Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Thursday, August 13, 2020 Meet Total ... 66-195

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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.

Challenge Yesterday [Sunday]

2-10. Not much to write home about - except for the opportunity to score in R7 [which we did on the Bankroll Challenge page...

R2 ... CBx x 19.00; R3 ... ABx 5.60 x 12.60; R4 ... DAx x 36.40; R7 ... ADC 12.20 x 153.00 t 896.00; R9 ... CBx x 11.40

Weather - yep, sunny, hot and humid.

Today

FIRST RACE
Eluciation...In a field of nine where five 'pulled up' last time and three more lost by 12, 16 and 30 lengths - we'll go with the one horse that actually ran well in the latest - in fact, he won.
Iranistan...Maybe the early speed will count vs this field.
New Member...Top jump trainer. Hmm.
Cracker Factory.

SECOND RACE
Boss Bear...Sib Alpha Bear won debut. Worked 10.2 before auction.
Lutescoot N Boogie...7/22 work signals potential to be live in first start.
Malibu Luna...Filly tries the boys in this restricted MSW.
Safe Conduct.

THIRD RACE
Olendon...Primed in third start back.
Turf War...Just behind top pick last time.
Kitten's Covergirl...Cuts back but has sprinted well before.
Lost Ticket.
Dirt: 9-6-1A-3.

FOURTH RACE
First Rate...Perhaps primed off the OK try in a similar event on 7/17.
Blood Moon...Just in front of top pick last time.
Heirloom Kitten...If able to repeat Beyer from latest - but that was against maidens.
Grit and Glory.

FIFTH RACE
Dream Chasing...Good try in a similar event last time.
Robin Sparkles...Comes out of a salty MSW.
She So Naughty...Beyers are light but performance was good last time.
Bonus Baby.
Dirt: 13-10-3-11.

SIXTH RACE
Risky Mandate...Interesting on the stretchout.
Off Topic...Even-money ML fave needs to rebound to a better effort as the April 2020 debut was disappointing.
Foxtail...Dangerous speed.
Indy Union.

SEVENTH RACE
I'm Blaming You...Worked 10.1 before auction. Sib Trickle In won first two and three of first four.
Thin White Duke...Experience counts.
Chulainn...Has some win-early breeding.
Daggerboard.
Dirt: Same plus 1A.

EIGHTH RACE
Mandate...Nice win here on 7/26 - but makes a tough class move. Slight edge in a competitive field.
Turn of Events...Also making a move into tougher company off of a win.
Quiet Out East...Clearly a contender with this group.
Bray.

NINTH RACE - $85K Union Ave
Newly Minted...Jump-ball between top two - slight edge to this gal on a best effort.
Ratajkowski...Won seasonal debut - seems evenly-matched with top pick.
Mrs Orb...Just behind Ratajkowski last time.
Carrera Cat.

TENTH RACE
Data Analytics...Did not live up to win-early sire in Oct debut - perhaps goes better here for potent team.
Chocolate Cookie...'Fresh face'.
Gaelic Gold...AE. Ran well here in a similar race last time.
Kilkea.AE.
Two Cent Tootsie.
Dancing Kiki.
Sainte Mere Eglise.
Dirt: Same.

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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