Today's Best Bets4-13. Passed the triple-digit mark in winners-on-top. Last year at this point we were 88-303 - obviously the extra races are helping with the win-total. We'll have a solid shot at hitting the 120 win-mark, which would translate to three winners a day through the meet. Stay tuned to the chase for 120.
Yesterday, winners in the 1st [$3.00], 4th [$3.50], 9th [$5.00], 10th [$4.00]. In R4 a cold A-B exacta [$29.60/$2]. Same A-B in R9 [$19.00]. Had to dip four-deep to complete the A-D exacta in R10 - which I usually wouldn't tout - but heck, it was a $51.00 gimmick with the even-money fave on top. In R13, the finale, our first-time starter top pick, 7-1 Rollingwiththetide, looked the part of a winner within the sixteenth pole - but couldn't hold off the momentum of our fourth selection, 7-1 Kris Royal. Those two combined for the $135.00 D-A exacta. Our "B" pick completed the $445.50 tri.
46,528 showed up to enjoy a truly glorious Saratoga afternoon. The highlight, of course, was a thrilling edition of the G1 $1mil Travers - a finish that allowed the race to outshine the depressed anticipation brought about by the lack of 3YO stars participating. But the late surge by 2-1 fave Alpha had the crowd roaring - although few could make the call as to whether or not he had caught 33-1 Golden Ticket. As second roar swept the grounds when the video replay produced another look at the tight finish. A third roar came the the dead-heat result was posted - and crowd continued to roar approval as the two winners each made their return to the winner's circle.
Confusion and excitement reigned in the winner's circle as everyone scrambled to figure out how to handle the unique situation, with the two horses cooling down outside of the circle for a loner time than usual - but eventually moving in one at a time for winner's photos. Then both camps came together for the trophy presentation - with smiles all around and prizes held high for more photos. All to the sound of an approving crowd - who realized that had been witness to a special afternoon of racing.
Neighboring post-race watering-holes Siro's and The Horseshoe were wall-to-wall with revelers well into the evening. Downtown Saratoga was rockin' as well with Caroline St mimicking a Bourbon St-style scene. That atmosphere was still banging into the wee-hours of the morning.
Social Media Day at Saratoga Race Course: Social networkers will 'like' a day at the races at the inaugural Social Media Day at Saratoga Race Course. The all-new event for the 2012 meet invites local and regional bloggers, Facebook fans, Twitter followers and other social media gurus to attend a special on-track meet-up and network in-person while enjoying a day of world-class thoroughbred racing.
RACE ONE
Proudroad to Glory...Good try this level last time.
Stray Bullet...Could be interesting if in it earlier today.
Night Brigade...Fnished best of top three in same race last time.
Classical Fashion.
RACE TWO
Apologize...Some precocious breeding - and that bullet work stands out.
Marcellina d'Oro...One of teo Pletcher 2YOs in here. We might regret not rating one of the other of them on top.
Sign...Has some nature and nuture at work.
Honor Bright.
Lenderoflastresort.
RACE THREE
1 Talmadge Hill...Expensive NY-bred weanling purchase. Delayed debut - but goes out in a turf sprint for Linda Rice. Maybe.
2 Thescreenisred...A couple of good seconds in turf sprints.
7 Sharpandwitty... 30-1 on the ML and could be interesting first time out.
13 AP Hutchy.
6 Princess Jenny.
RACE FOUR
6 Fiddlers Afleet...Tepid pick in a contentious race. Looking to rebound to numbers shown prior to latest.
1 Sailmate...Seems in good form and might appreciate the cutback.
5 Be Bullish..Be Bullish...Has some back class.
7 Johannesburg Smile.
RACE FIVE
5 Breathaway...Could prove tough on the front end.
10 Big Guy...Interesting on the stretchout.
2 Mr Cowboy...Has been competitive. Adds blinkers.
6 Search Engine.
1 Status of Force
RACE SIX
5 Daisygonnamakeit...With Closing Argument and Asmussen there's some win early nature and nuture.
8 Stone Broke...Sire off to a god start.
7 With Honorandgrace...First start looks like one to build on.
3 Heidi's Holiday.
RACE SEVEN
10 Half Lucky..Should be well-spotted here.
8 Restructuring Plan...Also should appreciate the company.
2 War Hitch...Repole runner has yet to cross the finish line first - but looks capable here.
9 Mr E Philip.
RACE EIGHT
3 Pleasant Run... Wake-up on the class-relief?
2 Screenplay...Has some back numbers and also drops.
7 Ronin Dax...Good try vs similar last time.
9 Powhatan County.
RACE NINE
1 Barocci...Numbers improving since arriving stateside.
6 Mahubo...Certainly looks like the one to beat.
3 Followmyfootsteps...Might be the pace-setter - just don't know if he's quick enough to sneak away.
4 Bombaguia.
RACE TEN
4 Royal Delta...Just hung on last time but certainly the one to beat on best effort. Big win on this track in G1 Alabama last time.
6 Tiz Miz Sue...Just-missed vs the top pick last time.
1 Its Tricky...Undefeated as a 4YO.
3 Love and Pride.
RACE ELEVEN
13 Verde Mont...AE list. Seems to have an edge on the numbers.
10 Fair Trade...Has been competitive and tests grass today.
2 Shy Humor...Might be interesting on the cutback.
1 Spondulix.
12 Owen Rico.
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