Today's Best BetsAnd twelve days into the meet we still have a hit-rate of 50% with winners on top. For readers who might be new to the sport this is kind of like a major league ballplayer hitting .500 -- it's just about unheard of. Granted, there has been plenty of chalk throughout the opening two weeks -- but Best Bets has maintained a respectable straight win-bet ROI during the period. A $2 win-bet on each top selection would have cost $226 and would have returned $313.30, an ROI of about 40%. Plus, there has been a healthy mix of gimmick plays for those following the picks this year.
Below is a comparison among the top public handicappers following the Saratoga race meet.
Note: Discrepancies in total number of races played is due to some handicappers losing races due to scratches or adding races with simulcast plays.
|
Seth Merrow Best Bets - equidaily.com |
56-113 |
|
Tom Cunningham Albany Times Union |
55-113 |
|
Tom Law Saratogian |
52-114 |
|
Dave Little NY Daily News |
51-112 |
|
Debbie L NY Post |
48-109 |
|
Matt Graves Albany Times Union |
47-113 |
|
Mark Cusano Daily [Schenectady] Gazette |
46-113 |
|
Bill Heller Daily [Schenectady] Gazette |
45-113 |
|
Sherry Ross NY Daily News |
45-112 |
|
Nick Kling Saratogian |
44-114 |
|
Bill Taylor Saratogian |
44-113 |
|
Vic C NY Post |
43-112 |
|
Russ Harris NY Daily News |
42-113 |
|
John Pricci Saratogian |
41-114 |
|
Tim Wilkin Albany times Union |
41-112 |
|
Mike Jarboe Albany times Union |
40-112 |
|
Jerry Bossert NY Daily News |
38-112 |
|
John DaSilva NY Post |
38-113 |
|
Ed Fountaine NY Post |
38-112 |
|
Tom V NY Post |
32-111 |
|
Mike Lipack NY Daily News |
29-112 |
Yesterday
6-9. Another very chalky day -- but ya gotta take what they're giving, and the picks offered a little bit of value if you played the gimmicks.
Six winners on top (1st, 3.10; 2nd, 5.90, 3rd, 4.10; 4th, 3.90; 5th, 2.70; 8th, 7.30). So, even though there was a lot of chalk-dust, a flat-bet win wager would have returned a 50% ROI on the day.
Also, a cold exacta in the 1st for $12.40/$2. Our top choice bested our fourth pick for exactas in the 3rd ($22.80) and 8th ($34.80). and our third choice completed nice tri's in both races (3rd, $174.00; 8th, $146.50). Our second and third picks returned a $33.60 exacta in the 6th. And with our top picks accounting for six races and our second choice grabbing the other three, there were plenty of doubles, P3's, and the P4 and P6 to be had. We'll just go over that grouping in the nightcap. Late double, $27.40. Final Pick 3, $95.50. Pick 4, $633.00. Pick 6, $1703.00. ...Again, it was chalky, but there was some money to be made. It was a pretty good day.
On-track, 16,261 showed up and enjoyed an overcast, humid afternoon. With two grass races scheduled, including the featured stake, everyone kept their collective fingers crossed that the predicted afternoon t-storms would hold off. Thunder began rumbling just prior to the feature, and a very light sprinkle started to fall -- but it was hardly worth noticing. However, only moments after the horses crossed the finish line in the nightcap the heavens opened and there was a brief, but heavy, downpour. Good timing.
Around 2:30 pm a large crowd lined up to participate in the Hall of Fame day autograph session. Among those adding their John Hancock to items, Ron Turcotte, Pat Day, Jerry Bailey, and the latest inductee, Mike Smith.
Today
The real gamblers take center stage tonight as the Fasig-Tipton yearling sales get under way. The action kick off at 7:30 pm and the public is invited to watch as untested year-old thoroughbreds go through the auction -- some attracting million dollar purchase prices. The sales pavilion is on East Avenue, just down the street from the race course.
FIRST RACE
SECOND RACE
THIRD RACE
FOURTH RACE
FIFTH RACE
SIXTH RACE
SEVENTH RACE
EIGHTH RACE
NINTH RACE
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