Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Thursday, July 26, 2012 Meet Total ... 13-51 (Note: Corrected race-total - we had one too many races-run listed yesterday)

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Yesterday

4-10. Winners in the 2nd [$5.00], 5th [$6.80], 8th [$5.60], and 9th [$7.50]. Reverse exacta in the 4th [$38.00/$2] with our third selection completing the tri [$112.50]. Other gimmicks were available mixing up the picks in a few other races.

A nice mid-week crowd of 12,856 was announced. They enjoyed a nice day, sunny and hot.

And a good crowd turnd out for the annual horsemen vs jocks charity basketball game on Wednesday evening. The horsemen were getting thumped, with a halftime score of 18-33. But things turned around in the second half when they picked up a an imposing ringer who towered over everyone. Final score, Horsemen win 54-47.

WinStar's Elliot Walden is now to be known as 'King of the Floppers' having hit the floor at least a couple of times in Oscar-worthy performances when contact was made with jock-team members half his size! Todd Pletcher got NBA-star treatment from the refs when he mugged an opponent while going for a steal - and the call went the other way! All of this drew good-natured responses from the fans.

Also on the horsemen team: Trainer Rick Schosberg, NYRA's Dan Silver and PJ Campo, Jeff Cannizzo of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, West Point's Terry Finley, coach Kiaran McLaughlin, and more.

Among the jocks Kent Desormeaux showed he's got some 'ball', slicing and dicing in the lane on a number of occasions. Rajiv Maragh can shoot the ball. They were joined by Julien Leparoux, Janice Blake-Baeza and others.

In the stands supporting the good cause of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. were: NYRA chief Ellen McClain, Dogwood's Cot Campbell, Angel Cordero and John Velazquez - and many more.

Mitch Levites kept them all entertained as the evening's MC/announcer.

The Saratogian's coverage of the event can be found here.

Today

There are showers predicted for the area today. Keep your eyes to the sky for changes...

FIRST RACE - $75K Kiser
Sargeant Karakorum...Seems in good form for jump-master Sheppard.
Baltic Shore...Also going well this season.
En Fuego...Had success on the flat and now has taken to the jump game.
Lake Placid.

SECOND RACE
St Johns River...Looks logical on class. Finished third to the ultra-talented Royal Delta in latest.
North Freeway/Twice the Lady...Both halves look capable and the trainer is off to a red-hot start.
Imperial Pippin...Won her turf debut last time. Probably needs to step it up here though.
Acting Happy/Believe in AP.

THIRD RACE
Perimele...Has some interest in the breeding and the connections - but that angle would be more appealing if this wasn't a $20K clm'r.
Dynamic Star...Class relief.
Still Shea to Me...Class relief. Turf-to-dirt. Blinkers on. Some things to consider.
Royal Heart/Just Safe.
My Big angel.

FOURTH RACE
Queen Nine...Sib to News Pending and that one flashed some talent. This one goes MSW to mdn clm'r off of an OK debut for Ward.
Happy Inside/Nodebtdanny...Firster Nodebtdanny probably offers more intrigue of the pair.
Shrinking Violet...Class relief - faced the boys last time.
Reckless Mama.

FIFTH RACE
Star of New York...Seems like a good fit with these.
Jet Set Vinny...Has some closing punch.
Bernie the Maestro...Impressed in first start for Repole.
Meridian Magic.

SIXTH RACE
Postpone...First off the claim for nation's leading owner.
Lord Chelsie...Turf is the question mark - but trainer Ward likely to have him ready.
Precious Metal...Moves into open company but should fit.
Beer Is Good.
On dirt: Postpone, Runawayeightyfour, Lord Chelsie, Shankopotamus.

SEVENTH RACE
Flower Mart...Has a little first-out nature and nuture.
Battle Bridge...Debut was OK.
Abaco...Should be heard from late.
Despite Her Form.
On dirt: Same plus Glorious View, Lily Olay.

EIGHTH RACE - $100K Quick Call
Full...Looks like a budding turf sprint stakes runner.
Manly...Another that might have found his calling.
Gentlemens Code...In good form.
Love Those Boots.
On dirt: Drago's Best, Manly, Love Those Boots, Capetown Devil.

NINTH RACE
Ginny's Classic...Seems an improved 4YO.
First Whipporwill...Brings in a 3-race win-streak.
Downtown Hottie...Looks to fit here for the red-hot Tony Dutrow.
Molly Morgan.
On dirt: Ginny's Classic, Fiftyfour Forever, Bid a Moon, Royal Sighting, Molly Morgan, Princess Mara, Arsenal.

TENTH RACE
Grand Rapport...Class relief. Just-missed in a stake here last summer.
Lighthouse Sound...Looks like a fit here.
Rogue Victory...Needs to rebound to some of the back numbers.
King Ting.
Dechipering Dreams.
Red Jack.
On dirt: Grand Rapport, Sky Music, Voter, Irish Lion, Red Jack, Joe Corrigan.

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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