Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Saturday, July 13, 2024 Meet Total ... 2-21

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Merrow's picks can also be found on most Saratoga racing says at the Capital OTB Handicappers' Report. Also throughout the Saratoga meet in the hard copy of the Albany Times-Union.

Turf picks are turf only - unless otherwise indicated.

2024 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday

1-10. Another brutal day. Winner in R8 [7.50] -- plus the cold ex [$31.60/$2]. Also, R1 ... CDB x 50.00 t 114.00; R4 ... CBx x 19.80.

Today

FIRST RACE
Mezacalifornia... Lone racing sib Anajuliaforever was 8,1,3,1 to start career.
Dare to Breeze...Logical off of the good debut.
Mischief Maxey...One sib - Faithful King - won debut -- BUT with a 24 Beyer.
Gerlin's Empire.

SECOND RACE - G3 $175K Kelso
Talk of the Nation...Seems in good form.
Mysterious Night...In front of top pick last time and will take plenty of action with prominent Euro trainer.
Carl Spackler.
Dirt: 6-3-1.

THIRD RACE
Celestial Glaze...FL-based trainer might make some noise at the meet.
Nelson Avenue/Top Gunner...Both in from out of town and into new barns -- but, both seem capable.
Poppy's Pride...In good form but tries toughest level in awhile.
Lost in Rome.

FOURTH RACE
Illuminaire...Debut win says he fits.
Abadin...Can't overlook.
Classic Legacy...Clears fits here.
Kunshan Bridge.

FIFTH RACE
Transactional/Unit Economics...Unit is preferred on the recency.
Samburu...No stretch to see this one in the mix here.
Ramblin Wreck...Might benefit from the seasonal debut.
Rebel Red.
Dirt: 10-5-11-13.

SIXTH RACE
Turriga...Third start back and off of a maiden breaker in an improved effort.
Stolen Future...Also improved in first two starts this year. Irad rides.
Act of Congress...Has speed.
Fancypants Juliana.
Dirt: 12-5-4-2.

SEVENTH RACE
Tough Catch...Sire good with firsters. Two sibs - Friar Laurence and Unique Factor won their debuts.
Tenacious Leader...Expensive auction purchase. Sib Tape Runner just missed in first try.
Sam's Rocket...Another expensive purchase. Just under $1mil. Potent team.
Munson.

EIGHTH RACE
Commuted...Just missed in a solid debut.
Hurricane Nelson...By a win-early sire. Hasn't lived up to that yet - but has the potential to come back improved off of a light 2YO campaign.
Reynolds Channel...Cut back is interesting.
Escondido.

NINTH RACE
Magical Ways...Seems perfectly capable of contending at big ML odds.
Irish Aces...Coming off of a lifetime best number.
Georgie W...Should benefit from the first start of 2024.
Beuys.
Dirt: 15-3-4-7-14.

TENTH RACE - G1 $500K Diana
Didia...Nice win here on Belmont Stakes weekend.
Chili Flag...Also a stakes winner here last month.
Moira...2022 Queen's Plate winner has been off since 3rd in G1 BC F/M Turf but will be a player if ready.
Whitebeam.
Dirt: 5-11-8.

ELEVENTH RACE - G2 $175K Sanford
Mentee...Impressed in debut.
Three Echoes...Might be interesting with the stakes experience under his belt.
Studlydoright...Stakes winner.
Mr Squeaky Wheels.

TWELFTH RACE
Rithm Nic...Might be moving to a more productive level.
Three Zone...Solid this season.
Dr Oseran...Tough if able to rebound to 2024 first start performance.
Heymackit'sjack.
13-9-15-16.

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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