Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Saturday, July 29, 2006 Meet Total ... 8-28

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Yesterday

2-9. Our top two picksa flip-flopped in the first two races and then the rains hit -- leaving us a little leery about perhaps pitching an oh-fer on the afternoon. But we wound up with a couple of nice winners towards the end of the afternoon, and the beat goes on...

Two winners (7th, $8.10; 8th, $8.20). Again, our top two produced reversed exactas early (1st, $22.20/$2; 2nd, $11.40). The second choices completed the $42.20/$2 early double. In the 7th we had the cold exacta ($44.20/$2) and our fourth pick completed the tri ($130.00/$2). And in the feature it was our top picks over our third choice for the exacta ($41.80/$2) with our second choice rounding out the trifecta ($95.00/$2).

16,167 attended. The weather looked threatening early and the threat was acted upon by about the third race. It rained haevily for awhile and then drizzled for most of the remainder of the card. The fifth and the ninth were taken off the turf -- but the featured G3 Lake George was run on yielding grass.

Today

The hat contest will take place this afternoon. Categories are: Kreative Kids, Fashionably Saratoga and Uniquely Saratoga.

Marvin Hamlisch will play piano in the winner's circle at 4:35pm (I just report 'em, folks).

The Hat's Off Music Festival continues, featuring free performances by various musical groups, it takes place all up and down Broadway from 7-11pm.

FIRST RACE
Mythical Conquest...Looks like the one to catch.
Planets Aligned...Got a wake-up call when dropped in for a tag last time.
Polo Grounds...A little inconsistent but is capable against these on his best.
Battle Chant.
On dirt: Mythical Conquest, Diligent Gambler, I've Got Speed.

SECOND RACE
First Defence...Regally bred. Could be any kind and is eligible to pop at first asking.
Bullara...Pletcher/Velazquez runner just missed in his second start.
Wallstreetcorredor...Connections do well with 2YOs at the Spa.
Pegasus Wind.

THIRD RACE
Sir Halory...Lightly raced 4YO from Frankel could be ready to string a few together.
Corinthian/Reverberate...Corinthian has finished first in three of four -- but faces older for the first time and has been off since March. Reverberate showed some promise last year -- but the seasonal debut was disappointng.
When the Saints...Has run some big ones. Matz is a solid 30% moving turf-to-dirt.
Scipion.

FOURTH RACE
Girl in Uniform...Won at this trip over a muddy track two back. Trainer got off to a hot start at this meet last year and already has one win this season.
Nevaeh...With all the speed this closer might be the top pick -- except that she'll have a lot to do at 5.5F.
Cassette Case...Plenty of early speed. Will have to work from the 9-post.
All About Allison.

FIFTH RACE
Westside Willy...Debut effort gave the look of one that can improve second time out.
Speaking Out...Three solid placing at Belmont leading up to this.
Sugar slam/My Apology...Sugar Slam must get in from AE list. but seems interesting invading from Europe. My Apology Should be vying for the lead.
Saturday's Cat.
On dirt: Westside Willy, In the Service, Stately Pegasus, .

SIXTH RACE
American Quest...Cuts back in distance. Drops down claiming ladder. Might wake-up.
Theatrical Glory/Infinite Glory...Both taking suspicious drops -- but have the back class to win here if ready.
Sing Me Back Home...Might be set for a good one in third start of 2006.
Impeachthepro.

SEVENTH RACE
Saint Anddan/Rebuttal...Rebuttal is preferred off of the near-miss in US debut. Saint Anddanhas shown some flashes and could be interesting moving to turf.
Under Thunder...Three nice, imnproving efforts as a 3YO.
Half Mask...Should appreciate the return to turf.
Habsburg.
On dirt: Saint Anddan, Habsburg, Salty and Saintly, Half Mask, Antrim County.

EIGHTH RACE - Diana G1 $500K
Angara...Third in this race last year. Looks like she's been facing slightly better lately.
Lady of Venice...Could be any kind.
Sweet Talker...Three good starts as a 4YO.
Argentina.

NINTH RACE- Jim Dandy G2 $500K
Minister's Bid...Worth a soht. 2-2 and might be this good.
Bernardini...Huge win in the G1 Preakness and clearly the one to beat.
Sunriver.

TENTH RACE
Mohegan Sky...Last looked like she's really gotten the hang of the game.
Willshefire...Speed and caught late in turf debut. Cuts back today.
Mheara Maskey...Plenty of speed.
Madame Music.
On dirt: Mohegan Sky, Willshefire, Mheara Maskey, Madame Music, All You Need, Mama Theresa.

If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way [in other words, both halve are named]. If only one-half of the entry is named, then we prefer that half and will move to our next pick listed [rather than the other half of the entry] in event of a scratch.

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