Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Monday, September 4, 2023 Meet Total ... 109-399

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

Turf picks are turf only - unless otherwise indicated.

2023 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday

5-10. Winners in R2 [8.20]; R3 [5.80]; R4 [4.00]; R5 [5.40; R9 [8.00]. Also, R1 ... BDC x 12.20 t 29.20; R2 ... ABD x 15.20 t 150.00; R3 ... ACDB x 14.80 t 69.00 s 104.40; R4 ... ACx 10.00; R5 ... Ab-x-Bc P4/$33.62/.50; R9 ... ABD x 10.20 t 68.50; R10 .. DAB x 36.40 t 150.00.

And we would have like a couple more: In R1, our Capital OTB "Dark Horse Play of the Day", Prograny [24-1], lead for much of the trip setting very easy fractions. When 51.14 popped up for the half I was salivating with anticipation of a $50 winner. It was not to be: after setting those pedestrian fraction the horse couldn't even hold on for a piece, getting passed last in the stretch and winding up a disappointing eighth. Sheesh.

And in the nightcap, after seeing the odds on Brightwork in the penultimate R9, I jumped on some late doubles, going heavy with top pick Dark Pool [6-1] in the finale. Seems like that one might have been best but the winner just got the jump.

Attendance: 28043. Weather: Sunny and nice - tending toward hot.

Today

FIRST RACE
Split Strike...Third start. Moves to turf off of a good work.
Charging Fast...Live if in from AE.
Marco T...Ok debut.
Wine Responsible.

SECOND RACE
Coppa Girl...Off two latest.
Just Katherine...Second in the Wilton and flattered when the winner there impressed next time.
Mariah's Appeal...Speedy.
Raging Sea.

THIRD RACE - $150K Baruch
Emaratty...Won this race last year but only one start since.
Wit...Capable - but off since January.
Pioneering Spirit.

FOURTH RACE
HP Moon.
Jemography...OK try for the waiver last time.
Senor Jobim...Interesting with Keith riding for his father.
Lord Captina.

FIFTH RACE
Russi...Been going well last two and finally gets turf today.
Voleuse...Just missed in simialr event.
Scherzando...The Byk team looks to get into the Spa winner's circle!
Okaloosa.
Prince of Truth.

SIXTH RACE
Aggelos the Great.
Solo's Fury...Last couple works are OK.
Az U Chase Me...Bullet in the holster.
Wisecracker.

SEVENTH RACE
Overacting...Seems likely to contend off of debut win.
Waterville...Should be rolling late.
Stella Mars.
Smokie Eyes.

EIGHTH RACE
Win for Gold..In good form.
Be the Boss...Off latest - and cut back might help.,br> Agility...Better than latest.
Callaloo.
Asymmetric.

NINTH RACE
American Know How...Improving Beyers.
Alexis Zorba...Off since last year - but returns for potent connections.
Collect From Ike...On best.
Off the Clock.

TENTH RACE - G1 $30K Hopeful
Muth.
Be You...Maiden - but just missed in a good debut.
Timberlake...Impressed in maiden-breaker.
Gold Sweep.

ELEVENTH RACE
Fake Celebrity...Sib to Brooklyn Strong and that one was precocious.,br> Chulligan...Should fit with this bunch.
Lt Mitchell...Looks lkke a contender here.
Paschal Moon.

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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