Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Thursday, August 13, 2009 Meet Total ... 38-130

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Yesterday

2-10. Winners in the 6th [$10.20[ and 7th [$5.70]. Those two combined for a R6-7 double [$25.40/$2] and in both races it was our top pick over our third selection for the exacta [6th, $31.40; 7th, $34.20]. And, as usual, playing with the selections a little could have provided some more firepower [ex, top four boxed for the super in the 9th, $825.00].

A solid Wednesday crowd of 21,010 attended and enjoyed yet another nice afternoon at the races. Sunny and warm -- with some humidity.

Today

FIRST RACE - Nevis $70K
Arcadius...Transplanted Euro-jumper took a couple of starts to figure things out on this side of the pond but looks to be straightened out now for Sheppard.
Dynaski...Solid over the jumps last year. The layoff would be a concern -- but don't be fooled, this one won a training race here during the Open House on 7/26.
Dynamite Flyer...Two-for-three since trying the jumps.
Fogcutter.
Note: If you believe in such things -- and some bettors do -- Janet Elliot has two in here and tomorrow she's being inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. We didn't use her two, but it's not unusual that owners, trainers, and riders seem to do well on these 'milestone' occasions.

SECOND RACE
Capital Adequacy...We let a Violette firster get away from us yesterday -- not today.
Cableknit...$1.7mil baby goes out for trainer who can have them ready.
Happy Week...Has some win-early breeding and a win-early trainer.
Snap Happy/Limeheart.

THIRD RACE
Formidable...In an interesting but tough race we lean this way - slightly. Has enough early speed to stalk and this trip should be to his liking. Bullet work in prep for this.
Just Ben...Could be interesting on the cutback.
Mucho Macho...Toss the latest -- had trouble. Will contend with a rebound to prior form.
Royal Vindication.

FOURTH RACE
All West...Drops to below claim price for an owner that spots to win. Cuts back to a sprint. Things to like.
Telemachus...Woke up when slid in for $35K. Trouble last time. Dangerous.
Dancing Luca...Another finding some class relief in here which should make a difference.
Napkins.

FIFTH RACE
Little Alex...This guy is interesting. Worked a very quick 10.1 before 2008 2YO auction. Didn't make it to the races until June 2009 when he had all kinds of trouble. Now drops into mdn clm'r and moves to turf -- and a half-sib was a minor stakes winner sprinting on turf.
Counterspy...Back off of a layoff and back in for a tag -- as mention earlier on the card, this owner spots to win.
Dontquityourdayjob...Beyers moving in the right direction.
Warrior Ace.
On dirt: Warrior Ace, Hero Figure, Master, Interrogatory, Bennington Station.

SIXTH RACE
Jamaludin...Drop down would be very interesting if able to get in from AE list.
Willsboro Point...Trainer having a good meet and won yesterday with one stretching from sprints to two turns.
Angliana...Hmmm. H-U-G-E class-edge and eligible to run away and hide from these. BUT, this drop is so suspicious off of the layoff that wer'e leery. Two things -- if there's a late announcement that this is a new gelding, we're more interested. And, if this race switches to dirt we'll move the horse up -- thinking that perhaps the connections were looking at the weather forecast of some showers in the area.
Quick to Charm.
Doc n Roll.
Fleet Appeal.
Vettriano.
On dirt: Angliana, Jamaludin, Aly's Wheat, Bullara, Willsboro Point.

SEVENTH RACE
Hatheer...McLaughlin/Shadwell firster is well-bred.
Ready to Party...Should be an interesting turfer with More Than Ready on top.
Lyrical Note/Raise the Kitty...Lyrical Note preferred for the precocious breeding.
Crimson Glory.
Smart Seattle.
On dirt: Same, plus Capitalism at Risk.

EIGHTH RACE
Tar Heel Mom...Might have a slight edge on these and we like the two bullets leading into this.
Turn Away...Lightly-raced 4YO from Frankel/Juddmonte has shown some flashes of real talent.
Choragus...Toss the Arlington races over the synthetic surface. Should appreciate the return to dirt.
Honest to Betsy.

NINTH RACE - NY Stallion $150K [fillies]
Wild Awake...A little bit of a brides-maid -- which is a concern, but otherwise seems to be moving in the right direction.
Mother Russia...Dominguez back aboard. He rode her to the nice win in the turf debut.
We're Hooked...Expect a rebound off of the last two.
In Volo.
On dirt; Mother Russia, In Volo, She's Prime, Big Brownie.

TENTH RACE
World Gone Wrong...Ran well on synthetic which might indicate a good run on turf in her second start of 2009.
Catty Madeline...Third start back. Returns to sprint. Trainer still on the duck at the meet.
Collar...Won off-the-turfer here earlier in the meet. Has the speed to be heard from early in here.
Quiet Dancer.
On dirt: Secretmademoisell, Matrimony, Collar, Sweet Bama Breeze, Quiet Dancer, World Gone Wrong.

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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