Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Monday, July 28, 2008 Meet Total ... 9-50 Note: Race total has been corrected, we had it one too high for the last couple of days -- forgetting to subtract the canceled jump race on Thursday

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Yesterday

2-11. Still treading water a little bit -- only two winners on top, but when one of them pays $30+ it takes away some of the sting [7th, $5.10; 11th, $33.80].

That 15-1 winner in the nightcap was the kind of payback that this game seldom gives! Regular readers of the column know that we always jump on the Sheppard Specials -- value horses from trainer Jonathon Sheppard that have paid well for us at Saratoga over the years. For some reason we let 9-1 Forever Together slip under the radar on Saturday -- completely leaving it out of our mix. We weren't going to let that happen twice -- putting Sheppard/Augustin's Come Close on top in the nightcap. Again, that day-after opportunity to rebound doesn't come around very often -- much less at a better price!

38,748 was the announced attendance -- inflated by 'spinners' picking up the giveaway ballcap.

Today

FIRST RACE
Successful Affair...Pretty serious class-drop. Has been running in stakes most recently.
Brookhaven's Money...Claimed two back and won a stake last time. Should fit nicely here.
Overextended...Was facing G1 competition at times last year. Won in his first try vs NY-breds.
Lorccan.

SECOND RACE
Rice entry...Both Blazing Buddha and It's Goodtobeking moving MSW to maiden claimer.
Crafty CJ...Also MSW to Mdn Clm. Could be the one to catch.
Arrr...Longtime maiden is certainly capable of picking up a share.
Digital Age.

THIRD RACE
Gold Trippi...Just a pace play here as it looks like Mr Umphrey and Wanderin Boy might knock heads early.
Wanderin Boy...Speedy graded stakes winner could be tough if able to shake loose.
Mr Umphrey.

FOURTH RACE
Blitzen Too...Beyers moving in the right direction and just missed in a small stake last time.
Absolute Heaven...Third start of season. Won here last year.
Ambidaxtrous...Over-matched two back, otherwise going well right now.
Aristo.
On dirt: Aristo, One in a Romp, Salt City Miss, Seventeen Love, Ambidaxtrous.

FIFTH RACE
August Rush...Trainer very good first-time out of the box.
Sally's Song...Pletcher filly has some breeding and an OK string or works.
Remedy...Sire is off to a fast start -- and trainer going well early in the meet.
Amanwella.

SIXTH RACE
Fra Lippo...Debut effort last year looked like a good foundation. On the bench since but now goes first-time for Clement and he's solid off the bench.
Pegasian...Improved on turf -- despite some trouble.
Iron Gate...Has been nibbling.
Burnished Copper.
On dirt: Burnished Copper, Pegasian, Nolite Timere, Coaltown Legend, Unflagging.

SEVENTH RACE
Chauette...Good early speed.
Fiona Freud...Long-time maiden could wake-up with some class relief.
Kemly...Trainer's string-suit is these turf sprints.
Horseshoe Buoy.
On dirt: Quiet Mover, Chauette, Je Suis Shiekh, Kemly, Trickable, Horseshoe Buoy.

EIGHTH RACE
Scooter Girl...Should be primed in third start back.
Inside Passage...Scratched from stake for this.
Windy...Nice win here last summer. Should be set making second start of 2008.
Circuit Breaker.

NINTH RACE - Amsterdam G2
Kodiak Kowboy...Impressive on this track last year.
Desert Key...Eye-popping workout in prep for this -- after an eye-popping win last time.
Silver Edition...Going well lately.
Fidelio.

TENTH RACE
Princess Westly...Could be moving into her comfort-zone class-wise.
On Lake...Showed some promise in Florida and also should fit here.
Irish Bride...And yet one more that should go well for a tag.
Sonic Good.
Dance Lesson.
Fiddlers Princess.
Milk Run.
On dirt: Smart Rose, Milliondollar Moon, Irish Bride, Royal Skip, Dance Lesson.

If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way [in other words, both halves 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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