Curci's Corner: Saturday, July 2

fared a lot better than mine Friday, which only makes sense, as he is a professional handicapper who has been following thoroughbred racing for years, and my strategy is to pick horses based on their recent performances and the records of jockeys and trainers.

Mike's Friday Winners

1st race winner - paid $6.00

2nd race winner - $29.00 (Daily Double paid $78.00, Exacta paid $118.00, trifecta paid $864.70 with Mike's top 3 horses.

8th race winner - paid $8.00

10th race winner - paid $3.60

Race 11 exacta box - paid $31.20

Race 12 winner - paid - $9.20

Greg's Friday Winners

None. Two of my picks showed (thanks Mistressia and Courage to Be), two were scratched, and one is still running. Let's leave the handicapping to the professionals, shall we?

Mike's Saturday Picks

1st – 7-3-1-5

2nd – 6-9-1E-2

3rd – 5-3-1E-2X

4th – 2-4-1-3

5th – 7-1-2-8

6th – 1-5-2-7

7th – 3-8-2-5

8th – 9-5-3-7

9th – 7-3-2-11

10th – 7-3-2-1

11th – 4-5-2-9

12th – 11-10-8-3

View all of today's entries on Equibase

Grade 3 Salvator Mile Stakes (Race 10 - 5:28 p.m.)
$200,000

1 – Rule

• 3rd in Gr. 1 Donn H.
• 2 for 4 at distance

2 – Morning Line

• won Gr. 1 Carter in NY
• working well for Zito

Grade 1 United Nations Stakes (Race 11 - 5:59 p.m.)
$750,000

2 – Bourbon Bay

•  Gr. 2 winner for Neil Drysdale

3 – Teaks North

• Grade 1 winner last captured Monmouth Stakes

9 – Chinchon

• defending champ makes his return to U.S.

Horses to Watch

3rd - # 5 The Hidden Ace

• career debut for Larry Jones (23% barn)
• steady morning works
• go-to rider in for ride (29% combo)

4th - # 2 Old Man Buck

• 2 wins in 3 starts at mile distance
• needs to avoid speed duel with # 4 Seventh Star
• barn 17% in route races
• Santiago riding well in limited starts

5th  - # 7 Hollywood Left

• barn 21% 2nd start off bench
• stalking style is perfect for this spot
• 9 for 25 at distance
• touch of class relief

6th - # 1 Y To Cat

• value play (12-1) capable of upset
• can save ground from inside going long
• speed figures fit with group on best

Early Double

1st  Race

# 7 – New Adventure

• 3rd after dueling in return
• class drop for leading barn
• 22% jockey-trainer combo
• use with 3-1-5

2nd Race

# 6 Hard Rock Candy

• 23% Vega barn ships in
• 5 for 6 in the money lifetime
• showed speed in Philly & adds C.C. Lopez
• use with 9-1E-2