Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Friday, August 17, 2006 Meet Total ... 44-190

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Yesterday

4-9. A good day -- especially since we're in come-from-behind mode -- but we sure would have liked one or two more on top. Still, we'll take what we get and for Thursday that meant four winners-on-top and nice group of gimmicks... We had three cold exactas [1st, $11.20/$2; 2nd, $20.60; 5th, $26.20]. A cold tri [5th, $76.00]. The early double cold [R1-2, $10.00]. Our top three boxed for two more tri's [4th, $82.00; 8th, $28.20] -- and our fourth pick completed the super in that 4th race [$186.50]. So we had some fun.

We'd say it's getting monotonous to report on the weather -- but really, how can "beautiful" get monotonous? Anther great day -- temps in the 80's and sunny. Although the humidity did spike back up a bit. 19,446 attended including a stumping Rudy Guliani and the Teutul boys from TV's American Chopper. Mikey and Paul Jr had a camera crew in tow so, presumably, you can look for Saratoga Racecourse on a future episode.

Today

Apologies for today's late posting. Technical difficulties caused a delay -- but picks were posted by about 11am ET.

FIRST RACE
Al Basha...Toss out the Keeneland try against open company and this guy is very, very tough.
Academy Royale...Also solid vs state-breds.
Provincetown...Could be the one to catch.
Gryffindor.

SECOND RACE
Zito entry...Both halves are live just because the trainer is now live with firsters. Beyond that they're bred to win-early and they're working well.
British Columbia...Attracted a big price at a 2YO sale after working in 10.2. Fired a best-of-42 bullet five days ago. Dangerous.
In Orbit...Comes out of the Sargeant Seattle race and that seems like it has the potential to be a 'key' race.
Sheriff.

THIRD RACE
Our Wonder Cat...Drops in for a tag which makes him dangerous -- but is moving turf-to-dirt and so there's something of a question mark here. But if that turf form translates he could prove tough. On the other hand -- he threw in a clunker in his last on dirt, but since that was his career debut we'll forgive.
Ferdi's Prince...Interesting on the cutback after showing some life going longer.
Horse Thief...Clearly they thought a lot of this one - having started his career with three stakes. His last two make him scary -- but they were at F'Lakes. Not quite sure what to make of him.
Poker God.

FOURTH RACE
Prussian...Well-bred to win-early.
Cosmic...AE lister. Nicely-bred and worked well in prep for this.
Nor'easterner...Looked good in turf debut.
Rumored Heart.
Rancho Santa Fe.
Hidden Glance.

FIFTH RACE
More Than a Feelin...Just missed at this level two back then they gave her a shot in a G3 where she finished behind some good ones.
Bees...Last makes turf a little bit of a question mark -- but we're willing to give her one more try.
Queens Full...AE lister. Solid in two races so far.
Milk Town.
Down.

SIXTH RACE
Sashay Renee...Kind of race where it makes some sense to look for a fresh face and this gal has some nice breeding and a trainer who can have them ready.
Light Tactic...Another firster. Working well and good breeding.
Abby Morgan...Has shown some early foot and might be sent from the inside post position.
Golden Manna.

SEVENTH RACE
Subtitles...Just missed in a similar race here on 7/27. Moves from 6F to 7F but has gone well at the trip before.
Dragon Fi...Just behind top pick last time and has been in the hunt consistently since arriving in NY.
Nite Light...Son of Lite Light won for fun when dropped in for a tag at Monmouth. Class is still a question mark. We'll know more today.
Georgian.

EIGHTH RACE - Lake Placid G2
Sharp Susan...Closing punch just fell short behind Rutherienne last time. Probably a little closer early today.
Lady Attack...Also closed last time and, in fact, nipped top pick. Dangerous.
New Edition...Shipping in off of four solid turf efforts -- three of them stakes.
Communique.

NINTH RACE
Whateverwillbwillb...Often think horses dropping out of NY-bred alw type races into open conditional claimers do well.
Survived...Hmmm, they tried her in a G3 only two back -- now in for $35K. Dangerous if all the wheels are on.
Innovator...Has shown some life at this level.
Fortynine Below.

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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