Today's Best Bets
No racing...
Day One. As always confidence is high.
Note: I'll be sitting in this week as the guest handicapper on Capital OTB-TV's Newsdesk, hosted by Jeanne Wood. Watch live on cable TV throughout upstate NY, or log-on to capitalotb.com to catch the streaming video web cast [click on 'View it LIVE' in the left-hand column]. The program airs from 9 - 9:45am ET.
(You can review each of the previous seasons' totals here: 2007... 2006... 2005... 2004 ... 2003.)
Watch the skies!... Weather forecast looks a little bit iffy for Opening Day -- and with five races slated for the turf, you're well-advised to keep on eyes on the sky!
FIRST RACE
Dancing Tin Man...Lifetime best Beyer in second start of 2008. Last two not quite as good but might be primed for today -- and, looking at the PPs, this guy might like the tighter turns here as opposed to Belmont.
The Shanghaiing...His first two of the season were promising -- particularly taking into account the trouble.
Stormy Mirage...Should be rolling late.
Star Player.
On dirt: Coach Butts, Saint Barr, Hedge Fund, Love Everybody.
SECOND RACE
Brave Victory...In a very tough looking MSW we'll give the nod to this guy. On July 28 last year owner LaPenta and trainer Zito ran their first 2YO of the 2007 Saratoga meet. A nice little debut winner named War Pass. Five days before that race War Pass turned in a slowest of nineteen workout on the Oklahoma training surface -- while he had tossed a bullet on June 15, 2007. Set-up for this one looks eerily similar. We'll see...
Mott/Zayat entry...We prefer Zensational, the $700KG 2YO purchase. He worked 10.1 prior to that auction. However, if he's scratched in favor of Pious David we have to believe that one is live also.
Forest Lord...Bullet work for this. Precociously-bred.
Prince Tenon.
THIRD RACE
Bordeaux Bandit...The maiden-breaker seemed to indicate high-promise. Then he ran into some buzz saws. Might have benefitted from the 2-month break.
Golden Age...Two good-looking efforts in Florida. $450KG yearling buy made a belated debut -- but could be any kind.
Accredit...Kind of think this one is actually better than his record indicates. Would be no surprise in here.
Handsome Reward.
FOURTH RACE
Frau Lip po...Well-bred and now back after nearly a year away. Works look like he'll be ready.
Alpha Dancer...On the improve since trying turf.
Cops Fever...Two grass tries have been OK.
Burnished Copper.
Peg asian.
On dirt: Slick Wheezier, Theartofcompromise, Cops Fever, Miracle Causeway.
FIFTH RACE
Vickie Van Go...Son of Hook and Ladder blasted a quick 10.3 before 2YO auction purchase at $120KG -- a good price for a NY-bred.
Teapot Dome...Some nice breeding. The workouts look OK. Trainer can have them ready.
Fiddlers A fleet...Good speed in debut. The kind of race to build off of.
Looking At Her.
SIXTH RACE
Crowned General...First time on turf -- but being a half to Lear's Princess makes him interesting.
Bedford Arch...Two turf tries have been very nice, improving efforts.
Marque of Love...Seems an improved 4YO.
Santo.
On dirt: New Member, Of All Times, Crowned General, Jazz Nation.
SEVENTH RACE
Logic Way...Markedly improved since arriving in Duteous barn.
Admiral Bird...Just-miss effort as a 2YO in a small stake here in 2006 seemed to offer much promise. Hasn't lived up to that but he seems to run well here.
Senor Musician...Seems to have figured it out.
Oedipus O'Neal.
On dirt: Building New Era, Successful Affair, optimistic Steve, Zip to the City.
EIGHTH RACE
Mohegan Sky...A solid turf sprinter from a trainer that has made a habit of winning these at Saratoga over the past few seasons.
Redefined...Third start of 2008 and first two were very good.
Posted...Seems to have clicked into good form lately.
Silver Timber.
On dirt: Stormin Normandy, Gold and Roses, Johnie Bye Night, Ahvee's Destiny.
NINTH RACE - Schuylerville G3 $100KG
Jardin...2YO sale grad lived up to her purchase price with a good-looking debut win at Churchill. Full to a 2YO stakes winner. Might offer some value based on Beyer fig and outside post -- and while that post is a huge concern, she did get hung a little wide in that first start and overcame it.
Collegiate...Eye-popping debut win and place-finisher came out to win.
Ocean Colors...Also impressed with a first-out score. Superbly-bred.
Mani Bhavan.
TENTH RACE
R Fast Favorite...Speedball might take them all the way.
Acclimate...Better than last and might bounce back to prior good form off the layoff.
Spooky Mulder...10YO is inching towards millionaire status. Two wins in three starts this year.
Rumspringa.
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