Today's Best Bets

6-12. A nice breakout performance. Winners in the 2nd [$6.90], 6th [3.90], 7th [2.70], 8th [10.20], 11th [3.70] and 12th [4.90]. A C-B exacta in the 1st for a wildly generous $128.00/$2 exacta with our "A" pick and 1-5 favorite Stopshoppingmaria off the board. B-A-C-D in the 4th for the exacta [$38.00/$2], tri [$169.00] and super [$453.00]. D-B-A-C in the 10th [exacta 76.50, tri 288.00, super 535.00]. And a cold exacta in the 12th [$17.60].

It's still the 'August Place to Be'! 30,841 packed the joint for the first Saturday in August. Weather was mostly sunny, hot and humid.

The highlight of the day might have been Allen Jerkens - who won his first career race in 1950 - adding another G1 to his lengthy resume when 5-1 Emma's Encore came from the back of thepack to take the Prioress. Seldom does a trainer get the kind of reception from the crowd that Jerkens got as he entered the winner's circle to applause and shouts of "Chief!".

Humidity went down slightly but temps stayed warm into the evening and there were healthy crowds at the nearby post-race watering holes and then downtown later on.

Galloping Grapes: A New York Wine Event: Wine aficionados and thoroughbred fans will come together from noon to 5pm. The event will showcase wineries from across New York State.

FIRST RACE
Forbidden Gift...Maiden-breaker was impressive - last two not so much. But could be rounding back into form.
Fire Assay...Should be heard from late.
Hunter Forward...World-traveler seems to have found her proper spot.
Trophy Wife.
On dirt: Forbidden Gift, Victory for VLTs, Trophy Wife, The Winged Venus.

SECOND RACE
This one is ripe to be stolen on the front-end - the trick is finding the most likely candidate to go.
Conspiracy...Eligible to improve second-time out.
State Flag...Comes from out of it - and might not have much pace to shoot at. Hmm.
Quiet Danger...Has shown some close-up punch.
Input.
On dirt: Same plus Entrainment.

THIRD RACE
Rockin Boogie...7-time loser tries turf - and works say this might be a good move.
Loud Pipes...Could be primed in third start.
Miss Suwanee...Off since a near-miss at GP.
Tricky Slam.
Wally Did It.
On dirt: Same plus Demon's Deputy.

FOURTH RACE
Resonating...Won debut and good good education last time in NW1.
Willet...Solid so far - but moves into open company today.
Crespano...Clunked last time - and moves out of Pletcher barn - but prior starts were good.
Brilliant Kate.

FIFTH RACE
Junoon...A little bit of trouble as beaten fave last time. Should go well today.
Yes It's Pink...Solid foundation in debut.
Chasing Piper... AE. Big number on turf.
Flirtatious Spring.
Corinthian's Lark.
Mighty Reward.
On dirt: Same plus Islarama.

SIXTH RACE
Skyfall...Pletcher firster likely to go well.
Win for Kitten...Win-early breeding and trainer.
Gustavia...More win-early breeding.
Faceineveryflower.
Anita Chica.
On dirt: Same plus Artfully, Sandsarita.

SEVENTH RACE
Temper in Command...On the improve and might blow right through this condition.
Bakin' With Cindy...Could be interesting vs NY-breds.
I Dreamt I Was...Cuts back.
Mary P Jones.
Going Green. On dirt: Same plus Mischief Maker, Ibid.

EIGHTH RACE
Read the Personals...Has some breeding and jock has sent a few aggressively at the meet - let's see this one go too!
Uncle Southern...AE. Might be a nseaky good firster.
Gee Linz...Breeding and a nice work on 7/20.
Searchingforahero.
Uncaged Hero.

NINTH RACE
Professor Fate...Big Beyer two back attracts attention.
Cajun Breeze...Toos latest.
Thermal Cat...Hmmm. How gone the wrong way - but that debut still sticks out.
Ascauga.
Perfect Trippi.

TENTH RACE G1 $400K Vanderbilt Hcp
Shackleford...G1 Met Mile winner is the one to beat.
Emcee..Lightly-raced and has shown talent.
Justin Phillip...Capable on best - and if top pick falters.
Poseidon's Warrior.

ELEVENTH RACE
Zow...Drops on the comeback for Repole.
Africanist...Another dropper.
American Legend...Solid in debut win.
Heron Lake.
My Man Dan.

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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