Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Thursday, August 9, 2006 Meet Total ... 28-124

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Yesterday

3-9. Had a reverse exacta in the 2nd [$14.60/$2] -- when we took a shot against the universal good-thing from Baffert/Zayat, Maimonides. Nice idea, but we looked bad when that one aired in what was probably the best looking 2YO debut of the meet. Still, our upset pick managed to get up for second at 9-1, so besides that reverse exacta we also had the $12.00/$2 quinella, and with a 1-2 shot on top that's fair value. We grabbed a straight exacta in the 7th for a nice $33.20/$2. And there were a few more gimmicks to be had on Wednesday using the selections. Not a bad afternoon.

17,607 attended. It was another warm, muggy afternoon. Cloudy for much of the day but the sun poked through late. Heavy rain early in the day knocked the 5th and the 9th off the grass, although the featured 8th stayed on.

Today

FIRST RACE
Mixed Up...A legit stakes-level jumper from Sheppard. Check that 5F workout in prep for this! Not something you typically see from the jump-set. We'll see how it works out.
Sweet Shani...Got the job done in what look to be legitimate jumps races in Australia. Now makes third start in the US. Might appreciate the trip and the gournd if it still has some give after the Wednesday morning rain.
Orsay...Typically in the hunt.
Preemptive Strike.

SECOND RACE
Reversible Error...Working sharply at Suffolk. Always like to see 2YOs with bullets. Comes west to face NY-breds.
Last Boat Home...Trainer does well at Tampa in the winter. Also has good debut stats.
Myakka...Could improve off of debut effort.
Nicely Put.

THIRD RACE
Beautiful Daniele...Could prove interesting and offer some value from both trainer and jock doing well here. Has been facing some nice ones and might reboud to good form with return to alw company.
Miracle Moment...Could be the one to catch.
Sky High Flyer...Should be coming late -- but must be ready off of the layoff.
Criminologist.
On dirt: Dean's List, Criminologist, Beautiful Michele.

FOURTH RACE
My Fair el...Showed some life at the MSW level. Now moves to mdn clm'r and back to a dirt sprint.
Myfavoriteteacher...Another dropping into the claiming ranks. Speed might hold longer vs this bunch.
Aggie...Yet another dropping in for a tag. Ran well in a tough MSW last time -- which was a year ago.
Ivory Star.

FIFTH RACE
Party Jones...Trainer's having a super meet and is pretty good first-off the claim.
Quick Comeback...Looks like the one they'll have to catch.
Bruce Tickets...Turf starts have all been good.
Broadway Bud.
On dirt: Mount Wilton, McMagic, Tahoe Warrior, Quick Comeback.

SIXTH RACE
Street Sass...Has come backed as an improved performer since the layoff.
Cammy's Choice...Hasn't missed an exacta yet.
Talking Treasure...Another that seldom misses a piece of the pie.
My Kitty.

SEVENTH RACE
English Colony...Lightly-raced but showing improvement with each start. Won a small open stake last time. Looks very live if able to repeat that effort.
Mathematician/Chief Operator...Either half of entry looks capable.
Ever a Friend...Usually close to the action near the finish line.
Count On Pal.
On dirt: Ever a Friend. English Colony, Starship Skywalker, Sir Silver Fox, Gstaad, Mathematician.

EIGHTH RACE - NY Stallion/Statue of Liberty
Don't Mind Me...Stretching out off of a couple of good sprints.
Tishmeister...Has come alive in the last few and is likely to set the pace.
Western Sweep...Usually makes her presence felt.
Laurentide Ice.
On dirt: Wester Sweep, Laurentide Ice, Twistaway, City in the Clouds, Don't Mind Me.

NINTH RACE
Jets Only...Pretty solid in three starts so far. Looks to be in a good spot today.
Tee With the Tiger...Seven tries so far -- but has been competitive and comes into this with a nice work.
Lhotse Quality...Turf races have been good.
Pure Tantrum.
On dirt: Jets Only, Golden Caesar, Legal Tender, Lhotse Quality, Pure Tantrum, Prime Obsession, Will Never Bend.

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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