Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Sunday, September 6, 2009 Meet Total ... 88-342

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Yesterday

Today

1-11. Winners in the 3rd [$4.60] and [DOH!] we also had the winner in the 12th [$6.70] -- but for some reason the nightcap didn't make the page. However, we had a 3-horse exacta box listed on the Challenge page, and we always list those in order of preference, so perhaps folks were able to decipher that. But we can't really add that winner to our total above...

Otherwise, we had the reverse exacta [$12.20] in the featured 10th, the G1 Woodward. Our third pick completed the tri [$36.80].

Clearly Week Six, which has typically been very good to Best Bets, has been something of a bust this season. We'll push ahead through the last two days and hope for a couple of miracle afternoons -- but our quest for 100 wins has to be deemed a longshot.

31,171 attended. A very solid number. Remember, Travers-like numbers are difficult because the Travers is an event -- circled on calendars months in advance and planned for year after year. The G1 Woodward for Rachel Alexandra wasn't a certainty until less than two weeks ago. It's also Labor Day weekend when many folks have other plans. Topping 30K is a number that most tracks would kill for and take the word of one that was in attendance -- the place was rockin' for the Woodward. There were 31,171 in the stands -- with the vast majority lining the apron from the top of the stretch to the clubhouse turn -- but, in years to come, that number will swell with people all 'remembering' that they too were there for the big event. It was that kind of race.

It really was a memorable day of racing -- one quite unlike any other we've ever witnessed much less attended.

FIRST RACE
Right of Way...This really looks like a chaotic event with many having a shot. We'll kind of lean towards sentiment and hope for 'The Chief' to grab his first win at the meet. This one has a little bit of consistency to hang our hat on.
Frame of Reference/Frazil...On the flip-side these two are trained by Linda Rice -- still going for the trainer's title, with a one-race lead over Pletcher, and she's clearly fighting hard for the crown with the likes of Frame of Reference with that one being claimed only one week ago.
Dorian Will..And Pletcher has his bullet in this race.
Xodo.
Gresham.

SECOND RACE
Summer Humor/Mambo Fever... Summer Humor would be no shock to win early and Mambo Fever should benefit from her first start.
Ailalea...Another that could easily improve in the second start.
Kind Words...Bred to be a monster being a sib to Bernardini -- but note that Bernardini ran fourth in career debut.
Starsilhouette.

THIRD RACE
Lowther Street...Seemed to move up nicely when moved to dirt -- and we'll know more today if that's his preferred surface.
Luv Gov...Capable on best effort.
Close Alliance...Behind top pick last time - but had some trouble and now makes second start in this country.
Birdrun.

FOURTH RACE
Left Unsaid...Jumper has shown some talent on the flat -- and is already a winner over the jumps. Trip shouldn't be a problem.
En Fuego...Nice try to 12F last time.
Seeking the Sluice...Typically picks up a piece on the grass.
Chapin Beach.
Parker's Project.

FIFTH RACE - Commentator $70K
Cannonball...Huge effort facing world-class sprinters at Royal Ascot. Facing NY-breds in here.
Silver Timber...Big win in G3 Jaipur.
Karakorum Electra...It's Linda rice. It's a turf sprint.
Meriwhether Jessica.

SIXTH RACE
Swinging At Siro's/Stellaluce...Rice entry. Swinging has win-early breeding. Stella should benefit from the debut education.
Make Note...Another that can move forward in the second start.
Saver Dude...Win-early breeding from a trainer that can have them ready.
Elsaroarin.

SEVENTH RACE
Intercoastal...Wes Ward turf sprinter. Could be primed after having on OK try over the track.
Echo in Eternity...Could be dangerous finding some class-relief in here.
Pals First Lady/Fort McCoy...Again, Linda Rice in a turf sprint.
Winthrop House.

EIGHTH RACE
Ketubah...Has run well since move to turf. Should benefit from education at this level last time.
Chorus Music...Should be heard from late.
High Cry/Lemon Punch...Lemon Punch preferred. looks like a good fit here.
Frivolous Buck.
Hooked On Hope.

NINTH RACE - Saranac G3 $100K
Sal the Barber...Looks to have an edge on this bunch.
Al Khali...Decent numbers since moving to turf and should fit here.
Lime Rickey...Expect a better performance than last time.
El Crespo.

TENTH RACE - Spinaway G1 $300K
Worstcasescenario...Very impressive winning G2 Adirondack.
Hot Dixie Chick...Blasted a huge win in G3 Schuylerville -- but it seems like often this type 2YO stakes-winner early in the Saratoga meet isn't quite as effective when stretched the extra furlong at the end of the meet.
Beautician...Had some trouble behind Hot Dixie Chick last time.
Sassy Image.

ELEVENTH RACE
Better Than Swiss...Third start of 2009 after tow improving efforts.
Runfromthestorm...Improved nicely in second career start.
Ten Carrot Nikki/Fox's Ally Cat...Nikki is better than last. Cat could be a live firster.
Red Kettle.

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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