Today's Best Bets2-11. They're going to make us work for it! Came into the week needing to average 3-a-day to reach the 100-win mark and we were banging along right on schedule -- but could only manage two winners on Sunday [5th, $9.40; 7th, $4.10]. Cold exacta in the 7th [$14.40/$2]. And a mix of gimmicks around the card dipping into the selections a little bit.
Attendance was announced at 58,845 -- which was, of course, 'spinner'-inflated as many folks went through the turnstiles more than once in order to pick up a handful of the cooler bag giveaway item. But just walking around it seemed like a legitimately large crowd. They were afforded yet another nice day -- warm and sunny.
And downtown the Final Stretch music festival continued on Sunday night. The pleasant evening drew a nice crowd of revelers to the event -- all making the most of the last days of the Saratoga season.
Free admission.
We get eleven shots to come up with four more winners. Doesn't look like there are any gimmes -- it should be interesting.
FIRST RACE
Counterspy...Finds some class relief here and should be rolling late.
Bartletts...Has raced well when in for a tag previously.
Kaptain...Might improve on the class move.
Outoftheslammer.
SECOND RACE
Gem for Hook...First start looks like one to build on -- and trainer is red-hot over the weekend.
Pals First Lady...Also put in a debut that looks like one to improve off of.
Vintage Tough...Works indicate this F'Lakes shipper might come out running.
By the Sky.
THIRD RACE
Tend...Top three selections all looked good enough to put in this spot -- but we leaned tepidly in this direction hoping there's still some upside for this lightly raced 3YO making only his second start of the season.
Discreet Treasure...Disappointed slightly last time after the bang-up debut. But latest was no disgrace and is certainly eligible to rebound with the first two-turn try under his belt.
Stevil...Flopped in comeback effort -- but he's probably better than that.
Just Julian.
FOURTH RACE
Stud Muffin...Been improved since the claim and ran second despite trouble in a similar race here on 8/9.
Rises the Phoenix...F'Lakes shipper has put together a solid season. Has put in a couple of 1M works in prep for this.
Dr DFC...Beat the top pick last time and we might have used him on top except for the 1-fer jock.
Tommasi.
FIFTH RACE
Ofcr Sheila T Rex/Sweet Bama Breeze...We liked Sheila last time and she gave us some hope late in the lane. Moves to turf sprint for trainer that seems to specialize in those. Sweet Bama might be the better of the two but has to move in from the AE list.
Meese Rocks...Finished in the top half of the field in debut -- the kind to improve off of.
Intoxicatingbeauty...AE lister. Seems to have kind of gotten the hang of it over the last two or three.
Welcome to Wista.
Leader of the Lite.
SIXTH RACE
Higher Incentive...Seems perhaps primed to run a good one. Should be rolling in the lane.
Ardnavagh...Seems to have rounded into top form.
Dressed to Win/Frozen Prospect...Both look capable of competing with this bunch.
Cobblestone Way.
SEVENTH RACE
CT Phone Home/Bar City...Turf sprint. Linda Rice.
Iron Curtain...Capable turf sprinter.
Yankee Gold Rush/Thunder Buddy...Both halves of entry look to fit here.
Lyke a Hurricane.
EIGHTH RACE - Glen Falls Hcp G3
Dynaforce...We said at the top of the selections that it didn't look like there were any gimmes today -- but this will be pretty close to one.
Palmilla...Big win at the trip in a July stake at Delaware.
Dyna's Lassie...Distance is the question -- but should be rolling late if capable.
Hostess.
NINTH RACE - Quick Call $80K
Vicarino...Lost in the Fog connections thought they had a capable replacement early in this guy's career. Hasn't quite lived up to that as a 4YO and is now running for new connections -- but he could still prove tough if he takes to the turf. Also, note the bullet work on 8/27.
Rallying Cry...Usually has been somewhere in the mix since arriving in this country.
Salute the Count...Proven turf sprinter.
Hellvelyn.
Silver Timber.
TENTH RACE - Hopeful G1
Munnings...Lived up to his $1.7mil purchase price with a convincing debut win earlier in the meet.
Notonthesamepage...Should benefit from his stakes debut last time. Check out that 8/13 work.
Desert Party...$2.1mil 2YO is undefeated, including a G2 stake on this track.
Break Water Edison.
ELEVENTH RACE
Paisano Creek...Debut was promising. Drops into a claimer for the comeback.
Skywire...Similar scenario to the top pick.
Just a Warning...Tends to fade -- but might last longer with the class drop.
Gemology.
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