Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Monday, August 31, 2009 Meet Total ... 78-292

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Yesterday

Winners in the 2nd [$5.10], 3rd [$4.00], 6th [$5.60], 8th [$4.40], and 10th [$5.60]. Also, in the second it was our top pick over our third selection for the exacta [$25.60/$2] with our second pick rounding out the tri [$52.00]. Cold exacta in the 3rd [$14.20]. In the sixth, a grand slam with our top four in correct order for the cold exacta [$30.80], tri [$74.30] and super [$198.40]. Cold exacta in the 8th [$10.20]. In the 10th, the featured G1 Ballerina, it was top pick over third selection for the exacta [$25.40].

All-in-all a good day -- which, coupled with Saturday's results, turned around what had been shaping up as a dismal Week Five for us.

18.014 attended and enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon. Sunny and comfortable -- with a distinctly laid-back feeling after the go-go party atmosphere of Travers Day.

Today

FIRST RACE
Cavallo Pazzo...Comes in on a roll for a trainer going well at the meet.
James Wilfred...Also doing well with three good starts so far in 2009.
Executive Search...Should be rolling late.
Jack On the Rocks.

SECOND RACE
Laylaben...We'll go with the fresh-face in a field of mostly proven non-winners. BUT, the trainer isn't especially known to have them cranked-up first-time out.
For Love Alone...Just missed here on 8/2.
Won Token...Could be interesting with return to dirt.
Louisa Mae.

THIRD RACE
Distinctively...Well-bred from Phipps/McGaughey. Put in a good debut effort and should build on that.
Film Charm...Finished ahead of top pick in an improved effort last time.
Patience Drive...Has shown some flashes -- but still a question mark on dirt.
Hidden Face.

FOURTH RACE - Mollie Wilmot $70K
Platinum...Lightly-raced 3YO from J Jerkens seemed to appreciate stretchout to two turns and should be ready for this assignment.
Lawless Falls...Another that took to two turns.
Striking Tomisue...Last few have been puzzling -- but she's capable if able to recapture best form.
Stone Legacy.

FIFTH RACE
Shrimp Dancer...Decent debut -- with some trouble. Might go better with move to turf.
Quick Money/Abilio...Turf sprint. Linda Rice.
Holy Ego/Wana play...Wana Play preferred off of the decent try on grass.
Mr Vegas/Solution Finders.
All Zipped Up.
On dirt: Same, plus Cathy's Rascal.

SIXTH RACE
Precision Farming/Sigmundo...Precision Farming preferred. Should benefit from the start at this level last time.
Dorian Will...2009 debut seems to indicate he returned as an improved 3YO.
Moon Ala Mode...Decent try in a similar spot on 7/29.
Baton Rouge.
On dirt: El Tamberito, Baton Rouge, Sigmundo/Precision Farming, Berning Blaze.

SEVENTH RACE
Great Attack...Trainer very good with debuting 2YOs.
Petecarol...MSW to mdn clm'r a potent move for McPeek.
Loyal Leader...Linda Rice with a turf sprinter.
Pendulum.
Peteloveshisboots.

EIGHTH RACE
Blazing Dynamo...Trouble in last two and should be finding some class relief in here.
Find the Wire...Good try in a similar race last time.
Holiday Trip...Just behind Find the Wire last time.
Big Al.
On dirt: Blue Lion, Urban Flight, Chalook, Masterofthehouse.

NINTH RACE - Saratoga Dew $112K
Borrowing Base...Been turfing recently but has run well on dirt in the past -- including on this track. Should have some pace to shoot at.
Afleet Alexandra...Horse for the course?
Yet Again...Should fit with this bunch.
My Dinah.

TENTH RACE
Ruff and Ready...Dangerous on the drop.
Skagerrak...Also moving down the claiming ladder after a couple of OK efforts vs better.
Jamaludin...Yet another dropping into this event. Must get in from AE list.
Dancing Tin Man.
Quick to Charm.
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.

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