Horse Racing Best Bets - August 17, 2008

We feature a pair of races from Saratoga and one each from Del Mar and Monmouth.

Today's Best Bet is: SARATOGA (Race 9) JUST AS WELL.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

MONMOUTH Race #1 at 12:50 PM Eastern

Top pick: #1 (ROCKANDAHARDPLACE) - Sharp efforts last two starts dropping to this $5000 level. Figures to be on or near the lead for a very hot barn.

2nd pick: #6 (Fortunate Storm) - Has the speed to be close to top pick from the start. Gets a positive rider change from bug boy to journeyman rider.

3rd pick: #2 (Truer Than True) - Trainer change off a game win back at this level. Loves this course. Tactical speed from good inside post.

Top pick: #1 (ALABAMA MAN) - Very dangerous dropping into a claimer for the 1st time. Has the speed to sit a good stalking trip from post 1. Hot barn!

2nd pick: #7 (J J's Profit) - Returns for a good layoff trainer who has been red hot this week. Tactical speed and draws a better post today.

3rd pick: #2 (Maven) - Should enjoy the cut-back to a sprint for top barn. Top trainer Dutrow excellant going route to sprint.

4th pick: #6 (Ridge Royale) - Makes first start on the lawn with a nice grass pedigree. Trainer wins high percentage of races.

Top pick: #1 (SOUTH BAY SCOTY) - Back sprinting, making second start for Mitchell, who wins many races first or second start off the claim. Drops back into a claimer. Can stalk or make one run.

2nd pick: #4 (Yankee Visionary) - New connections. Steps up in razor sharp form. Cuts back to seven furlongs, the distance of his win two back.

3rd pick: #6 (Savy And Smooth) - Takes smart drop in class, back on dirt, in second start off a layoff. Draws good outside post with his tactical speed.

Top pick: #2 (JUST AS WELL) - Trainer Sheppard has been red hot this meet, especially with long distance horses. This five-year-old is bred to love 1 5/8 miles. Likes to lay back and make one late run.

2nd pick: #5 (Summer Patriot) - Four-year-old who is steadily improving. Dangerous tactcial speed in a race which lacks much early lick.

3rd pick: #3 (Crown Point) - Has been facing tougher for quite some time. Only three career wins, but fits very well here with softer. Distance suits.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• View our horse racing tip here.
• Check out our updated win at horse racing.
• Don't forget to visit our handicapping horse racing.
• Check out horse racing betting guide here.
• Here we show our bouncing horse racing.
• Read our racing rules here.
• View our updated horseracing racebooks.
• Take a look at our kentucky derby picks here.
• View our preakness stakes handicapping here.
• View belmont stakes handicapper here.
• Check out our updated 2008 horseracing prior pick results.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-August-16-2008
MONMOUTH Race #2 at 1:20 PM EasternTop pick: #1 (DEFREREST OF ALL) - Dangerous speed stretching out to two turns. Not much early lick in here which only helps his chances as well as post 1....

Horse-Racing-Picks-August-15-2008
SARATOGA Race #1 at 1:00 PM EasternTop pick: #7 (CIELO SONG) - Goes turf-to-dirt and will make his first start for trainer Gary Contessa off a claim here on August 4. Dirt seems fine off some of his r...

Horse-Racing-Picks-August-14-2008
SARATOGA Race #2 at 1:30 PM EasternTop pick: #1 (SEMINOLE LASS) - Firster by a good win-early sire, "Indian Charlie" resides in a winning barn (Mike Trombetta) and trainer has already had a pair of fi...

Horse-Racing-Picks-August-13-2008
SARATOGA Race #2 at 1:30 PM EasternTop pick: #6 (CELESTIAL DIAMOND) - $700,000 son of "Malibu Moon" has been picking up his works of late and trainer (Kiaran McLaughlin) has already unveiled some quic...

Horse-Racing-Picks-August-12-2008
DELAWARPARK Race #2 at 1:10 PM EasternTop pick: #6 (CRUSINWITHCHARLIE) - Runner takes a major plunge in value today going from $25,000 all the way down to $10K. He has plenty of speed, but with old- t...