Friday Morning Notes

- A really bad spill in the 5th at Belmont on Thursday resulted in the on-track euthanization of two horses. I don't want to watch it, so I'll just link to this graphic account in the NY Post if you're interested. John Velazquez, who was thrown from several mounts at Saratoga, and Javier Castellano were taken to the hospital, but both are said to be basically OK by Ed Fountaine in this article; but we'll keep an eye on that.

Whatsmore, Fountaine reports that Tiz Wonderful suffered a life threatening injury during his second place finish on Wednesday after which he was vanned off. Add these to a fatality on opening day, and the meet is not off to a good start at all in that respect.

But life goes on. I'm afraid to pick any horses here given my dismal recent record, but I guess one has to get back on the horse so to speak. So here are some quick pix for today: Double Dinghy Day looks like a solid favorite in the first for Frank Alexander (Castellano named to ride). He won his last, defeating Going Day, who came back to run a close second for my man Graham Motion, and moves up in class off a steady string of improving figs.

Let's try him in the early double with three in the second other than the top two morning line choices. Contessa is hot; he had two winners on Thursday and five on the young meeting thus far. Tinted Moon drops in class after an even 4th behind two well-bet first-timers and a Mott; her prior was a nice close this claiming level in the slop at Calder. Whirling Agatha goes out first time off a solid string of works for Allen Jerkens, who won with first-timer Merchant Marine at 11-1 on Thursday. And Carl Domino is one of those guys who has been knock-knock-knocking at the door. In the last two days, and with his last two entries, he's been second and third - both first-time starters in maiden claimers like this, and at long odds. Chaysin' Alex was second at 59-1 yesterday. Here, Always Enchanting (12-1) also makes her debut and does so off a similar workout pattern to the others.

And I like Too Risky in the 7th. He takes a big class drop for the capable trainer Mike Miceli off what are all really solid efforts against far better. He had no shot whatsoever in a quickly run affair at Monmouth in his last, and always tries. I love drop downs like this. Good luck and have a great day!