Juvenile singles for Saturday Pick 4s at Saratoga, Del Mar

A short field of five will line up for today’s Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga (race 10) and Pure Silver puts a 3-for-3 record on the line as the expected odds-on favorite. She’s never been headed in previous starts and with the inside presence of Separationofpowers, a spectacular 11-length wire-to-wire debut scorer, expect a hot pace in the 7-furlong race.

#5 Maya Malibu rallied to win going away by six lengths at Delaware Park in her first outing, scoring impressively as the 3-5 favorite at 6-furlongs, and the Malibu Moon filly hails from Delaware H. (G2) winner and Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Island Sand.

"She's a filly I liked since day one," trainer Graham Motion said. "She's done everything very easily and has a touch of class about her. It's a really good family and I thought the distance should help."

Maya Malibu figures to receive an ideal set-up, with her main rivals potentially softening each other up, and I like her chances from off the pace with Javier Castellano.

At Del Mar (race 8), #1 St Patrick’s Day wheels back off a 13-day rest following a solid runner-up debut showing for Bob Baffert. The full-brother to American Pharoah looks poised to school today’s opponents on the front end with Flavien Prat.

I will single Maya Malibu and St Patrick’s Day in Pick 4 wagers. Here are my thoughts on the sequences:

Saratoga (races 9-12):

#4 Bricks and Mortars is the one to beat in the 9th race, the Saranac (G3), and I will save on a ticket with #1 Mr Havercamp, #2 Yoshida, #3 Master Plan and #9 Rocketry.

#2 Gun Runner makes his final Breeders’ Cup Classic prep against a only four rivals in the Woodward (G1) and while he’s eligible to keep rolling off a superb Whitney (G1) performance, #3 Rally Cry merits respect. The improving 4-year-old exits an 8 ¾-length romp in the August 6 Alydar that earned a 109 BRIS Speed rating.

Turf distaffers will square off in the 12^th race, the Ballston Spa (G3), and expected favorite #4 War Flag appears to be building toward a strong showing for Shug McGaughey. However, I am hoping for a price by using the “all” button on a pair of tickets.

50-cent Pick 4 tickets (races 9-12):

4 with 5 with 2,3 with all ($9)

1,2,3,9 with 5 with 2 with all ($18)

$10 Pick 4:

4-5-2-4 ($10)

Del Mar (races 8-11):

St. Patrick's Day's heat kicks off the Pick 4 and I will spread in the remaining legs.

In the 9^th race, the John C. Mabee (G2), #3 Decked Out is my top pick. The Street Boss filly runs well fresh and makes her first appearance since winning the American Oaks (G1) on New Year’s Eve. She’ll be rolling late with Kent Desormeaux. #4 Cambodia, #5 Madame Stripes, #6 Mrs McDougal, #9 Pretty Girl, #10 Instant Erma and #13 Goodyearforroses are also in the mix.

Four-deep in the 10^th race with little separating #6 Airfoil, #7 He’saruler, #10 Alex Rossi and #12 Jes Jaa.

A turf maiden special weight concludes the program (11^th race) and I like #7 Taniko in his first turf start. #5 Cozmic One, #8 Combat Zone and #12 Ice Kat will also be included.

50-cent Pick 4 ticket (races 8-11):

1 with 3,4,5,6,9,10,13 with 6,7,10,12 with 5,7,8,12 ($56)

Total (Saratoga & Del Mar Pick 4s) = $93

Good luck!