Today's Best Bets
YOU ARE THERE Check out the new YOU ARE THERE feature. We bring you the action, both on-track and off, for the entire Saratoga race meet.
2-9. Very frustrating for us on the win-end. We had three races where our top two picks flip-flopped with our second choice winning. Our top pick ran second four times overall on the day. Very frustrating. However, there was some gimmick-value in the picks.
Winners in the 3rd (3.70) and the 9th (8.70). A cold exacta in the 3rd ($20.80/$2). Our best play of the day might have come in the 4th when our move-up top two picks after scratches flip-flopped for the gimmicks at 17-1 and 5-1 (exacta, $260.00; quinella, $132.00). Our top two picks also flip-flopped for exactas in the 5th ($8.10) and 7th ($15.80). And, playing with the picks in the nightcap might've gotten the tri ($308.50) and super ($890.00). We usually don't review wins made when delving down to the fifth pick -- but in this case the top pick won and we did have a winning tri key on the Bankroll Challenge page. It was our top pick over our fourth choice over our fifth pick, and our third choice completed the super.
On-track, 19,281 enjoyed a very nice afternoon of racing.
Brewski's bud! The Sixth Annual Battle of the Brews takes place in the backyard from 12-5:30pm. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross.
Downtown the inaugural Off Broadway Travers Fest takes place from 6:30-10pm. It sounds like it will be similar to the annual Hat's Off Festival with music and entertainment for the whole family -- but it will take place on the streets off of Broadway!
FIRST RACE
Quiet Challenge...Broke maiden convincingly in last -- only to be moved down on a DQ. Should graduate today with a similar effort.
Ring Bearer...A couple of decent looking sprint tries should set him up nicely for this race.
Bond entry...Gets the nod due to the trainer who is coming to life as the meet winds down.
Nick The Vest.
SECOND RACE
Shamrock Blues...Solid win here on opening day -- then dropped and was caught in the lane last time. Expect a good run, especially with cutback in the trip.
So Social...Ships in from Delaware for one of the nation's cagiest claiming trainers.
Ballado Melody...Woke up and ran best yet when dropped to this level.
Tempting Choice.
THIRD RACE
Devils Peak...Just missed despite bump last time. Will be rolling in the lane if able to get in from AE list.
Honorary Man...Edged top pick two back and will also be coming late.
Fortune Writers...All turf tries have been solid -- and gets a good jock switch from those turf races.
Shire.
Alajwad.
Baby Bear's Soup.
Bonfo.
Settle up.
On dirt: Alajwad, Indiana Express, Bonfo, Honorary Man.
FOURTH RACE
Main Stream...Gets nod in a wide-open 2YO race off of a pretty good looking debut -- and these youngsters can always improve markedly in second try.
Steady Course...Another capable of moving forward from debut effort.
Forty Moves...Best last-out Beyer and three second-place finishes. Capable.
Seattle Weekend.
FIFTH RACE
Lissau...Moved forward big-time in second start. Very impressive.
Pollard's Vision...Win was probably more impressive than top pick's -- but it might have been slop-enhanced. We'll see.
Flushing Meadows...Nice debut, then an OK third in the Sanford. Should go well stepping into alw company.
Pretty Wild Again.
SIXTH RACE
Host...Off since November but looks a touch better than these (other half of entry is not included if this pick scratches).
Noir Et Rouge...Decent debut, then plenty of trouble in follow-up. Should go well with a clean trip.
Cherokee Park...Two sprints should set him up nicely.
Saint Waki.
SEVENTH RACE
Dazzling Spirit...Repeat of that nice win over the track should be enough to score here.
To Go...Has put together a couple of solid turf tries recently.
Blues highway...Have a feeling this one will go well as trainer seems to be heating up.
Platinum Setting.
Foreverness.
Motives.
Saf Link.
On dirt: Duke's Crossing, Blues Highway, My Legal Alien, Sea Squirrel.
EIGHTH RACE
Devotion Unbridled...Looks like the most consistent performer in a less than stellar field.
Bounding Charm...Lone dirt try was excellent -- but we need to see another before knowing for sure.
Unrepentant...Expecting a little better performance than last time.
Captiva Cat.
NINTH RACE
Wild Spirit...If we're to believe the numbers this one is a virtual lock.
Golden Sonata...Will need to improve somewhat but put in a nice try here on 7/30.
Summer Colony...Excuse the last because of a troubled start -- but 2003 form is still a little lacking when compared to last year.
Passing Shot.
TENTH RACE
Kid Kaelin...Won a similar event here on 8/8. Will need to get into gear a little sooner though at the shorter trip.
Dil...Was right there at the finish in same race as top pick.
Il Barone...Expect good things as Clement 3YO drops into claimer.
Fellini.
Kings Of The Ring.
Formidable Fox.
Gold Explorer.
On dirt: Fellini, Judge Harper, Prospect's Thunder, Kid Kaelin, Title Contender, Kings Of The Ring.
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