Today's Best Bets

www.equidaily.com

Saratoga Race Course Wednesday, August 18, 2004 Meet Total ... 45-169

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

Complete archive of 2004 daily Best Bets picks and plays pages.

AOL USERs, if you've been experiencing problems receiving this page in a timely fashion please bookmark the Best Bets archive page. We believe that going through the archive page to receive our daily picks should solve the problem presented by AOL's caching process.

Don't forget to check out the Challenge page where we started the month with a mythical $1000 bankroll and attempt to increase that amount as the Saratoga season continues.

Yesterday

Dark day. No racing.

We hope everyone in upstate NY and NYC was able to catch our guest appearance Monday morning on Capital OTB's Primetime Saratoga TV program. Sitting in with host John Pricci we gave out two selections: An "Angle Play" where we touted the eventual winner of the 2nd, Wallstreet Scandal ($17.80) and a "Play of the Day" where we gave out our Sheppard Special in the feature race, Spanish Spur ($18.80). It was a fun morning of television and a lucrative one for those astute enough to take the advice.

Today

FIRST RACE
Footlights...Always nice when these jumpers show some competitiveness on the flat. This filly just missed last time at Colonial. Three tries over the jumps all were respectable.
Voss entry...Trainer not as red-hot here as last season but The Editor's Son went well in similar event on 7/29. On the other hand, Motel Affair faltered in the same race.
Sheppard entry...Like top pick Miles Ahead is coming out of a flat race that should set him up well for this. Cherokeeinthehills capable on best.
Irish Prince.

SECOND RACE
Lemon Lady...Pletcher/Velasquez firster.
Cape of Good Hope...Experience is always a plus and this gal put in a good try in debut.
Alfonsina...Son of Grand slam could come out running for Zito.
Steal the Show.

THIRD RACE
Dutrow entry...Gallant Sir looks to be in tip-top form and is coming off a win here on 7/31. Picks up Prado. Classic Endeavor also won last, was claimed, and trainer is 27% first-off the claim.
Seek Gold...If this one can ever save a little ground he might be tough.
Lusty Latin...From the Gill/Shuman juggernaut. Won last like he remembered he was a 2002 Ky Derby entrant. Can he put two big efforts together?
Best Minister.

FOURTH RACE
Five Star Fund...Got a nice price on the Violette firster on Monday. No sense jumping off the bandwagon now.
Lady H...Connections are always live with debuting 2YOs.
Albany County...Expect a good showing.
Shop Again.

FIFTH RACE
Tacit Agreement...If we look at the last as a debut effort -- and really the race prior is a throwout with the trouble -- then this Clement 3YO has plenty of room to improve in his "second" start.
Formal Commander...Showed a liking for the turf last time.
Donk entry...Restigouche and Runaway Chris both look plenty capable -- but have been knocking around these maiden ranks too long to back with confidence on top.
Ten Mitchell.
On dirt: Fitness, Runaway Chris, Silver Leap, Tacit Agreement.

SIXTH RACE
Lott...In good form in thrtee starts this season. Capable on best in a contentious event.
Hyder...Look for improvement in second try over the track -- particularly if it's dry.
Patriotic Flame...Trainer's having a nice meet and this Steinbrenner invader from Florida might fit nicely with this bunch.
Northern Air.

SEVENTH RACE
What a Game...Blasted through the maiden ranks nicely and might sail through this condition on first try if able to negotiate the two turns.
Silent Oath...One win in nine tries -- but six times second or third. Will be in the mix again today.
Swinging...Hmmm, brilliant effort two back -- bookended by two flopp-olas. Which horse shows up today? A handicapping mystery.
After the Tone.

EIGHTH RACE - Yaddo H'cp $100K
Sabellina...Looks like the real deal after going 3-3 since moving to the lawn. Will be even tougher if Mr Day can get her a clean start!
Brandala...Might get a little value here a the PPs might prove deceptive. Remember this is a state-bred affair and this one has done alright against her own kind.
On the Bus...Typically is in the hunt.
Perfect Energy.
Big Tease.
On dirt: Board Elligible, Lady Libby, Raffie's Dream, S'more Smoke, Sicilian Princess.

NINTH RACE
Walkinonwallstreet...Another Violette firster -- this one is a 3YO. But there are no wolrd-beaters in this bunch.
Richie's Future...Might be getting the hang of it.
Call the Lark...Decent try last time off of the layoff. Could be tough but will have to overcome the outside post.
Run for Mom.
Louie's Ransom.

Complete archive of 2003 daily Best Bets picks and plays pages.

Take this sheet to the track with you--It's FREE!
Simply turn on your printer and then hit the Print button on your browser...This page will print out and you'll have a Best Bets tip sheet to take to the track.

And read what your fellow visitors to Best Bets have had to say about this site...

Note to novices: Check out our track terminology page for definitions of track and wagering terms.

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: