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Free Horse Racing Pick - August 23, 2008There is an excellent overall card put together by the racing secretary at Saratoga for "Travers" Saturday. A total of twelve contests, including four stakes, will be highlighted by the 139th running of America's Mid-Summer "Derby.” The $1,000,000 race has drawn a very evenly matched field of twelve three-year-olds in what can only be described as a "contentious" renewal of the famed race. Post-Time is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. (EST) and it will be televised nationally. We have a total of five races today selected for analysis, and all will be from "sunny" Saratoga. An additional note: Post Time at Saratoga for their big Travers day card is 12:00 p.m. (EST) instead of the normal 1:00 p.m., adjust your wagering accordingly. Friday’s Result: Saratoga Race #6 Top Pick #5 (Critical Cathy) $6.00. Today’s Best Bet is #1 Parc des Princess in Race #6 at Saratoga. Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #9 (AL AMIR) - Lightly raced and improving, this bargain priced ($2600) son of "Aljabr" has been sharp in his two races since trainer Angel Penna Jr. added blinkers. He has a very sharp work on August 15, to set him up for this try at win number two. 2nd pick: #11 (Dazzling Derek) - Talented colt had some problems in his only grass race which came after an eight-month layoff. Goes third off that long period of inactivity today and is set-up for his best. 3rd pick: #7 (Woodrunner) - Good second place finish on this course despite some traffic woes on July 26. Race was flattered when winner came back to take another next out. Chance at the top spot. 4th pick: #4 (Key Victory) - The main speed of the contest is coming off a solid try in a New York-bred stakes on this course on August 6. He's become a much better horse since switching to the infield and he must be caught. SARATOGA Race #6 at 2:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (Parc des Princess) - Speedy colt just failed to hold on in his first U.S. start which came on July 18, at Belmont. Race was his first since leaving his native Brazil last fall and trainer Bob Frankel has done very well with these South American imports before. 2nd pick: #3 (Big Stick) - Improving quickly at this stage, this son of "Grand Slam" will be going for his third in a row today. Stalker draws a good spot and should be in close attendance to the top pick. 3rd pick: #5 (Blue Lion) - Son of "Stormy Atlantic" has had traffic issues in his last pair, including trouble at the start of a race here on August 1. Has a good closing kick and an alert break may be all he needs to impact this late. 4th pick: #6 (Riptide) - Blinkers are added by trainer Dave Donk to colt who has raced evenly without threatening in his first three tries at this condition. May offer a square price. SARATOGA Race #8 (THE VICTORY RIDE) at 4:00 PM Eastern Top pick: #5 (INDYANNA) - Filly certainly looks to be something special at this stage. All four of her starts have resulted in ridiculously easy wins. First three were accomplished in her home-base of Northern California and the last, and most importantly, was a win at Calder. Daughter of "Indian Charlie" gets a "class" test today, but I think she's up to the task. 2nd pick: #4 (Informed Decision) - Lightly raced and talented, she'll be making her first start since impressing at Keeneland on April 11. Training forwardly, she has the ability to rate in a race where the pace figures to be fast/contested. 3rd pick: #7 (Sly Storm) - Continues to improve for a top man (Tom Proctor). Lightly-raced daughter of "Storm Cat" is coming off a win in a sprint stakes at Monmouth in what was her best to date. Ready, willing, and dangerous. 4th pick: #3 (More Happy) - Tired in the "Flanders" stakes on August 2, in her first appearance since last September. $1,000,000 daughter of "Vindication" should be more fit today and has some pretty good speed to bring to the table. SARATOGA Race #11 (THE TRAVERS STAKES) at 5:45 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (TALE OF EKATI) - Thought he ran a "winning" race in the "Jim Dandy," but he was compromised by a poor start and a traffic-filled journey. Race was also his first since the "Belmont Stakes" and he may have come up a bit short. Colt continues to train sharply and he draws the coveted rail post. Think he can stay close and win this with a move around the far turn. 2nd pick: #3 (Da'Tara) - The main speed and he was dueled into defeat in the "Jim Dandy" through quick fractions. Latest work is very fast and was no doubt designed by trainer Nick Zito to have him on his toes. Ready for a big attempt at a theft. 3rd pick: #8 (Harlem Rocker) - Four-for-five and he's been carefully handled and spotted up to this point. Continues to train in fine fashion for trainer Todd Pletcher and colt will get his sternest test to date. 4th pick: #11 (Pyro) - Had all sorts of problems in the "Jim Dandy" yet still raced well. Post will compromise his chances today, but he's approaching a big race and it would be no surprise to see him make a dangerous late run. 5th pick: #9 (Mambo In Seattle) - Consistent, game, and likes to win. Improving quickly at this point and he's been pointed to this race for some time. Needs his best yet to have a chance at the win. SARATOGA Race #12 at 6:20 PM Eastern Top pick: #4 (FRA LIPPO) - Looks well set up in his second start off almost a year layoff. Gelding set all the pace in his return run on July 28, and came up a bit short in the final stages. Trainer (Chris Clement) is very strong in his second off the bench situation (31%) and this runner is the choice for the win. 2nd pick: #8 (Burnished Copper) - Makes his third start of the meet and he's finished second in his previous pair. Speed/stalker is an obvious contender, and a repeat of either of his last two efforts makes him a win contender. 3rd pick: #6 (Rockon Rockoff) - Clearly better on the grass, runner has finished second in his last pair at Philly Park against "open" foes. Runner is improving and trainer (Derek Ryan) is better than his overall '08 record (28 for 208). Contender. 4th pick: #2 (Winloc's Saint Ray) - Colt has some speed to employ and hs should be able to establish the hedge with his inside draw. Improving, and clearly prefers the turf. Dangerous at a bit of a price. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-August-22-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-21-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-20-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-19-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-18-2008 |
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