Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Saturday, August 8, 2020 Meet Total ... 54-163

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 $2000 bankroll and attempt to increase that amount as the Saratoga season continues.

Merrow's picks can also be found on most Saratoga racing says at the Capital OTB Handicappers' Report. Also on a rotating basis throughout the Saratoga meet in the hard copy of the Albany Times-Union.

Turf picks are turf only - unless otherwise indicated.

2020 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday

3-10. R1 ... BCAD x 9.80 t 22.80 s 89.40; R2 ... Ab-Bc-x "A" scr 4.70 x 12.20; R3 ... A-Bc-Cd "C" scr 4.70 x 7.10 t 11.40; R5 ... BAx x 31.00; R8 ... ABD 5.90 x 20.80 t 57.00; R9 ... CBD x 28.80 t 153.00

Weather: Mostly sunny, comfotably warm.

Today

FIRST RACE
Glynn County...Interesting - improved in seasonal debut with move to turf and class drop. Claimed out of that one and move back to MSW for trainer going well at the meet.
Doswell...Not seen since the end of this meet last year. Disappointed at a short price in that event but, it was on dirt and he had some trouble. Bullet 8/2 work seems to indicate readinesss for 2020 debut.
Compliant...Also making first start of the year and looks to fit with these.
The Angry Man.
Dirt: 2-6-3.

SECOND RACE
Lil Commissioner/Musical Heart...Lil Commissioner preferred. A former Navarro runner that actually seemed improved in first start for new barn. Musical Heart seems capable. We'll land here if preffered half scratches trusting the trainer to be making the right move.
Shalako...Nice win here on 7/23 - bumps up the claiming ladder slightly but should still fit well.
Hammerin Aamer...Behind two of the three mentioned above in the latest effort.
Crerative Style.

THIRD RACE
Light in the Sky...Seems primed of the last two.
Saratoga Love...AE. Got some experience vs this type last time.
Risky mischief...Coming out of stakes we might regret not rating this one higher.
Ava K's Girl.
Violent Point.
Dirt: 3-1-11-2.

FOURTH RACE
Hieroglyphics...A touch of class relief for trainer going well here with turfers.
Golden Spear...Comeback was good and can build on that.
Siding Spring...Perhaps a rebound to a better effort on the class move.
Field of Courage.
Dirt: 1e-6-2-4-10.

FIFTH RACE
Mutasaabeq...Expensive weanling purchase by a very good debut sire.
Bottle Rocket Man...Sib Snowboarder won debut in Europe.
American Gentleman...Should benefit from first-out experience.
Guana Cay.

SIXTH RACE
American Monarch...Workouts seem to indicate some first-out intent.
Fire At Will...Also seems to be working well for debut.
Secret Potion...Win-early sire. Win-early trainer. And a big price at auction.
Hidden Enemy.
Dirt: 11-3-10-1-4-12.

SEVENTH RACE - G2 $300K Ballerina
Serengeti Empress...Hoping for a rebound to the good battle at this trip here last year vs Covfefe in the G1 Test. Hard to know if that's in the cards off of the last two - but, that 7/26 workout seems to signal a possibility.
Bellafina...Perhaps a stalk and pounce if there's a duel early.
Pink Sands...Another that might be coming late.
Come Dancing.

EIGHTH RACE - G3 $200K Troy
Imprimis...Tough bunch to predict with the more talented performers having some less impressive performances at the top of the PPs. However, this guy was solid in the seasonal debut last year and is working well.
Shekky Shebaz...Seemed to regress on first start away from Servis.
Chewing Gum...Perhaps will fit well with these off of nice try vs lesser last time.
Pure Sensation.

NINTH RACE - G3 $150K Waya
My Sister Nat...Improved Beyer fired in the seasonal debut. Another step forward today?
Mrs Sippy...Looks like the one to beat - if ready to go in first start back.
Fools Gold...Barn mate to top pick looks capable with a top effort.
Olympic Games.
Dirt: 6-3-2.

TENTH RACE - G1 $300K Test
Gamine...Undefeated under the wire [although DQd from Oaklawn win two back]. Eye-popping 110 Beyer last time. Hard to go beyond - unless you can make a case for a 'bounce'.
Venetian Harbor...Top 3YO filly working well for this trip to the east coast.
Mrs Danvers...Likely to be heard from in the lane.
Up in Smoke.

ELEVENTH RACE - G1 $1mil Travers
Tiz the Law...Leads the 3YO class - deservedly so with a resume that includes G1s Champagne, Florida Derby and Belmont. Working well for this assignment.
Uncle Chuck...The lack of experience is the question mark - but trainer Baffert perhaps is enough to overcome that drawback.
Max Player...Ok third in the G1 Belmont behind top pick last time.
Country Grammer.

TWELFTH RACE
Misty Taste...Not much last year - but hard to ignore the two bullet works.
Blitchton Lady...OK second in return - behind a nice next-out winner.
Bankers Beast...Benefits from debut education?
Tiny Magoo.

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: 2013 ... 2012 ... 2011 ... 2010... 2009 ...2008 ... 2007 ... 2006 ... 2005 ... 2004 ... 2003

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: