Equidaily Racing Journal

Today's Best Bets

by Seth Merrow
www.equidaily.com

Saratoga Race Course
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Meet Total ...87-271

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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

3-9. R2 ... ADBC 5.10 x 37.00 t 85.00 s 194.00; R3 ... ABC 2.90 x 5.90 t 8.60; R5 ... ACE 6.30 x 24.60 t 67.00

Weather: Mostly sunny and comfortable.

["A" is our top pick, "B" the second selection, and so on...]


Today

FIRST RACE
After Five...Lone sib Idle Wind 0-for-5, so... But, worked 9.4 before March auction and trainer good with debuting turf sprinters.
Takeaway...Also trained by WW. Lone sib Kizzy B was second in four of first five.
Honorable...Pletcher firster by Constitution - so enough said as far as nature and nurture. But, the auction price seems a little light.
Foliage.
Dirt: Same plus 4.

SECOND RACE
Airtouch...Chalky ML fave - certainly seems to have the talent to live up to that -- but, a very lightly-raced 5YO comes back for a tag and as a gelding. Hmm. [See Thebigfundamental in R4]
Macho Jack...Seemed improved in the 4YO comeback win. Claimed. Should fit with these.
Beach Front...Trainer good off the claim - and make a confident move up.
Oh My Papa.

THIRD RACE
French Reef...Chad trainee impressed in seasonal debut win. Repeat is clearly good enough here.
Fast Getaway...Typically in the hunt.
Cryogenic...In good form.
American Mandate.
Dirt: 4-7-3-5-2-8.

FOURTH RACE
W-i-i-i-i-de open.
Super Dude...On the class drop.
Heavy Roller...Beaten fave last time and claimed -- but it was voided and he drops further today. Hmm.
Thebigfundamental...Flopped on that questionable drop down on the return -- and drops again. but there is back-class.
Hammerin Aamer.

FIFTH RACE
Winfromwithin...Hasn't lived up to the win-early Into Mischief breeding so far - but maybe with the switch-ups: Two-turns and turf.
Excursion...Exepsnice yearling purchase is a sib to 2013 G1 Preakness winner Oxbow. Sib Awesome Patriot won debut.
Sifting Sands...Potent connections.
Thorn.
Dirt: Same plus 12-11-1A.

SIXTH RACE
Love Me Tomorrow...OK try in a similar event last time. Might appreciate the slight cutback.
Central Exit...Further class-relief in second off the claim start.
Shenandoah River...Might be interesting in debut.
Happy Hill Lil.

SEVENTH RACE
Lonesome Fugitive...Seems primed to get it done in second start at the level.
Kingmeister...Just behind top pick last time - also in fitst try N1X.
Plot the Dots...Tried stakes company in turf debut last time.
turn of Events.
Dirt: 3-2-6-8.

EIGHTH RACE
Blewitt...OK in turf stake last time. Dangerous with return to main track.
Growth Engine...Solid comeback to build on.
Noble Thought...Fits with these.
Sea Foam.
Its All Relevant.
Winston's Chance.

NINTH RACE - G1 $400K Fourstardave
Raging Bull...Plenty of talent set to line up in here - this guy gets a slight nod off two good runs already this year.
Uni... 2019 G1 BC Mile winner disappointed a little in seasonal debut - but improvement wouldn't be a surprise.
Without Parole...Should be in the mix.
Halladay.

TENTH RACE
Rakeez...Hmm. Impressed in maiden-breaker -- but off since that January win and returns for a $40K tag?
Battalion...Should appreciate the class move.
Letterman...Seasonal debut and might be interesting with speed from the rail. Trainer going well here.
Catorat.
Kid Chocolate.
Dirt: 7-10-2.


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

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