Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Friday, July 22, 2022 Meet Total ... 18-61 [$147.10]

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Turf picks are turf only - unless otherwise indicated.

2022 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday

2-10. Winners in R1 [3.80] and R3 [10.40]. Also, R2 ... BCAD x 43.40 t 98.50 s 195.40; R7 ... BAx x 10.80 D scr; R8 ... CDBA x 45.80 t 171.50 s 347.00; R9 ... BAC x 26.20 t 31.40 D scr.

Attendance: 19442. Crazy weather. Again it was hot and very humid. Add in a heavy rain storm shortly before the first race and a bizarre downpour in bright sunlight just prior to R8 [Two race stayed on the turf - two moved off]. Otherwise it was sunny.

Today

FIRST RACE
Appraise...Relying on potent win-early connections in a WIDE open race.
Inflation Nation...Win-early sire. Worked 10.0 before auction. Sib Merimbule won debut in France - albeit at 1 1/8M.
Alexis Zorba...Notably named Euro trainer starts first of his runners at Spa. ML fave - but will the trainer win a turf sprint in first Saratoga start.
Wico.
9-1e-3-6.

SECOND RACE
The Prince's Spur...Solid debut in off-the-turfer. Win-early sire and trainer.
Indemnify/Growth Capital...Capable firster and a good-looking runner with improving Beyers.
Clubbing...Might benefit from experience and move to grass.
Oglethorpe.
Dirt: 6-3-7-8.

THIRD RACE
American Rule...Better than latest.
Amount...Also looking to rebound - and that's likely.
Pioneer Spirit...And yet another that's likely better than we saw in his most recent effort.
Hammerin Aamer.

FOURTH RACE
Beachfront Bid...Drops in for a tag for potent trainer.
I'm Glad...Also making the strong move in for a tag.
Miss Bonnie T...Capable.
Rhombique.
Whiskey Lullaby.
Dirt: 8-6-9-2.

FIFTH RACE
Future Victory...Pletcher/Repole runner should benefit from class move.
Chess's Dream/Voliero...Voliero preferred.
Our Country...Also with a positive class move.
Girl Dad.
Dirt: 6-3-12-11.

SIXTH RACE
Slow Decision...Win-early trainer. Didn't get it done in debut but now switches surface and might benefit from that.
Ria's Angel...Class drop.
Tuesday's Child...Typically in the hunt.
Lucky Mucho Man.

SEVENTH RACE
Keepmeinmind...Showed a little bit of promise in first couple of seasons. Returns as 4YO in Pletcher barn.
Efficiency...Broke through nicely in second start.
Naval Aviator...Riding a small win streak.
Fighter in the Win.

EIGHTH RACE
Sassy Melissa...In good form.
Palace Gossip...In the hunt more often than not.
Kokopelli...Showed ability early. Makes noise here if fit for the comeback.
Makin My Move.
Dirt: 7-1-11-2-9.

NINTH RACE - G3 $175K Lake George
Eminent Victor...Solid in the 3YO debut.
Dolce Zel...Beaten fave last time. Gets the chance today to validate talent one way or the other.
Skims...Has been running well. Comes in off a bullet work.
Republique.
Dirt: 6-7-3.

TENTH RACE
Let Her Inspire U...Improved.
Ready AP...Capable.
Queen Arella...NY-bred FLakes invader tried the G3 Schuylerville here as a 2YO.
Fancy Feline.
Gringotts.

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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