Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Saturday, August 17, 2013 Meet Total ... 70-259

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Yesterday

4-10. Winners in R3 [2.50], R4 [5.50], R6 [4.30] and R10 [3.20]. Gimmicks: R1 ... CBx x 43.40; R2 ... Bentry-Bentry-D-C x 10.40 t 44.40; R4 ... ACD x 16.40 t 58.00; R9 ... DCx x 19.00; R10 ... Ac-Ce-x x 13.60.

A solid Friday crowd of 22,940. They enjoyed yet another fine day weather-wise - sunny and comfortable.

Today

The Alabama and Sword Dancer: Alabama Day at Saratoga Race Course features the Grade 1 Alabama for 3-year-old fillies and the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational for 3-year-olds and up on the turf. The races will be shown live on NBC Sports Network from 5 to 6pm ET.

$2 Bettors' Ball: Presented by the Saratoga 150 Committee, the $2 Bettors' Ball will feature a night of celebration for racing fans, including music from many eras, food, dancing and more at the Saratoga City Center. Attire is festive. Free admission with a Saratoga 150 medallion and $10 for admission without a medallion. Must be 21 years of age and older to attend.

FIRST RACE
Ideal Place...Back to proper level.
Heading to Toga...Interesting with move into open claiming ranks.
Fantastic Eyes...Yet another finding some class relief - won four back at this level.
Dissension.

SECOND RACE
First Bid...Street Sense and Chad both good with precocious runners. Dam doesn't necessarily inspire the same confidence.
Crescent...Third to the talented Corfu in debut. Pure Sensation a battling second here on Thursday.
Rebranded...Worked 10.3 before attracting $350K at 2YO sale. Sib Ghost Girl was 3rd in debut, then won. Pletcher trains. Dangerous.
Tapiture.

THIRD RACE
John Silver...Taking a shot with this 4YO making carer debut. Some sibs showed early fire-power. Not meeting any world-beaters in this mdn $20K.
Ocala Jim...Moves in for a tag.
My Italian Ices...Well beaten chalk in debut. Goes for potent first off claim trainer.
Saguaro Blossom.

FOURTH RACE
Midnight Taboo...Showed flashes of promise a could be finding some class relief here.
Sliver and Onions...Lightly-raced and improving.
Indy's Illusion...Another that might be moving into a class comfort zone.
Magic Harbor.

FIFTH RACE
Livingston Street...Should fit here and has some back numbers.
Westside Corral...Drops off claim and also has back numbers.
Wayward Sailor...Dangerous early speed.
Fizzano.

SIXTH RACE
Countnickerbocker...Improving numbers.
Dark Roast...Good closing third [behind top pick] in a similar race last time.
River Tune...Consistent numbers over last three - could prove interesting on the cutback.
Lord of Love.
Stoneless.

SEVENTH RACE
Gold Megillah...Maker/Ramsey runner looks like a fit here.
Tater Downs...Also Maker-trained and seems in good form.
Wind of Bosphorus...Nice try on the course last time - in a sprint.
Ale.

EIGHTH RACE
Now and Then...High-priced yearling for potent connections moves to to turf today.
Royal Blessing...Took lead and faded vs similar going a furlong shorter last time - but suspect he might compete here.
Hailstone...Better than latest indicates.
Ampersand.

NINTH RACE G1 $600K Sword Dancer Invy
Boisterous...Form too good to ignore right now.
Big Blue Kitten...Looks like the main danger.
Optimizer...Might appreciate the firm turf.
Twilight Eclipse.

TENTH RACE - G1 $600K Alabama
Princess of Sylmar...Looks like a lock.
Fiftyshadesofhay...Seems the only possible upsetter.
Tell a Great Story...Wide into the first turn last time - but that doesn't seem enough of an excuse to move this one up too far.
Montana Native.

ELEVENTH RACE
Tiu...Nod on the class drop.
Jade Master...Could be live in first start - but trainer still oh-fer the meet.
So Outspoken...Numbers improving with class relief - but best number was fired last time on dirt.
Fiddlers Tango.

TWELFTH RACE
Bottleofredorwhite...Pletcher/Repole firster makes a late debut - but worked in 10.0 before last year's 2YO sale -- that was the fastest work. Sib Ludo Bagman was 3rd in debut and then won next.
Summer Place to Be...Worked 10.2 before 2YO sale. Has nature and nurture. Dam's first foal.
Native Singer...Two good seconds as beaten fave most recently.
Bernardo.

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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