Friday Dad's Hat Happy Hour Horse Racing: Garrity picks Ellis Park, Gulfstream Park, Saratoga and Woodbine

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for another edition of Dad’s Hat Happy Hour Handicapping. And it’s a good one, with five races from four tracks, all in a span of about an hour’s time. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all races, and there’s money to be made, so let’s go.

Ellis Park, Race 7, 4:40 pm ET

Allowance, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 2-Year-Olds

A field of eight lines up for the 7th at Ellis Park in Kentucky. In a good betting race, the pick is 3-Deal Go Down, who has the most important asset in these juvenile races: abundant early speed. He broke his maiden in wire-to-wire fashion at Gulfstream Park on June 11, and we see a similar result today. We will bet him to win at 4-1. The bet: Ellis Park, Race 7, $35 to win on 3-Deal Go Down.

Gulfstream Park, Race 6, 4:46 pm ET

Allowance/Optional Claiming, 6 furlongs, Dirt, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up

Six go in this second-level allowance in South Florida. The pick is 2-Awesome Annmarie, who has good speed figures, and who should get an ideal trip pressing the pace from her inside post. We will bet her to win at 2-1. The bet: Gulfstream Park, Race 6, $35 to win on 2-Awesome Annmarie.

Saratoga, Race 8, 5:05 pm ET

Allowance, 7 furlongs, Dirt, New York-breds 3 & Up

This first-level allowance for horses bred in the Empire State drew a field of eight. The main track at Saratoga has been quite speed-favoring so far, and that makes the play 5-Colormepazzi, a 4-year-old who has shown in the past that he can get brave when given an uncontested early lead. We think he will get just that today, as his early-pace figures are clearly superior to the rest of the field, and on the speed-favoring Saratoga dirt, that makes his 6-1 odds very attractive. We will bet him to win. The bet: Saratoga, Race 8, $40 to win on 4-Colormepazzi.

Saratoga, Race 9, 5:39 pm ET
Grade 3 Lake George Stakes, 1 mile, Turf, 3-Year-Old Fillies

The 2021 edition of the Lake George came up a terrific race, from both a sporting and wagering standpoint, with a full field of ten going to the gate. We like 6-Amy C, who won her U.S. debut for trainer Chad Brown in a Belmont Park allowance on June 25. That race was impressive any way you slice it, but a deeper look at it makes it look even better, as she was squeezed at the break, gave the field a five-length head start, and still managed to close late to win by a half-length. We expect better luck at the start for her today, and that, coupled with the fact that horses tend to run better in their second North American start, means she is very, very dangerous. At 9/2, we like her chances, and will bet her to win. The bet: Saratoga, Race 9, $50 to win on 6-Amy C.

Woodbine, Race 3, 5:46 pm ET

$15,000 Claiming, 1 1/16 miles, Turf, 3 & Up

Eleven go to the post in this claimer at Woodbine. We like a price, 5-Redoute’s Light, who is not exactly a win machine, with only two victories in 22 starts, and he is coming off two subpar efforts, but those races were on synthetic, and he’s always been better on turf. He’s dropping in class in this spot, and we think the 6-year-old gelding’s back class gives him a chance. At 15-1, we’ll bet on it. We will play him to win. The bet: Woodbine, Race 3, $30 to win on 5-Redoute’s Light.

That’s all for today. Until tomorrow, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.