Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Thursday, July 23, 2020 Meet Total ... 19-51

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Turf picks are turf only - unless otherwise indicated.

2020 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday

3-10. Three-bagger but, frankly, not much to write home about.

R1 ... ABx 2.70 x 11.20; R3 ... AxB "D" scr 2.60; R5 ... ADCB 4.10 x 27.80 t 81.00 s 211.00; R9 ... CAB x 23.40 t 59.50

Weather: Overcast. Comfortable temps. A slight sprinkle around R10 -- and brief rain shortly after the racing concluded.

Today

FIRST RACE - G1 $100K AP Smithwick Mem
Moscato...Big win in seasonal debut.
Optimus Prime...This one has run well stateside but comes off a long layoff after an abbreviated 2019 campaign.
Pravalaguna...Like top pick, one of three from top jumps trainer Fisher. US debut last Oct looked good.
Gibralfaro.

SECOND RACE
Thomas Selby...We'll take a pop here that turf-to-dirt, cutback, and drop will all add up to a good effort from the WW trainee.
Carthon...Beyers consistently in the range that fit here.
Wonder In...Looks to fit, but some concern because of the drop off of the Feb claim.
Invest.

THIRD RACE
Stunning Princess...Sire good with firsters. Sib Summer to Remember was 2,1,3,1 to start career. Slight nod in a race with a few equally intriguing debut runners.
Anamuya...Sire is OK with win-early types. Sib Big World is a solid 13-7-0-5 overall. Sib Graciada won debut.
Aunt Mary...Talented NY-bred sib Bankit's record: 20-3-7-3, earning over $700K.
Uptown Flirt.

FOURTH RACE - $100K NY Stallion Series
Fresco... Beyers edge.
Holmdel Park...Confidence wanes past top pick - but this gal contends if able to rebound off of dud last time. But prior turf race was good.
Apollo's Abraxas...Off the latest.
Nicky Scissors.
Dirt: 5-6-3.

FIFTH RACE
Ahead of Plan...Hasn't lived up to win-early connections -- yet. Lightly-raced and making 4YO debut - perhaps comes back improved.
Instinctive Rhythm...Expensive 2YO purchase -- last year. Worked 10.0 prior. Sire good with debut runners.
Irish Front...First start here last year perhaps gives this horse a foundation to move forward from in the 3YO debut.
O'Trouble.

SIXTH RACE
Kitten by the Sea...Interesting on the return from Feb claim for Repole/Pletcher.
Bareeqa...In the hunt more often than not.
Balon Rose...1-for-7 record hasn't lived up to $1.6mil price - but likely fits with these.
Kelleycanrun.
Dirt: 4-2-6.

SEVENTH RACE
Bertranda...Seems in good form.
Jc's Shooting Star...Turf-to-dirt and moves out of a couple recent stakes tries.
Puffery...Comeback was one to build on.
Bustin to Please.

EIGHTH RACE
Union Colonel...Turf try two back was perhaps best yet.
French Reef...Might be the one to beat.
Its a Wrap...Ran well with move to grass.
Modesto.
Souper Energizer.
Dirt: 3-9-6-8.

NINTH RACE
Honest Mischief...Won easily last time in alw company.
Captain Scotty...Dud last time - but hard to ignore the blazing 7/19 work.
Admiral Lynch...Capable in here.
Wendell Fong.

TENTH RACE
Financialstability...Class move is potent.
Continuum...Might fit with these.
No Lime...Precipitous drop on the return.
Deputy Flag.

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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