Today's Best BetsWe're underway and it wasn't a bad beginning. Not a homerun - but we certainly didn't strike out either.
Three winners [R2, $7.60; R4, $3.70; R9, $7.60]. Also, two cold exactas [R4 $7.10/$2; R9 $30.00] - and R9 also produced a cold tri [$97.50/$2].
Rosie Naprvnik won the season's opener with an upsetter at 13-1. She doubled up with a win in R5. Also scoring double were Castellano, Rosario and Dominguez.
The weather was picture-perfect with comfortable temps in the high 70s and much less humidity than the area has seen over the past two weeks. A solid crownd of 25,676 turned out and parking was at a premium with track lots showing "FULL" signs prior to the first race and parked cars far down Union Ave and along the side streets.
Unfortunately snake-bit NYRA couldn't escape some downside to an otherwise superb opener: Water pressure dropped to nothing in portions of the plant around mid-card, the highly touted new, free wi-fi was spotty at best, many SAM locations were without their SAMs, and some TVs had yet to be installed. So, like my day, NYRA's wasn't a homerun either.
After the races many of the large crowd moved on to the nearby post-race watering-holes and eventually downtown to enjoy the music along Broadway.
Hats Off music fest continues. Musical acts line Saratoga's main street - keeping things hopping downtown from 7-11pm.
FIRST RACE - Willard Straight $100K
Bridgetown...Hits the exacta more often than not turf sprinting. Like this track.
Perfect Officer...Might be primed in third start back.
Fiddlers Patriot...Dominguez onboard and another making the third start of the season.
Great Mills.
SECOND RACE
Spurious Precision...Connections like to win here with these 2YO auction types.
Smoke Town...Some win-early breeding.
Hot West...More win-early breeding and encouraging works.
Well Lawyered.
THIRD RACE
Cinematize...First two were encouraging and trainer got off to a nice start at the meet.
Clear Pasaj..Just-missed with move to dirt.
Bella Silver...Much improved as a 3YO.
Wild Grace.
FOURTH RACE
Sam's Buck...Hoping for a move forward in the third start of 2012 - but frankly it's a tough race to decipher.
Sonnyandpally...Might benefiit from the seasonal debut.
Papa Tom...Last couple have been OK.
Call Up the Chief.
FIFTH RACE
Nonno's Boy...Dirt starts for a tag have been good.
Blue Creek...Class relief.
How Do I Win...Red flags are flying on the drop - but might be better than these anyway.
Robert's Breach.
SIXTH RACE
Lea...In from Churchill off of a promising debut.
Night site...Been close since moving to turf.
Kris Royal...Another that was promising first-out.
Sir sidney.
SEVENTH RACE
Yankee Kitten...The layoff is a concern but will be dangerous if ready.
Cientifico...Firm footing might help today.
Parachute Coney...In good form when last seen.
Headingtothecity.
EIGHTH RACE
Reserve Currency...Looks to haave an edge on this bunch.
Colonel Bill...First off the claim for top US owner.
Romantic Channel...Spotted to be competitive.
Standing O.
NINTH RACE
Saint of Saints...Might still have some upside.
Bellamy Brew...Off since debut win last year - but next-out winners from that race have flattered this one.
Battle Hardened...Showed promise earlier this year.
Shrewd One.
TENTH RACE CCA Oaks G1 $300K
Disposablepleasure...The near-miss effort in the one-turn G1 Mother Goose makes her interesting.
Zo Impressive... Beat the top pick last time.
Questing... A 'wow' win with the return to dirt last time.
In Lingerie.
ELEVENTH RACE
Diamond d'Oro... Speed and class relief.
Stormy Beauty... Also finding some class relief.
Holiday at Betty's... Should contend with even mild improvement off of the debut.
My Sweet Candy.
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