Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Sunday, August 7, 2005 Meet Total ... 32-94

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!

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.

AOL USERs -- or anyone who feels they're experiencing problems receiving this page in a timely fashion each morning, please bookmark, if 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.

Yesterday

1-10. The trend for Week Two continued -- but it's just one of those streaks we have to muddle through. It will turn around. We'd be worried if the handicapping was at fault but it's just of matter of zigging when they're zagging as our top pick ran second in six races yesterday, and our second choice won three. Coming into the lane we were live -- and with some decent prices -- many times on Saturday. We'll turn the corner.

One winner on top (3rd, $6.30). And there was the usual mix of gimmicks of picks.

On-track, a large crowd of 32,287 turned out on another beautiful afternoon. Sunny and hot -- but without the humidity of earlier in the week.

In the G1 Test Leave Me Alone was an impressive winner coming out of a win at Calder in the G3 Azalea. Based in Socal she's now put together two super impressive graded stakes wins and compiled a career record of 8-5-1-0. And in the G1 Whitney it was Commentator -- making the most out of a track that was kind to speed -- sprinting to a nice lead early in fast fractions and then holding off the favorite, Saint Liam, for a neck win. That gives him an incredible lifetime mark of 8-7-0-0 and makes him a force to be reckoned with in the division.

Also, former jockey Ron Turcotte was on-track manning a Secretariat memorabilia booth out by the jockeys' room.
And worth mentioning, Noble Causeway was entered in an alw race after the controversial gate-scratch in the Jim Dandy last week, was pulled up before getting around the clubhouse turn and was vanned off.

Today

Free T-shirts with every paid admission while supplies last. And it's NFL Legends Day with autograph opportunities with some former gridiron greats.

FIRST RACE
No Theatrics...A decent try here on Opening Day -- against the likes of two potential future stakes performers, Shakespeare and Whale. Drops in today for a tag and should find this group easier.
Approved by Dylan...Made the requisite move forward in the Dutrow barn.
Gray Suitor...Like top pick was facing better last time. Should appreciate move in for a tag.
Sideways Glance.

SECOND RACE
Happy Hunting...McGaughey 4YO has put in two impressive tries and looks set-up for a good run today.
Truer Than True...Should be able to build on decent debut.
Admiralty Island...Expect this Frankel trainee to come out running.
War Marshall.

THIRD RACE
Moon's Halo...In a tough field of five -- all coming off of nice debut wins -- this one should be able to sit a nice stalking trip.
Trippi Appeal...Won first-try like a 6-5 shot should.
Sharp Humor...Impressive win -- albeit against state-breds.
First Samurai.

FOURTH RACE
Zero Probability...Some good turf, two-turn experience last time. Velazquez sticks and she might get it done with modest improvement.
Irish Princess...Finished ahead of top pick last time and is the one to beat. In good form and goes out for red-hot trainer.
Shady Lane...Plenty of early speed.
Angel Dancer.

FIFTH RACE
Espanola Way...In a race where none jump off the page we'll go with the proven connections: Pletcher/Velazquez.
Gabriela's Rose...Solid debut and nice work for this.
Western Flair...Good debut on dirt at Calder. Don't ignore.
Chianti Red.

SIXTH RACE
Jacks Express...Really improved since moving to turf.
Exalted Cat...Pretty consistent and should fit with this field.
Quite Confidential...Showing nice improvement in each start this year.
Great South Bay.
Dixie Baghdad.
Panagis/Naragansett.

SEVENTH RACE
Magnolia Jackson...Super debut despite trouble. First-time lasix and nice work for this.
Cavan Success...Might have used this gal on top but jock is on an oh-fer.
Magic Belle...Expect a rebound to good form with Prado onboard.
Hoosick Falls.
Queen for a Knight.

EIGHTH RACE
La Dolce Vita...Good, steady improvement in four starts this year and seems set for top effort.
Silver Charades...Good try facing the boys in Canada last time and is the one to beat.
Flawless Treasure...Another showing improving form.
Silver Strings.

NINTH RACE -- Amsterdam G2 $150K
Silver Train...Stepped up after move into Dutrow barn. And stepped way, way up last time. A repeat takes this.
Vicarage...A little bit inconsistent but went well this trip and age group last time.
Santana Strings...See a couple of tries against Lost in the Fog in the PPs. Won stake this trip in latest.
Going Wild.

TENTH RACE
The Rodeo Express...Tough call here. We like some experience at the trip, and this one has plenty -- but the post position won't help.
Chez Audra...Similar scenario. Last time this surface and trip, she won. But the outside post is no bonus.
Ms Trick Or Treat...She's got the experience at the trip, and a better post -- but not a lot of success recently.
Show Ready.
Red Snoony/Indelible Image.

If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way. If only one-half of the entry is named, then we prefer that half and will move to our next pick listed in event of a scratch.

Archives of daily Best Bets picks and plays pages: 2004 ... 2003

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: