Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Friday, August 28, 2020 Meet Total ...98-308

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

4-9. R1 ... BAC x 31.00 t 98.50; R2 ... A-x-Bc "B" scr 3.40; R3 ... Cd-Bc-Ab "A" scr off turf - dirt picks x 15.60 no tri only four ran; R4 ... ADC 6.10 x 29.40 t 149.50; R5 ... Ad-Be-x "A" "B" "C" scr 2.90 x no ex off turf - dirt picks only three ran; R7 ... De-Cd-x "A" scr x 7.10 off turf - dirt picks; R9 ... Ab-x-Bc "A" scr 4.10 off turf - dirt picks

Weather: Cool, drizzly morning turned nasty around lunchtime with a downpour washing all turf races to the main track. Rain stopped pretty much by first post - but the rest of the afternoon was cool and damp.

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

Today

FIRST RACE - $100K NY Stallion
Captain Bombastic...Back in against NY-breds. Seems to have a clear edge.
Dream Bigger...Should appreciate return to dirt sprint.
Chowda...You can actually grab some chowda - or a lobster, or fried clams - at Eddie F's in Saratoga. Owners and staff of the joint have already had plenty to root for with three wins in six starts - including a stakes race. Off since Feb though and top two picks make this a salty race.
Slash Gordon.

SECOND RACE
Princess Fawzia...Two near-misses at this level.
Come Storming...Just behind top pick last time.
Hurricane Breeze...Behind top two last time. Capable on best effort.
Kenba.
Dirt: 6-2-8-1.

THIRD RACE
Principal Dancer...Third start back after some improvement last time. Tepid pick in a lackluster field.
Wardenofthenorth...Perhaps brings in the best recent form.
Continuum...Beyers tossed in first two seem to match up with these - but disappointed vs similar last time.
Swordsman.
Bank On This.

FOURTH RACE
Mister Bobby...Primed in third start back for trainer having a good meet?
Stage Left...Similar scenario to top pick.
Cobble Hill...Hmm -- might wind up being the one to beat.
Southern Bridge.

FIFTH RACE
The Promised Road...Sib No Mo Promises won debut. Sib Mo Promise was 2,7,1 to start career.
Party At Page's...Near-miss in debut.
Violentiam...Sire good with debut runners. Sib Pins and Needles was 4,1 to start.
Ruby Stilletto.
Herald Angel.
Dirt: same plus 14-13.

SIXTH RACE
Dovima...Union Rags a good win-early sire. Sibs Little Emma and Secret Gypsy won their debuts.
Back Channel...Has run decently in first two.
Lady Rocket...Expensive 2YO purchase makes belated debut but working well and interesting on the move from CD.
Barista Vixen.

SEVENTH RACE
Sayyaaf...Bottled up into the lane last time - we're hoping that provided discouragement because he didn't really unleash when finally free, but it's possible it was just too late at the turf sprint trip. Prior Beyers suggest that's the case. We'll see...
Rocket Heat...Bona fide turf sprinter - but not seen since December and comes back as an 8YO.
Honey Won't...In good form when last seen.
New York's Finest.
Dirt: 11-8-1A-12-10-3.

EIGHTH RACE
Irish Front...Impressive win on the comeback.
Wild Medagliad'oro...Nice win in last dirt try.
Blindwillie McTell...Third last time behind Asmussen sprinter that will contend in a stake tomorrow.
Famished.

NINTH RACE - G3 $100K Lake George
Sweet Melania...Talented stakes runner from Pletcher looked good in seasonal debut stakes win.
My Sassy Sarah...NY-bred looks interesting off the latest.
Micheline...Capable on best.
Selflessly.
Dirt: 7-4-8.

TENTH RACE
Beyond Brown...Perhaps the one to catch.
Cainudothetwist...Good-looking debut.
Spin Your Partner...Another with potentially some early speed.
Little Red Button.
Dirt: 6-7-11-5.

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: