Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Meet Total ... 82-302

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Yesterday

Dar day. No racing.

Today

Proud to be an American Day. Military personnel receive free grandstand admission with valid ID.

FIRST RACE
Mine All Mine...This one showed some early promise as a 2YO. Hasn't quite lived up to that potential this year but could prove interesting with the addition of blinkers and the move to turf for a potent sprint trainer. Also, note the 8/17 grass work.
Strike the Bell...Running well since the return to turf -- but turf sprinting is kind of a specialty so it's a question mark how she'll do cutting back from two turns.
Lost Without You...On the other hand, this one is a proven turf sprinter and had some trouble while running well here last time.
Tempest Storm.
On dirt: Mine All Mine, Daily Star, Strike the Bell, Smart Trade.

SECOND RACE
Big Flirt...A Wes Ward double? Cuts back to a sprint. Returns to dirt. Drops. All adds up.
Jazz Hands...Dropped to this level and ran well but faded last time. Wouldn't be shocked to see improvement off of that effort.
Kelode...Eligible to wake up with the class relief.
Pegasus Fever.

THIRD RACE
Matador Run...Pletcher has won with one or two of these drastic class-droppers at the meet. This one is also making the third start of the season -- another plus-factor.
Headache...Ran well despite trouble last time -- and now drops another rung down the claiming ladder.
Autry...Lightly-raced and still might have some upside potential -- which means he might be dangerous against this bunch.
American Rock.

FOURTH RACE - Loudonville $70K
JZ Warrior...Hmmm. Tough call. Based on the Beyers, her last couple might be a little light -- but popped some solid numbers last year that will contend here and we're hoping she might be rounding back to those numbers.
Orinoquia...Just behind top pick last time. Had some trouble in that one.
Fascinatin' Rhythm...solid stakes-quality performer in Maryland. Might be rated as top pick if it weren't for the layoff.
Simplify.

FIFTH RACE
Bonavento...Win-early breeding. Win-early connections. Nice works.
Chief Counsel...Experience counts and this one already has a decent try under his belt.
Fayoum...Another that put in an OK debut effort -- but note that it was an off-the-turf race.
Swashbuckler.

SIXTH RACE
Split Pot...More lightly-raced than most of these -- meaning that perhaps there's some more upside potential. Had trouble in last while finishing just behind one that broke maiden in next start.
Grace's Valentine...This filly might be the lone speed -- and could be tough if she's able to sneak away early.
Playful Majesty...Looks like this might be the trainer's only horse -- which is kind of a negative for us. But, that said, she'll certainly be rolling late.
Lovely Promise.
On dirt: American Land, Playful Majesty, Lovely Promise, Point to Royalty.

SEVENTH RACE
Orchestrator...A couple of decent improving starts already. Breeding says she should be OK on turf. Nice work in prep for this.
Zilva...Our top pick for the 8/3 race - we might regret not having her there again today. We liked her win-early breeding last time -- but that breeding is perhaps a little more sprint-oriented.
Kaila Ann's Kitten...Expect her to go well in debut.
Veil of Tears.
Senada.
On dirt: Zilva, Thatsallshewrote, Orchestrator, The Underling, Limeheart, Veil of Tears.

EIGHTH RACE
Raffie's Deer...Was running well for Dominguez early this year -- and he gets back aboard for second start off layoff.
Dixieland Star...Solid win over the track last time. Might need to kick up the Beyer fig a tad from that effort but was firing the right numbers last year.
Ziptronic...Linda Rice is in the midst of a chase for the trainer's title and this one is surely a contender here.
Client Eight.

NINTH RACE - Lena Spencer $70K
Smart and Fancy...Stakes-winning turf sprinter has won over half of her lifetime starts. Just missed here last time.
Ahvee's Destiny...Edged the top pick last time and won't be shocked if this Rice trainee takes it all again.
Canadian Ballet...Another Rice runner. Comes out of a near-miss in a G3 at Woodbine.
Karakorum Electra.
On dirt: Pretty Carina, Trusty Temper, Sly Storm, Smart and Fancy.

TENTH RACE
Star of New York...Beyers say this one has an edge on this bunch -- but those figs were achieved on dirt. Should take these if grass isn't a problem.
Monastir...OK third in a similar race on 8/19.
Spa City Fever...Back very quick off of a decent try on dirt. Must get in from AE list but if they do and they choose to run on the quick turnaround he could be interesting.
Jac Roxs.
Mr Enrico.
On dirt: Star of New York, Monastir, Mr Enrico, Jac Roxs, Spa City Fever.

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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