Today's Best Bets0-12. Yeesh - oh-fer'd on a twelve-race card. Top pick ran second in four races and the second pick won six. All around it - but no luck in the win spot for the top picks. Did manage some gimmicks that took the sting out of the day: R1 ... CABD x 41.60 t 89.50 s 351.00; R3 ... BADC x 12.00 t 30.20 no super; R7 ... Bc-A-De "B" scr - our "A" pick was a clear second at 14-1 x 39.80 t 198.50.
33148 attended. It's August and the crowds returned. Weather was warm and sunny. The joint was jumpin with a huge and enthusiastic crowd. They were treated to a number of ceremonial events surrounding the 150th anniversary of racing at Saratoga- which, to the date, was Saturday. There was a cake - a replica of the racecourse. Proclamations and a winner's circle rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. And we had the first of four $15K wagers: Kevin Brockley, of nearby Gansevoort, was the winner of this week's $15K wager - which had to be placed as a win-bet on the feature race, The Whitney. An armored car drove up the track and delivered the dough - and Brockley was in the winner's circle to place his bet. He chose Fort Larned, and also-ran -- although on television ealirer in the day he said he was going to choose between Fort Larned and Cross Traffic. Oooof! Cross Traffic won [$9.10].
After the races the large crowd continued on to the neighboring post-race watering holes - and downtown was rockin' until the wee hours.
FIRST RACE
Defiant...Looks to havea Beyer edge on these - unless one of the firsters jumps up.
Bank Float...Precociously-bred.
Calm Pacific... Stormy Atlantic can produce win-early types - dam produced a sib Alphanumeric that was a good second at 24-1 in second career start, but overall took ten to win.
Strike It Big.
On dirt: Sneaky B.lowout, Dattt Melody, then same as above, then General Pico.
SECOND RACE
Dance Tap...Solid nature and nuture with sire and trainer - but this is dam's first foal.
Ketel Twist...Gained some education in debut. Interesting on the stretchout.
Fierce Boots...Sib to the talented Baffert 3YO Power Broker - but that one took four to win.
Tempers Flair.
Dirt: Same, plus Ma Billet Doux.
THIRD RACE
Road Agent...Jumps slightly off the claim - but still looks to have a Beyer edge on these.
Meet the Mets...The move from state-bred alw/opt clm into open claimer is often fruitful.
Risk Management...Finds some class relief - off the claim.
Sneaky Freud.
FOURTH RACE
Consortium...Has flashed some talent and this 4YO's top contenders might be the 3YOs.
Eastwood...Could be any kind.
Majestic Hussar...Bullet work on Thursday is interesting.
Make a Fortune.
FIFTH RACE
Enquete...Win-early sire and trainer. Dam produced sib Moon Propect that won career debut in France in 2005.
Guilty Verdict...Sire is good first out of the box. Dam was a G1 winner - but hasn't produced much.
Julia Tutwiler...Sib Highest Oder was a long time maiden but did run an OK third in debut.
Malibu Angel.
SIXTH RACE
Wee Freudian...Class relief from last couple of dirt races - which featured solid Beyers.
Itsagoodtendollars...On the other hand - this one takes a slight class jump but has been competitive in limited starts this year.
Bug Juice...Broke maiden on this track back in 2010.
Dehere of the Cat.
SEVENTH RACE
Centrina...Won here a little over a week ago - why not right back?
Moonlit Sonnet...Also ran well here recently.
Funny Money...Might have gotten some useful experience vs winners last time. Rosario sticks.
Hurricane Jackie.
Dirt: Necessary Luxury, Satin Sheeks, Swift Taylor, Milkyyourway, Motion Lounge.
EIGHTH RACE
Giulio's Jewel...Takesa class hike - but improved significantly with move to turf - or was it the drop? Hmmm. We'll know more today.
Strategic Missile...Solid numbers this summer.
Normandy...Could be interesting on the cutback.
Spooky Kitten.
Dirt: Bobby Jo, Queen Mercury, Gnarley Girl, Giulio's Jewel.
NINTH RACE - G1 $400K Vanderbilt
Delaunay...Had a six-race win-streak snapped last time.
Gentlemen's Bet...This is the horse that snapped the top picks win-streak. Dangerous.
Bahamian Squall...Nice win in a slaty CRC sprint stake.
TENTH RACE
Bell by the Ridge...Capable on best effort.
Film Making...Just behind the top pick two back.
Tricky Hat...Looks to be competitive in this spot.
Tahoe Lake.
Dirt: Suns Out, Guns Out, Bell by the Ridge, Speightscity, Majestic Raffy, Tricky Hat, Tahoe Lake.
ELEVENTH RACE
Face the Race...Could be primed to go well today.
Sunnysider...Lifetime best Beyer last time - after showing some early speed.
Campgiovanni...Also likely to compete here.
Polaris Dream.
Eleven Btravo.
Dirt: Same.
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