Today's Best Bets3-10. We went into Saturday's card feeling it was a little dicey and certainly held the potential to throw an oh-fer so with three winners on top we felt pretty good (1st, $4.40; 2nd, $6.00; 4th, $5.80). Cold exacta in the off-the-turf 4th ($15.60/$2). In the 9th our top two flip-flopped for the exacta ($22.00) and our fourth choice completed the tri ($119.00). And with one of our top four winning all ten races, there were plenty of doubles and picks to be had with creative use of the selections.
On-track, 29,833 fans enjoyed the Saturday card. Rains Friday night were predicted as possibly continuing into Saturday but that turned out not to be the case. The day was partly cloudy with the sun poking through for much of the day. The overnight rains knocked two races off the turf, although the undercard stake remained on the grass.
Spotted among the fans Saturday, TV commentator Bob Neumeier was roaming around upstairs in the clubhouse looking casual and relaxed. Later on, walking through the crowd to the parking lot after the card, it was TV commentator and track announcer Dave Johnson. Also spotted heading out after the races was ESPN's Jeannine Edwards, with some of the TV crew that had covered the Alabama only minutes earlier.
Post-track golf great Greg Norman enjoyed dinner at Siro's. He helped present the trophy for the featured G1 $750K Alabama. After the trophy presentation he proved to be fan-unfriendly, rushing straight from the winner's circle back to the clubhouse box seat area without any acknowledgement to the handful of fans who called his name -- hoping for perhaps a head's up in order to get a photo.
Commemorative stein giveaway, free with paid admission while supplies last.
There was a steady rain for at least a couple of the overnight hours -- so check on the status of those turf races.
FIRST RACE
Yes Yes Yes...Runner with experience at the trip have been doing well in these grass sprints and this guy is exiting two near-misses in turf sprint stakes.
Theconfidenceman...Pretty good turf form, just a question of how sharp he'll be on the cutback.
Silent bid...Shot his best Beyer in lone turf try.
Lively Up Yourself.
On dirt: Smoke Warning, Yes Yes Yes, Lively Up Yourself, Casper Peterson.
SECOND RACE
Cooking the Books...A couple of good tries in three lifetime starts -- and one dull effort. If we can toss that dud he should have room to improve and might appreciate the stretchout.
Preminger...He might be an improved 3YO -- with that improvement somewhat clouded in the PPs. Had trouble in first start of 2005 and winner in that heat went in a blazing 1:08+. Then experimented on turf last time. Might be better than those two look.
Mike's Missile...Seemed to be getting the hang of it two back then threw in a clunker last time. Perhaps a rebound to prior form?
Tommasi.
THIRD RACE
Seaside Salute...Just missed here in first try at this condition. Repeat of the numbers in last two should be good enough.
Heathrow...Just behind top pick last time.
Tomorrows Banquet...In the money about two-third of the time.
Saf Link.
FOURTH RACE
Brigadier Brooks...AE lister is on the improve and has been close in last three.
Tiverton...Also on the AE list. Just behind top pick last time and is also on the improve.
Baby League...Look for this one to move forward in his second start.
London.
Too Risky.
King Hoss.
On dirt: Admiralty Island, Brigadier Brooks, Too Risky, Mangiaracina, War Marshall.
FIFTH RACE
Ocean Beauty...In a tough race with a very expensive firster -- and a few that have started and shown similar figures, we'll stick with this gal. We had her in her debut at 23-1 and she didn't perform, but she adds blinkers today and the connections like to win early and win here. Let's hope for a big turnaround in her second start.
Serena's Cat...$1.4 mil yearling was up-close early in debut and then faded. Look for a better run today.
Better Now...Not a bad try first-time out despite some trouble.
Ex Caelis.
SIXTH RACE
Runingforpresident...Perhaps unlucky to still be in this condition as he appeared to comeback form layoff nicely improved but ran into a potential NY-bred buzzsaw last time.
Soulshine...Solid spring and early summer. A couple of nice tries at the trip.
Calculator...Should appreciate return to dirt.
Karakorum Keepsake.
SEVENTH RACE
Whale...Ran a big race last time and ran second -- but winner is going to be a good one. Third-place finisher that day came back to win. Should be tough if able to repeat.
Fishy Advice...Steady improvement culminated by a nice win here on 7/27.
Jerkens entry...Mumble Jumble has been absolutely solid this year. Sir Greeley likely to be the one they have to catch.
Sabre Baby.
On dirt: High Stakes Holdem, Tupper Lake, Sir Greeley, Remuneration.
EIGHTH RACE
Cosmonaut...Always a tough step from MSW to NW1 but this guy is improving and looks capable of making the step.
Aristocrat...The full-bro to Ghostzapper looked the part in seasonal debut. If he continues to improve and follow in sibs footsteps he'll run away with this -- but there are still some question marks until they cross the finish line today.
AP Arrow...Gained some nice experience over the track last time.
Harbor Master.
NINTH RACE -- Saratoga BC Hcp G2 $250K
Offlee Wild...He's the 800 lb gorilla in here if he brings his A-game.
Suave...Last should set him up for a good move forward today.
Tap Day...Last two make it look like he's stepped it up this summer. We'll know more this afternoon.
Evening Attire.
TENTH RACE
Sweet Lil Lolly...AE lister should go well in second try at this condition.
Island Reversal...Should be rolling late.
Giant's Promise...Sometimes these lightly raced NY-breds turn out to be precocious and just run through these state-bred conditions. This could turn out to be that kind.
Hudson Valley.
Downtownsundown.
On dirt: Abbagione, Magic Belle, Hudson Valley, She's All Talk.
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