Avenger, you lurking out there? How's the American racing been going? I really like some at Saratoga this Saturday. Travers Day, no less, but I've been waiting for a couple of these to run back. FIRST SAMURAI will try to step to the next level when the 2 year old takes on the top-rated Hugh Hennesy in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at 7f. The Frank Brothers Trainee ran roughshod over his last allowance field at the Spa on Haskell Saturday. Bailey rode one mount at Saratoga that day (Samurai), hopped on the plane, flew to Monmouth, couldn't land at the scheduled airport, landed at another, made it in time to win the Haskell on Bob BAffert's 3yo ROMAN RULER who crushed that field and is entered in the Travers on Sat. I like him too as he crushed Flower Alley earlier in the Saratoga Meet and could realistically be the top horse in training in the world today. He was injured earlier in the year and is now ready to show his top stuff.

Many people think the undefeated LOST IN THE FOG is the best around, but I highly doubt it. He looks like a sprinter only and has ducked all the top three year olds and is obviously pointing to the BC Sprint. But he is going to lose the 7 furlong KING BISHOP STAKES to the Steve Asmussen trained SANTANA STRINGS who eclipsed the field in the 7f Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago. He will be a nice price and really may be the best sprinter going. Definitely a good value play.

Zito has a 2yo who was scratced last weekend on a rainy day in a msw, but is scheduled to run on Sat. I can't remember his name right now but I'll get it in a minute.
The big most important thing about all these selections is how the track is playing. Speed has been holding in sprints, closers or stalkers in dirt routes, and honest on the turf but I'm watching the rest of the week closely.

Gotta go play some Aussies now. Hoping Mr. Ed, Sportz and Mav come through like usual!!!!