Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Monday, August 18, 2008 Meet Total ... 64-226

Stop by the equidaily.com HOME PAGE 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

4-10. Four winners on top [2nd, $9.90; 4th, $4.80; 5th, $5.00; 8th, $6.30]. Cold exacta in the 2nd [$33.40/$2]. And really, that was about it. We like the gimmicks -- so the day was a little bit of a disappointment.

The sun shines, long sleeve T-shirts are handed out, and an announced crowd of 65,598 attends. Obviously the number is "spinner"-inflated, but from a walk through the backyard we can verify that the joint was packed. We've said all along that this year's early calendar start could have set things up for a big finish to the season and if the weather holds we're sticking by that prediction.

Today

FIRST RACE
Know the Game...Needs to improve off of last -- and might, since he had some trouble in that one.
Senor Enrico...Could easily better this rating. Has some back-class compared to these -- but unproven on dirt.
Last Tram...Should fit with this group.
Windication.

SECOND RACE
Tall Poppi...Well-beaten third in debut -- but note he was just squeaked out of the place spot..
Aoja...Also eligible to improve in second career start.
Freudian Storm...A couple of promising works.
Head Heart Hoof.

THIRD RACE
Successful Affair...Dropping for a win -- or are the red flags flying? Hmmm. We'll hope for the former.
Wood Winner...Been competitive around this level this season.
Lorccan...Nice try in a similar race here on 7/28.
Lee Stewart.

FOURTH RACE
Yelt...Had a little trouble last time. Let's look for a rebound to the number flashed in the prior start.
Handsome Reward...Finding a little bit of class relief in here.
Pocatello...Nice win the last time he ran for a tag.
EZ Phone Home.

FIFTH RACE
Ready Or Not...Could appreciate the surface switch with More Than Ready on top.
Big Wig...Good try when dropped to this level last time.
Titan of Industry...Might have a class edge on these.
The Cuban Hawk.
On dirt: The Cuban Hawk, Yankee Chief, Ready Or Not, EZ Dollar, Munition.

SIXTH RACE - Mechanicville $80K
Redefined...Solid season so far. Back in against state-breds.
Five Towns...Looks primed to run well.
Ahvee's Destiny...Trainer is good in these turf sprints -- but which one of her four do you take in here? We'll side with this one's current good form.
Silver Timber.
On dirt: Ferocious Fires, Good Card, Five Towns, Canadian Ballet, Ahvee's Destiny.

SEVENTH RACE
Sweet Ransom...We all know Mott's struggling a little bit at the meet compared to last season -- but maybe that will turn around as we get more grass racing. This one is always in the hunt and should fit here.
Jeux de Danse...Toss the dirt start and this one has been going well this season.
Country Star...Interesting. Ended last season like she might dominate the 3YO filly division this year -- but it didn't play out that way. Now back off of a layoff and trying turf. If she takes to the surface she just might run away with this.
Marie Rossa.
On dirt: Country Star, City Bird, Spritely, Aspiring, Tazarine.

EIGHTH RACE
Mr Sam I am...Has been improving nicely in three starts this year.
Bagavond...Might find this company to his liking.
Bishop's Back...Running well on turf.
Flash of Victory.
On dirt: Call Tiger, Bishop's Back, Love Strikes, Flash of Victory, Mondo Diverso, River of Dreams.

NINTH RACE - Union Avenue $80K
By the Light...Undefeated until running second to the talented Indian Blessing last time. Should romp.
Salt Water Reign...Been going well vs NY-breds. Bullet works in prep for this.
Light Tactic...First two were clearly promising. Disappointed after those but could prove interesting off the layoff.
Summer Palace.

TENTH RACE
Five Boroughs...Attracted a big price as a yearling. Some interesting breeding. Trainer good with debut runners.
Dr Decter...Also sold well, good works, interesting breeding.
Unity...Dangerous having recently shown speed going longer.
Multidude.
On dirt: Five Boroughs, Unity, On With It, I'm Entitled, Fot McCoy.

If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way [in other words, both halves 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.

Archives of daily Best Bets picks and plays pages: 2007 ... 2006 ... 2005 ... 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: