CHAMPAGNE’S BEST BET

BANKROLL: $952

Even if you aren’t a fan of steeplechase racing, Thursday’s opener is worth your attention. It’s the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick, and among the runners is a horse named Mr. Hot Stuff. Way back in 2009, he ran in the Kentucky Derby. More recently, in 2013, he won this very race at Saratoga.

Four years after that Grade 1 triumph, and eight years after running on thoroughbred racing’s grandest stage, Mr. Hot Stuff will attempt to win another big race…at the age of 11 years young. Some of his Derby opponents have already had offspring win Grade 1 races and retire (most notably, Pioneerof the Nile’s American Pharoah), and yet here’s Mr. Hot Stuff, still competing at a high level over fences. Phenomenal, isn’t it?

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Key horse Finley’sluckycharm was defeated despite a huge Honorable Miss effort, but we still made out OK. We hit the $12.60 exacta five times, and our $25 investment returned a total of $63.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: I think Chad Brown’s in line for a big day, and I’ll single two of his entered betting interests in the early Pick Four. I’ll single #10 SILVER SHAKER in the third, punch the “ALL” button in the fourth, include #2 CYRIELLE and #3 PUTTINYOUONTHENEWS in the fifth, and single the entry of #1 RAY’S THE BAR and #1A TRICKED UP in the sixth. Due to the low cost of the ticket, I’ll play it for $1 instead of the normal 50cent denomination. TOTAL WAGERED: $16