Equidaily Racing Journal

Today's Best Bets

by Seth Merrow
www.equidaily.com

Saratoga Race Course
Monday, August 21, 2006
Meet Total ... 53-210

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Yesterday

3-10. A little bit of a rebound after a couple of slow days. Three winners on top [1st, $4.00; 4th, $6.20; 8th, $5.50]. Thought we were going to get the nice 12-1 top pick in the 7th home. Allude looked primed and ready to pounce on the favorite at the eighth pole -- but then as she passed that rival another came flying late to just barely get up in time. However, to add insult to injury -- ours couldn't even manage to hold the place spot. Gave up the ghost in the shadow of the wire to run third and cost us a nice win payoff.

There was a little excitement Sunday using the selections, highlighted by cold exactas in the 1st [$8.50/$2] and 8th [$11.40]. Our top two flip-flopped in the nightcap for the $29.20 exacta and our fourth pick completed the generous $322.00 tri.

An heavy, soaking rain overnight washed all the turf races onto the main track -- but the weather by post time was superb. Sunny and comfortable. Announced attendance was 47,761 although that was, of course, "spinner"-inflated. The crowd -- obviously -- seemed significantly lower than that number, but perhaps even a little light for a Sunday. And you have to think the travel mug giveaway will be packed away in the dust-bin of ideas -- 47K indicates the gift didn't excite people too much.


Today

FIRST RACE
Titled...Drops in for a tag off of an eight race career that has showed some promise against alw-types. Beyers standout amongst this bunch. Note that last two were against older -- he's in with only 3YOs today.
Trailing Twelve...Interesting. Claimed last time after two solid dirt sprints. Now heads to turf and stretches. Don't discount.
Taken Not Given... Might appreciate move in for a tag.
Maroon.
On dirt: Trailing Twelve, Men's Club, Mister Supremo, Chief Speed.

SECOND RACE
Thats Our Point...Hasn't been doing badly in MSW and now makes the potent move into mdn clm. Trainer having a solid meet.
Dividend Yield...Also moving from MSW. Note trouble in both starts so far. Might offer some real value here.
Elshaan...Another dropping from MSW and is eligible to wake-up.
Pratt.

THIRD RACE
Game Card...Drop is kind of suspicious -- but won for $45K two back so this is really probably her proper level.
Jules for AJ...Calimed off of a win here in latest. Now bumps up the claiming ladder.
Fuego Grande...Looks like he might be able to pick up a piece in here -- but trainer and jock are cold at the meet.
Tomorrows Dance.

FOURTH RACE
Three Lions... A true handicapping dilemmma. This gal looked to be on her way to sure victory when she veered out on 8/7. She showed enough talent that it's hard to ignore her -- but have they solved her mental problems in two weeks. We'll hope the strong win-early connections have her right today.
Mucho Gusto...Big Beyer in an impressive debut at Arlington. Tries turf but should go well.
Westwon...Super string of works leading into this.
Triple Nine Fine.
On dirt: Three Lions, Mucho Gusto, Westwon, Triple Nine Fine, My Pizazz, Sipsey.

FIFTH RACE
Veneti...Off since Feb but that was a solid debut win. Tough if able to repeat or improve.
Generosity...Numbers were improving nicely before turf experiment. Should rebound.
Overbrook entry...Clear Distinction preferred -- like Generosity she should appreciate return to dirt. Bandstand needs to recapture form shown early in her career.
Good Witch Glinda.
Bella Fortuna.

SIXTH RACE
Freudian...Cost big money at 2YO sale. Debut should set him up to improve today.
Raven H...Sire is getting precocious runners. Trainer's having a big meet.
Mor Chances...Capable of stepping forward off of first try.
Motor West.

SEVENTH RACE
Wave the Baton...Second in a similar race here last time -- and winner that day moved in against tougher and won right-back.
Tough Shipmate...Has plenty of early foot -- turf is the quesiton mark.
Dutrow entry...Fiddlers Cat looks like the better of the two. Just behind top pick last time. Cool Days has thrown in a big one now and again.
Mikethemoondog.
On dirt: Tough Shipmate, Wave the Baton, cool Days, Imperial Zip, Seeking the Money.

EIGHTH RACE - Union Avenue $70K
Gold Like U...Has a decided Beyer edge on most of these.
Sweet Sweet...Clearly the last was a toss-out. Otherwise this one is typically in the mix.
Fighting Speedy...Anther that is usually in the hunt. Trainer on an oh-fer however.
Royal Fudge.

NINTH RACE
Speaking Out...Maiden put in a good effort in a stake last time. The trakc might have changed with the weekend rain -- but let's hope Mr Desormeaux keeps this one closer to the early mix today. Should be easier to do against maidens.
Jelly Roll Rumble...Seems on the improve since returning from a short break this spring.
Distinctive Sandy...Clearly better on turf.
Northern Emblem...Closed into a fast pace two back. Faded after being up near a slow pace last time. Kind of hard to know what to do with this guy -- but we'll hope he rebounds to that prior good effort.
Takemywife Please.
Academy Royale.
On dirt: In the Service, New York Moon, Speaking Out, Clearly Diplomatic, Chosen Aptitude, Broncdale.


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

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