Equidaily Racing Journal

Today's Best Bets

by Seth Merrow
www.equidaily.com

Saratoga Race Course
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Meet Total ... 77-278

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Yesterday

No racing. Dark day.


Today

Proud to be an American day will include free admission to all US military and veterans with a military ID, courtesy of the Daily Racing Form.

We enter the final week needing 23 wins to reach the century mark. That's an average of just under four winners per day over the last six days. Regular readers know that Week Six has typically been kind to us so we go in with confidence high.

There was a soaking rain throughout the area on Tuesday so check for track conditions.

FIRST RACE
Defrizz...Has shown speed and faded in both starts -- but note last was against winners. Should appreciate return to maiden ranks. Works indicate early foot and big jock switch a plus.
Castleman...Another that should benefit from the pilot change.
Sense of Speed...Has shown improvement in three 2006 starts. Question marks about class and surface change.
Ballston.
Pure Pro.
Liberation Day.
Quite Continental.
On dirt: Pure Pro, Defrizz, Sense of Speed, Ballston, Tony Lip, Midtown South.

SECOND RACE
Media City...Expensive 2YO sale purchase by win-early sire Forest Camp. Decent third in debut and winner that day could turn out to be a good one.
Reaffirm...Goes second-time out for Pletcher -- trainer is 33% in that situation. 'Nuff said.
Successful Way...Another expensive 2YO sale purchase. Goes out for Zito and he's sent out some live firsters at the meet.
Straight Romance.

THIRD RACE
Crayda...Plenty of early speed -- just not sure he'll be able to sneak away early at 5.5 furlongs. Good second last time at $35k, now goes for $25K.
Jodif...Hasn't missed the board all year.
Babyifurgoodtogo...Seems to be about her proper level -- but we're always weary of Pletcher claimers. That isn't his game.
Pleasantly Envious.

FOURTH RACE
Market Psychology...2YO sale purchase from Klaravich/Violette. By Freud. Nice work on 8/21. Some things to like.
Trust Nobody...Just missed in debut and trainer sports big numbers in all pertinent categories.
Your Hour's Up...Hasn't run badly in first two and looks to be one that is just getting the hang of it and might pop one at any time.
Indian Camp.

FIFTH RACE
Exton...By the numbers it looks like he's met a field he should be capable of taking.
Vig...Showed good improvement in first two starts off the layoff.
Trueheart...Nicely bred and was racing for a top European trainer -- in 2004. Could be better than these -- but we need to see one off the long layoff.
Sir Rahy.
John's Song.
On dirt: Tall Story, John's Song, Dixie Dynamo, Exton, Purely Wild.

SIXTH RACE
Salute the Count...AE lister. Comes in off two solid turf sprint wins at Delaware.
Silver Timber...AE lister. Trainer is 5-for-8 in these 5.5F turfers at this meet.
Ever a Friend...Ran a big Beyer in first turf start. Must overcome post.
El Prado Rob.
Bernie White Shoes.
Run Thruthe Sun.
Mighty Beau.
On dirt: Bernie White Shoes, Run Thruthe Sun, Seeking the Glory, Salute the Count, Mighty Beau, British Attitude.

SEVENTH RACE
Ferocious Fires...Sometimes a state-bred comes along that's just a little bit better and is able to zip through the early conditions. This could be that kind.
Tough Shipmate...Was progressing nicely and then tossed in a dud last time. Decision to be made: Was the clunker due to the early trouble -- or does this one not like the track? We'll hang our hat on the former.
Baby Rusch...A rebound to form shown three back takes this -- but hasn't come anywhere near that in last two.
Precise Action/Trading Pro.

EIGHTH RACE - PG Johnson $70K
Brushed Gold...Already has a win and that's more than some of these. And the win was pretty good.
Hold That Thought...Another winner. Stretches out today but looks capable.
Sharp Susan...Interesting. Tries turf and stretches out after two sprints. We like the set-up. Don't discount.
Sophie's Salad.
Way Sassy.
On dirt: Luxury Class, Changeisgonnacome, Hold That Thought, Way Sassy, Brushed Gold.

NINTH RACE
Hunting Hillbilly...AE lister. We had this as a top selection for the meet opener and he had traffic trouble at 16-1. Couldn't resist trying again on 8/12. And Bejarano had him much too wide at 5-1. We can't let him get away today. Onboard for one more try.
Dr Bloomer...The Sheppard Special of the meet? Trainer Sheppard has provided us with some nice bombs over the years. He hasn't sent out many flat runners this season -- perhaps because of the abbreviated jump schedule here he didn't bring as many. But when his are overlooked we're interested and this one fits the bill.
Seeking Answers...AE lister. Looks capable of a wake-up with the drop -- but the trainer is on an oh-fer at the meet.
Eastern Crown.
Multiple Choice.
Elusive Image.
On dirt: Eastern Crown, Sir Tyler T, Ten Cents a Shine, Multiple Choice, Blazing Song.


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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