Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Friday, August 14, 2009 Meet Total ... 41-140

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Yesterday

3-10. Winners in the 6th [$7.90], 8th [$7.10], and 10th [$11.60]. Cold exactas in the 8th [$16.40/$2] and 10th [$60.50]. Reverse exacta in the 1st [$31.80]. Cold tri in the 8th [$44.00]. And a nice mix of other gimmicks playing around with the selections just a little bit.

Another nice weekday crowd -- 18,569. And another nice weekday! We're sounding like a broken record -- but the best kind of broken record! -- the weather was again summertime-nice. Sunny and warm.

Today

It Hall of Fame day. Inductions take place at the Fasig-Tipton pavilion on East Ave at 10:30am ET. Bob Baffert, Eddie Maple, Janet Elliot, Tiznow, Silverbulletday and Ben Nevis II make up the HOF class of 2009. Also, there will be an autograph session featuring this year's inductees as well as returning HOF members outside of the Jockey Silks Room at 2:30pm.

FIRST RACE
Classic Moon...If he runs back to the Florida Beyers he looks best in here.
Band of Thunder...A little bit inconsistent since moving from SoCal but another that should contend if able to fire best Beyer-shot.
US Cavalry...Better than latest.
Brother Bud.

SECOND RACE
Credit Limit...Comeback effort was very good. A repeat, or improvement, would make her tough.
East Breaks...Beyers improving this season. Should have some pace to close into.
Spina...Just behind top pick last time.
Uno Peso.

THIRD RACE
Tweeter...Certainly finds some class relief here compared to last couple of races.
Extra Sharp...Lived up to her breeding in the maiden-breaker [dam was a G1 winner of $2mil] -- but both races were on off tracks at MTH. Might be any kind but let's see how she takes to a 'fast' track.
Life At Ten...Been right there in all five starts -- but tries dirt for first time.
Spring Elusion/True Bliss.

FOURTH RACE
Morethan Fourhours/Oak Bar...Oak Bar is preferred -- though neither is a strong play here. Oak put in a couple of OKs tries on the KEE synthetic. Moves MSW to mdn clm'r.
Baronshill..Showed some improvement with move in for a tag. Suspect he's better than he's shown so far.
Itch...Showed some early speed last time which could bode well for today.
Southern Hero.

FIFTH RACE
Successful Sarah...Beaten fave at MTH behind a runaway winner. Probably a better fit with this bunch.
Kissa Melissa...Been improving through the last few.
Super Slash...Been running well out of town this year. Dangerous if able to run back to those numbers here.
Hold That Prospect.

SIXTH RACE
Drover...Excellent breeding with Storm Cat on top and the dam produced Eclipse winner Ashado.
Bridgetown...Should go well again today.
Crystal Moment...$1.2 mil baby debuts for Mott.
Billions Boy.

SEVENTH RACE
Pick Six...Should be able to stalk and pounce.
Ruff and Ready...Will be heard from late.
Radical Sabbatical...In good form now firing lifetime best Beyer when winning latest.
Valtrus.

EIGHTH RACE - Hall of Fame G2 $150K
Courageous Cat...Last two seem to indicate he's got it all figured out and should be ready for this assignment.
Straight Story...Could be the one to beat off of two gut-wrenching defeats to the talented Battle of Hastings.
Sal the Barber...Beyers progressing nicely through three turf races.
No Inflation.

NINTH RACE
Holiday Trip...Interesting that he comes back off of a fifth-place finish earlier at the meet and moves up the claiming ladder. But that last one was an open clm'r while this is N3L -- so maybe it's more of a lateral move. Either way, we expect improvement off of the 7/29 race.
Into the Wind...Had a win here last year in somewhat similar company.
Hard To Explain...This one would easily rank as the top pick except for the ten-month layoff. Not sure if he'll be in top form today -- but maybe he won't have to be against this bunch.
Find the Wire.

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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