|
Horse Racing Handicapper - August 31, 2008The days at Saratoga have dwindled down to two as the 36-day stand comes to a close tomorrow on Labor Day. Today's card is highlighted by the "Spinaway" (G1) for two-year-old fillies and the final day will feature two-year-old colts and geldings in the G1 "Hopeful" stakes. Today we have a total of four races from upstate New York for analysis and selections. Today's Best Bet is #1 Retribution in Race #3 at Saratoga. Saturday's Results: Saratoga Races 2-3 Daily Double (4-5) $60.50. Saratoga Race #3 Best Bet # 5 (Rollers) $3.50. Saratoga Race #10 Top Pick #5 (Curlin) $2.70. Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #1 (RETRIBUTION) - Just failed to hang on last out, losing by a "nose" in the last stride in what was his best effort since the spring of '07. Draws a good post to utilize his speed and stays at the same level. Runner has a big work on August 22, making him the horse to beat. 2nd pick: #7 (Grasberg) - Son of "Thunder Gulch" had a terrible trip last out and may have been best in that contest. Lightly raced and improving, he's a late threat from just off the top. 3rd pick: #3 (Hangingonbyathread) - Rallied late on the July 31, to finish a respectable third, finishing about two lengths shy of "Retribution". Nearing his peak, and if he can get a good trip, is a late threat. 4th pick: #9 (Sky Dragon) - Deep closer cuts back in distance and draws a difficult post for his style. Still, he has faced some tough fields along the way and the pace WILL be fast in this heat. 5th pick: #4 (North Country) - Gives away a ton of experience to all, but he draws the hedge and is approaching a peak run. Possible exotics threat. SARATOGA Race #6 at 3:35 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (TASHA'S STAR) - Works are fast and she draws the rail for her debut. Trainer (Ken McPeek is having a solid meet (19-5-2-2) and his main-man (Robby Albarado) is aboard. Trainer/jockey combination is a strong one, winning at 24%. 2nd pick: #11 (Amanwella) - Set all the pace last out in her first start with lasix and held well for second. Cuts back half a furlong and draws a good post for the distance. 3rd pick: #13 (Critical) - Daughter of "Malibu Moon" was off slowly in her well-bet Monmouth debut on July 5. To her credit filly plugged along gamely and finished a close-up fourth. She's worked solidly since and is a threat at a square price. 4th pick: #10 (Sweet Ariette) - Saved ground and finished evenly in her debut on August 7 which came on a sloppy track. Daughter of "Unbridled's Song" is eligible to improve quickly at a nice price. Filly loses "Prado" to our third pick. SARATOGA Race #8 (THE CAVEAT COMPETOR) at 4:40 PM Eastern Top pick: #1 (SEA CANTER) - Talented filly from the Todd Pletcher barn established herself as a filly of quality last season at two with a series of strong turf outings. Daughter of "War Chant" was a double stakes winner in '07 including a victory in the inaugural running of the "Epitome" BC at Monmouth on October 26. Filly made her seasonal and three-year-old debut on August 9, and tired late after setting all of the pace. She's worked well since and should be much fitter today. 2nd pick: #8 (Mousse Au Choclat) - Another Todd Pletcher-trained filly, she'll be making her second start in the U.S. after coming here from France. Daughter of "Hennessy" kept top company overseas and was a major winner. No chance in her U.S debut when she had all sorts of problems early on. Lasix is added for start number two and she could improve dramatically. 3rd pick: #4 (Ready For Fortune) - Filly stretches-out for trainer Gary Contessa off a second place finish at Monmouth in a small stakes going 5.5-furlongs. Working swiftly since and she's a factor from start-to-finish at a good price. 4th pick: #2 (Ossun) - Talented French import had an extremely rough journey in her U.S. debut in the "Madame Jumel" stakes on this course August 9. Draws the shortest way home and is a big threat to improve at a price. 5th pick: #9 (Blitzen Too) - New York-bred daughter of "Thunder Gulch" has a strong closing kick and is working well for this. Obvious that turf is her game and she could receive a fast/contested pace from which to rally into. SARATOGA Race #10 (THE SPINAWAY) at 5:45 PM Eastern Top pick: #5 (MINE ALL MINE) - Extremely impressive in her maiden win on this surface July 24. Daughter of "Belong to Me" had shown ample promise this past spring when she ran twice against colts. Recent easy win was off a two month layoff and at no time was she ever in any danger. Working like a champ and this race has been their intended target right along. Trainer (Wesley Ward) is having his best Saratoga meet ever. 2nd pick: #3 (Casanova Move) - Lasix was added by Jimmy Jerkens last out and the change was immediate and produced an impressive win on this track. She's worked sharply since and looks like she has the ability to stalk a bit before being asked for her best. 3rd pick: #8 (Mani Bahvan) - Impressive wins in her first pair which were a maide win at Delaware and a victory in the "Adirondack" (G2) on this surface. Both wins were in wire-to-wire style and she draws a great post for another such attempt. 4th pick: #4 (Jardin) - Easy win on opening day in the Schuylerville (G3) over a rather "watered down" group. No major knocks from me as filly is two-for-two and has done so easily. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-August-30-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-29-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-28-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-27-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-August-26-2008 |
   RSS
FEEDS
Sports Picks
HOME
TO: |
