Devil May Care vs. Blind Luck in Alabama
- Who: Thoroughbreds – Devil May Care, Blind Luck, Gio Ponti
- What: Horse Racing Betting Tips – The Alabama, The Arlington Million
- Where: Saratoga, Arlington
- When: Saturday, August 21st
East meets west this Saturday when the top two 3YO fillies in the country, Devil May Care and Blind Luck, square off in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Alabama. Meanwhile, in the nation’s mid-section, the teak tough Gio Ponti takes on all comers in The Arlington Million. Outsiders had better bring their running shoes.
Devil May Care (morning line favorite at 7-5) enjoys the home-court advantage against Blind Luck (8-5), who must ship in from her Del Mar base. The Todd Pletcher-trained Devil May Care also boasts a perfect 2-for-2 mark over the Saratoga strip, while Blind Luck makes her first appearance locally. One thing characterizes all of Devil May Care’s five victories – she’s had the lead at the top of the stretch, and in all but one instance, increased her margin at the finish. That spells trouble for a come-from-the-clouds type like Blind Luck. As for the 1 ¼-mile distance of the Alabama, I can’t help feeling that Blind Luck’s pedigree (grandsire Carson City was a sprinter) may pose a problem in her first attempt going this far. Havre de Grace (4-1) was nosed by Blind Luck last out in The Delaware Oaks, but she too has Carson City in her bloodlines (maternal grandsire). I’ll bet on #2-Devil May Care to win, and use her in a straight exacta over #4-Blind Luck…pretty chalky, but I can’t see it any other way, barring horrendous racing luck.
The Arlington Million looks equally chalky, as turf champ Gio Ponti faces nine runners whose accomplishments don’t quite stack up. Marsh Side is a multiple Grade 1 winner, but he seems to be at his best going a mile-and-a-half at Woodbine. None of the foreign invaders (Debussy, Tazeez and Summit Surge) are true Group 1 types overseas, and should be considered for minor awards only. General Quarters (8-1) won the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs three back, but disappointed recently in The Arlington Handicap at the Arlington Million distance of 1 ¼ miles. Just as Well (3-1-2-0) and Rahystrada (2-2-0-0) have done well on the Arlington sod, and are playable underneath in the exacta. I’ll bet on #6-Gio Ponti to win and key him over #4-Just as Well and #7-Rahystrada in the exacta.
Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!
