Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Friday, July 19, 2024 Meet Total ... 10-61

Stop by the equidaily.com HOME PAGE for all the day's racing headlines from across the country and around the globe. Bookmark it and stop by regularly!

Don't forget to check out the Challenge page where we started the month with a mythical $2000 bankroll and attempt to increase that amount as the Saratoga season continues.

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

2-10. Winners in R4 [3.00] and R6 [13.20]. Also, R1 ... BADC x 24.80 t 107.50 s 235.00; R3 ... BAC x 26.40 t 96.50; R4 ... ADC 3.00 x 14.80 t 27.60; R5 ... Bc-A-x x 28.80; R8 ... Bc-Ab-x x 37.20; R9 ... DAx x 200.10.

Still frustrating. Overall the picks did well on Thursday - but still a little light on the top end, but, yeesh, it was rough!... Three of our top picks lost head-bobbing photos.

Today

FIRST RACE
No Evidence...Frister by red-hot Vekoma.
Governor Sam...Tried a stake in debut. Winner that day went on to run very well at Royal Ascot.
After Taxes...$169K purchase at Euro auction. WW with a 2YO turf sprinter.
Test Score.
Dirt: 9-8-1-4-7.

SECOND RACE
Unicorn Cake... Trainer off to a good start at the meet. This class move is typically productive.
Dea Matrona...LIkely to fit very well with this bunch.
Wings Like Eagles...Capable.
From Hello.
Dirt: 6-1-10-4.

THIRD RACE - $135 Curlin
Unmatched Wisdom...Tries stakes company and likely to fit off the undefeated two win career so far for Chad Brown.
Timeout...Hmmm - what to make of the Beyer in the latest... If you buy in, this guy will prove very tough.
Corporate Power...Not out of it.
Elephants Ear.

FOURTH RACE
Commandperformance...Drops, but off of the last few the move seems realistic.
Six Percent...Ran OK vs similar last time and might appreciate the stretchout.
Rocco Strong...Confident move turning around very quickly off of a good try and a claim.
Skylander.

FIFTH RACE
Positive Carry...Potent team look to be shopping for the Saratogawin with the class move.
Redo...Dropped in for a tag last time -- but on dirt. Tries this company on turf today.
Our Finest Hour...Likely to fit here.
Capo Donna.
Dirt: 1e-2-6.

SIXTH RACE
Joker On Fire...A little bit of win-early breeding and the trainer does well with debut runners.
Saratoga Warrior...Sib Quagmire won debut.
Under Who's Radar....Two of five sib won their debut - one won a dirt sprint, the other two-turn on grass.
The Toner.

SEVENTH RACE
Emerald Forest... Trainer has good stats with the class move - -but parsing down to this class move, first off claim, last 3 yrs at SAR: 3 for 4 (75%).
Critical Threat...Claimed two back. Won first start for new barn. With that money in the bank the drop today is clever.
Super Chief...Interesting on the move from SoCal.
Chateau.

EIGHTH RACE
Roswell...Has run well in first four starts.
Sam's Treasure...Just behind top pick and also has a solid record.
Tricky Temper...Stepping out of stakes company.
Princess Madison.

NINTH RACE
Vino Rouge...Knocking on the door with improved Beyers this season.
Root Cause...Would be no surprise to run well off the layoff and lightly raced career so far for Chad.
Determined Lilly...Can't fault the record so far in 2024.
Child of the Moon.
Dirt: 13-1e-11-12.

TENTH RACE
Geopolitics...Stuck in bridesmaid-mode and it's starting to look like a pattern but we'll give her one more shot.
Beautiful Thief...Promising debut effort to build on. AE list.
Heart of the Night...Good try in east coast debut.
Splashy.
Cerretta.
Dirt: same.

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.

Archives of daily Best Bets picks and plays pages: 2013 ... 2012 ... 2011 ... 2010... 2009 ...2008 ... 2007 ... 2006 ... 2005 ... 2004 ... 2003

Note: Pages on this site are labelled with the equidaily.com logo. Some links are for information only and lead to pages at other sites. equidaily.com is responsible only for the pages on this site. equidaily.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Always check with official sources to verify info.

E-mail any questions, comments, or suggestions: