Today's Best Bets

Saratoga Race Course Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Meet Total ... 74-245 [$484.00]

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Turf picks are turf only - unless otherwise indicated.

2022 Best Bets Picks/Plays archive.

Yesterday [Sunday]

5-10. Winners in R3 [7.50], R5 [5.60], R6 [6.60], R7 [13.20], R9 [2.70]. Also, R1 ... Bc-Ab-x x 81.00; R2 ... CAE x 99.00 t 313.50; R3 ... ADx 7.50 x 39.20; R4 ... BDAC x 28.20 t 76.50 s 303.40; R6 ... ACx 6.60 x 58.50; R7 ... ABD 13.20 x 54.00 t 418.50; R8 ... CAB x 10.80 t 26.40; R10 .. DCBA x 49.40 t 325.00 s 661.00.

Attendance: 26845. Weather: Sunny and comfortable.

Today

FIRST RACE - $150K G1 Sheppard
Down Royal...With a 'feathery' [well, amongst this bunch anyway] 143 pounds she might be able to double up after the nice win earlier in the meet in G1 Smithwick.
Snap Decision...Tightened up for this by running well on the flat in a stake at Colonial. But must carry a hefty 164.
Chief Justice...Just nipped by top pick in Smithwick.
Belfast Banter.

SECOND RACE
Greeley and Ben...David Jacobson -- with 1272 career victories -- returns, having been away from training since 2018. Heavy lift to win first back after that much time away - but this runner does seem to have an edge.
Quick Return...Won on move to Saratoga last time. Claimed and moves up slightly but should fit here.
O'Trouble...Also claimed out of a win here.
Winning Drive.

THIRD RACE
Mommasgottarun...Top two picks seem evenly-matched but this one gets the slight edge moving into the Cox barn.
Backed by Gold...Seems a good match for the top pick.
Perfect Provision...Speed and a class drop for potent outfit.
Wicked Happy.

FOURTH RACE
I'm Buzzy...Has shown some improvement last two when in for a tag. Tepid nod in an inconsistent bunch.
French Franc...Back to price level of maiden breaker.
Kemba...First exacta finish of the season last time.
Tales of Makenna.
Dirt: 6-7-5-4.

FIFTH RACE
Socially Selective...Sire good with firsters. Sibs are win-early. Trainer however is a little light with 2YO firsters sprinting on dirt at Saratoga over the past few years.
Mija...Trainer can have them ready. Sib Alejandro took eight to win but was 8-1-4-1 in that span.
Implicated...Sire sneaking good with precocious runners.
Justifying.
Padma.

SIXTH RACE
WIDE open.
Mo Rewards...Won debut here last year. Then off until comeback on 7/16 - -which was first turf and first two turns. Eligible to improve.
Seal Beach...Always like the angle of stretching after two sprints - but tries grass here, so...hmm...
Analogy...Better than latest.
Mackillop.
Dirt: 14-3-11-2B.

SEVENTH RACE
Oh Donna...Sire has been good with limited numbver of firsters this year (10-2-5-1). Worked 10.1 before sale. Has some early talent sibs.
U Glow Girl...Beaten fave in debut.
Red Hot Chick...Sib Princess Arantze was 5,1 to start career in Mexico.
Amazon Barbie.
Happy Warrior.

EIGHTH RACE
Mia Bea Star...Hmmm, light on the win-side but is in the mix more often than not.
U Guys Are No Fun...Perhaps benefits from the start over the track last time - and might appreciate the cut back.
Caramocha...Might be tighter in second start back.
Gringotts.

NINTH RACE - $150K NYSS
Dakota Gold...Upset as chalky fave earlier in the meet -- makes amends here.
Marinara Sauced...Likely to go well here.
Barrel of Quests...Nice try on arrival in Saratoga last time.
Shin sun.
Dirt: 8-5-10-3.

TENTH RACE
Cafe Fleur...Benefits from class move.
Go Big Green...In from out of town and should fit here.
Dixie Cannon...There's some talent here although no wins for awhile -but class-wise might appreciate this bunch for the return.
Ocean Air.
Aziza.
Dirt: 6-7-11-8.

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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