Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Friday, August 5, 2022 Meet Total ... 45-162 [$318.20]

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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.

2022 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday

1-10. Winner in R8 [3.60]. Also, R3 ... BCAD x 15.80 t 29.40 s 48.20; R5 ... DCx x 62.00; R7 ... DBx x 57.00; R8 ... ABx 3.60 x 8.20; R9 ... BCA x 34.40 t 88.00; R10 .. B-Aentry-Aentry-D x 47.60 t 139.00.

Attendance: 23479. The morning was comfortable - but by afternoon it was more of the same: mostly sunny, hot and humid. The forecast earlier in the week was foreboding - predicting suoer-hot temps -- but honestly, as it played out it didn't seem particularly and hotter or more humid than some other recent afternoons. Rain and lightning delayed the start of R7. That passed. But more lightning moved up the post time slightly of the finale, R10.
After the races, just around the corner at the Saratoga Rec Center, the Jockey vs Horsemen basketball game resumed after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Former Syracuse star John Wallace was this year's ringer playing for the jocks -- but, next year let's put the ringer on the horsemen's team as they were trounded by the riders 81-55. Entertaining and all for a good cause: the Racetrack Chaplaincy of NY.

Today

FIRST RACE
Customerexperience...Top two are closely matched - but nod goes here on the overall Beyers on the page.
Well Spent...Certainly fits off latest.
Mia Bea Star...Interesting class move.
Indian Bella.

SECOND RACE
Command Point...Has an edge if ready off the layoff.
Quaria Thunder...Seems improved and improving this year.
Mama Rina...Class drop.
Rosemary Potatoes.
Dirt: 3-10-11.

THIRD RACE
Devil Or Angel...Slight edge in a weak field based on trainer having a good meet.
Capt Remington...Might be the one to beat based on FLakes form.
Makart...Race two back was good enough. Race last time not so much. Again, this is a weak, confusing field.
Barone Marchis.

FOURTH RACE
Magnetron...Slight edge on recent form at FLakes.
Tapizearance...Stumble at start last time doesn't seem enough to be a big excuse -- but perhaps enough to give s chance for a rebound.
Jemography...Also seems better than latest.
Mr Pete.

FIFTH RACE
Shad Nation...Lightly-raced. Has shown some potential and steps out of a stakes try.
My Sweet Story...Belongs on the Beyers.
Rheaume...Hard to fault the record so far.
Hail To.
Dirt: 11-1x-6-7.

SIXTH RACE
Love Tank...Experience counts.
Stellar Lady...Also showed some oomph already.
Run for Cover...Maybe.
She'll Never Know.
Dirt: 2-8-1-10.

SEVENTH RACE
Ragtime Blues...Would have a little more confidence but for the last two dull workouts. So... we'll see...
Lil Commissioner...Off latest.
Direct Order...Trainer good off the claim.
Dark Storm.

EIGHTH RACE - G2 $200K Hall of Fame
Ready to Purrform...Might be primed in third start of season.
Celestial City...Fits here.
Double Clutch...Should benefit from stakes try last time.
Stolen Base.
Chanceux.
Dirt: 3-9-5.

NINTH RACE - G3 $300K Troy
Golden Pal...Disappointed at Ascot - but looked good in seasonal debut and is undefeated on this turf.
Carotari...Better than latest.
True Valour...In good form.
Arzak.
Dirt: 5-4-6-3.

TENTH RACE
Skyward Princess...Looks to have these edge vs these.
Big Bean Christine...In the hunt more often than not.
Wicked Lady...Class move.
Regal Rebel.

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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