Travers All Stakes Pick Four

You want to try work...try picking a winning play everyday at Saratoga. I gave it the old college try at my handicapping website: coasttocoasthandicapping.com for about three weeks and have recently given it a rest. 0-for-three weeks will do that to you. Luckily I've hit a few Pick Threes to keep my online account going.

Allow me to provide you with a quick and inexpensive All Stakes Pick Four. Remember you get what you pay for and this advice is free.

Race 9 Ballston Spa - 1 1/16 miles on turf...likely a very wet turf, if the forecast holds. I'm going three deep here:

• #1 Rutherieene - all heart, all the time
• #2 My Princess Jess - second off layoff and won Spa stakes last year at this distance on a soft turf
• #3 Closeout - also likes a cut in the grass, third off long layoff and has right to improve

Race 10 Ballerina - 7 furlongs in which I will go with a single...

• #2 Informed Decision - 5-for-5 at this distance and has won on wet, synthetic and fast tracks. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard knows how to get her ready off the bench, and she will be tough tracking a far less spectacular Indian Blessing.

Race 11 King's Bishop - 7 furlongs for very fast three-year-olds in which I spread far and wide...

• #1 Vineyard Haven - back to Spa success off the bench, pushes Big Drama
• #2 Munnings - very quick, cuts back to more reasonable distance after finishing behind Rachel Alexandra on Jersey shore
• #3 Capt. Candyman Can - couldn't catch Quality Road in last, but is quick enough for these
• #5 Despite the Odds - this is Saratoga, isn't it...check out 104 Beyer in Belmont slop, why not a repeat here?
• #8 Big Drama - likes to win and this is probably his optimum distance

Race 12 Travers - 1 1/4 miles on likely sloppy and sealed track...

• #2 Charitable Man - is best bred for the distance, which could be undoing of chalk and just about everyone else in here. Big wet number and gets better draw than Kensei this time
• #4 Quality Road - most talented three-year-old colt, one the few who could possibly catch Ms. Rachel. Have to include talent despite distance concern for me

The play and the cost: $1 Pick Four: 1-2-3/2/1-2-3-5-8/2-4 for $30. For kicks and giggles I'll play a straight $2 Pick Four of 2/2/2/2... stranger things have happened. Good luck.