Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Sunday, August 9, 2020 Meet Total ... 62-175

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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

8-12. The wins just kept on comin'! Admittedly, a lot of chalk - but also the 7-1 firster from Mott in R6. And we lost another "W" when our top pick took the DQ in R8.

R1 ... BDC x 26.20 t 87.50; R2 ... ADx 4.50 x 11.20; R3 ... Bc-A-x "B" scr x 24.20; R4 ... AxC 3.70; R5 ... ADx 3.70 x 15.60; R6 ... ACx 16.60 x 66.00; R7 ... ABx 8.30 x 27.80; R8 ... xBA "A" win DQd; R9 ... ABC 6.90 x 16.80 t 53.00; R10 .. ABD 2.60 x 3.60 t 11.60; R11 .. AxC 3.00

Weather: Mostly sunny, warm, slightly humid.

Today

FIRST RACE
Stoney Bennett...Should benefit from seasonal debut.
We Should Talk...Moves into a good off-the-claim barn - but not seen since February. Fits if ready.
Deep Sea...Won here on 7/19 in a similar event.
Vineyard Sound.

SECOND RACE
Ice Queen...Sire is good with firsters. Sib Two Dot 0-for-12 but started career 2,3,2.
Seasons...Sib Winter Sunset won first two. Some nice works.
Misspell...Expensive yearling purchase from potent win-early trainer. Two other sibs unraced.
Frankel At Ascot.
Fluffy Socks.
Dirt: same.

THIRD RACE
Say Moi...Hard to ignore of the latest Beyer in the first try at N1X and around two turns.
Critical Value...NY-bred 2YO filly of the year in 2019. Perhaps better this year.
Smooth With a Kick...Perhaps interesting on the turf to dirt move.
Wild Love.

FOURTH RACE
Fouette...Expensive yearling. Sire showing some promise. Sibs were win-early. Working well.
Lightfoot Miss...Really like this sire with debut runners.
Saratoga Commando...Also with some win-early breeding - and connections.
Union Gables.

FIFTH RACE
Windfall Profit...Two nice improving turf efforts this season.
Bastet...Similar scenario to top pick.
Lady Rosalie...Seems better than latest.
L'Indiscret.
Dirt: 8-7-1-9.

SIXTH RACE
Secondary Market...Chad/Klaravich runner broke maiden in second start last September. Not seen since - but has the potential to come back with some added maturity.
Primacy...And this barnmate to the top pick seems to have, in fact, done just that - come back from two starts as a 2YO with some added maturity and talent.
Palio Flag...Good debut win at Keeneland.
Pop a Choc.
Timely Tradition.
Escape Fund.

SEVENTH RACE
Mo Me Mo My...On the class drop.
Aunt Nadine...Improved on grass.
Stretchthestory...Another making a class move that could be beneficial.
Temperance.
Ginger Kitty.
Summer Fortune.
Dirt: 4-10-9-2.

EIGHTH RACE
City Man...NY-bred tries N1X condition for first time after a steady diet of stakes.
Mr Jaggers...Seems to be improving.
Shamrocket...Also looks to be on the upswing.
Venezuelan Hug.
Dirt: 8-9-4.

NINTH RACE - $85K Alydar
Endorsed...This should prove an easier spot than G1 Met Mile - slight nod in an evenly-matched field.
Its All Relevant..Might try to speed pop 'em - but likely will have to contend with Bodexpress.
Spinoff...On a best effort.
Tenfold.

TENTH RACE
Brunate...Trainer having a good meet and this one might be primed vs this bunch off of a good try here on 7/17.
Pier Forty...Hmm, has back numbers that are clearly good enough - but comeback was disappointing.
Imperio D...Just edged top pick last time.
Bank Gala.

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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