When Senor Fuego got home as my top pick in Wednesday’s opener, returning a whopping $2.80, I did not exactly feel like it was going to be a big day.

However, the winners kept coming, Khukuri ($13.60) winning the third, Nedjma ($$9.70) in the sixth, and I swept the final three races on the card, Classical Fashion ($$10.40), Fiddlers Afleet ($3.60), and Apple Grove ($15.80) completing a $1 Pick 3 that returned $125.75.

The six winners on top on the ten race card produced a +180% +ROI with my top picks, one of the better days during the meeting.

I listed nine of the ten winners, the lone runner I missed being the D. Wayne Lukas trainee Wildcat Nation ($16.00) which was in the seventh race, a quick knockout for me in the late Pick 4.

There is only one stake on today’s card, the $100,000 New York Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap (G1).

There are six stakes on Saturday’s card, including the $1 million Shadwell Stakes. There are 13 races on the Travers Day card, which should keep me up late the next couple of days.

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

Here is today's opener from Saratoga to get our day off to a good start:

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SAR Race 1 Clm $20,000B (1:00 et)
#6 Lofty Banner 7/2
#5 Longing for Malibu 6/1
#4 He's Long Gone 4/1
#1 El Windo / #1a Twisted Dream 3/1

Analysis: #6 Lofty Banner is one of just three in here that has beaten winners and the lone runner in here with a win over the main track at the Spa. The gelding made a good late rally and drew clear to beat $20K non-winners of two last out. Two back he checked in third behind Rodman, who came back to beat $50K starter allowance types in his next start here on August 19. The gelding owns solid late pace numbers and he should get some pace in front of him in this spot. He looks sharp enough he should be able to run these down.

#5 Longing for Malibu is making his first start since a fifth place finish in the NY Derby. The third place finisher in the race was Uncle T Seven, who returned to win a NY Stallion series race here on August 12. The winner and fourth place finisher both ran on Wednesday in the NY bred Albany here. The gelding appears to have enough pedigree power to handle nine furlongs and the Weaver barn has been sending out live runners at the meet, 15 of 34 starters landing in the exacta. This guy is worth a longer look if Pocket Cowboys and Legal Consent come back to run well in the Albany on Wednesday and the 6/1 ML looks more than fair.

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

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

SAR Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:55 et)
#4 Southside Babe 8/1
#6 Mohegan Sky 3/1
#8 Acquired Cat 6/1
#5 Absolute Heaven 5/2

Analysis: #4 Southside Babe made a mild late rally to finish third last out at this condition and now cuts back to 5 1/2 furlongs. The mare makes her third start of her current form cycle and has run well sprinting on the turf, breaking her maiden going five furlongs. She is going to be coming from out of it but she should see more pace in front of her here than she did last out and nothing wrong with her 8/1 ML.

#6 Mohegan Sky tracked the early pace while in between foes and made a mild late bid to finish fourth last out in the Finney. She is a stakes winner on turf and will appreciate the drop back into the allowance ranks as well as facing state breds here. Rice has been on fire at the meet and does her best work in turf sprints. Garcia is 8 for 18 riding for the barn at this meeting. She popped a bullet work over the turf here on August 21. The way the barn is going this gal is likely going to go off at a light price but she fits well here.

Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 4,5,6,8
TRI: 4,6 / 4,5,6,8 / 2,4,5,6,8,9

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
R2: #3 Smarty Karakorum 12/1
R3: #3 Dalucci 10/1
R4: #3 Queen Ann 12/1
R5: #7 Straight Romance 15/1
R6: #4 King Rock 12/1
R8: #4 Southside Babe 8/1

Good luck today!