Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Saturday, August 22, 2009 Meet Total ... 56-209

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Yesterday

2-9. Winners in the 4th [$4.70] and 6th [$3.40]. Top two flip flopped in the 1st for the exacta [$10.80/$2]. Second and third picks for the exacta in the 3rd [$49.60]. Top selection over third pick for a generous $54.00 exacta in the 4th. Same scenario in the 6th [$16.40]. Top two in reverse order for the exacta in the featured 8th [$26.80].

15,896 attended as the weather took a turn for the worse. Showers dominated although the latter part of the card was mostly rain-free -- although overcast and dotted with sprinkles.

Today

FIRST RACE
Paul's Ace...Last was certainly one of his best and -- off the short layoff -- could signal top form.
Love My Mondays...Impressive in debut -- but not sure what he beat that day. We'll know more about this one after this race.
Compliance Officer...Likely the one to catch from the rail.
Fort McCoy.
On dirt: Love My Mondays, Extinguish, Papa Jerry, Puregoodniss, Brave Soul, Phantom Gunslinger.

SECOND RACE
Fenway Faithful...These Klaravich/Violette firsters coming out of 2YO sales have done well here in recent years. Worked 10.2 before the sale.
Capridge...Has some precocious breeding.
City Trooper...The best of those with experience.
Two Sons.

THIRD RACE
Three in the Bag...Won when last seen at this level. Been competitive against slightly better last two.
Commodore Way...Claimed and bumped up half a step off of a nice win here on 8/1.
Chris Got Even...Could prove to be dangerous on the drop.
Marina Market.

FOURTH RACE
Risque...Looks to be spotted to win.
Awesome Actor...Seemed to take to the turf last time.
Bad Action...Might appreciate the return to grass.
Indymine.
On dirt: Awesome Actor, African King, Hoist the Gala, Bad Action, Devil Approved It.

FIFTH RACE
Saratoga Russell...Showed high promise early in career and last could signal a return to that level.
Happy Bull...Has yet to miss the board.
Mannington...Will contend on best effort.
Formidable.

SIXTH RACE
Amazing Anna...Sire Exchange Rate 43-9-5-3 with firsters over the past year. This one was the fastest worker prior to March sale -- 20.3. This is a contentious MSW but if we get near that 15-1 ML we'll be very happy!
Squid Ink...Also has win-early breeding and worked well before 2YO sale -- 10.2.
Speightful Lady...Same scenario -- 10.1.
Whoopty Whoopty.
Bashoosha.

SEVENTH RACE
Ulterior Motive...Precocious breeding and trainer does well in these spots.
Outlaw Man...Same scenario as above.
Asphalt...With War Chant on top this one would be no surprise in here.
El Commodore.
On dirt: Same, plus Winslow Homer, On Vacation, Remittance.

EIGHTH RACE
Double O Uno...Worked in a quick 21.0 before February sale.
Gathering Cloud...Worked 21.1 before sale.
Discreetly Mine...Two decent tries under his belt.
Hammering Buckeye.

NINTH RACE
Grassy...Nice improvement start #1 to start #2. Looks capable of moving through this condition quickly.
Good Prospect...In good form now -- winning three of last four.
Midnite Silver...Lightly-raced but winning and improving.
Yankee Empire.
On dirt: Same plus Stevil, Stopbluffing, Smarten Destiny.

TENTH RACE - Alabama G1 $600K
Funny Moon...This looks like a wide-open affair so this gal gets only a tepid vote -- but she's only tossed in one, inexplicable, clunker, otherwise she's been tough. And a win at the trip can't hurt. Although it is worth noting that she hasn't negotiated two turns yet [the 10F at Belmont is a turn and a third].
Careless Jewel...She might just be able to sneak away and lead them on a merry chase all the way home.
Milwaukee Appeal...Comes out of two near-misses vs the boys in Canada's Triple Crown.
Don't Forget Gil.

ELEVENTH RACE
Freedom Rings...Beyer in comeback event might be a little light for this -- but Beyers aren't everything! She was solid vs open stakes company last year and -- though that Beyer was light -- she won the comebacker and the place horse that day was an easy winner here on Thursday.
Lemon Punch...Beaten fave in first try against NY-breds after running in SoCal for most of career. Should be solid in here today.
Mythical Yarn...Both starts have been good. Place horse in latest came back to run fourth on Thursday.
Facetious.
On dirt: Disco Diva, Vicarious, Eastern Prime, Defarge, Freedom Rings, Seek On.

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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