very marginal day yesterday as Spring Valley crushed my late Pick Tickets (I used Sadler’s Joy and Hi Happy, who were both within a neck), and $30 Prince Lucky busted me out of the early picks.

Justify performed as expected in winning the Belmont Stakes. He gave me a brief scare with the 23 and change first quarter, but settled into stride and won easily. I was surprised by the strong late run from Gronkowski- he looked like he was floundering in the first 3/8 of a mile, but figured it out halfway through. Worth keeping an eye on. Not sure how much of that was simply passing tired horses. With that late kick I wouldn’t be surprised to see him show up on the turf sometime either.

I’d keep American Pharoah slightly ahead of Justify on my all-timers list, based on the quality of horses AP beat, as well as carrying his form all year through the Haskell and Breeders Cup. On raw ability, I have them about even. What Justify does the rest of the year will matter to his legacy (not that winning the Triple Crown is a bad legacy). An amazing journey to go from unraced maiden to TC winner so quickly !

Back to Saturday, sometimes, I need to take my own advice more.

Raving Beauty ($9.30, 5.20)and Bee Jersey ($8.50, 4.60) represented excellent value on the horses I liked best in each race).

Part of starting this blog was to better define my handicapping thoughts. I think I need to become more of a “pick 1” player than a pick 4/5 player … 🙂

Onward ! I’ll take a bit of a break, watching more than playing, trying to build a book of playbacks for Saratoga. I’ll post from time to time if there is one I plan to dip in and play.

Happy Handicapping!