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With just five days left in the Saratoga meeting, we are beginning to hit our best stride.

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We knocked down four winners on top on the ten race card on Wednesday, producing a modest +16% +ROI for the day. It was the fourth day in a row my top picks were in the black.

My goal is to run the table for the remainder of the meeting, which ends on Monday.

When the final race is official next Monday, I’m hoping my bankroll is in better shape than it was the first couple of weeks of the meeting.

I also hope Hurricane Gustav takes a turn away from me. As of Wednesday night, it looks like it is heading directly at me.

If it does hit, at least I will have a couple of days off to clean up. There is no racing in New York on Tuesday through Thursday of next week. Opening day for the Belmont Park meeting is next Friday, September 5.

The racing office of the NYRA did a stupid thing by placing Wednesday’s New York Turf Writer’s Steeplechase (G1) as the eighth race. Usually the steeplechase races are carded as the first race of the day.

That puts the jump race right in the Pick 6 as well as the late Pick 4.

Sure, it is a Grade 1 race, but most horseplayers do not want to bet on it.

To purchase my full card reports for Saratoga that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, recommendations for today click here.

Here is the opening from Saratoga to get our day off to a good start:

SAR Race 1 Clm $35,000 (1:00 et)
#2 Storm N Lightning 6/1
#7 Caesar Beware 7/5
#6 Huricane Annie 3/1
#3 Rockhurst 6/1

Analysis: #2 Storm N Lightning set a quick early pace and tired in the stretch to finish fifth last out going six furlongs on the turf at Belmont. The gelding drops back in for a straight tag for his third start of his current form cycle. The gelding ran competitive last summer here with a second and a third versus NY bred Alw-2 optional claimers and won over the turf here in '06. Like the jock switch to Edgar.

#7 Caesar Beware won for this tag last out by nearly six lengths as the chalk and was given a seven week break. The gelding is 6 for 10 on turf in his career and has won 2 of his 4 starts since landing in the U.S. He is the logical fav in here but the price is likely going to be on the light side.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 2,7 / 2,3,6,7
TRI: 2,7 / 2,3,6,7 / 2,3,6,7,10,11

Today’s Featured Race From Saratoga: The feature today is the $150,000 New York Turf Writers Steeplechase Handicap (G1), but I am going to “jump ” right past that race.

SAR Race 9 Md Sp Wt (5:30 et)
#7 You Can Dream 5/2
#6 Justwhistledixie 3/1
#8 Clear Cut 8/1
#4 Tapitha 15/1

Analysis: #7 You Can Dream makes her debut for Baffert barn that was 4 for 4 with firsters over the past two seasons here before having Mayor Merv miss yesterday in the fifth race. This filly was a $230K purchase, a good number for an offspring of Cat Dreams, a first crop sire who stands for just $4K. The mare is by Siphon and has dropped one foal to race, 0 for 1 Graceful Amber. Quick works on the morning tab including a bullet out of the gate at Del Mar back in July.

#6 Justwhistledixie is a $425K purchase making her second career start. She stalked the early pace, had to steady in traffic heading down the backstretch and finished well for this. She is a half to stakes winner Chace City ($220K). The barn is 26% winners (with a +ROI) with second time starters.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 6,7 / 4,6,7,8
TRI: 6,7 / 4,6,7,8 / 4,5,6,7,8

Live Longshots: These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Saratoga
R6: #8 Imandra 20/1
R7: #10 Yes By West 10/1
R9: #8 Clear Cut 8/1
R9: #4 Tapitha 15/1
R10: #5 Swamp Willow 8/1
R10: #1 Frisky Rosie 8/1

Good luck today!