Today's Best Bets7-11. This is the way you want to wind up the meet. Not a grand-slam -- I guess that would be a sweep of the card, or maybe a cold P6 -- but clearly a home-run. Seven winners on top (1st, $10.20; 4th, $9.40; 5th, $5.90; 6th, $12.80; 8th, $2.80; 9th, $8.00; 11th, $8.40). Wow. That made for a super-solid ROI on the win-end of things, but there was plenty of action besides. It started with a cold exacta and tri in the 1st ($51.50/$2; $135.00). Cold exactas in the 5th and 6th ($24.80; $27.60). Cold P3 on races 3-4-5 ($297.50). And with seven winners on top, combined with our second pick winning two more and our third pick getting up for one more -- there were plenty of other Picks and Doubles. A very good day.
And, as noted on yesterday's 11:30am update -- we apologized to readers who scoped out the page prior to that update but, almost inexplicably NYRA announced that Saturday's 4th and 11th would be moved off-turf to the main track. With turf racing on Friday and beautiful weather overnight and throughout Saturday, we hadn't added any "dirt" selections to our picks. So we made a couple late changes in those two races. As it turned out, there was no difference in the 4th. We wound up scratching into the winner with our original picks. In the 11th it was our late-change horse from the MTO list just nudging out the horse the became our move-up top choice form the original picks. Still kind of a head-scratcher why the races were moved to the main track. Supposedly there was a problem on the far turn that needed a day of "rest" -- but why the races weren't moved to the other turf course -- with only three days left in the meet -- is confusing.
On-track, 19,002 attended on yet one more perfect day weather-wise.
Free T-shirt given away with each paid admission while supplies last. And downtown the Final Stretch music festival continues with acts performing along Broadway starting at 7pm.
FIRST RACE
Grand Heritage...This horse is a stakes winner on the grass for Mott. Drops in for $50k today and brings in a nice work from Thursday.
Massoud...Nice, improving form coming into this. Just missed in similar event last time.
Private Scandal...Last was the first off a long layoff. Should be little tighter today.
Grin and Frown.
SECOND RACE
Motor City Mama...Showed good speed in debut and then faded a little. They always have license to hold on longer in their next try. Always have to take a second look when they come back within a week.
Let Her Be...Nice try in first start despite poor start.
Rausehenbachs Halo...Solid series of works.
Viva Julia.
THIRD RACE
Indian Vale...Well-bred and living up to it in her first two starts. Looks capable of continuing through conditions today.
Ready and Alluring...Plenty of talent and promise but probably overmatched in G1 last time.
Pretty Partisan...Might have gained some maturity with the short break.
Classy Charm.
FOURTH RACE
Schosberg entry... With Due Respect won three back when at this level. Theoneilove scratched out of MTO spot in off-turf event yesterday to await this. Prado rides.
Cap and Gown...Looked good breaking maiden for a tag two back. Followed-up by running into the monster Indian Vale. Drops back in for tag.
Homegrown Queen...Question mark on whether she likes this course. But if able to recapture form from earlier this summer she fits with this bunch.
She's All Talk.
FIFTH RACE
Alley Singer...Debut was pretty good. Ran a decent but uninspiring fourth in follow-up. Adds blinkers and might get in the hunt earlier today. Trainer needs one to get off the oh-fer this meet.
Fiddlers Pleasure...Running well in six starts -- but showing a tendency to not want to get the job done.
End Around...Expect this one to improve for new trainer and move to grass.
Secret Crypt.
The End Is Clear.
SIXTH RACE
Mad About Fontaine...Trainer does well with 2YOs here and this one is working well for debut.
Curtana...Nice improvement start one to start two. Continued move forward puts her right there.
Lovely Dream...Very nice price paid for this NY-bred at a 2YO sale earlier this year.
Extra Impact.
SEVENTH RACE
Elisa's Energy...Went well against open company in SoCal. Ran away from state-breds when shipped into NY. Capable of sliding through this condition.
Innseattle...Always in the hunt and would be surprised if that wasn't the case today as well.
Love My Gal...Improving and looks like a goo fit with this bunch.
Starduster.
Christina's Melody.
EIGHTH RACE
Uncle Camie...In a very tough race this guy has shown some nice early foot on dirt -- winning a G3 last time. Solid grass work in prep for this. Could possibly offer some value due to no turf record.
Gulch Approval...Chased a crazy pace and ran second in that record-breaking race two back. Followed with an OK try last time and might be set to round back to that form from two back.
Key Deputy...Also up with the pace in that Keep the Faith.
Worldwind Romance.
NINTH RACE
Chili Cat...That maiden-breaker seems to label this one as something special.
Great Intentions...Off since showing potential at Gulfstream. Behind Maddalena in two Florida starts when that one was at the top of her game.
Bird Harbor...Another that has been on the sidelines since showing some talent in Florida.
Storm a Brewing.
TENTH RACE -- Saranac G3 $100K
Silver Whistle...This one seems to be improving for Mott. Just missed in G2 here last time and has gone beyond the distance successfully.
Jambalaya...Absolutely super since moving to grass north of the border.
Chestertown Slew...Another that has taken to the turf.
Woodlander.
ELEVENTH RACE
Forget the Judge...Was closing late last time in first back from a layoff. Like the jock switch today.
Holy Panache...Two nice wins since being claimed by trainer shooting at 38% this meet.
Devine Wind...Only four starts this year and 9YO might have needed them to run back into shape.
Hunting Hillbilly.
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