Today's Best Bets

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Saratoga Race Course Monday, August 16, 2004 Meet Total ... 42-160

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Yesterday

3-10. Three winners on top (1st, $4.50; 4th, $3.20; 10th, 7.20). Cold exacta in the 4th ($7.50/$2) and our top three boxed for the tri in the feature ($98.50/$2). Plus a few other gimmicks using the picks.

Attendance was listed at 61,103 -- but of course that was a spinner-inflated number as Sunday is the weekly giveaway day and this week the premium was a very nice Saratoga-themed umbrella. Luckily the item wasn't needed as Hurricane Charley took a left turn and mostly missed the Spa. There was no rain during the afternoon, although a small amount fell during the dinnertime hours. So it was an enjoyable day at the track as the real number attending seemed a little light for a weekend which meant more elbow-room for the rest of us!

Today

FIRST RACE
Wateree...Longtime maiden gets first chance against NY-breds.
Hope's Diamond...Another that has been knocking around these ranks for awhile -- but has been showing steady improvement lately.
Fighten Fergie...Low percentage connections -- but nobody's stats jump off the page here. comes into this off of a decent debut effort.
Hurricane Erica.

SECOND RACE
Wallstreet Scandal...Trainer likes to have 2YOs ready to roll at the Spa.
Get Wild...Would be no surprise first-out for Iwinski.
Shark...Faltered a fave last time but expect a rebound today with Bailey onboard.
Spanish Mission.

THIRD RACE
I Love the Organ...Showed speed and faltered slightly here on 8/8. The drop should help staying power today.
Showmesomelove...Stakes-placed at Aqueduct this winter. Nice work on 8/11. Could be tough at this level.
Wood Not...Could be a contender if able to flash that early speed she showed this spring.
Denim Wildcat.

FOURTH RACE
Kwonda...Pletcher/Velasquez debuting 2YO. Connections always contend with these.
Sea Heather...Nice string of works leading into this.
Silent Bid...Lukas not known for winning first-time out, but big work on 8/8 says this one might be well-meant today.
Benjamin Baby.

FIFTH RACE
Blues Highway...Leery about jumping on this one off the layoff -- but really seemed to be getting the hang of it last year and trainer is usually OK prepping for comebacks.
Mike's Greenfields...Seems in good racing form -- and that's more than some of these can boast.
Delta Sea...Turf-to-dirt. Third off the layoff. Some angles to consider.
River Spirit.

SIXTH RACE
La Danielle...The late Danehill was a top sire of 2YOs in both Europe and Australia. Could be a good one from Frankel.
Always Yours...A couple of nice tries since moving to turf.
Foist...Suspect Mott will have this one ready for return.
Contagious.
On dirt: Secret Forest, Higher Ground, Contagious, La Danielle.

SEVENTH RACE
Thunder Touch...Seems to have added a little maturity since the layoff and is improving.
Bull Market...The one to beat from Baffert. Promising 2YO of 2002, laid off 2003 and has gone well since comeback.
All Hail Stormy...Another one with improving form since a brief layoff.
Dandoon.

EIGHTH RACE - Johns Call $65K
Spanish Spur...Possible Sheppard Special. Has all the right makings. Comes into this for Sheppard/Augustin off of a couple of decent but not eye-popping starts at Delaware. Is 1-1 over the track and should like the trip.
Host...Comes out of G2 Bowling Green where he finished behind Kicken Kris and Better Talk Now, the winners of this weekend's G1 Arlington Million and G1 Sword Dancer respectively.
In Hand...Also exits the Bowling Green.
Vanity Affair.
On dirt: Colita, Free of Love, Cottage, Spanish Spur.

NINTH RACE
Unfortunately the best horses in this field are all stuck on the AE list -- so let's hope for some scratches...
Nurse Culkin...Solid for since moving to turf. Ran well here on 7/30.
Tiger's Halfmoon...Competitive in 2004.
Urbane Hustle...Last was best yet.
Ginny's Queen.
El Prado's Gal.
Tangled Heart.
Twinkie Zone.
Fiddlers Fancy.
On dirt: JB's Annie, Twinkie Zone, Tangled Heart, Inter Galactic.

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