Equidaily Racing Journal

Today's Best Bets

by Seth Merrow
www.equidaily.com

Saratoga Race Course
Monday, August 24, 2009
Meet Total ... 60-230

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Yesterday

1-10. Winner in the 9th [$7.80]. In the 5th it was second pick over third pick over the top selection for the exacta [$20.60/$2] and tri [$44.80].

Announced attendance was 57,114 -- a number that was spinner-inflated with the long-sleeve T-shirt giveaway. Actual numbers seemed pretty good however, with the crowd looking similar to Saturday's 25K. The afternoon was warm and overcast but the rain held off until perhaps an hour after the finale when a relatively brief, but heavy, shower hit the city.

Sightings: Enjoying the post-race activities at Siro's, jockey Robby Albarado. Also spotted there -- Billy Fuccillo, of "It's HUGE!" fame.


Today

FIRST RACE
Dynaslew...Clearly looks best if it stays on turf.
Americas Dreaming...Finished behind the top pick last time -- but has shown some life this year.
Tempest Storm/Classical Fashion...Both halves look capable -- but both also have early speed and so would seem to compromise each other's chances. We'll see...
Finish in Style.
On dirt: Dynaslew, Diamond Song, Girl Can Rock, Tempest Storm/Classical Fashion, Cobbler's Reef.

SECOND RACE
Cherokee Moonlight...Showed some real improvement in the seasonal debut. Failed the turf test last time. Back to dirt and sprinting, let's see if that improvement shown two back can continue.
Idle Gossip...Beyers improving. Returns to dirt. Adds blinkers. Some things to like.
Helen's Lady...Lifetime best Beyer in latest.
Synchronicity.

THIRD RACE
So N So...One of those that you kind of have to use on top -- but she's no lock. Career debut was very solid and if she runs back to that effort she's the winner -- but with only one start under her belt consistency is still a question mark.
Sugar Trade...Nice effort to win in her first try on 7/31.
Mineralogist/Screen Saviour.

FOURTH RACE
Platinumplus...Tossed in a couple of clunkers at Monmouth in June -- but those were off-the-turf. We'll hope the return to grass, the brief layoff, and the class-drop have her ready to rebound.
Privacy...Last wasn't much but she had trouble and that was a fast race. Her prior efforts seem to indicate that she'll fit here.
Dressed to Win...A little bit inconsistent but her best puts her in the mix.
Linsalata.
On dirt: Linsalata, Crema d'Oro, Skip Away Belle, Sumwhrovrtherainbw, Eastern Prime, Platinumplus.

FIFTH RACE
Kickapoo..Disappointed as 3-1 fave when dropped in for a tag last time. Very tepid choice on the further drop.
El Borracho...A repeat of the Beyer from last time would probably take this -- but it was such an aberration that we're kind of standing against that repeat.
Hooked On Money...Linda Rice is red-hot and while turf sprinters are her perceived specialty -- don't ignore this gal coming out of her maiden-breaker and moving into NW2L company.
We All Hope.
Living for This.

SIXTH RACE
Quick Money/Loyal Leader [I'm Hooked Up]...Both halves of Rice entry have some breeding and decent works.
Porcello...We put this one on top in the 8/3 debut and we won't give up just yet -- in fact if the odds are right -- and they should be -- we'll probably play some WIN money on him. MY-bred sold for the better part of a quarter of a mil after working in 10.3 prior to 2YO sale.
Wana Play...Showed life with the switch to grass.
I'm Hooked up.
On dirt: Same, plus Most Happy Fella, Eire's Run.

SEVENTH RACE
Dirge...Doesn't quite have the unmistakable look of a Sheppard Special -- but close enough. Will need to step it up here, but that might be possible for this very lightly-raced 7YO.
Operation Red Dawn...Last win was a little over a year ago -- the last time he stepped out of stakes company.
Prince Rahy...We've always been a fan of this guy. Typically gives a good account of himself.
Blues Street.
On dirt: Glamour Guy, True Resurgence, Mr Unstoppable, Tizbig, Riverrunrylee.

EIGHTH RACE - Union Avenue $70K
Dance Gal Dance...Free-square on your Pick Six ticket? Sure looks like it if she can run back to her 8/3 performance.
Under Serviced...Off since last November but was very competitive in the NY-bred ranks as a 3YO.
Light Tactic...Fourth behind the top pick last time but seems to like this track.
Beam of Love.

NINTH RACE
Conseated Lady...Linda Rice with a turf sprinter. Alan Garcia onboard.
Todo K...Seems to have appreciated the move to grass.
Senegal...Has some early foot and the Beyers are moving in the right direction.
Personal Worth.
On dirt: Goodandacceptable, Senegal, Conseated Lady, Personal Worth.


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.

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