Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Saturday, August 4, 2006 Meet Total ... 16-86

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Yesterday

1-9. We struggled through another day as far as winner-on-top. Playing around with the selections did offer up a little fun however -- we had the cold tri in the 4th [$37.00/$2] and a boxed tri with our top three picks in the 5th [$212.50/$2].

Mother Nature was looking out for us yet again. The forecast was for t-storms to pop up throughout the afternoon -- but the Saratoga area escaped the precip. 18,160 enjoyed another warm, humid day at the races.

Today

The G1 Test -- along with the G3 W Va Derby -- will be broadcast on ESPN Classic from 5 - 6pm ET.

FIRST RACE
Son of Sabato...Showed promise last year. Probably needed last. Should be fitter today and should appreciate the move into this level of competition.
Pleasant Fiction...If he can remember how to throw the kind of Beyers he was tossing in 2005 he'll win for fun.
Klassy Tripp...After the first two starts the dud last time at 8-5 is a little scary. But he'll contend if he's runs back to those prior efforts.
Half a Note.

SECOND RACE
Majestic Warrior...Dam won the 2000 Test and Ballerina over this track. Regally-bred and trainer's having a super meet.
Web Gem...Nice string of works dating back to May and Zito has had them ready to roll early here this year and last.
Anakim...Ran second in a nice MSW.
Mythical Pegasus.

THIRD RACE
Vaunt...Went well in Socal. This bunch should be easier than those he faced in Chicago last time.
Mysterious Peintre...Ran well at some minor venues in France. OK fourth in US debut in Colonial Turf Cup.
Owners Manual...Came back from a layoff with a much improved effort. Turf is the question mark and he's not especially well-bred for it.
Teuflesberg.

FOURTH RACE
Temecula Creek...Won here last year in the only dirt start of his brief career.
Silver Source...Might be interesting on the cutback from 1M.
Minister's Appeal...He threw in two big efforts earlier this year that would be good enough to take this -- but note that they were both at Gulfstream. He has yet to run as well elsewhere.
Portobello Road.

FIFTH RACE
Kid Doc...Going back to the 6/2 race, and looking at that most recent work -- plus the fact that blinkers are added today, we're expecting this guy to be sent from the rail and say, catch me if you can.
Lhotse Quality...Also capable of offering up some early speed -- but must overcome post.
Contessa entry...Brian's Cat Can Do might have found a field he can contend with.
Can't Refuse.
Our Wonder Cat.
Legal Tender.
Fra Lippo.

SIXTH RACE
Texas Elegance...Beyers are improving in his four turf starts. Just missed at this condition last time and worked well in prep for this.
Back to Mandalay...Broke maiden two back then ran third in first try at NW1 in what might be a key race.
Sammy's Toy...Beyers are improving with each start.
Striking Rizzi.

SEVENTH RACE
Three in the Bag...In what looks to be a wide-open affair where you can make a case for perhaps eight of ten of them -- we'll take a flyer here. From a class standpoint this guy looks up against it -- but he might have a pace edge on these. He could be fun if able to sneak away early with easy fractions.
Communicator...With only three starts he might have more upside potential than the rest.
Sacrifice Bunt...Back into alw conditions after a couple of graded stakes tries.
Dr Pleasure.

EIGHTH RACE
War Monger...This guy gets his first crack at a condition most of these have been stuck in for awhile. Could be good enough to break through first try.
Oedipus O'Neal...NY-bred just missed in a similar event last time. Returns to track he's run well on in the past.
Sensational Humor...Improved since switching to turf.
League of Nations.

NINTH RACE - Test G1
Dream Rush...Impressive so far. Clearly the one to beat.
Cotton Blossom...Beat the top pick in G1 Acorn but might find her harder to run down at 7F.
Down...Will need to step up to compete here -- but have a sneaking feeling she's capable of doing just that.
Sheet.

TENTH RACE
Sweet Brush...Tough call. This horse is clearly the standout -- but why the drop in for a tag, which isn't Pletcher's game? Still, if he's right he's the one to beat.
Skip Datt...Will be rolling late.
Lets Get Going.
Any Minute Now.

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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