Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Meet Total ...

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Yesterday

No racing.

Today

As always, optimism is high on Day One. The card is contentious but there seems to be some interesting opportunities...

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 9:30 - 10:15am ET.

(You can review each of the previous seasons' totals here: 2008... 2007... 2006... 2005... 2004 ... 2003.)

FIRST RACE
Dorian Will...Pletcher trainee seems to have returned as an improved 3YO. Still probably needs to step it up -- but the 2009 debut was promising.
Dantastic...State-bred seems to be on the improve.
Auteur...Will contend if able to get in from AEs.
Mask and Wig.
Come On Love.
Saratoga Destiny.
On dirt: El Tamberito, Dantastic, Danick, Stratos.

SECOND RACE
Freedom Rings...Back to NY-bred competition. Probably over-matched in BC Juvie Filly Turf last year -- but ran well vs open company prior to that. Only question mark is fitness off the layoff but trainer does OK in that area.
Mythical Yarn...Promising debut. Tough if able to repeat or improve.
Fairy Wand...Will fit with these if in from the AE list.
Patronus Charm.
Royal Valentine.
Big Brownie.
On dirt: Same.

THIRD RACE
Riley Tucker...Might prove to be the one to catch.
Honour Devil...Lightly-raced 5YO is something of a mystery but has shown some potential.
Gold Trippi...A good second in a similar early event here last year.
Pyro.

FOURTH RACE
Titan of Industry...Can't knock the record so far this season.
Parc des Princes...A couple of decent starts since moving east.
Cairene...Seems to have turned the corner.
Evolutionist.
Boot Ahead.
Get Stormy.
On dirt: Unbridled's Heart, Mr Again, Speight of Hand, Alexandros, Brother Nick.

FIFTH RACE
Magic Tiger...Fastest worker before 2YO sale -- going in an eye-popping 9.4. Trainer solid with firsters.
City Trooper...Experience counts and this guy just missed in debut. Winner that day came back to run third in a stake at Monmouth last weekend.
Gerard Loves Beer...Precocious breeding.
Never Give Up.

SIXTH RACE
Fire Wood...Drops in for $25K after having faced better most recently -- but was claimed for $32K, so this isn't necessarily a fire sale (locally-based owner likes to win here).
French Vintage...Stakes-level performer is another dropper -- but this move is perhaps more curious than the top pick's.
Optimer...Fourteen exact finishes in 21 turf starts.
Bold Abbott.
On dirt: Incalzando, Commodore Way, Untopable, Hurricane Heat, Deputyville.

SEVENTH RACE
Trappe Shot...Fastest worker at May auction, going 10.1. Well-bred and trainer can have them ready.
Westover Wildcat...Should benefit from the education in the debut. Winner that day ran second in Monmouth stake on Sunday.
V Sat...Hmmm, worked fast but was a no-sale at a March 2YO sale.
D'bigcat.

EIGHTH RACE
Presto Change O...Maiden-breaker was very impressive.
Maria's Charm...There is plenty of speed in here and if that pace collapses this guy can pick up the pieces.
Captain Rio...Has shown some promise.
Inkado.

NINTH RACE - Schuylerville G3 $100K

Vivid Colors...Likely the less-favored half of an uncoupled McPeek entry. Impressive in the stretch in winning Churchill debut. The question mark is the off-track -- will she go as well on a 'fast' strip? But -- there is a possibility of rain late in the card today...
Aegean...Beats the boys before shipping to Europe for Wes Ward. 7/17 works seems to indicate she's returned to form.
Decelerator...Already has a stakes win -- which automatically makes her dangerous.
Franny Freud.

TENTH RACE

Galan Fete...This guy could be very interesting on the drop and the stretchout.
Hype...Showed some promise late last year and early this year -- now drops in for a tag. Must get in from AE.
Bordeaux Bandit...Seems in good form now.
Rodman.
Chinese Whisper.
Forest King.
On dirt: Same.

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.

Archives of daily Best Bets picks and plays pages: 2008 ... 2007 ... 2006 ... 2005 ... 2004 ... 2003

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